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The strains of Mozart could be heard over the sea, as they sipped their drinks and watched the sun sink behind the horizon, coloring the sky with deep blues, light purples, a dash of pink, and a last hue of gold.
She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed. “This is peaceful and heavenly. I could go on like this forever.”
There was a melancholy tone to her voice.
“But?” He prompted.
She straightened. “But aren’t we living in a fantasy world? Private planes, lush hotels, gorgeous sunsets, stolen moments. I’m only here temporarily, and while Mr. P is being gracious about our relationship, what’s our future once I’m gone?”
Her words cut his heart. “I’m willing to pursue a future if you are.”
She turned to face him, unshed tears glistening in her eyes. “How? You live in Greece, and I live in France. My work takes me all over the world.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “I don’t see how we can work this out.”
“You could stay,” he invited. “You don’t have to leave. We could continue dating and see where this leads.” He covered her hand with his own. “You can be part of all of our lives.”
“But I want a life of my own,” she said. “I want to marry again and have children.” She slipped her hand from his and threaded her hands together in her lap. In a soft voice she asked, “Would you take a bullet for him?”
Leo sucked in a sharp breath. He knew she meant would he, as Stavros, take a bullet for Mr. P. And he knew Stavros would. Leo would do the same for him, and so there was only one answer. “Yes.”
“That’s another part of the problem. I don’t think I could handle sending you off to work each day, knowing you might not come back or might be injured.”
“Rose, you and I both know that death gives no warning. Your husband was coming home in a rainstorm from an ordinary workday. People we love are always one moment away from being gone. That’s why we have to cherish the moments we have together.” He attempted to take her hand, but she pulled away.
“You’re right. But that doesn’t mean I have to choose a future with a man whose odds of dying are significantly increased by his position.”
“You’re right, of course.” He thought hard, tension filling his shoulders and nerves filling his gut. She was already talking herself out of a future together based on his job, a job he didn’t have. This was the moment when he needed to come clean with Rose about who he really was. He was already losing her. He might as well lose her to the truth as to a lie. “Rose, there’s something I need to tell you. Something you need to know so you can make an informed decision.”
She turned her watery eyes on him. Her breath hitched. “Yes, Stavros.”
The expression on her face told him she expected a declaration of love. There was such hope, such tenderness in those soulful eyes, how could he dash all of her hopes with the truth? He wavered, teetered between doing the right thing and chickening out. He’d never been a coward. Now wasn’t the time to start, though he sensed being honest would cost him Rose. His heart shrank at the thought.
“Rose, I’m—”
His phone rang, and he jumped. Drat! He must’ve forgotten to turn off the ringer. He looked at the phone and hid the screen so Rose wouldn’t see Stavros’s name beneath his face on the caller ID. “Yes?”
“Nefeli is running a fever and has a rash. She needs you.”
Leo stood. “We’re on our way.”
Sensing his urgency, Rose stood. “Is it the children?”
“Nefeli has a fever and rash.” He threw some money onto the table, and they left the restaurant.
He texted Plutus to pick them up and received a response that he was in the drop-off spot, already having been notified by Stavros. Leo took Rose’s hand as they rushed through the narrow streets. He was grateful she’d worn sandals and not heels so they could move that much faster.
Catching sight of the car, he nearly broke into a run.
Rose tripped on the edge of a paver, and Stavros had to slow to catch her from falling.
“I’m okay,” she said.
When they reached the car, Leo threw the door open and scooted onto the seat after Rose. His confession would have to wait. The balance of his future with Rose would have to wait. His little girl needed him.
♥ ♥ ♥
Rose shook the cobwebs from her head as she sat up in bed. Her brain felt heavy from lack of sleep. She rolled her neck and shoulders to straighten out the kinks. She rubbed at a knot in her neck.
Movement from the corner chair startled her. “Oh!”