General Houlis continuing to amass support behind the scenes, the frustrated public a perfect target for his efforts.
She let him cool off as their security declared the area secure and they were welcomed into the cozy little restaurant off a main avenue by the proprietor, who led them to an out-of-the-way table at the back, where the handsome, dark-haired, green-eyed Tassos sat waiting for them. He was, of course, busily engaged with their beautiful blonde waitress.
“Attempting to find a suitable bottle of wine,” he informed them as he stood and gave Kostas a clap on the shoulder and Stella a kiss on both cheeks. “Any preferences?”
“Anything with alcohol in it,” Kostas suggested, holding out Stella’s chair and tucking her into the table.
Tassos gave him a mocking look. “I thought you gave that up with the monks?”
A half smile broke through her fiancé’s stiffness. “There were certain habits I wasn’t willing to give up.”
Tassos asked the waitress to bring them a bottle of Chianti. “It’s the sex I couldn’t do without,” he said, offering the departing blonde a smile full of promise. “That’s where I derive my tranquillity from.”
“Clearly you must be very tranquil, then,” Kostas returned mockingly. “Have you decided who the lucky recipient will be for the wedding? We’re seven days out.”
“It’s an issue,” said Tassos, face deadpan. “There is an implicit assumption among women if you bring them to a wedding that it’s serious. On the other hand,” he said, a contemplative look on his face, “when the champagne is flowing, it’s sure to be enjoyable. Maybe I should just take the waitress.”
Stella shook her head at his arrogance. Tassos was good-looking and charming enough to get away with it. The blonde would likely trip over herself in her haste to say yes. It turned her thoughts to her current problem—her very arrogant fiancé’s request for calmer waters in their relationship.
She had to let go of her antagonism toward him, she knew. Of the history that prevented them from moving forward and truly realizing this partnership because she knew in her heart they could be different if they had a fresh start, that they did have a strong mutual respect for each other. Perhaps it had been the reality of what she’d committed herself to that had been driving her aggression, the radical changes in her life, the loneliness she had felt without her siblings at her side, the tenuous situation she and Kostas were in. Not to mention her own conflicting feelings toward him.
But with her introspection had come clarity. She wanted this partnership to work; knew that together she and Kostas were more powerful than the sum of their parts. It was painful, hard work they were doing, but it was so worth it—she knew she could make a difference in this country’s future. Felt she had a purpose. With her and Kostas’s biggest challenges yet unscaled, he was right—a resolution was necessary. Some sort of relationship was necessary between them.
It had also been impossible not to admire the strong, powerful force of good her fiancé had been for his wounded country. He was still the larger-than-life figure she’d always thought he was, but she’d now accepted that he also made mistakes, as everyone did. Could they manage a real relationship together where she let down her guard and let him in while keeping love firmly out of the picture? She thought maybe they could.
She’d always considered Kostas incapable of opening up emotionally, but he had changed since his time in Tibet. He had talked to her about his past—yes, because he’d wanted her acquiescence, but still he had done it. Maybe he was capable of investing in a relationship—maybe he was capable of more. Maybe she had to take a risk and trust him as he’d suggested.
Tucking that away for future thought, she returned her attention to the conversation at hand. Her fiancé gradually lost his combustive edge
She let him cool off as their security declared the area secure and they were welcomed into the cozy little restaurant off a main avenue by the proprietor, who led them to an out-of-the-way table at the back, where the handsome, dark-haired, green-eyed Tassos sat waiting for them. He was, of course, busily engaged with their beautiful blonde waitress.
“Attempting to find a suitable bottle of wine,” he informed them as he stood and gave Kostas a clap on the shoulder and Stella a kiss on both cheeks. “Any preferences?”
“Anything with alcohol in it,” Kostas suggested, holding out Stella’s chair and tucking her into the table.
Tassos gave him a mocking look. “I thought you gave that up with the monks?”
A half smile broke through her fiancé’s stiffness. “There were certain habits I wasn’t willing to give up.”
Tassos asked the waitress to bring them a bottle of Chianti. “It’s the sex I couldn’t do without,” he said, offering the departing blonde a smile full of promise. “That’s where I derive my tranquillity from.”
“Clearly you must be very tranquil, then,” Kostas returned mockingly. “Have you decided who the lucky recipient will be for the wedding? We’re seven days out.”
“It’s an issue,” said Tassos, face deadpan. “There is an implicit assumption among women if you bring them to a wedding that it’s serious. On the other hand,” he said, a contemplative look on his face, “when the champagne is flowing, it’s sure to be enjoyable. Maybe I should just take the waitress.”
Stella shook her head at his arrogance. Tassos was good-looking and charming enough to get away with it. The blonde would likely trip over herself in her haste to say yes. It turned her thoughts to her current problem—her very arrogant fiancé’s request for calmer waters in their relationship.
She had to let go of her antagonism toward him, she knew. Of the history that prevented them from moving forward and truly realizing this partnership because she knew in her heart they could be different if they had a fresh start, that they did have a strong mutual respect for each other. Perhaps it had been the reality of what she’d committed herself to that had been driving her aggression, the radical changes in her life, the loneliness she had felt without her siblings at her side, the tenuous situation she and Kostas were in. Not to mention her own conflicting feelings toward him.
But with her introspection had come clarity. She wanted this partnership to work; knew that together she and Kostas were more powerful than the sum of their parts. It was painful, hard work they were doing, but it was so worth it—she knew she could make a difference in this country’s future. Felt she had a purpose. With her and Kostas’s biggest challenges yet unscaled, he was right—a resolution was necessary. Some sort of relationship was necessary between them.
It had also been impossible not to admire the strong, powerful force of good her fiancé had been for his wounded country. He was still the larger-than-life figure she’d always thought he was, but she’d now accepted that he also made mistakes, as everyone did. Could they manage a real relationship together where she let down her guard and let him in while keeping love firmly out of the picture? She thought maybe they could.
She’d always considered Kostas incapable of opening up emotionally, but he had changed since his time in Tibet. He had talked to her about his past—yes, because he’d wanted her acquiescence, but still he had done it. Maybe he was capable of investing in a relationship—maybe he was capable of more. Maybe she had to take a risk and trust him as he’d suggested.
Tucking that away for future thought, she returned her attention to the conversation at hand. Her fiancé gradually lost his combustive edge
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