Popi burst out laughing. “Definitely not. But they could have just rolled you around on the bed.”
“Don’t give them any ideas.” Lea shook her head. “So I’ve been hiding in here.”
“You don’t have time to hide. It isn’t long until you say ‘I do.’ I’ll just go get some makeup and I’ll be right back.”
Popi was the maid of honor, or koumbara, and it was her responsibility to see that the bride was ready on time. The rest of the bridal party soon showed up, including Lea’s assistant and her soon to be sister-in-law, Stasia. Because an odd number of attendants was good luck. And three attendants were the best.
Together they worked until Lea was all done up with her long hair pulled up with just a few strategically placed curly wisps of hair softening her face. A wreath of fresh flowers was clipped into place.
Popi stepped back and took in Lea’s dress. It was truly breathtaking. White tiers of Chantilly lace, tulle and ribbons adorned her. There was a V-shaped neckline with delicate straps over her shoulders and satin ribbon wrapped around her waist. She truly looked like a Greek goddess.
“You’re perfect,” Popi announced. And the other young women readily agreed.
“Not quite.” Lea slipped off her white heels.
“What are you doing?” Popi frowned. “Is it your shoes? Is something wrong with them?”
Lea shook her head. “Does someone have a pen?”
“I do.” Stasia pulled a fine black marker from her purse.
Popi watched as Lea wrote the names of her bridal party on the bottom of her shoes. Lea had written her name first, before Popi could tell her not to do it. It was another Greek tradition that the names of the single ladies be written on the bottom of the bride’s shoes. The names that are worn off by the end of the evening will soon be married. Popi was certain that her name would still be there, because there was no chance she was getting married anytime soon. She already had her hands more than full with the little bundle of joy inside her.
As though the baby sensed her thoughts, it kicked. Once. Twice. And the last kick was swifter than the others, sending Popi bending over. She pressed a hand to the area where she’d been kicked.
“Are you okay?” Lea asked, concern written all over her face, as well as the other ladies.
Popi drew in a deep, soothing breath and straightened. “Yeah. I think I have a footballer in there.”
“Oh.” Lea smiled.
“Don’t smile,” Popi said. “Your time is coming.”
Lea continued to smile as she pressed a hand to her baby bump. “It’ll all be worth it in the end.”
Popi smiled. “You just keep telling yourself that when the baby starts tap-dancing on your bladder.”
Lea’s smile dimmed. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
Knock-knock.
Popi went to the door and opened it a crack. On the other side was the photographer. After glancing around to make sure the coast was clear of the groom, Popi admitted the photographer. It was almost time to head to the Hideaway.
After today, their lives were going to change dramatically. Her friend would be married, with a baby created from that love already on the way. It didn’t get any better than that. Popi was so happy for her—for all of them.
Sometimes Popi wondered if the baby she was carrying would feel like they’d missed out on something by not having a father. But then again, they most certainly would feel cheated by never knowing either of their biological parents. A sadness filled Popi. If only she could change the past.
She recalled her last conversation with her sister. Neither suspected it would be the last time they spoke. And the conversation had gone totally sideways.
Popi blamed herself for the heated exchange...for Andrina and Nile being on that boat at that particular time...for them needlessly dying. Popi’s throat tightened. Her breath caught in her lungs. If only she’d said something different—if she’d had more patience—then they’d both still be alive. If that conversation had gone differently, her sister and brother-in-law would be here, anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first child. She was positive of it.
The photographer bumped into her, jarring her from the emotional black hole that threatened to swallow her whole. The man turned to her. “Sorry. Would you mind helping the bride with her hair so I can get a few photos?”
Not trusting her voice, Popi nodded.
Today was not the time to contemplate her sister’s death. Today was about smiles, hopes and good tidings. Popi choked down all her worries and smiled. Lea deserved nothing but happiness on her big day.
* * *
He didn’t want to be here.
But on this small island, places to wait for Popi were limited. And the wedding appeared to be taking place in a common area of the village.
Apollo found himself standing off to the side. No one seemed to make a big deal of him being there. They acted as though he was just another wedding guest. Some even shook his hand and greeted him.
Up until now, Apollo had done nothing but make one mistake after the next since the day he was born. He thought he’d have time to fix things—to change his ways. After all, he was young. There was plenty of time to make up for the past, but then suddenly out of nowhere he’d been blindsided when time had run out for Nile and his wife, Andrina. And now he owed it to his brother not to mess things up where the baby was concerned.
As he thought of Nile, the breath hitched in Apollo’s throat. It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. He was the adventure seeker—the daredevil. If something bad had to happen, it should have been to him. Not his brother. None of this made any sense.
A flurry of motion drew Apollo from his thoughts. The wedding guests took their seats. Not wanting to stand out any more than he already did with his casual attire, Apollo took a seat in the back. The classical music started. Two pretty women started up the aisle.
And then Popi appeared at the end of the aisle, holding a bouquet of teal blossoms. She looked radiant. Her smile lit up her whole face. All he could do in that minute was stare at the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen in his life. It was the same sort of stunned reaction he’d experienced at her place, when he’d found her in the very short, very revealing pink robe. He couldn’t decide which look he preferred on her. Both looks had their alluring qualities.
It was in that moment her gaze lifted, meeting his. The breath caught in his chest. Her big brown eyes were mesmerizing. He felt as though he were being drawn into her chocolate-brown depths. His heart beat faster, as time felt as though it had been suspended.
She was looking right at him as she stepped forward. His mouth grew dry. He should turn away, but he couldn’t. She was amazing in every way.
And then she passed by him and kept going to where the priest and groom waited. Apollo didn’t take an easy breath until the bride moved to the end of the aisle.
The wedding proceeded slowly and they had finally come to the blessing of the rings. The wedding bands were exchanged three times. Apollo rolled his shoulders. He willed the wedding to hurry up and end, but they were just now taking three sips of wine as a symbol of sharing for the rest of their marriage. He’d forgotten about three being such a significant number in Greek culture.
When they made it to the traditional readings, he resisted the urge to squirm in his seat. He’d done far too much sitting on planes in order to get to this little, out-of-the-way island as fast as he could. And his injuries