Popi sighed. “And this couldn’t have waited until morning?”
He shook his head. “I messed up real bad. And now I need to find her. I need to tell her... I need to tell her so many things.”
Popi studied him for a moment and then she shook her head. “I can’t help you.”
When she began to close the door, he stuck out his foot, blocking the door from closing the whole way. “Listen, I know I screwed up in more than one way. I shouldn’t have left her. I should have stayed and fixed things. I made a mistake. Surely you can understand. You’ve made mistakes, haven’t you?”
“Sure, I have. But walking away from someone that you’re supposed to care about after you’ve screwed up royally, well that’s a special kind of mistake. It’s the kind of mistake that makes the other person need time to sort things out in their head.”
“And that’s why I have to get to her.”
“Leave her be. You can speak to her when she gets back—”
“It’ll be too late. She’ll have written me out of her life and we all know how stubborn she can be when she feels as though someone she cares about has betrayed her.”
“You mean her parents?”
He nodded. “I’ve been trying to talk her into reconciling with them, but she’s hesitant. If she does the same thing with me, I don’t know how I’ll ever win her back.” He pleaded with Popi with his eyes. “Please help me. I love Lea and she doesn’t know it. It might make a difference in what she decides to do next.”
Popi let go of the door and crossed her arms above her rounded abdomen. “I don’t want to, but I believe you. But you have to understand that I made a promise to my best friend not to tell anyone where she went.”
He was the one to sigh this time. “And you are worried that Lea will see this as a betrayal.” He hated what he had to say next. “I can’t ask you to do that, not only for your sake but also for Lea’s. She needs you.”
He turned to walk away. He’d just reached the stepping stones when he heard Popi call out to him. He paused and turned back.
“If you need a place to stay tonight, I know of a little secluded hut.”
Was she trying to get him out of the way? Or was she trying to tell him something? He quietly waited for her to go on.
“With it being out of the way, it would be a good place for you to figure out your next step. If you’re interested, I can tell you how to get there.” A small smile pulled at Popi’s lips.
And then he knew she was giving him directions to reach the love of his life. He agreed and she gave him the instructions. She told him he might want to wait for daybreak before heading into the rough terrain and getting lost. But he couldn’t stand to live any longer with this rift between him and Lea. With every passing moment it felt like Lea was slipping away.
And so he set off down the path with a flashlight and a few supplies. He would find her and then he’d plead his case. He just prayed Lea would be willing to listen.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
SLEEP ELUDED HER.
Lea stretched out on the small bed and stared into the darkness. She had never felt more alone, not even when she’d packed up and left everything that she knew and loved in Seattle. This loneliness was so much deeper and so much more painful.
But Xander had made his choice of what was most important to him when he’d left before explaining exactly what was going on with his sister. Now that she’d calmed down, she recalled a few of the words she’d overheard when she entered the bungalow while he video-chatted with his sister.
His sister had said that she was only doing what she thought was best for him. And he’d told her he didn’t need her being so overprotective. He could take care of himself. It was shortly after that that he’d noticed Lea’s presence.
At the time, Lea had been so upset and wallowing in the pain of betrayal that she hadn’t bothered to consider what Xander might have meant. But out here, away from the drama, she could think more clearly. And she didn’t like what she was thinking...
She loved Xander.
She missed Xander.
She flopped over in bed and fluffed her pillow. Thinking of Xander and missing him wasn’t doing her any good. How was she supposed to get over him?
Just then she felt a kick. The baby. It caught her completely off guard. She rolled onto her back and placed her hand on her expanding abdomen, willing it to move again. Each day, the baby was getting stronger. Lea wished Xander was there to share this special moment with her.
What would have happened if she’d stayed at the bungalow and waited for him? Would he return? Would he wonder what had happened to her?
He’d never find her because she’d only told one person where she’d gone. And she’d sworn Popi to secrecy. Maybe that had been overkill, but she’d been running on pure emotions at the time.
She reached for her cell phone to text Popi but there was no signal out here. With a grunt, she returned the phone to the side table. Her hand pounded the pillow into what she hoped was a more comfortable position. And then she rested on her side and closed her eyes, willing sleep to take her to dreamland, where anything was possible, including happily-ever-afters.
Knock. Knock.
Lea’s eyes sprang open. The beginning signs of dawn illuminated the room. Had she at last fallen asleep? She was pretty sure that was the case. But what had awoken her?
Knock. Knock.
“Lea?”
Was that Xander? It sure sounded like him.
She sat straight up in bed. It couldn’t be Xander. He wouldn’t even know where to find her. But someone was definitely pounding on her door.
She jumped out of bed and rushed to the door. She swung it open and stood there speechless when she saw a very tired Xander staring back at her.
“Can I come in?” he asked.
She pulled the door wide open and moved off to the side in order for him to enter. At last finding her voice, she asked, “What are you doing here?”
Even with heavy stubble covering his jaw and his hair mussed up, he looked so amazingly handsome. “I had to find you. I had to tell you I’m sorry.”
“For leaving?” She was about to tell him that she understood, but he didn’t give her the chance.
“For that. And for not realizing soon enough how important you are to me. And for my sister pulling that overprotective routine and coming here to investigate you after I told her we were going to become a family.” He glanced down at the floor. “I guess I got ahead of myself when I told her that last part.”
“Why didn’t you tell me right away about your sister?”
He’d meant to and he had legitimate reasons why he put it off, but it boiled down to... “I couldn’t at first. There was that accident with Joseph and Popi asked me to help fill in. And then I kept putting it off because I knew it would spell trouble for us and we were in such a good place.”
“And you were afraid I’d think you betrayed me like my parents?”
He nodded.
“What my parents never understood and what I hope you’ll understand is that I don’t need anyone to protect me. I need a partner who is honest with me about everything—the good and the bad.”
“I can do that.” His eyes reflected the truth of his words.
Lea’s heart swelled with hope. This was the second chance that she’d been lying in bed all night hoping for. She couldn’t mess it up. “As for being a family, is that what you still want?”
His gaze met hers. “More than anything else. I know I’ve messed things up more than once, but I’d like a chance to make them right.”
Her heart raced. He was saying all the right things. But there was just one more thing she needed to hear. “And if you could make them right, what would you say?”
His gaze searched hers. “I would say I’m sorry I hurt you. I will do my utmost be
st to never do that again. And I’m sorry that I put my business ahead of our relationship. That will never happen again.” When she sent him a doubtful look, he added, “I’ve just recently opened my eyes to the fact that I have a very capable number two. He is now on his way to Italy to handle this latest crisis.”
“Really? I mean, you said it was so important. I don’t want you to risk your company—”
“What I was risking was far more important than business.” He reached out and took her hands in his own. “Lea, I love you. And I want to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much you mean to me.”
Tears of joy spilled onto her cheeks. “I love you, too. I was just too stubborn to admit it to myself. But my mother helped me to see that I was closing myself off because I was afraid of being hurt again.”
“Your mother? You spoke to her?”
Lea nodded as she squeezed his hands. And then she explained about her mother’s phone dying while they were on a cruise. “And so I have you to thank for talking sense into me and welcoming my parents back into my life.”
“Did you tell them about the baby?”
“I did. And I think my mother cried. Happy tears. They’re even planning to fly here, which I know is a big thing for them as they were banished from the island by my grandparents.”
“Maybe this baby will help bring everyone back together. After all, it worked for us. You are the only woman in the world for me.”
“And you are the only man for me.”
“In that case, I have a proposition for you.” He dropped to one knee. “I know you’ve turned me down before and rightly so. But a lot has changed since then. I’ve learned a lot. I love you, Lea, with all my heart. And I can’t imagine my life without you in it. Will you do me the honor of being my bride?”
Happy tears clouded her eyes. “I would love to be your bride.”
Just then the baby kicked again. Lea took Xander’s hand and pressed it to her abdomen. And then there was another movement. This time Xander’s face lit up when he felt the baby move.
“He or she likes the idea.” When Lea looked at her future husband, she saw that he was a bit misty-eyed, too.
Her heart overflowed with love. The future looked so amazing. There was nothing they couldn’t accomplish—together.
EPILOGUE
Infinity Island, two weeks later...
“WE’RE GETTING MARRIED.”
Lea was so happy she felt as though she was going to burst. First, Xander had told her that he loved her and then he’d swept her off on a trip to Seattle. He thought the peace she’d made with her parents deserved to be followed up with an in-person visit.
The trip had been amazing. Xander had been amazing. And then he had done something most unexpected: he’d asked her parents for their approval for him to marry their daughter. It might have been done a bit backwards, but it still touched Lea’s heart.
And then atop the Sky Needle, with the sun setting and casting the most glorious streaks of pinks and purples through the sky, Xander had once again got down on one knee. This time he had the biggest, most sparkling diamond ring ever.
Lea remembered how everyone around them had grown quiet. You could have heard a pin drop if it hadn’t been for the loud banging of her heart. It had echoed in her ears. But above it, she had heard Xander claim his love for her.
And now that they were back on Infinity Island, she couldn’t be happier. “He proposed again.” Lea held out her hand for Popi to see her sparkly engagement ring. “We’re really and truly going to be a family.”
“It’s beautiful.” Popi rushed forward and gave them both a big hug. She pulled back, looking at both of them. “I always knew this was going to work out. You both deserve your happily-ever-after.”
“There’s more.” Lea wasn’t sure how Popi was going to take the other news. “Our wedding is going to be the last wedding on the island.”
In a blink, Popi’s expression changed from one of excitement to one of horror. “You’re shutting down the island? You’re giving up?”
Lea felt bad for not phrasing it better. In her excitement, she’d just let the words tumble out. But she knew this island meant almost as much to Popi as it did to her. Infinity Island was home for them. “No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.” Lea turned to Xander. “Do you want to tell her?”
He shook his head. “You’re doing fine.”
Lea’s heart fluttered in her chest as Xander gazed into her eyes. Every time he looked at her that way, her heart swelled with love. She wondered if it would always be that way—even fifty years from now.
Lea turned back to her best friend. “The reason ours will be the last wedding is that while we’re off on an extended honeymoon, the island will be undergoing renovations.”
Popi’s face lit up and then she clapped her hands in delight. “That’s wonderful. This place could really use some help. If there’s anything I can do, just let me know.”
Lea’s gaze dipped to her friend’s expanding midsection. “I think you’ll have enough to do with your little niece or nephew on the way. Your sister and brother-in-law must be so excited.”
“They are. We all are.” Popi’s gaze lowered. “You know, in the beginning I wasn’t so sure about this whole plan.”
“You certainly hid it well.”
“I didn’t want anything to ruin this for my sister. I kept telling myself that it was nerves.”
“And how do you feel now?”
“Excited. I can’t wait to see my sister with the baby in her arms.”
“Even though you have to go through childbirth.”
“That’s the part I’m trying not to think about. But enough about me. Tell me more about the renovations.”
“We’re relocating Xander’s executive offices to the island.”
“Really?” Popi’s gaze moved to Xander. “And you’re okay with this? Won’t you feel a bit isolated out here?”
“Hey,” Lea said, “are you trying to talk him out of this?”
“No.” The smile slipped from Popi’s face. “Never mind. I didn’t mean anything by the questions.”
“They’re legitimate questions,” Xander said. “And I’m happy to answer them. I would follow Lea wherever she led.”
“You would?” Lea asked.
He turned to her. “I haven’t gotten to this level of success without knowing a good thing when I see it. And so I’m not going to let you slip away. I need you in my life.”
Lea moved to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You do say the sweetest things. And in case you didn’t know, I need you, too.”
His hands wrapped around her waist as she lifted up on her tiptoes to press her lips to his. Her lips had barely touched his when she heard Popi clearing her throat rather loudly. Heat rushed to Lea’s cheeks. With great reluctance, she pulled away from Xander.
“Sorry.” Lea couldn’t believe how easy it was for this man to totally distract her. If this was love, she didn’t ever want it to end.
“Not a problem.” Popi grinned at her. “If I had a man as hot as him, I’d get distracted, too.”
“You will,” Lea said. “I bet he’s just around the corner.”
“Not with this baby on board. A man wouldn’t even think of getting near me.”
“You won’t be pregnant much longer,” Lea said encouragingly. “At least that’s what I keep telling myself as each day my toes seem to get further and further away from me.”
Popi laughed. “Just wait until your third trimester—they disappear from sight.”
“Seriously,” Lea said with a sigh, subduing the banter. “Will you be all right while the island is being renovated? Do you have someplace to go?”
Popi placed a protective hand over her rounded abdomen. “Now that you mention it, I was hoping to take some time off to visit
with my sister and her husband. My sister wants to be with me for the birth. So this will work out perfectly.”
“Wonderful.” Lea smiled broadly. “We have so much to look forward to.” And then she turned to the man of her dreams. “It doesn’t get any better than this.”
* * *
Look out for the next story in the Greek Island Brides trilogy
Coming soon!
If you enjoyed this story, check out these other great reads from Jennifer Faye
Heiress’s Royal Baby Bombshell
Miss White and the Seventh Heir
Beauty and Her Boss
All available now!
Keep reading for an excerpt from Captivated by the Millionaire by Nina Singh.
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Captivated by the Millionaire
Carrying the Greek Tycoon's Baby Page 17
