After the way Andreas had spoiled her, Dominique didn’t need to shop for at least a year.
“Another time and I’d love it, but we’ve invited Andreas’s parents over for dinner this evening. I’ve got a lot of cooking to do.”
“Where’s Maria?”
“She’s available for major parties, but tonight I wanted to fix an American meal for them.”
“How interesting.”
Olympia was waiting for an invitation. Making a split-second decision, Dominique decided not to disappoint her. “Would you like to join us?”
“I wouldn’t want to intrude.”
“You won’t be. Come—and bring Ari. I’m sure Andreas’s parents will enjoy seeing both of you.”
“If you’re sure?”
“Of course.”
“What time?”
“Seven.”
“We’ll be there. Thank you.”
The minute they clicked off Dominique phoned Andreas at his office. His secretary put her straight through.
“Dominique?”
“Hi, darling.”
“Are you all right?”
That was always the first question to come out of his mouth when they’d been apart, whether it was several hours or a whole day. Hopefully in time his anxiety would lessen to the point that he’d stop.
“I’m fine. Olympia’s back in town and I invited her for dinner. I hope that’s all right.”
She detected the slightest hesitation before he said, “Did she know we were already having my parents?”
“Yes. To be honest, I thought she sounded a little lonely. Being divorced with a baby has to be hard. Considering Maris was her best friend, she probably feels at a loss.”
“That was very thoughtful of you.”
“I have an ulterior motive.”
“What’s that?”
“I was thinking of inviting someone else who I believe is a little lonely too. But I need his phone number.”
“My wife the matchmaker. Dare I ask who it is?”
“Paul.”
He muttered something unintelligible.
“Before you tell me it’s a bad idea, just hear me out. He’s crazy about the baby.”
“We’re all crazy about Ari.”
“Well, you know the old saying—love me, love my child.”
“Dominique—they’ve been friends for years. If something was going to happen between them, don’t you think they’d have gotten together long ago?”
“I don’t know. Maybe Paul wasn’t ready until now.”
“What makes you think that?”
“There was a look in his eyes while he was playing with Ari. A tenderness that went beyond a person’s normal interest in a baby. What would it hurt to throw the three of them together and let nature take its course?”
“It’s fine with me, but I can’t vouch for Paul’s plans. Would you like me to find out?”
“I think maybe this time the invitation should come from me.”
“Instead of the boss?”
“When you put it that way, yes!” She chuckled. “If I ask him, he knows he can turn me down. It’ll be an interesting test to see how he reacts.”
“Now you’ve got me intrigued. Here’s his number.”
She wrote it down on a pad by the phone. Afterward she said, “Don’t work too hard. I’ll see you this evening.”
“What are we having for dinner?”
“Something I guarantee you’ve never had before.”
“In that case I’ll be home early for an appetizer—preferably served in the bedroom.”
“You’re shameless. I’ll be waiting.”
Euphoric, she hung up, then phoned Paul. He answered on the second ring. No doubt he’d seen the caller ID and thought it was Andreas.
He said something in Greek she didn’t quite catch. But one day soon she would understand everything because she’d found a tutor and was going to start lessons on Monday morning.
“Paul? It’s Dominique.”
“Hi.” There was an element of surprise in his tone.
“I was wondering if you have plans for tonight?”
“Nothing I can’t get out of. What is it Andreas needs to be done?”
She smiled. “It’s what I want done. I’ve invited Olympia and Andreas’s parents for dinner at seven. I was hoping you’d come. We’re going to watch home movies. I understand you’re in ninety percent of them.”
The silence lasted so long she thought maybe their connection had broken.
“Paul?”
“I have no interest in Olympia. If I come, you need to know I’m doing it to help you.”
A frown creased her brows. “I don’t understand.”
“I’ve already said too much. See you at seven.”
“Wait—Paul—”
To her chagrin he clicked off, leaving her feeling uneasy on several counts. She knew she wasn’t mistaken about his affection for Ari. But it appeared she was way off base about his possible interest in Olympia. In fact he’d reminded her a little of Theo just now.
Why did he think she needed help? Unless it was to smooth the path with Andreas’s parents?
She’d never felt closer to her husband. Their reconciliation was working. They were talking, confiding in each other. So far they hadn’t reverted back to their old patterns. He was starting to trust her, and she him.
But Paul’s cryptic remark worried her. Though she got busy fixing dinner, her lighthearted mood had vanished like the sun slipping behind a giant thunderhead.
Once she’d set the table in the elegant dining room, she hurried to the bedroom to shower and get ready. While she was struggling to zip up the back of her new blue and white jersey print dress, Andreas walked in the bedroom.
“It looks like you need help.”
She saw the devilish glint in his eye as he moved toward her. A thrill of excitement coursed through her body.
Instead of finishing the job, he pulled the spaghetti straps off her shoulders and began kissing her nape. His hands kneaded her hips and stomach with restless urgency, turning her legs to mush.
“It’s too late for this!” she cried breathlessly, feeling his powerful body brushing against her. “Your parents will be here any minute.”
“Don’t worry about them. They’ll wait for us in the living room.”
“We’re expecting other guests too.”
His hands stilled on her body. “Paul?”
“Yes.”
He bit her earlobe gently. “What do you know that I don’t?”
Her heart thudded. This was her chance to relate what Paul had said earlier. But instinct told her his remark had only been meant for her to hear.
This evening she would keep her eyes and ears open. Once she and Andreas went to bed, then she would tell him. By that time maybe she would have solved the mystery.
“Don’t you know that when a woman is happily married she wants everyone else to be happily married too?”
Her answer must have satisfied him. Andreas closed the zip, then whirled her around. Their mouths met and clung feverishly.
“Kalispera!”
“Uh-oh. That’s sounds like your father.”
“They’re early. I bet they’ve been counting the hours, anticipating this evening.”
“I hope so. While you shower, I’ll serve drinks.”
“Not so fast,” Andreas murmured, giving her one more passion-filled kiss before reluctantly letting her go.
She went out to the living room, positive his parents would see the flush on her cheeks.
Once again her appearance created a minor sensation.
The second Andreas’s father saw Dominique, his mouth opened. If Eli had been puffing on a cigar, it would have fallen out. He looked like a typical movie producer—horn-rimmed glasses, slightly balding, not quite as tall as his son, but very solid.
She walked over to him and kissed his cheek, then turned to hug Bernice, a striking woman who’d bequeathed he
r attractive facial features and black hair to her son.
“I’m so glad you could come over tonight. Please sit down. Andreas has only just got home from work and will be out in a minute.”
While they found a place for themselves on the couch, she poured them some lime slush from the glass punch bowl she’d placed on the coffee table. Once she’d served them, they complimented her on the taste, but nothing else was forthcoming.
They were too polite and formal, so she decided to plunge in and break the ice.
“I don’t know what Andreas has told you, but I want you to know that I love your son, and I’ve come back to Greece to try to make our marriage work.”
His father’s black eyes stared hard at her for a moment, reminding her of Andreas. “That’s good,” he finally said.
“You hurt my Andreas very much when you went away.” This from Bernice.
“I hurt myself more,” Dominique confessed. “But I had a lot of things to work out.”
“My son lost weight in the last year, but you’ve gained some. You look lovely,” the other woman commented. “I know it’s early days, but do you think you might be able to give us a grandchild?”
Dominique knew what she was really asking, and reached out to press her arm gently. “I’m cancer-free, and I hope with all my heart that we can have a baby soon.”
The news seemed to work a special magic. They both smiled and relaxed, giving her the impression she’d been wrong about their judgment of her. Andreas had insisted her perception of their feelings had been skewed by her own sense of inadequacy. It was humbling to know he’d been right.
Oh…there was a lot of work to be done to help them grow into a close-knit family. Tonight couldn’t have come any sooner.
“When our other guests arrive, we’ll eat.”
Bernice blinked. “Who else is coming?”
“Olympia, for one.”
Dominique didn’t miss the worried look the two of them exchanged. It was time to clear the air about that.
“Months ago I realized my mistake in not trusting my husband. There’s been a lot of pain, but that’s behind us now. I know Olympia has been like another member of your family, so I asked her to join us and bring Ari. He’s so cute.”
“You’ve seen the baby?” Eli sounded shocked.
“Yes. When I was trying to find Andreas I discovered them on the yacht. Paul’s so taken with Ari, I invited him for dinner too. In fact I think they may have arrived. Excuse me for a minute.”
She’d heard voices coming from the foyer and went to investigate. Andreas had gotten there ahead of her and escorted the trio into the living room.
He looked particularly sensational in pearl-gray trousers and an open-necked black silk shirt that revealed the dusting of hair on his chest. Her body always melted in an automatic response to his superb male physique.
You’d have thought it had been weeks instead of a few minutes since they’d embraced in the bedroom.
Dominique’s gaze traveled to Olympia, who looked stunning in a black print dress that showed off her tanned, voluptuous figure to perfection. Paul wore a cranberry crewneck beneath a cream jacket. He looked good.
But of course it was Ari who stole the show, in a little sailor suit. Bernice reached for him and he didn’t even cry. Dominique was jealous. “Everyone help themselves to some slush while I put the dinner on.”
Andreas caught her around the waist. “I’ll help you.”
When they reached the kitchen, he surprised her by backing her up against the wall.
“What are you doing?” she cried breathlessly.
“You look exceptionally beautiful tonight. I think I have to have another appetizer before we eat.”
His smoldering kiss made her go limp with desire. She forgot where they were in her need to get even closer to him.
“Oh—excuse me—” Olympia’s voice. “I just wanted to put Ari’s bottles in the fridge.”
Andreas recovered with enviable calm. “Here. I’ll take them for you.”
Dominique hurried over to the stove, where she could hold on to something until she stopped weaving.
With her husband’s help, they got the food on the table. She urged everyone to come into the dining room. Paul brought Ari in his carrycot and put it on the floor next to Olympia.
Bernice oohed and ahhed over the fresh flowers of the centerpiece. Her reaction augured well for the evening ahead.
It warmed Dominique’s heart to watch everyone devour her pot roast—especially Andreas. She’d served it with mashed potatoes, gravy and carrots. The men finished off everything. She had no leftovers, which meant the menu had been a big hit.
Of course Ari’s antics dominated the conversation. Delighted at the way the dinner party was going, she got up to serve the strawberry shortcake.
When Eli was through eating, he raised his head. “Dominique? I had no idea you were such a wonderful cook.”
“Thank you.”
“You could open up your own restaurant in Athens,” Paul quipped.
“You know, you really could,” Bernice concurred.
Andreas darted Dominique a private thank-you with eyes that gleamed like black jet.
“Where did you find strawberries like these?” Olympia wanted to know.
“At a little market in the Plaka. Their produce is fabulous.”
“You’ll have to show me.”
“I’d be happy to.” She looked around. “If everyone’s through, Andreas and I have a surprise for you. Come into the study.”
By now Ari was awake and wanted a bottle. While Andreas dealt with warming it, Dominique headed for the other room.
When everyone was seated she said, “I’ve always wanted to see movies of your family. So I badgered Andreas to get them out of storage. He informs me all of you are in them.”
The next two hours were a revelation, punctuated with laughter and tears from Andreas’s parents.
He’d arranged the videos in chronological order. They showed him and Maris as babies, at their early birthday parties, at family gatherings with grandparents and extended family. By the time they’d both reached school age Paul and Olympia had begun to figure in many of the scenes.
From the beginning, Dominique had suspected Olympia hero-worshipped Andreas. But the films revealed a definite obsession with him.
Dominique looked around at everyone, riveted to the television screen, wondering if they’d picked up on it. Whenever the pictures included Olympia with the family or friends, she completely ignored the others in order to get Andreas’s undivided attention.
One of the later videos showed pictures of them in their twenties. It was painful to watch the way Olympia threw herself at him, parading around in a minuscule bikini.
She was a breathtaking woman, one who could attract any man, but though Andreas had always responded with seemingly good humor, Dominique could tell he wasn’t interested. Never once had he initiated anything with her. It underlined his avowal that he’d always thought of her as another sister.
But it was painfully obvious Olympia had always been determined to get his attention no matter what she had to do. She displayed all the symptoms of a woman who was desperate—and in love.
Something else struck Dominique. Paul had been crazy about Maris. Clearly he’d shown an interest in her at an early age, and she’d appeared to reciprocate his feelings.
After the last video, Andreas turned on the lights. His parents wiped their eyes. They looked from their son to Dominique.
“Thank you for this gift,” Eli murmured. “Bernice and I needed to see those pictures again.”
“Yes.” She patted her chest. “It did my heart good to look at my precious Maris. I didn’t think I could stand it, but just the opposite happened. Thank you for a wonderful evening, Dominique.”
She rushed across the room to hug both of them. “We’ll do it again soon, I promise.”
“You’ll come to our house next week.”
“Yes!” Dominique cried, and gave her another squeeze.
Everyone got up to leave except Olympia. Ari had fallen asleep in her arms.
Paul came over and kissed Dominique’s cheek. They walked to the foyer together. “I had no idea Andreas and I were so obnoxious. Thanks for including me.”
“It’s evident you two have always been joined at the hip. You’re welcome here anytime, Paul. I mean it.”
“I appreciate that. Dominique—” he whispered, then stopped because the others had come up behind, forcing him to get on the elevator with them. That was the second time he’d tried to tell her something.
Andreas held Ari in his carrycot. He leaned over to nuzzle her neck. “I’ll help Olympia to her car and be right back.”
“Hurry.”
He stepped inside the elevator. But it was Paul’s troubled gaze that caught and held hers before the doors closed.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“YOU work fast. After that fabulous meal, I planned to help you with the dishes.”
Dominique turned off the kitchen light before running to Andreas. “That isn’t what I envisioned for the rest of the night.”
He rocked her in his arms, burying his face deep in her hair. “You have no idea what this evening meant to my parents.”
“We’ll have a lot more of them.”
“They left looking happier than I’ve seen them since before Maris’s accident. You’re the one who made it all happen,” he murmured, kissing the side of her neck. “Reliving memories was cathartic for them.”
“It meant a lot to me too. I feel like I know your family so much better than I did.”
“You’re an integral part of it now. I saw the way they were looking at Ari, anticipating the day when we give them a grandchild.”
“Does that mean you’d like us to try for a baby?”
“I wanted to get you pregnant when we first got married, but I was terrified to put you at risk.”
“And now?”
“I’ll never stop worrying about you, Dominique, but Dr Josephson made me realize a life lived in fear is no life at all.”
She pulled away from him enough so she could look at him. “I’m so glad you said that. Maybe you don’t remember, but I’ve never forgotten what you told me at the altar.”
His eyes wandered over her upturned features. “We’re going to live all the years God gives us, and rejoice.”
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