Maggie’s mouth tightened. “I see they’ve co-opted you into this conspiracy,” she said, but kindly, then, leaning forward and pressing her hand to Mila’s, “Thank you. Tomorrow I’ll show you my roses. I—couldn’t quite face it today.”
Mila understood why, given the significance of the memorial garden.
“If you’d like.”
Dinner arrived dish by dish—an array of Greek delicacies: baked cheese, salad, vegetables, squid, whole baked fish, goat, and dolmades. Mila salivated as she stared at the mountain of food.
“Thanasi showed me a video of you performing, Mila. You are so graceful.”
Mila’s eyes lifted to Maggie’s and then Thanasi’s, heat in her cheeks. She couldn’t look at Leonidas. Hundreds of thousands of people had seen her perform, it was no secret, and yet, since dancing in the Loire Valley, it felt almost like a secret she shared with Leo.
“Thank you,” she brushed aside the praise. “I’ve always loved it.”
“You’re a natural.”
“She works very hard,” Leonidas interjected, defensively. Mila’s eyes flew to his, surprised by the unnecessary response.
“I don’t doubt it. Only a lot of work could make something look so beautiful and effortless. There were times when I truly thought you were flying.”
Mila dipped her head modestly. “I’ve been blessed with an outstanding team.”
“An outstanding team might be a bonus but it’s your dedication, I’m sure,” Maggie added.
Sensing Mila’s discomfort, Leonidas moved the conversation on, asking about his brothers, and Mila sat back and listened, eating in silence, as they began to discuss Dimitrios and Anastasios, as well as their cousins. Whenever Cora was mentioned, Leonidas would smile, and Mila felt that sharp stab of jealousy again, for the obvious affection he held for his cousin. Leonidas and Thanasi drove the conversation, back and forth, fast and witty, so at one point, Mila looked at Maggie and found the older woman studying her. Then, she put a hand on Leonidas’.
“I’m afraid you’re boring our guest.”
Leonidas looked at Mila, surprised.
“Not at all,” Mila rushed to reassure them. “In fact, quite the opposite. I never had any brothers or sisters. I was enjoying the sparing.”
“There’s plenty of that to be had, when this lot get together, let me tell you. Never a quiet moment.”
“You love it,mitéra,” Thanasi grinned, encompassing Mila in the glance, his eyes lingering just a moment longer than was necessary on her face. Heat flushed her skin, but not because of Thanasi, rather, she felt Leonidas’ inspection, and Maggie’s, and blinked away quickly, reaching for her wine and taking a large gulp, coughing when the acidic taste burned her esophagus.
“That’s true. I always did.”
The woman’s sentence fell away softly.
“I’m sorry,” she said with a shake of her head. “I’m tired all of a sudden. Would you be offended if I head inside, Mila?”
“Of course not.”
“Leonidas, walk me back to the house,” Maggie said, holding out an arm. Leonidas cast a fulminating glance at Mila but stood immediately and Mila adored his quick responsiveness to his mother. It spoke highly of his manners.
Spoke highly of his manners? For what? A job application? She dug her fingernails into her thigh, refusing to watch as they walked away. Refusing to feel anything as Leonidas disappeared and she faced the reality that soon, this would all be over.
“Are you dating her?”
Leonidas wasn’t surprised by the question, asked in his mother’s gentle, perceptive tones.
“She’s Benji’s cousin,” he pointed out.
“So? Are you implying your friendship with Benji precludes the possibility of dating Mila?”
Exasperation flattened his lips. “You know what I owe him.”
“We all owe Benji a debt of gratitude. When you wouldn’t let us help, he was there.”