Love At First Text ✔️

Her

When the rest of Sebastian's family returned, it was an hour of socialising. His mother, Zoe, was wonderful to Eden, gushing over how pretty she was – even though she still had a horrid black eye – complimenting her hair and thanking her for coming. His father, Owen, was somewhat more reserved. He greeted her, then went to do something with work. That bothered Sebastian. She could tell.

When his cousin Tobias introduced himself, it was with a smug arrogance. He was a handsome man, there was no denying. Curls of blonde hair, perfect cheek bones, and a lopsided smile that Eden decided he must have used often to flatter women. He too had called her pretty, and continued to ask about what her boyfriend thought about her being on holiday. Quickly, she had told him she was single, and then Sebastian's arm was suddenly around her waist.

Tobias raised his brows, said he was looking forward to getting to know her more, and left for a shower.

His auntie and uncle, Tia and Nico, were relatively welcoming. They made pleasant conversation, asked the pair if they planned on joining them for a walk into the town tomorrow. Sebastian looked at Eden, giving her the complete decision. She loved his thoughtfulness, and despite the condition of her face, she found herself nodding. She didn't want to stop herself from enjoying this place. She'd kick herself for it when she got home if she stayed holed up in the Villa for the full four days.

When everyone washed and changed, the six went out for dinner. The restaurant was stunning. There were no walls, so grand arches held up the roof. Small lights hung from the wooden support beams, casting a soft glow, and every railing was wrapped in ivy. The tables were all scattered with candles, floating in long boats of water, and pre set with deep red napkins and three forks and knives on either side.

She blanched slightly when she looked at the menu. There were no prices, and that was how she knew this place was far too expensive for her frail bank account.

Sebastian nudged her cocktail closer and bent towards her ear. To others, it would have looked as though he was reading the menu over her shoulder, but he was, in fact, whispering to her. "I know that look on your face. You're fretting."

"I'm skint. Am I going to have to sell an organ to eat at this place?" She muttered.

Sebastian grinned, dropping his head against her shoulder. "No. You don't have to worry about money. I've got you."

"No." She started to protest. She wouldn't let him. "I can't expect you –"

"You're not expecting anything. I'm offering. Don't worry beautiful." He pulled away somewhat, and smiled again. Likely at the blush coating her cheeks that was not from the sun. She always blushed when he called her that. "Besides, my dad will probably cover the bill. It's his one and only decent quality."

He turned back to his own menu. Eden's eyes continued to skim over hers. "There's another problem Sebastian."

"Hm?"

"I can't read Greek." He stifled his laugh, poorly, as he reached for her menu and flipped it over. On the back, every dish, but written in English. "Oh. Thanks." God, she wanted to shrivel and die with embarrassment.

"You'll love the saganaki for a starter. It's fried cheese. Good." She nodded. "And the pastitsio is the Greek version of lasagne. Kind of." Sounded good. At least when Sebastian said it. When she tried to order, she was hardly articulate with the sloppy accent. Sebastian's shoulders shook as he buried another bout of laughter.

"Have you never been to Greece before?" Freya asked beside her. She'd ordered what looked like soup.

"No." Eden said, fiddling with her necklace.