Wish You Weren't Here (A Romantic Comedy)

Chapter Thirty Four

Despite the hungover start, Friday ends up being excellent. I guess food, sex and a little bit of honesty helped get it properly back on track!

We play around in our pool for a few hours, determined to make the most of the limited hours of sunshine we have left, and then we head downhill to Hersonissos, checking out some of the beach bars and working our way through a virtual encyclopaedia of cocktails (we clearly haven't learned our lesson, eh?). As the sun starts threatening to set, we make our way to the pizza place on the strip that I'd spotted days ago - back then, when we'd briefly discussed coming here at one point, I really had no idea we'd be actually ultimately visiting it as an actual couple. It's weird how life turns out sometimes, isn't it? We don't always see those twists and turns coming, what with all the hidden dips and blind summits thrown in along the road.

Playfully, we argue over what type of pizza to share: Lewis - in somewhat typical guy fashion - wants meat toppings, and I've always preferred a vegetarian pizza. We eventually reach a compromise . . . by deciding on a vegetarian pizza, of course! "So it's going to be like this from now on then," Lewis concludes ruefully, shaking his head in mock disappointment.

"It's easier to just let me have my way. Trust me," I joke. He threads his fingers through mine and squeezes my hand lightly, showing he's actually not remotely bothered about losing to me in this particular debate.

Spending time with Lewis is fast becoming my favourite thing. I love how affectionate he is, now that he finally feels free to show his true feelings. And the adoration evident in his gaze whenever I catch him watching me warms me from the inside like hot chocolate with marshmallows on a freezing winter's day - it's as if he can't quite believe I'm real . . . and I don't remember anyone looking at me like that before.

The pizza is excellent (even Lewis is forced to admit it), and I'm feeling full and content as we head back up to the hotel. I'd be happy to simply go straight to bed now - and not even for dirty stuff! - but we're briefly diverted by Milos and Maria, who are standing in the hotel's driveway with another male and female, and seem eager to catch our attention.

"Ruby, Lewis! We'd like to introduce you to Penelope and Nikos Giorgiou," Maria says. She sounds as warm as usual, but I can't help but notice the slightest of edges to her tone. For whatever reason, she doesn't like these people, and my spider senses immediately start tingling: who are they?

There's a coldness to them, I immediately note, as we shake both their hands. A ruthlessness, even? I don't know why I'm feeling this way. They just don't have the easy friendliness Maria and Milos both possess. Like they're missing that gene somehow.

"Penelope and Nikos own the Crete Marine Hotel just outside of Hersonissos," Milos explains. "Probably the second best boutique hotel on the island. Ours, of course, is the best." His mouth curls up in a mocking smile, and I instantly realise why there's an atmosphere here - they're business rivals! Interesting . . .

Penelope scoffs slightly in response to Milos' words before focusing fully on me and Lewis. "So you two are the 'happy couple' who won the 'big prize'," she states slowly. And yes, the air quotes are employed here, bony fingers topped with sharp red talons curling into speech marks in front of her icily beautiful face. She seems to scan us both from top to toe with her cool blue eyes, making me feel extremely uncomfortable under her scrutiny.

"We are indeed!" Lewis either isn't picking up on the same strange mood as I am or is choosing to ignore it completely. With him, it really could go either way! He sweeps an arm around me, tucking me carefully into his side. Instantly, I feel protected, like he's formed an invisible shield to prevent us absorbing the full power of Penelope's glare.