with Callum, Eva knew she was juggling too much. She wanted the flower to be perfect, the cake, and she made Alexandra go over the guest list five times, insisting they could not insult the Rosso cousins by not inviting them, and couldn’t forget any uncles or aunts.
Gaia thankfully came back from her daughter’s with photographs and took control of the kitchen and the food for the wedding, ordering the rest of the staff as if she was a general with an unruly army. Eva had just started getting better with her lessons, but now she knew she had slid backwards, and Callum was getting tense and frowning at her again. She didn’t like that. But she was going to show him—it had become important to her that Callum would not think she was stupid.
At last the wedding day arrived, a beautiful winter day, for winters were never that cold in Greece. The sun hovered in a blue sky and only a hint of clouds in the distance warned that a storm might be coming later. Eva dressed in her silver gown, did her make up and put up her hair, and headed downstairs to make certain everything was ready. She found Gaia already up—and in her best black dress, her silver-gray and black hair pulled back into a bun, and the rest of the staff scurrying around like bees around their queen. Eva poured herself a coffee and shook her head. “Gaia, you should wear your hair down today. Something pretty.”
Gaia waved off the idea. “Pretty is for Alexandra. Today is for me not to be noticed. Go check that the garden is set up. Christo and Timothy were supposed to put out the chairs, but they are too lazy at times.”
With a laugh, Eva headed outside, snagging a slice of honey-walnut cake on the way. Licking the sticky honey from her fingers, Eva surveyed the garden. It looked perfect. White chairs set out on the green lawn. Pale pink, peach and white stargazer lilies in huge bouquets. The breeze ruffled the white ribbons tied around the flowers and draped along the chairs. A wooden dance floor had been set up over the pool—so no one would fall in. The band would set up on a dais that had been erected, and the banquet tables gleamed with china and silver. An awning covered the tables, the sides pulled back. Eva stepped inside.
Will I ever marry?
She thought about that. She wasn’t sure she would. She wanted lots of boyfriends, and to travel. After she finished college—if she ever got in—she would become a famous art restoration expert. Yes, that would be fun. That was her plan. But first she had to get into college—and right now that seemed an impossible challenge. Maybe after the wedding, she could focus on her lessons again. And maybe she could talk Antonio into a trip to America for the upcoming holidays. They all needed a break.
“You look too serious.”
With a start, Eva turned, one hand to her chest and her coffee sloshing. She held the cup away from her so it couldn’t splash her dress, but some fell onto the nearest table, staining the white cloth. “Oh, look what you’ve made me do.”
Of all things, Callum grinned. “Hey, no big deal. Hold on.” He headed over to one of the bars that had been set up and came back with a bottle. He held it up and waggled it at her. “Soda water—best thing ever for stains.” Pulling out a handkerchief, he rubbed at the stain. The coffee came out, leaving a wet spot behind. Callum straightened. “Leave it to dry and it’ll be gone in an hour.”
Frowning at him, she asked, “How do you know that? Do you know everything?”
He shook his head. “Live on your own, you learn a lot. The place looks great.”
Eva glanced around, but she turned back to Callum. “It does. But I think I’m more nervous about this day than Alexandra.” Starting back to the house, Eva fell into step next to Callum. “Have you always lived alone?”
He shook his head. “No, but only kid. Latchkey kid. My folks both worked, so learning to cook was my first priority. Heating up frozen pizza only goes so