Epilogue

Two Months Later

I HEAD down to the beach with two drinks in hand just in time to see Jack put the phone down. I give one of the glasses to him and lean in to kiss his cheek.

"You know, when you said your family had a villa in Greece, I was expecting an actual villa, not a small mansion with its own bar." He nods behind me to where the house is.

"I don't see you complaining."

"Mmm, especially because the promised guard seems to have vanished," he jokes.

I sit on one of the loungers and lean back, enjoying the heat of the day and the peace of the sun. Hiss and Rattle respond instantly, resting their heads on each of my shoulders to soak in the heat. "How is Eddy?"

"He's doing good. Grandad's had him building a chicken coop with him."

"Can you keep chickens at a caravan?"

"It's more of a static home," he responds. "You know the ones people have near the seaside for their holidays."

"Mm, I know the ones."

"We could probably go some time, if you want."

"That sounds nice. And cheap. I do like cheap holidays, it fits with the student budget," I say.

"I'm never going to believe you need one now I've seen your Greek mansion."

"It's not mine," I point out.

"I know, I'm teasing. And the chicken coop isn't for them, it's for someone else. I'm not really sure. But Eddy's enjoying being busy."

"Good." I'm glad things have seemed to get better for his little brother now his grandparents have stepped in, even if it's a bit more complicated than everything being fixed. "And I dread to ask, but your dad?"

"Not a word from him to either of us. I don't think it's malicious, he's just not thinking about us while he's on his summer long trip across America."

"He should have invited you to go with him. It would have been a good road trip." Maybe, it's hard to tell where his dad's concerned.

"With his girlfriend? I think not. You're lucky you haven't met her."

I reach across to touch his shoulder. He puts a hand over mine and gives it a squeeze.

"It's fine," he says.

"It's not."

"No, maybe not. But at least he's not standing in the way of my grandparents stepping in to help Eddy. He's going to be there most of the time from September. Luckily, they seem glad to have him."

"And you, I hope?"

"When I'm not enjoying the sun in Greece with my beautiful girlfriend, anyway."

I laugh. "Well, this is where gorgons naturally shine," I respond.

"You shine everywhere." The way he looks at me makes my heart flutter in a way I never imagined.

We may have met under sad circumstances, but from it has grown something beautiful, and I know Granny would be pleased about that.