Good Greek Girls Don't (11 page)

‘I know. My folks are so afraid that I'll never settle down into a domestic life and that they'll be stuck with me forever.' I can't believe I'm being so open with him. I don't even know the guy so why do I feel safe in being honest with him? ‘So why did you move out of home? You the black sheep of the family or something?'

‘You wish it was something so sinister. Nah, just figured that it was about time. After all, I'm thirty-two years old. I can get by on my own if I have to.' Hang on, thirty-two? That means he is like, four years older than me. Okay, three and a half if he just had his birthday. That's not too old for me, I mean, after all, I have always gone for older guys. I wonder when his birthday is. I wonder what sign he is. Let's see, I'm an Aries, which makes me compatible with Sagittarius and Leo. Please, God, don't let him be a Capricorn. Anything but a Capricorn.

‘Desi, hello? Earth to Des?' Oops I think I got a bit too caught up in my own world again.

‘Sorry, Chris.' Coy giggle, always works. ‘I was just thinking this place is absolutely beautiful.' I think I may need to save my butt here. There is no way I'm going to let him know I was trying to work out our astrological compatibility when I know nothing about astrology.

‘You're a pathetic liar, Desi. I can see right through you.'

‘Yeah, right. What was I thinking then, smarty pants?' He thinks he's so smart. He has no idea what I was thinking.

‘You're thinking that after dinner we should go for a walk around the lake or something like that.' Oh, he's good, he's smooth.

‘Not what I was thinking, but not a bad idea either.' Now I just have to get through the rest of dinner without getting caught up in a daze, spilling anything down my top, choking on my food, saying something really stupid or tucking the table cloth into my pants. That's a lot of things I'm supposed to concentrate on all at the same time, while also trying not to stare into his eyes so much. They are so dark it's almost haunting but at the same time, they have this cheeky little twinkle. God, my pasta is delicious. I may actually finish the meal.

‘So,
now
will you tell me how you got your hands on a purple rose?'

During dinner we talked about everything under the sun. His family, his work, my family, our school years, our hobbies our bad habits … you name it, we talked about it and we laughed so hard I think they were ready to throw us out of the restaurant for disturbing the peace. But he still won't tell me where he got the rose from. My curiosity is killing me.

‘You can't expect me to reveal all my secrets on our first date. What would we talk about on our, second date?'

Oh, yeah, and he's so sure that there is going to be a second, is he? I mean, I'm not going to say no, but how the hell can he be so confident? That grin on his face tells me that he is enjoying every moment of this.

‘What makes you so sure that there is going to be a second date?' I can tease. It's my prerogative, but I hope there is going to be a second and a third and many more after that.

‘You tell me, Des. Is there going to be a second date?'

So the ball is in my court. Control has returned to me. It's about time.

‘Ask me at the end of the night. I have to think very seriously about this.'

Chris had mentioned a second date during dinner and I told him the same thing. To ask me at the end of the night. This can't be the end of the night. It's only ten-thirty. The night has only just begun. I hope. What is he doing? He's holding my hand. Fingers clasping mine. Intertwined. This feels wonderful. How can something so new feel so good? It can't possibly last.

‘Well, I think I know what the answer will be.' He's just so sure of himself. Maybe I should tease him a little here, bring him back to reality. Swift turn, am now facing Chris. Lips pursed, one hand on my hips, because he's got such a firm grip on my other one.

‘I'll make you a deal then.' I think my look should tell him I mean business. ‘You tell me how you got a purple rose and I'll give you my answer.' That's a fair deal. A fair and mutual exchange of information.

‘I'll make you a better deal.' Oh, God, he's got me by the wrists. So close to him, so close I can feel his heart beating.

‘What?' What has happened to my voice? When did my larynx decide to go on holiday and leave me only with a squeal of a voice? Why am I having such difficulty breathing?

‘Tell me your answer and I won't chuck you in the lake.' He wouldn't dare. Hang on a minute, how the hell did I go from standing firmly in front of him to being swept up in his arms? Although I'm definitely getting a good feel of his biceps now that he's got me in this position. Nice!

‘You wouldn't dare!' Hands are clasped firmly around his neck. If I'm going in the water, he's coming with me!

‘Wouldn't I?' Oh, jeez, he's moving closer to the edge. ‘Come on, Des. Answer me.'

I can't stop laughing. I must be insane. He's threatening to throw me into Albert Park Lake in the middle of the night and I'm in hysterics. I hope my top is shrink proof. ‘Just remember whose car we're going home in!'

He's swinging me around. He's insane. I tighten my grip around his neck. He wouldn't dare.

‘I can deal with that. Answer me, Desi.' Oh, hell, I think he's serious.

‘This is not the way to get the answer you want.' I'm yelling but I'm laughing. Why can't I be angry? I must be just as insane as he is. ‘Put me down, please.' If my hair gets wet it will curl and frizz and all that time with my trusty GHD will have been in vain.

He spins me around one last time and then lowers me down. Finally my feet are on solid ground. My legs may feel like jelly but at least they are touching terra firma. He's still holding me so close, and tight; so close, I can feel his heart beating, I can feel his breath on my face.

‘Thank you.' Please don't let me go.

‘So what's your answer?' As if he doesn't already know.

‘To what question?' My brain must have fallen into a coma because I seriously have no idea what he is talking about.

‘Our second date.' He's whispering in my ear. Oh, boy. ‘Yes or no?'

‘What do you think I'm going to say?' The guy threatened to throw me in the lake after all; I need to torment him a little bit. That's fair.

He's leaning in so close. This is torture, pure agony. Please kiss me, Chris, I don't think I can wait any more.

‘Tell me. I have to be sure I'm reading the signs right.' I hope this is as torturous for him as it is for me.

‘Yes.' There, I said it, now please kiss me before I explode and do something very unlady like. ‘Are you satisfied now?'

‘Almost.' God what does he want now? Blood to seal the deal? What? He's leaning in closer, he's there, he's … Oh my God. Oh, wow! This is magic. Pure delight. I've been kissed before, but this – words cannot describe this feeling. If a kiss could lead a woman to orgasm, this is it. Oh, wow! His lips feel so smooth but powerful at the same time. His grip is so strong I think he may break a bone or two, but I don't care, I do not want him to let me go, break as many bones as you want, Chris. Oh my God, this is … Hang on, he's pulling his lips away. Come back. I'm not finished yet. I was just warming up!

‘So?'

Don't ‘so' me Chris, get back here and finish what you started. What am I thinking? This is only a first date. But I can't help it. He looks so sexy grinning at me in the moonlight.

‘Are we agreed?'

Huh? Did I miss something? ‘On what?' When did I agree to anything? Or am I suffering short-term memory loss from that amazing kiss?

‘Our second date. Der, Des … You know the lake is still within throwing distance.' As if I am going to fall for that again.

‘Oh, that.' Vague answer, grin on face. I think this tells Chris everything he needs to know for the moment. ‘I think we're agreed.' Now come back here. I want those lips. Oh well, if he won't bring them to me, I guess I'll just have to be the instigator. Oh, yeah.

By the time we'd walked around the lake, Chris and I decided we needed to find a place to have coffee, which lasted for hours so I didn't get home until three. I was exhausted but couldn't get to sleep. It was like there was an instant replay going on in my head. I think I managed to doze off at about five and nabbed a few hours before Effie dropped off her kids. Now I have to face my mother. The least she could do is let me have my coffee in peace.

‘Who is he, Despina?'

Okay, my mother is getting her hopes up. I think she's planning my wedding.

‘He gave you flower.'

My purple rose. It's sitting in a vase on my bedside table. I'll let it dry out and keep it there forever. I never seriously thought I would ever get one.

I think I get my curious streak from my mother. This is killing her. I'll give her a little bit of information that will only make her curiosity ache for more. I'm a bitch, I know it, but at least it keeps my mother on her toes.

‘His name is Chris, Mama, and I'm just getting to know him.' And those lips … yummy yum yum. ‘I'm not coming home after work, so don't keep me any dinner, okay.' That's just enough to drive my mother insane. She's getting ready to fire off a series of attacks. I can feel it; she's formulating everything in her mind. I better head for my room before she figures out which burning question she wants to ask first.

Too late. She corners me and starts firing. ‘Where you meet him? No tell me one them damn bars you go.'

Mum's ultimate nightmare is that I get serious with a guy that I meet at a bar. That's where I met Denny. I can't figure my mother out, she so desperately wants me to get married and settle down that she would let Thia Maria try to proxy me off with Ape Man but it would be a fate worse than death for me to meet someone at the bars. I wish she would figure out what she wants. I need make her happy, at least a little bit.

‘He's Katerina's
koumbaro
, Ma.' That is all I am telling her – just enough to allay her fears. I can already see her relief that Chris is not a bar bum. I don't want to sit here and have a deep and meaningful with my mother about Chris. I don't think she would appreciate a detailed description of his kisses.

‘I gotta get ready to go, Ma. I'm going shopping before work.' Ah, the joys of starting work at midday. I get to make an emergency dash to the shopping centre in search of something fabulous to wear tonight. We haven't made definite plans about what we're doing, but I know that I'm seeing Chris again and I have to look good. Actually, I have to look downright amazing.

‘Wait a minute.' Great, my mother wants to get all maternal on me. It's not a good time right now. ‘Tell me something about him. What do you know about this boy?'

I know he's got the best lips I have ever tasted, okay mother? Somehow I don't think that's what she wants to hear.

‘Not much, Ma. I'm finding out more about him tonight.'

Can I go now? There are only a few shopping hours left before I have to start work.

‘Slow, slow, eh, Desi.'

Hang on, I'm now officially confused. My mother, who has been hassling me to meet a guy and settle down since I turned twenty-one, is now telling me to take things slowly. Okay, who is this woman standing before me and what has she done with my mother? And can I keep her?

‘Relax, Ma. I'm not running off to elope with the guy. I'm just getting to know him.' I don't understand my mother and I don't think I ever will. ‘Can I go now, Ma? I'll call you from work, okay?'

I'm about to rush out the door when I glance at my mother and realise that she doesn't look herself. The kids are screaming around the backyard and she looks so exhausted as she runs after them. She looks like she hasn't slept in days. I wish Effie would just decide to raise her own children. I think I might have a chat with Mum about it tomorrow. Then I remember – tomorrow is the day my darling yiayia is coming home! Cool, not only have I got the day off work but I get my yiayia back again. Life is definitely on the up for Desi Delagiannis.