Sweet Baklava (8 page)

At least he had a family who cared. Paula lifted her water glass again to another chorus of "Opa!" and took a sip. She'd loved the Papadopoulos family from the first time she went home with Steph after school. Mrs. Papadopoulos had warm cookies waiting for them—something her own mother would never have thought to do, even if she didn't work.

Apollo personally served the family his moussaka special. Afterward, Paula turned down dessert, claiming she couldn't eat another bite.

"Why don't you two go for a walk?" Nick's mother suggested. "I'll catch a ride home with your father."

Nick held her chair then waited for Paula to lead the way out the door. As they walked down Dodecanese Boulevard, the sounds of the boats slapping against the docks blended with the music in the various shops. Good sounds. Sounds of home.

They crossed the street to get closer to the water. "Sometimes I miss this place so much I ache." Nick casually reached for her hand. "It feels like a million miles from my life now. I'm sorry about not giving you enough space. I guess I should have let someone know our agreement."

"That's okay. I understand."

He grinned down at her then gestured toward the boats. "I even miss those stinky old sponge and fishing boats."

"Your family misses you too, Nick."

He stopped and turned her around to face him, gently resting his forearms on her shoulders. "How about you? Do you miss me?"

She stood speechless as their gazes held. He pulled her closer, cupped her face in his hands, and looked her in the eye. She lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck as he lowered his face to hers for a kiss. An earth-moving, tummy- fluttering, toe-curling kiss.

N
ick gently broke off the kiss and gazed down at her. "My family means well."

"Yes, I know."

"Stephanie set you up, didn't she?"

"Uh huh."

"Sorry."

Paula playfully cuffed his arm. "Stop apologizing."

Nick suddenly turned serious. "This is crazy, Paula. I want to be with you, and from the way you kissed me back, I think you want to be with me too."

She looked down at her feet as she tried to make sense of her feelings. Impossible.

"Okay, so I do. But where does that get me after you leave? Where does it get either of us?"

"I don't know."

"See? It's not easy is it?"

"The older I get, the more I see how nothing is easy."

"If you weren't going back to Texas soon, everything would be different."

"Do you want me to stay?"

Paula lifted her arms and let them slap back down on her thighs. "So what if I do? You have to go back. I know enough about the Army to realize they don't let you decide to just quit on a whim."

A slow grin spread across his face.

"What's so funny?"

"You. I'm in the Air Force, Paula, not the Army. There's a difference."

"Sorry, but it doesn't matter which one you're in. Either one would expect you to come back."

He nodded. "You have a point."

"So if we continue on like this, with all this kissy-face stuff, we're pretty much setting ourselves up for heartbreak later."

"Well, maybe . . ." Nick took her hand and resumed walking. "It all depends on what we do with it."

"What can we do with it? You have to leave, and I have my business here."

"True, but either of those situations can change. My reenlistment is up soon. I don't have to stay in the Air Force if I decide I should be here."

"So are you thinking about it?"

He shrugged. "Maybe."

"I thought you loved your job."

"I do."

"Why in the world would you leave it if you love it?"

"There just might be something I love even more than my job."

Paula felt a smile coming on, but she wouldn't let it reach her lips. That would be dangerous, feeling the way she did.

"How much do you enjoy your soap and candle shop? Is it something you could ever give up?"

"Are you asking me to?"

"No," he said softly. "I'd never ask you to give up anything you wanted to do."

"I like the stability of owning my own store." She paused before adding, "And house. I never felt like I had any roots after Mom and I left Alabama."

"You were here the whole time, until college," he reminded her. "At least she didn't uproot you again."

"No, but there was always that threat—especially when Mom met someone new. She talked about marrying Mack long before she did, but I think she was afraid I'd run away if she did."

"Yeah, I remember. But you dug your heels in and didn't let anything stop you from getting what you wanted. I always admired that about you."

Paula admired everything about Nick. "I guess you can say we've always had a mutual admiration thing between us . . .but unfortunately that's not enough."

"You're right."

"I need to stay here where I have something solid, and you need to check out other places since you've always called Tarpon Springs home." Her insides hurt every time she thought about Nick's itchy feet. Ever since she first met him, he talked about leaving Tarpon Springs and getting away from the sponging and food business.

"The Air Force has been good for me."

They were getting close to her car, so she stopped and turned to face Nick. "I know it has. It's obvious that you love what you do, and I'm sure you're very good at it." And she couldn't think of anyone better to defend the country. "That's why we have to be very careful, or one of us will get hurt."

Too late for that. Nick was already in love with Paula—even more, now that he was older and more mature. He'd dated quite a few other women since Paula went off to college— none who could measure up to her.

But if she needed her space, he'd give it to her. "Want me to call you in a couple of days?"

She hesitated then gave a clipped nod before dropping his hand. "Sure, that would be fine. Let's just keep things light, okay?"

He couldn't make any promises. "I'll do my best."

When Paula didn't turn away, he started to reach for her but pulled back. He felt awkward, like he was back in high school staring at that smart, gorgeous girl who fearlessly marched right up to him and said she wanted an interview, and if he didn't grant her one, she'd have to talk to his coach.

No way would he be able to keep his feelings light for Paula Andrews. The depth of his love threatened to drown him at any moment.

She finally backed away. "That's all I can ask."

Nick stood and waited for Paula to pull out of the parking lot before he went in the backdoor of Apollo's. Everyone in the family, except Stephie, still sat at the table—laughing and talking. Nothing had changed with the family, but everything inside him felt as though it had shifted.

Mama grinned at him, and Papa winked. But Aunt Ophelia was the first to say something.

"Well, how did it go? Did you kiss her and promise your undying love?"

"Who put a stop payment on your reality check, Ophelia?" Aunt Phoebe said. She patted the chair beside her. "Come sit down, Nick, and tell us all about it. Did you and Paula have a chance to talk?"

He ignored her offer of a seat and remained standing. "Yes." After a glance around at all the eyes staring at him, he added, "And don't do this again—at least not in the next couple of days. I promised Paula I'd leave her alone until the day after tomorrow."

"No!" Aunt Ophelia placed her hands on her cheeks and shook her head. "You don't make that kind of promise when you only have a few weeks to get her to fall back in love with you."

"See, that's the thing," Nick said. "I can't get her to do anything she doesn't want to do. She loves Tarpon Springs. This is home to her."

"Don't forget, Nick, this is your home too."

"True," he agreed. "But not for now. I'm committed to my Air Force career, and that's not gonna change anytime soon."

Mama turned to Papa. "He's stubborn. Gets it from you."

"Just like Apollo," Aunt Phoebe added, shaking her head.

"All the Papadopoulos men are that way," agreed Ophelia, "and as much as we all hate to admit it, that's one of the things we love about them."

"So I'm going to spend the next couple of days painting for Mama. If anyone needs something done, let me know so I can put it on my list."

He turned to leave, but when Aunt Ophelia coughed, he stopped, one foot on the step up to the platform next to the kitchen. "I can fix that loose rail on your porch after I'm done at Mama and Papa's."

She smiled. "Good! I've been after Arthur to do that for months."

"Anyone else?" He looked around the table. When they all shook their heads, he waved. "I'll have my cell phone, so if you think of something, let me know. I'd like to stay as busy as possible. I'm sure you all understand."

As he headed for the door, he could hear Aunt Ophelia say, "What a sweet boy, wanting to help us while he's pining for Paula. I don't know what's gotten into that girl. She used to be so smart."

"Are you insane?"

Paula glanced up to see Stephanie standing by the door of her shop. "Nice to see you too, Steph. What's got you all worked up?" She flipped her checkbook closed and stuck it beneath the counter.

"You." Steph crossed the room, joined Paula behind the counter, and got right in her face. "We went to a lot of trouble to help you and Nick out, and now he says you don't want to see him. This is your big chance, girl. What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking that we need to take things slow."

Steph slapped her forehead and backed up. "It's been, what, fifteen years? How slow can you get?"

Paula took a deep breath then gradually let it out. She'd done such a good job of beating herself up last night, and she didn't need any help from Stephanie.

"I don't think it's something I can explain."

"You may be smarter than me, Paula, but I do understand some things—maybe even better than you. I know that when love strikes, you better grab it, or you'll be miserable for the rest of your life."

Paula tilted her head. "So are you speaking from experience?"

Stephanie tossed her hair over her shoulder and looked away. "Maybe, but that's beside the point. I'm sick of you acting like all you care about is this shop and your house. If you don't watch out, you'll wind up lonely and wishing you'd let your heart take over."

Paula rested her elbow on the counter and gathered her thoughts for a moment. "In case you don't remember, I was raised by a woman who followed her heart. And look what kind of trouble she got herself into."

"You are not your mother, Paula."

"No, and I don't intend to make the same mistakes she's made."

"So you're saying being in love with my cousin is a mistake?"

"I didn't say that. What I'm saying is I have to think with my head and not let my heart interfere with logic."

"You're gonna logic yourself right out of the market."

They glared at each other for a few seconds before they burst into laughter. Paula reached for Steph, who moved in for a hug.

"This is silly," Steph admitted. "I don't know what got into me."

"I do," Paula said softly. "You care."

"Yes, I sure do care—" Steph's voice sounded tight, and she abruptly stopped herself. She raised her hands and groaned. "See? I was about to start in on you again."

Paula laughed. "Seems I bring out the worst in people lately."

"Is that what happened? Did you bring out the worst in Nick?"

"Yes . . . no . . ." Paula shook her head and grinned sheepishly. "I don't know. All I know is that I'm not sure how to deal with Nick being here. I thought it would be easier, since so much time has passed and all."

"Time has passed, but your feelings haven't."

"Afraid so." Paula glanced around. "So what can I do for you today?"

"I'd like to say I'm here to buy candles, but that would be a lie."

"Yeah, I thought so."

"I guess I've done what I came to do." She tilted her head. "And I made a fool of myself. Sorry."

"Hey, don't worry about it. If a friend can't make a fool of herself and fuss at me, who can?"

"So what's the deal with making Nick wait before he talks to you again?"

Paula smiled and shook her head. "You're insufferable, ya know that, Steph?"

"Whatever that means. I want you to come to some stuff my family's doing, but if you don't want to see Nick, that'll be rough."

"Just give me another day, okay? I need a little breather after . . ." Paula didn't want to talk about the kiss, so she just added, "Whatever."

"Okay, so let me get this straight. After . . .
whatever
you'll be able to see him again, right?"

"Right." Paula laughed then reached beneath the counter and pulled out a candle. "I've been working on a new scent." She held it out toward Stephanie. "How does this smell?"

Steph took a sniff and nodded. "I like it. Reminds me of my mother's bakery."

"That's what I was thinking. It's got vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg."

"Are you keeping it off-white?"

"No, I'm thinking a smooth, creamy, caramel color would add some warmth to a room."

Steph touched her index finger to her thumb. "Perfect!" She lifted her shoulder bag and backed toward the door. "Call me when you're ready to do something, okay?"

Paula nodded. When Steph walked out the door, she pulled out her checkbook to finish balancing it. After she'd written her mother those checks, she was low on cash for a while. Fortunately, she was expecting payment for a shipment of candles she'd sent to her biggest account the week before. That would get her through a few months.

When she first opened the shop, most of her business came from tourist walk-in traffic. However, after a few happy customers went home and contacted her, she started a mail-order business, and soon after that her wholesale orders took off. Over the past couple of years the walk-in traffic flow had ebbed, but that was fine. It gave her a chance to work on candles and soap to ship.

The shop phone rang. "Paula's Natural Soap and Candles, may I help you?"

"Did you send the check yet?"

"Mom?"

"Yeah, it's me. Did you send it?"

Paula sighed. "Yes, Mom, I dropped it off at the post office yesterday morning."

"Good. It should be here tomorrow."

"Are you sure it's not more than just a missed car payment?"

"No, of course not. I just needed to get a few things, and Mack has cut me off."

"He has a point about the job thing."

"I already told you I shouldn't have to do that. Besides, no one wants to hire me."

"Have you looked? Maybe a part-time job would be good for you. Find something you like." A customer walked in, and Paula smiled. "I have a customer. Want me to call you back later?"

"No, that's okay. I just wanted to make sure you didn't forget to send the check."