I absorbed the words of Delphine and continued walking absentmindedly, until I bumped into a strong body.
" Sorry " I asked without bothering to see who I bumped into.
" Samantha? " A male voice caught my attention.
Mike smiled broadly when he saw me.
" Mike, hi," I didn't hesitate to smile back.
Once again I was taken by his handsome face and the penetrating eyes he displayed. Mike attracted me as soon as we met, he was the kind of guy I would get involved with in a bar.
And I would get pregnant for it, my conscience screamed.
" I was going to call you today, how is the pancake?”
" The pancake? He wants to sleep in bed with me! If I lock him out of the room, he won't stop crying," I joked.
" I can't blame him for that," he winked at me.
My heart didn't race, as it did when I was with Theon, but it was nice to have his attention.
" Have I become invisible to you, Laffay? " Delphine broke our flirtation, making me blush.
Okay, he's not Theon, but it was enough to make me forget about Delphine's presence for a moment.
" Mrs. Adamos, I'm sorry," he gave me an amused look, "I was worried about a patient.”
" When you told me you had an appointment, I thought it was with a real doctor, not a vet," the old woman looked at me, making me roll my eyes.
Will anyone notice if I kick her cane?
" Why don't you mind your own business, old woman? " I muttered.
" Have you told him about your relationship with Theon? " she asked, causing me to actually consider kicking her cane, only to see it crash to the ground and stop meddling in my life.
" No, I haven't had the chance yet, Delphine," I muttered.
" How about you tell me all about it over dinner tomorrow? " he proposed, taking me by surprise.
Yes, I had enjoyed flirting with him that day in his clinic, and now too, but going on a date? I think my time for dating random strangers is over.
" I don't know... I . " I stammered, not knowing what to say, looking at Delphine who stared at me with a questioning expression " can I answer you later?”
He seemed to understand well the reason for my discomfort, offering me a nice sideways smile before holding out a card he had picked up from his wallet.
" I'll wait for your answer," he winked, "Bye Mrs. Adamos, you remain as lovely as ever.”
Mike turned away as she looked at me with a suspicious expression. Will she want to control my friendships now?
" You are making friends.”
" That would happen at some point," I sighed, "Delphine, I'm tired now, you already have your dress, can I go home?
" Do you expect me to carry all these bags all the way home by myself? " she held up the two bags.
Again I took another deep breath, realizing that I would not get rid of her so quickly. I grabbed the two bags from her hands before I ran out of patience. She walked happily by my side all the way home. My mind on the other hand was stuck on Mike, could I accept his invitation? Should I?
I hadn't dated anyone since I found out about the pregnancy, it had been months since I had been involved with anyone and that someone was Theon. But on the other hand I'm not sure it would work, Mike will run away as soon as he understands how much trouble I'm in.
" You're quiet," Delphine commented as she reached the door to her house.
" I'm tired, Delphine, I just want some rest," I lied, in an attempt to get rid of her.
But she would not give up so easily, instead of saying goodbye, she opened the door and dragged me inside, while shouting some words in Greek.
Iris came down the stairs in astonishment next to Calliope, and soon came to meet me, while Theon's sister ran to the kitchen.
" Samantha, sit down and you'll get better soon " Iris settled me on the sofa " I'll prepare something for you to eat.”
What did that crazy old woman say to them?
" Iris, it's not necessary, I…”
" I insist, Samantha " she turned away leaving me there alone.
Delphine was gone and Calliope returned with a glass of lemonade in her hands.
" Here, you'll feel better," she handed me before sitting down beside me.
" Calliope, I don't know what your grandmother said, but I'm fine! " I sighed as I accepted the glass.
" She said you were about to pass out," she frowned, "and please, call me Callie.”
When will that old woman stop manipulating things to her liking?
" I just said I was tired " I denied it " I was just trying to get home!”
The woman looked at me for a while before shrugging.
" Still, it will be good for you to eat something. Mama had just finished baking daktylas, and I was about to go back to the restaurant.
" I don't want to get in the way," I amended.
To tell the truth, talking with Callie was still awkward. Even after I had worked things out with her, our relationship wasn't as natural as the one I had with Lara. I looked around for the woman and her daughter, but the silence in the house indicated that she was not there.
Iris interrupted us when she came from the kitchen with a plate with several slices of bread and some jars with yogurt, olive oil, olives and cheese. I remembered the taste of bread and felt my mouth salivate immediately. It won't hurt to stay and eat a little.
" Come on Samantha, you need to feed the little Adamos that is forming," she smiled, placing the tray on a round table that stood near the door that led to the garden.
" It could be a girl, Mama," Callie reminded.
I walked over, being followed by Calliope, who settled down beside me, while Iris went back to the kitchen. I poured a drizzle of olive oil over a slice of bread, before helping myself to some olives and cheese, enjoying myself while she watched me.
" You really liked it," she smiled.
" The baby must be having a party in my belly," I scoffed, "I've never eaten anything like this before.
" I hope he gets used to his grandmother's cooking," Iris returned, bringing another plate of sweet dumplings.
She placed it in front of me before sitting down beside me.
" I have to get back to the restaurant, see you later, Samantha.”
I smiled in response despite feeling out of place with only Theon's mother.
" Try these " she held out the plate of dumplings. I took one, analyzing its appearance before eating.
Okay, I definitely don't care if she wants to feed my baby.
" They are Melomakarona, made of honey and nuts, my mother likes them very much, so I try to please her sometimes.
" We already know who will be the grandmother who cooks well, son," I stroked my belly, making Iris laugh.
" Doesn't your mother cook? " she asked.
"She tries, my grandmother wouldn't forgive her if she couldn't cook anything, but what she really does well is chili," I smiled.
" Did she stay in Vegas?”
" No, my parents live in Texas. I was living alone in Vegas, and I didn't want to go back to their house, so I decided to accept when Theon proposed that I come to Aspen " I explained.
" It was the best thing you could do, we'll help you with everything," she looked at me sadly, "I'm glad to see that the two of you are getting along well, especially with Harper.”
" I would never interfere with that," I hastened to say, feeling a little guilty about the way I'd been thinking about Theon lately.
" I don't think so," she looked at me with a smile, "you're a good girl, Samantha, you just got caught up in a difficult situation.”
I looked away, feeling that guilt consume me once again.
" Yes, dear. The situation is more complicated than it seems," she seemed to read my mind, making me even more uncomfortable.
" Mama? " Theon's voice came from the front door, catching our attention and interrupting our conversation.
In a few seconds he and Harper appeared in the room, surprised by my presence.
" Samantha? " Harper forced a smile.
" Hi Harper. Theon, your mother is feeding our baby," I teased.
He came over to me, kissing my cheek and making my heart race at his closeness.
" So he's being well fed. How was the shopping time with my grandma?”
" She got the dress.”
Yes, where did that old woman go? She brought me here and disappeared!
Harper greeted me next and an uneasy silence settled over the room.
" We just came to see how you were, Mama." Theon wrapped his arm around Harper's waist, drawing my attention to the gesture.
Harper looked beautiful; she was wearing a bonnet, a black and white scarf, and a black sweater. No wonder Theon was crazy about this woman.
I felt a certain envy grow in me as I watched him hug her and warm her with his body heat.
He pulled her closer, stroking her waist with his fingertips, while his gaze was locked on me.
" Yes, we'll be right there," Harper ran her hand up his chest, "we have some plans today.”
" I have to go, thank you for everything, Iris," I stood up suddenly, wanting to get away from them both.
" Don't you want to stay for dinner?”
" No, the pancake is alone," I denied as I headed for the exit.
" I can take you," Theon let go of his girlfriend, holding my arm.
" No need, I'd hate to ruin your plans," I assured him, "I'll walk.”
Before they could protest, I walked away, making my way out of the house. The chilly early November wind helped clear my head. I looked up at the closed sky, the temperature was decreasing every day, soon the snow would start to fall. For someone who had just gotten used to the desert climate, that would be a little difficult.
I arrived home twenty minutes later, being greeted by an excited dog. Pancake jumped on my legs, barking for me to pick him up. I sat down on the floor next to him, taking the opportunity to play with him a little while I tried to get the father of my son out of my thoughts.
I need to get him out of my mind, he always made it clear that he was going to continue his relationship, I can't be shaken like this.
That's when I made my decision and picked up my phone.
" Laffay " Mike answered quickly.
" Hi, it's Samantha. Is the proposal for tomorrow's dinner still open? " I asked bluntly.