Nina's POV
Nina, this is Stavros. He's a dentist.
I forced a smile at the fifth eligible bachelor my mother had shoved in my face tonight. Stavros had thin lips and kept checking his phone. We were thirty seconds into our conversation and I already wanted to escape.
That's... great, I managed.
He owns three practices, Mom added, like she was selling a car. Very successful. And he's single!
Stavros finally looked up from his phone. Your mother says you do interior decorating?
Interior design. I own a firm.
Oh. That's cute. He went back to his phone.
I wanted to throw my wine in his face.
This was Marcus's birthday dinner, but somehow it had turned into Find Nina a Husband Night. My brother's actual party was happening in the living room—his friends laughing, playing cards, having fun. Meanwhile, I was trapped in the dining room where Mom had set up what could only be described as a speed-dating assembly line.
The worst part? Theo had never explained why he called yesterday. He'd said we need to talk, then his assistant interrupted about some emergency meeting. He'd promised to explain at the party tonight. That was three hours ago. I hadn't seen him yet.
Nina's very artistic, Mom told Stavros, like I wasn't standing right there. She needs someone stable. Someone to balance her out.
My jaw clenched. She'd been saying versions of this all night. Nina needs stability. Nina needs someone responsible. Nina needs someone to settle her down.
Like I was a wild horse that needed breaking.
Mom, can I steal Nina for a second? My older sister Sophia appeared, perfectly styled as always. Her husband was playing with their kids in the corner. The perfect family. Everything I wasn't.
Mom beamed. Of course! Stavros, get Nina's number!
Sophia dragged me toward the kitchen. For one second, I thought she was rescuing me. Then she said, You need to try harder.
Excuse me?
With the guys Mom's introducing. You're barely talking to them.
Because they're boring!
Not everyone can be exciting, Nina. Sophia grabbed a bottle of wine and refilled her glass. Some of us had to be realistic about our choices. You're twenty-eight. You can't afford to be picky anymore.
The words hit like a slap. I own a successful business. I have my own apartment. I don't need a man to validate my life.
Then why are you still alone? Sophia's smile was sweet, but her eyes were sharp. Dylan moved on. Becca moved on. Even Mom's given up on you finding someone yourself. That's why she's helping.
This isn't helping. This is humiliating.
Only if you let it be. She squeezed my shoulder. Just pick one, Nina. Andreas is nice. Or that George guy from earlier. Anyone's better than showing up to Santorini alone while Dylan parades his upgrade around.
She walked away before I could respond.
My hands were shaking. I set down my wine glass before I dropped it.
Through the doorway, I could see Marcus surrounded by his friends. Laughing. Happy. No one was parading eligible women past him. No one was calling him a failure for being single. No one was treating his birthday party like a charity event to fix his broken love life.
I couldn't breathe. The room felt too small, too hot, too loud.
I needed air.
The balcony was empty and cold. February in Chicago wasn't kind, but I didn't care. I gripped the railing and tried to calm down.
Maybe I should just skip Santorini. Fake being sick. My business was busy enough—I could claim a client emergency. Anything was better than five days of this. Five days of my family's pity and Dylan's smugness and Becca's fake sweetness.
Maybe Sophia was right. Maybe I should just pick one of Mom's candidates and bring him to Greece. At least then everyone would leave me alone.
The sliding door opened behind me.
Your family means well, but they don't know when to quit.
I froze. That voice.
I turned slowly.
Theodore Alexandris stood in the doorway holding two glasses of wine. He'd ditched his suit jacket, and his tie was loose. He looked tired but somehow still unfairly put-together. His dark eyes found mine, and something in his expression was different than usual. Softer, maybe.
Theo. My voice came out shakier than I wanted. I didn't see you inside.
I was avoiding the matchmaking gauntlet. He stepped onto the balcony and handed me a wine glass. Your mother tried to set me up with three different cousins tonight. I told her I was seeing someone.
You are?
No. He took a sip of wine, watching me carefully. But it stopped her from introducing me to Cousin Maria's friend's daughter.
Despite everything, I almost smiled. She got you too?
She got everyone. Theo leaned against the railing beside me. Close enough that I could smell his cologne. I watched her parade at least six guys past you. How many marriage proposals did you get?
None. Most of them were checking their phones.
Their loss.
The comment caught me off-guard. Theo never complimented me. He barely acknowledged my existence most days. He was Marcus's friend. The serious lawyer who studied in our living room during law school. The guy who treated me like an annoying kid sister who interrupted his conversations.
But tonight, something felt different.
You said we needed to talk, I reminded him. On the phone yesterday. What was that about?
Theo was quiet for a long moment. He stared at his wine like it held answers.
I heard about the Santorini wedding, he finally said.
My stomach dropped. Who told you?
Marcus. He mentioned Dylan and Becca would be there. His jaw tightened. He's worried about you.
Of course he is. Everyone's worried about poor Nina who can't get over her ex.
That's not what I said.
But it's what everyone thinks. I turned to face him fully. I'm the family disaster. The one who can't keep a man. The one who needs fixing.
You don't need fixing.
Tell that to my mother.
Theo's eyes met mine. In the dim light from the house, they looked almost black. Your mother's trying to help in the worst way possible. But you don't need her help. You definitely don't need Stavros the dentist.
You remembered his name?
I remember everything.
The way he said it made my heart skip. There was weight behind those words. Meaning I couldn't quite grasp.
Why did you really call me yesterday? I asked.
Theo set down his wine glass. When he looked at me again, his expression was intense. Serious. The look he got in courtrooms when he was about to make a dangerous move.
Because I have a problem, he said slowly. And I think you might be the only person who can help me solve it.
What kind of problem?
The kind that involves pretending to be something we're not. He took a breath. The kind that could either save us both or destroy everything. But I need to know—are you desperate enough to take a risk?
My pulse was racing. What are you talking about?
Theo stepped closer. So close I had to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact.
Come to dinner with me tomorrow night, he said. Somewhere private. I'll explain everything.
Can't you just tell me now?
Not here. Not with your family watching. His eyes flicked to the glass door. I turned and saw Marcus staring at us through the window, frowning. This conversation needs to happen away from everyone else.
You're being weird.
I know. Something that might have been a smile crossed his face. Tomorrow. Seven o'clock. I'll pick you up.
Theo
The sliding door burst open. Mom appeared, beaming. There you are! Nina, Andreas is asking about you. He's a lawyer too—you and Theo probably know him!
I doubt it, Theo said smoothly. Nina and I were just discussing her design project. I needed her professional opinion on something.
Mom's eyes narrowed suspiciously. Like she could sense something off. Well, don't keep her too long. Andreas is waiting.
She disappeared back inside.
I looked at Theo. Tomorrow night?
Tomorrow night. He picked up his wine and headed for the door. Then he paused and looked back at me. And Nina? Wear something comfortable. This isn't a dress-up kind of conversation.
He left me standing alone on the balcony, my mind racing.
What kind of problem needed pretending? What risk was he talking about? And why did the way he looked at me make my skin feel like it was on fire?
Behind me, I heard Mom calling my name again.
But all I could think about was tomorrow night. And whatever dangerous thing Theo Alexandris was about to propose.
Perfect! Let me rewrite Chapters 3-5 to happen continuously at Marcus's birthday party that same evening, starting right where Chapter 2 ended on the balcony.