“Is this the reason you missed the last trip?”
It was Matias’s turn to avoid Apollo’s gaze as he nodded.
“It’s just as well. As you can tell, it didn’t go well.” Apollo rubbed his surgically repaired thigh, which still had a dull ache to it.
“Just be careful is all I’m saying. Make sure if you move forward with her that she’s interested in you and not what you can offer her.”
Apollo didn’t believe it was the case with Popi. He was certain she had a heart of gold. He pushed his friend’s advice to the back of his mind.
* * *
“This place is more impressive than I ever could have imagined.”
Two days later, Popi’s mother stood in the nursery, holding Seb while gazing out the window at the estate grounds. The nursery had an excellent view of the extravagant gardens that Apollo was creating. Popi joined her mother at the window. She gazed down, catching a glimpse of Apollo as he worked in the bright sunshine without a shirt on.
He was too far away to make out the detailed lines of his well-defined muscles. But the memory of him working shirtless was vividly imprinted upon her mind. She’d been tempted more than once to reach out and smooth the flecks of dirt from his tanned skin, but each time she’d resisted the urge, unsure of his reaction.
Sure, they’d kissed, but she still didn’t understand where that left them—except for wanting more. And since she’d had the baby, he’d been so reserved around her—even if she saw the desire reflected in his eyes. It wasn’t like he was going to stay here in Athens. He was a nomad, always on to the next adventure.
“Looks like you find it impressive too.” Her mother’s voice drew Popi out of her thoughts.
“Mmm... What?”
Her mother sent her a knowing smile.
“What?” Popi asked.
“I’m thinking you’re enjoying the view a little too much.”
Heat rushed to Popi’s chest and headed north to her cheeks. “I... I don’t know what you mean.”
Her mother arched a brow. “Popi, don’t play coy with me. I saw you looking at Apollo. Is there more to this playing house than caring for Seb?”
“Of course not.” Did her response sound like a lie? Because it sure felt like one.
Disbelief reflected in her mother’s eyes. “Just make sure that whatever you do with Apollo, it’s for the right reason.”
That was it? No lecture? No telling her that he was absolutely the wrong person for her? Popi struggled to keep her mouth from gaping open.
“What?” Her mother placed the sleeping baby in the crib before turning back to her daughter.
“It’s just that I expected you to tell me not to get involved with him...to stay away from a man who never slept in the same place more than a few nights.”
“Is that what you expected me to say? Or is that what you’ve been saying to yourself?”
Popi shrugged, not wanting to answer. “I don’t know what to make of him. He’s so much different than the picture Andrina painted of him.”
“That happens a lot. People are never quite what other people say of them. Usually there’s so much more if you look beneath the surface.”
Popi moved to a basket of fresh baby clothes and began placing them in the new chest of drawers. “It was so much easier when I was certain he was an irresponsible playboy, out to have a good time instead of taking responsibility for himself and his family. But now...”
“Now you’ve found out there might be reasons for his globetrotting.”
Popi stopped and turned to her mother. “How did you know?”
“Your sister. She didn’t know the whole story, but from what she was able to glean, Apollo had a harsh childhood, with an alcoholic father.”
“She knew there was more to him?”
Her mother sighed. “She didn’t know for sure, but she hoped when the time came that he would step up and be there for the family. And perhaps have a family of his own.”
This was all so unexpected. Her sister had never said anything like this to her. In fact, Andrina had warned her, should she ever meet Apollo, to be on her guard. Maybe Popi had misinterpreted that warning. Maybe her sister had known just how dashing her brother-in-law was and she worried that Popi would fall for him and he would end up breaking her heart. Was that going to happen?