Page 95 of Sour Notes

“I call dibs on the wine tasting first,” I quietly whisper to Swayze. I could use a little liquid courage before making a total ass of myself fondling clay.

Artist, I’m not.

We all bunch together—luckily the rest of the family are between me and the toad—as the woman walks over to join little Greek Einstein.

“Welcome, welcome” she smiles warmly, her English much better than his. “I am Katerina, and this is my husband, Dimitris. Welcome to our little heaven. Thank you for joining us.”

The man nods, beaming up at his wife like she hung the moon, a wide smile breaking across his craggy features.

How long have they been together?

They look so in love and super affectionate, finding little ways to touch each other.

If only I still believed in finding that for myself one day.

Instead, I side-eye the toad, stiffly holding my cousin’s hand. My body riots in disgust, bile creeping up my throat.

He killed that.

I don’t ever want to let anyone close enough to rip me apart like that again.

I might be single, but at least I don’t think I’m inadequate anymore.

Well, mostly.

What happened to the strong, independent woman you were going to be five seconds ago? You’re in control. We’re not letting him ruin today for you.

Swayze adjusts his arms, loosening his hold slightly before kissing the top of my head.

The woman catches the move and beams over at us.

“You two, you are the ones getting married, yes?”

My brother lets out a sharp laugh, and my mom smacks the back of his head.

Well, fuck.

“No, ma’am. I’m Swayze, and this is my girlfriend, Mia. She’s Niko’s twin sister. He’s the one getting married.”

“Ahhhh, Nicolas, yes, yes. Congratulations, ayapi mou. You two join us here.” She points to the middle potter's wheel in the circle. “Here, we believe all art starts with love. Love of the earth, love of ourselves, love for each other, and our specialty is couples pottery sessions. Nicolas, sit, sit, with your lovely bride between your legs on the bench. Like the movie Ghost. You’ve seen it, yes?”

Nick throws his head back and laughs again, clearly in a party mood already. Bowing with a flourish, he helps Layla straddle the bench behind the wheel before tucking in close behind her.

Well, that’s ridiculous. There’s barely any room for two on that fucking thing!

Oh god, she’s turning her attention back onto us again.

“Swayze, you say? Like in Ghost? Handsome like him too,” She winks, patting his cheek.

Katerina’s got game. I wanna be just like her when I grow up.

I giggle watching Swayze flush adorably. He’s clearly not comfortable being in the spotlight, which is hilarious given he’s one of a group of men who are always the center of attention on a night out at home. He’s never had trouble taking compliments there.

“You two are beautiful together. So in love.” She squeezes my cheek before grabbing me by the hand and pulling us both forward to the wheel beside Nick’s.

Love. HA! If only she knew this is as fake as my cousin’s tits.

“I know I won’t need to tell you two to sit close.” She winks again, before moving on to my parents.