Nina's POV
The baklava was supposed to make me feel better. It wasn't working.
I stared at my phone like it might explode. Three missed calls from my mother. Fourteen new messages in the family group chat. And one text that made my stomach drop to the floor.
From: Cousin KaterinaHey babe! Just confirmed the final guest list. SO excited you'll finally meet Dylan's fiancée! Small world, right? See you in Santorini!
My hand shook. Baklava crumbs scattered across my desk.
Dylan. My ex-fiancé Dylan. The man who cheated on me with my college roommate would be at my cousin's wedding in Santorini. For five days. With Becca, the roommate-turned-traitor who'd smiled to my face while sleeping with my fiancé behind my back.
No, I whispered to the empty design studio. No, no, no.
My phone buzzed again. The family group chat exploded.
Mom: Nina, are you bringing someone to the wedding?
Aunt Maria: She should bring that nice boy from the restaurant!
Cousin Sophia: I can set her up with Andreas! He's single!
Mom: Or what about George's nephew? He's a doctor!
I grabbed another piece of baklava and shoved it in my mouth. The honey was too sweet. Everything was too much.
The studio door burst open. Priya, my business partner and best friend, took one look at me and groaned.
How many pieces have you eaten?
Four. Maybe five. I held up the container. Want one?
What happened? She dropped her purse and sat across from me. Last I checked, you were excited about Santorini. You love Greece.
That was before I found out Dylan and Becca are going.
Priya's eyes went wide. Your Dylan? Cheating-scumbag Dylan?
He's not my anything. My throat felt tight. But yes. That Dylan. And apparently Becca is now his fiancée. They'll be there for five days. The whole wedding week.
That's Priya searched for words. That's actually evil. Who invited them?
Becca's cousin works with Katerina's fiancé. I laughed, but it sounded bitter. Small world, she said. Like it's cute. Like I didn't catch them together two months before my own wedding was supposed to happen.
My phone wouldn't stop buzzing. More family members joining the chat. All asking the same question: Who are you bringing, Nina?
Because showing up alone wasn't an option. Not in my family. Not when my perfect older sister Sophia would be there with her husband and two kids. Not when every aunt and uncle would spend five days asking why I'm still single at twenty-eight.
Not when Dylan would be there with the woman he chose over me.
Tell them you're bringing someone, Priya said.
Who? I'm not dating anyone.
So lie.
I stared at her. Lie to my entire family?
Why not? Tell them you're bringing a boyfriend. Someone impressive. Someone who'll make Dylan regret every choice he ever made.
Priya, that's insane.
Is it? She leaned forward. You said it yourself—you can't show up alone. Your family will either try to set you up with every single Greek man in Santorini, or worse, they'll pity you. And Dylan will think he won.
The thought of Dylan thinking he won made my stomach turn. The thought of my family pitying me was even worse. After the engagement ended, my own mother had said, Maybe if you'd focused more on the relationship and less on your business...
Like it was my fault. Like I'd driven him into another woman's bed by being too ambitious.
I don't have a boyfriend, I said quietly. I don't even have a prospect. Where am I supposed to find someone willing to pretend to date me for a week in Greece?
You could
My phone rang. Mom's face filled the screen.
I looked at Priya. She looked at the phone. We both knew what was coming.
I answered. Hi, Mom.
Nina! Finally! I've been calling all morning! My mother's voice could probably be heard in the next room. Did you see the group chat? We need to know about your plus-one! The resort needs final numbers!
I'm working on it.
Working on it? The wedding is in three weeks! Don't tell me you're coming alone.
I'm not coming alone.
The lie fell out of my mouth before I could stop it. Priya's eyes went wide. I kept talking, digging myself deeper.
I'm bringing my boyfriend. I just... haven't mentioned him yet because we're new.
A boyfriend? Mom's scream nearly burst my eardrum. Nina has a boyfriend! Yiannis, she has a boyfriend!
I heard my father's voice in the background: That's wonderful, koukla!
Who is he? Mom demanded. What does he do? Is he Greek? How did you meet?
My mind went blank. He's... um...
Is it serious? How long have you been together? Why haven't we met him?
We've been... it's only been... I was sweating now.
Bring him to Sunday dinner! Mom announced. This Sunday! I want to meet him before Santorini. I need to make sure he's good enough for my baby girl.
Mom, he's very busy, I don't know if
Sunday dinner, Nina. That's not a request. Six o'clock. Don't be late.
She hung up.
I stared at the phone. Then at Priya. Then back at the phone.
What did I just do?
Priya tried not to laugh. You just told your entire family you have a boyfriend who's coming to Sunday dinner in four days.
I don't have a boyfriend!
Then you better find one fast.
My phone buzzed. A new text. Not from the family chat this time.
Unknown Number: Hey Nina. Heard we'll both be at the Santorini wedding. Looking forward to catching up. No hard feelings, right? - Dylan
I threw my phone across the room.
Priya picked it up and read the message. Her face went dark. Oh, he did not.
He did. My hands were shaking again. He's going to spend five days pretending we're friends. Showing off Becca. Proving he upgraded.
Not if you show up with someone better.
I don't have someone better! I don't have anyone!
Then get someone. Priya grabbed my shoulders. Nina, listen to me. You need a fake boyfriend. Someone who'll make Dylan choke on his overpriced champagne. Someone who'll impress your family and make them stop treating you like a charity case.
Where am I supposed to find this magical person in four days?
My phone rang again. I grabbed it, ready to ignore another family call.
But it wasn't family.
The caller ID made my heart stop.
Theodore Alexandris
My brother's best friend. The man who'd been at every family dinner for the past ten years. The serious, stupidly handsome lawyer who treated me like an annoying little sister.
Theo never called me. Ever.
Why is Theo calling you? Priya whispered.
I had no idea. My thumb hovered over the answer button.
On the fourth ring, I answered.
Hello?
Nina. His voice was deep, professional, controlled. We need to talk. Are you free tonight?