~Chapter 4~

The next day, Katherine woke up and rolled over to her phone. She had about six hours to kill before she needed to get her beach apparel on for her beach walk with Colton. As she scrolled through her social media and checked up on her friends' summers, the tourists and townspeople began to wake up and start their day. It was noticeable through the sound of conversations growing louder by the minute that Katherine too should start her day. When she stood up, she looked over the loft railing and down at Skylar getting some coffee brewed. Skylar looked like she had just woken up too. Her face didn't contain makeup, her hair wasn't styled, her contacts weren't in, but she was wearing her glasses. Katherine liked when she saw this side of people; authentic, natural, pure, themselves.

"Good morning!" Katherine started.

"Well good morning! How are you feeling today?" Skylar inquired as Katherine was making her way down the short, wooden stairs.

"I'm doing pretty good. How about you?"

"Well that makes two of us. Are you ready for tonight?"

"I think so, I'm kinda nervous to be real honest with you." Katherine went around the corner to the kitchen and met Skylar offering her cup of coffee. "Oh, thank you."

"Of course! Now, tell me, what do you think Colton meant by the 'Tomorrow Night!' he yelled out loud last night?" Katherine looked up from her coffee to Skylar.

"That's one of the reasons why I'm a bit nervous. I don't know. What do you think?"

"I think we both know what that answer is." Skylar gave a smirk before she took a drink of her coffee. It was in that moment that Katherine had finally reached the same page Skylar was on.

"No. You don't think.." She stopped a moment to notice Skylar nodding her head. "But it's too early for our first kiss!"

"Katherine, when Colton saw you last night as he dropped you off back here, I could see it in his eyes. And may I just say, that man wants your lips on his, stat!"

"You really think so?"

"Oh I know so." Katherine took a second to take that thought in and realize that she might actually finally be able to kiss her best friend. She began to laugh, "And to think that I wasn't nervous enough!"

"You're gonna be just fine. When you realize that he's about to lean in, take a deep breath and relax." After a moment of thinking, Katherine spoke up.

"Yeah. Okay, I believe you. I'm gonna be fine. I'm gonna be more than fine, I'm gonna go out there and have the time of my life, and when the right moment comes, I'm gonna be right there kissing him back!"

"That's the attitude! Now, why don't you get ready and go downstairs to see your other cousins. They just started work, but they said that it's not supposed to be that busy until around eight this morning." Skylar recommended.

"Right! Yes, okay, shower here I come."

Katherine straightened her hair and put her natural makeup on before she got dressed in a bright pink tank top, white shorts, and her pair of tan flip flops.

"Alright, I'm gonna head down! See you in a bit!" Katherine announced to Skylar before she left the apartment. Once she closed the door, she turned around and looked down at the people walking about. Across the sidewalk was the place where her friendship with Colton began. They were just seven years old at the time. Katherine saw him taking care of the stray kitten and she wanted to pet it now that it wasn't running away from her as it did every time she tried to back then. Katherine began down the stairs and felt the fresh breeze come around the corner as she reached the concrete. The lovely smell of Parga and the water swifted by. Life was going just as she had imagined for the summer.

Katherine made her way into the shop and immediately noticed her cousins Athena and Mack. They looked the same way they did when she saw them the last time she was here. Both Mack and Athena must have already started their baking for the day because they had flour scattered on their aprons. Athena's hair was a bit longer this time though. Nonetheless, she still looked as beautiful as she had remembered. "Is it really them!" Katherine wanted them to turn around for their acknowledgement. As intended, they did. Both of them ran from the stove to the end of the display case to each give Katherine a hug.

"Oh my goodness! It's been so long! It's been too long for that matter!" Athena began.

"I certainly agree. How are you guys? What have you been up to?"

"Well, work has definitely been the bulk of it. Beach days out at Valtos, along with a few parties is basically it!" Mack mentioned. They each shared a short laugh.

"That's awesome! Are you guys busy right now?" Katherine walked around and sat on the middle of the three barstools.

"Actually, no. Not quite yet. Why? What's up?"

"Oh nothing important, I just wanted to visit and catch up with you guys if you had some time to spare."

"Yeah! I'll go get some coffee brewed for us, hold on."

"Sounds good!" Katherine affirmed. The three of them used each minute they had to spare before it got super busy. Instantly, Athena brought up the return of Colton back to Parga. Athena knew Colton and Katherine have been good friends since they were kids.

"He's also back after seven years! Have you seen him yet?" Just as Katherine was about to explain everything, Mack interrupted and pointed him out at the jewelry shop. All three of them drew their attention in that direction. He was looking at the greek mati necklace rack.

"I wonder who the girl is." Mack commented. There was a blonde girl who looked to be around Colton's age standing nearby Colton. She picked up a necklace and then seemed to ask Colton how it looked. He gave her a random pattern of head nods and head shakes. All of a sudden, they started to smile at each other as if they had a deeper connection than he and Katherine did. Katherine couldn't look at them any longer. She turned back around in her seat abruptly. Both Mack and Athena noticed and were curious why she wasn't getting up to go say hi.

"So Katherine...you never told us what you've been up to lately. Care to share?" Athena urged. By the way Athena stated that sentence, Katherine knew she couldn't stay quiet any longer.

"Well, as I was going to say before Mack pointed out what I didn't want to see at a time like this was that I did get the chance to catch up with him since he's been here. And, surprisingly enough, we went on a date."

"And..?" Mack knew there was more to the story.

"And I had a great time." She admitted.

"So are you two supposed to have another one any time soon?"

"Yes, actually. Tonight at 5 we are supposed to take a walk along the beach." Athena let out a little scream.

"Look at you go! Making relationship progress and everything! How exciting!" Katherine giggled.

"Yeah. Maybe just a little progress." Katherine once again had to admit. "Hey, can either of you refresh my memory of the meaning of the greek mati?"

"Of course! Let me look it up, hold on. According to Google, 'The eye is one of the most powerful symbols known to many cultures. It can be an indicator of good, evil, protection, wisdom, knowledge, secrecy and mystery. By hanging an evil eye in this method, a person can assure himself or herself of constant protection..' " Katherine grew uneasy, but didn't let it show. She didn't want to ruin the hour they shared.

"Okay thank you. Hey, I think I'm gonna go walk up to the Venetian Castle." She stood up and walked to the front of the store near the exit ready to leave.

"Hey, before you go.." Athena came around the barstool and stood next to her. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah! I'm fine, why?" Katherine replied. Athena began to think that she might've been mistaken.

"Nevermind. Have fun. I wish I was coming with you. Let's raincheck ours." Athena gave Katherine a hug. "I sure missed you girl. I'm so glad you're back."

"Me too. I'm glad I get to finally see all of your guys' faces again." They released their hug and Katherine walked past Colton and Misses Blondie as if they didn't exist.

While Katherine made her way up each step towards the somewhat demolished castle atop the town, multiple thoughts were coming up. As much as she wanted to find out who that girl was and why she was accompanying Colton, she let all her worries go when she reached the top. When you're standing above everyone below you, you can't allow worries to rent space in your mind, you have to let it all go and believe that everything is going to be just fine. Especially when you're in one of the most peaceful places in Parga. Katherine inhaled and welcomed that breeze once again to flow past her body. The summer sun had already begun to warm up every piece of light it touches, including the beautiful clear blue water. She stood there for a short while until she looked down at her phone and got a notification from Athena asking if she could get some help in the kitchen. Before she left back down the steps, she spoke out in the distance to her friend and left after she gave a prayer.

When Katherine reached the final stair, she was relieved to look into the distance and not see Colton at the jewelry shop on the corner. Although what she saw before was real, she decided to let it go and focus on the night to come. She wanted to have a fun time with her best friend while it lasted and to be in the moment with him, not stuck worrying about a foolish girl who probably doesn't mean anything to Colton, hopefully. She walked into the bistro and got right to work completing any task she could to help her cousins.

"Alright, what can I do?"

"Thank goodness! Could you clear table five and then serve table three their drinks?" Mark let out a breath showing a sense of relief.

"You got it!" Katherine looked at her phone's clock to find out that she can only help them out for three hours, and then she had to leave to get ready. In the meantime, a dish-collecting tray was calling her name.

It was now 4:25 when Katherine finally noticed the time and started to freak out. She had been helping out for much longer than three hours. Skylar came down and stood in the doorway and reminded Katherine that she had somewhere to be soon.

"Athena, I gotta run! I'm gonna be late! Do you think you can manage from here?" Athena pulled her phone out of her back pocket to look at the time.

"Yes girl, of course we can! Thank you for your help! Now stop worrying about us, march your butt upstairs and go get ready!"

"Okay, thank you. See you guys later!"

"See ya!" Athena and Mark declared simultaneously. Katherine made her way straight to the shared closet between her and Skylar and snatched a gray jersey knit tank top, her aqua blue shorts and her silver sandals. She changed her clothes in the bathroom and accordingly re-did her makeup to get rid of the sweaty, shiny, oily forehead of hers. To top off the outfit, Katherine snatched her silver tassel necklace that dangled near the middle of her torso. When she picked her phone up from the side of the bathroom counter, it was 4:45. As if her desire to eat at the worst times wasn't bad enough, her stomach began to rumble.

"Skylar, do we have anything quick to eat?"

"Um, let me look." Skylar went around the corner from grabbing a pair of flats to the kitchen. "It looks like an apple is your only choice right now."

"That works." Katherine added. After fixing up the finishing touches of her hair, Katherine finally got out of the bathroom and grabbed the apple and finished it within minutes. This time, her phone read 4:58. After she threw the apple core in the trash, a knock at her door emerged. "I think he's here." There was no response after a few seconds, until Skylar confirmed it when she walked outside of the bathroom to look through the window holding a piece of hair. At the same time, Katherine was about to answer the door, that was before she saw Skylar dressed up as if she was also going out. "What's with the costume?" She said jokingly.

"I mean you could say that I have a date, but I just met this one guy the other day. We're gonna go walk around town."

"Look at you go! Well okay, I'll leave you to it. Have fun!" Katherine said before she opened the door to recognize a familiar face. Just like last night, it was Colton who was standing outside the door. Except this time, he was holding cherry-red roses. He was wearing a white button-up shirt with two buttons undone at the top and tan shorts. He checked Katherine out up and down in advance of speaking.

"Woah! You can manage to pull off a tank top and shorts brilliantly too!"

"Why thank you, I try my best! You're not looking too bad yourself." She let out a short giggle.

"Oh! These are for the one and only." He handed Katherine the roses.

"Thank you." Katherine grasped the roses and briefly smelled them before her incomparable smile had returned on her face. "Oh, would you like to come in while I put these in a vase?"

"Yeah, sure." When Colton walked in, he made Skylar's jaw drop. "Oh, I didn't know you had company."

"Haha, this is my magnificent cousin Skylar. She is also getting ready to go out."

"Hi there, nice to meet you, I'm Colton."

"Hi. I'm Skylar." Katherine had found a vase and filled it halfway with some water and then placed the roses in the vase. She walked back over to them and asked Colton if he was ready.

"Yep! Have fun on your date Skylar!"

"Thank you! You too!" She responded.

Colton and Katherine were on their way to the beach and they started talking about their jobs. Katherine found out that Colton is a doctor at a local hospital near his house in Rhode Island. From her childhood, Katherine had always wanted to find herself a cute doctor, and this one was far from being the worst pick.

"What made you want to become a doctor?"

"Well, I liked the idea of being part of the group of people who help the world stay alive and healthy. I think this world needs more people to be there for them along with people they can trust."

"Yeah I completely understand that and I agree."

"Yeah." After a brief silence, Colton began again, "So what has Miss Katherine found a passion for in the job industry?"

"I am actually currently a shadowing Interior Designer. I'm a bit new to the business but I love watching creativity be brought to life through an act of decorating a house. I see it as a quality that benefits being a soon-to-be home-owner, ya know?"

"Yeah, for sure! That's a great way to put it!" He commented.

"Right? I think I might like doing this for a while."

"I think you're gonna like it to. I can't wait to see what that pretty mind can do." Katherine's smile had once again returned. They reached the beach entrance and took their shoes off to carry so that they didn't get sand in them. They walked all the way down to the other side talking more about their jobs. On their way back, Colton brought up relationships and asked Katherine how she felt about them.

"Believe it or not, I haven't been in a relationship in so long. I don't know what it is, but nobody has caught my eye I guess. And on the flip side, there hasn't been anyone who thinks they could have a future with me." Just then, Colton stopped her in her tracks and stood up straight.

"Well then, maybe that makes me a lucky guy. I get to have the honor of having a chance with you all to myself, no other guy involved. Just you and me." He reached out for her hands to join his. Her smile was making him anxious.

"And that would make me the lucky girl who has finally found a guy who might just be the one I can spend the rest of my time with." Each of them looked deeply into each others' eyes, "Maybe the world intended for us to meet back when we were seven and this is the part where we get to grow closer than ever, together." All of a sudden, Colton initiated leaning in for a kiss as he placed his hands on her hips and pulled her in close. At the very moment that Katherine wanted the kiss to happen, she didn't want it to be so easy. Incredibly, she leaned in to an extent before she interrupted it. "You're gonna have to try harder than that," she breathed into his handsome face, formally taking off running the other direction. She started laughing as she turned around and saw that he was chasing her.

Splashes rippled as each of their feet hit the water while the tide rose ashore. Within moments, Colton caught Katherine in his arms and tugged her in his direction. He turned her around to face him and put into words, "There is no one like you." Once they had fairly caught their breath, they leaned in and kissed each other fervidly. Their faces shifted as they continued in essence.

When their lips diverged, they slowly opened their eyes to give one another a deep look of care and affection. They exchanged smiles before they wrapped their arms around each other and watched the sunset alternate the sky's colors. Katherine sat on the sand purposeful of wanting Colton to follow suit and they could sit together. As Colton was bending down, he felt an object in his pocket prevent him from being comfortable when he would've sat down, so he stood back up and pulled out a box from his pocket. That's when he realized what it was.

"Hey Katherine, would you mind joining me up here for a quick second?" He held out his hand to help her up.

"Yeah, what's up?"

"This is for you. I meant to give it to you back at the apartment with the roses, but I completely spaced it out." The white box opened and a greek mati necklace was revealed. Colton observed Katherine's face go from content to emotional. He was really hoping it was the good kind of emotional. He gestured to putting it around her neck for her, "May I?" She was completely speechless. She nodded her head and lifted her hair to allow Colton to put the necklace around her.

"Oh Colton, thank you. I love it."

"You're welcome. I'm sure you know the meaning behind that fish eye, since you've been exposed to Greek culture for 16 years."

"Yes, of course I do."

"Then you should know that I am fully committed to promising you my protection in the years to come."

"That means more to me than you can imagine." Katherine added.

"So does this mean we're gonna do this? Is this the official beginning of this relationship?"

"I'm in if you are."

"Are you kidding? Katherine, I've been all in since I first caught feelings for you back when we were younger." Katherine was touched by what Colton just said. She gave him another kiss and then they both sat down in the sand, Katherine determined to sit in his lap. They went back to watching the sunset and the pleasing colors of the sky change with the movement of the sun with the sound of the small waves rushing up on the sand.