Page 84 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Ody turned to look at him.

“You told her about Volos?” Mano asked.

Ody nodded.

“And she knows you’re going with me?”

“Yeah. I told her we’re going together. Meeting some old friends and staying at a hotel with them.” He exhaled, staring ahead.

Mano looked down. “You hungry? There’s breakfast.” He turned and headed for the kitchen.

The next morning, they were in Ody’s car, driving toward Volos. Four hours later, they pulled up outside Mano’s childhood home. It sat just outside the city, in a quiet neighborhood lined with tall trees.

Ody noticed the wide yard first, then the size of the house. Nature had taken over the space around it, but the flowerpots stood empty.

Mano unlocked it and led him inside. A living room opened up in front of them, beige couches set around a wooden coffee table. The decor was minimal, but the space still felt lived-in.

“It’s really cozy,” Ody said, looking around.

“It used to feel warmer,” Mano said, setting his bag down. “Last time I came here, I put away a bunch of picture frames and souvenirs. I couldn’t look at them anymore…”

Ody turned to him.

“Come see my room,” Mano said, a faint smile pulling at his lips, trying to shift the mood.

He followed him as Mano pushed open one of the brown doors. “This was supposed to be my room when I got older. We lived here until I was two. I used to sleep in the nursery.”

Ody stepped inside, taking it in. “It feels like you. The colors… the details.”

“A few years ago, I set it up the way I wanted,” Mano said, and motioned toward the hallway. “Come.” He opened the first bathroom door. “My mom did this one.”

Cream-toned tiles. A large bathtub. The lighting was soft, casting a warm glow as Ody glanced around.

Then Mano showed him the second bathroom. “This one’s my dad’s.” It felt sharper. More modern. Glass, clean lines, colder lighting. “My aunt used to tell us how they built the house together,” Mano added. “Every detail.”

“This looks like it belongs in a five-star hotel,” Ody remarked.

“You can take as many showers as you want,” Mano said, a hint of a smile returning.

“How about we take one together?” Ody teased, grinning.

Mano turned off the light and walked out.

“Hey!” Ody followed him, laughing. He caught up to him in the living room, pushing him onto the couch and climbing on top of him.

Their eyes met, close enough to feel each other’s breath. Ody brushed a strand of hair off Mano’s forehead, his fingers lingering against his skin. “Thank you for bringing me here. Your house is beautiful.”

Mano held his gaze. “You’re more beautiful.”

Ody blinked, then let out a soft laugh. “You’ve started opening up,” he said, a quiet fondness in his voice. “I like that.”

“Have I?” Mano smiled, a little shy.

“It took you a while,” Ody teased. “You drove me a little crazy in Serifos, always saying you didn’t like me…” His thumb brushed along his cheek. “I just… I want us to stay like this. I want to see you happy.”

Their eyes stayed locked.

Then Ody caught it, the shift in Mano’s expression. “What are you thinking?”