Authors: Anita Hughes
Santorini Sunsets (32 page)
“I'm sure she's lovely.” He kissed her softly. “But the most beautiful woman in Santorini is standing in front of me.”
Daisy kissed him back and wondered if she would catch the bouquet. She grinned and thought she didn't want to get ahead of herself. But there was nowhere she would rather be than sitting in the pew with Robbie, waiting for Brigit and Nathaniel to say “I do.”
*Â Â Â *Â Â Â *
Brigit rubbed her lips with red lipstick and brushed her cheeks with powder. She paced around the tiny room and felt like a ballerina waiting to go on stage.
Her mother and Daisy had helped her button her Oscar de la Renta gown but then she asked them to leave. She wanted a few minutes to savor the intricate mosaic ceiling and vases of hyacinths and the knowledge that in a few minutes she would be married.
She glanced at the clock and wondered where her father was. He was supposed to arrive fifteen minutes ago to walk her down the aisle. She heard footsteps and smoothed her skirt.
“God, you look more radiant than the first time we did this,” Nathaniel said. He wore a black tuxedo and yellow tie. His hair was slicked back and his cheeks glistened with aftershave.
“What are you doing here?” Brigit gasped. “You're not supposed to see me until my father walks me down the aisle.”
“I told him I wanted to do it,” Nathaniel explained.
“You can't walk me down the aisle.” She flushed. “You have to wait at the altar.”
“Technically your father already gave you away,” he said. “I thought this time we could do it together.”
“You want to walk down the aisle at the same time?” Brigit asked.
Nathaniel studied her high cheekbones and slender neck. She wore sapphire earrings and a pink coral necklace.
“We wasted two years, I don't want to miss another minute.” He took her hand and opened the doors. “Everyone is waiting for us. Will you join me?”
Brigit saw the afternoon sun streaming through the stained-glass windows and thought everything looked so beautiful. She clasped his hand and smiled. “I wouldn't miss it.”
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I am so lucky to work with such gracious, talented people. First and always, thank you to my wonderful agent, Melissa Flashman, and my amazing editor, Lauren Jablonski. Thank you to my incredible team at St. Martin's Press: my publicist, Staci Burt; Karen Masnica in marketing; and Elsie Lyons for her gorgeous covers. Thank you also to Laura Clark, Jennifer Weis, and always to Jennifer Enderlin.
And thank you to my family who love and support me: my husband, Thomas, and my children: Alex, Andrew, Heather, Madeleine, Thomas, and daughter-in-law, Lisa.
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  1. Brigit is in Santorini to celebrate her wedding to Blake and discovers her ex-husband, Nathaniel, hiding in the bushes. Have you ever attended an important event where an “ex” was present? How did it make you feel?
  2. Blake has been less than honest with Brigit, though he has never done anything to hurt her. Do you think it is important to be completely honest in a relationship, or is it all right to tell a few little white lies?
  3. How do you feel about Brigit's sister, Daisy? Do you admire her for trying to find her passion or should she stick to one job?
  4. Daisy often feels like she is trying to live up to Brigit. If you have a sibling, do you experience that dynamic in your relationship and how do you handle it?
  5. Do you think Brigit should let Nathaniel back in her life? Why or why not?
  6. Blake showers Brigit with presents, but do you believe he really loves her? Give examples to support your opinion.
  7. Sydney is hiding something terrible that happened in her past. Given the circumstances, should Francis forgive her for what she did?
  8. How do you feel about the ending and why?
  9. Santorini is such a gorgeous and romantic setting. Do you think being in Santorini affects the characters' actions and in what ways?
10. If you could plan a destination wedding or family reunion, what would be your dream location?
St. Martin's Griffin
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also by
anita hughes
Island in the Sea: A Majorca Love Story
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Anita Hughes
is the author of
Monarch Beach, Lake Como, French Coast, Rome in Love, Island in the Sea,
and
Santorini Sunsets
. She attended the UC Berkeley's Master's in Creative Writing program and lives in Dana Point, California, where she is at work on her next novel. For more information about Anita and her books, visit
anitahughesbooks.com
, or sign up for email updates
here
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Contents
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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.
SANTORINI SUNSETS.
Copyright © 2016 by Anita Hughes. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
Cover design by Elsie Lyons
Cover photograph © Daniela Faccinelli/Imagebrief
The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-1-250-09412-4 (trade paperback)
ISBN 978-1-250-09413-1 (e-book)
e-ISBN 9781250094131
Our e-books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, extension 5442, or by e-mail at
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First Edition: August 2016