"My God! It's beautiful!" Mason gasped as we hurried off of the ferry—running for the closet information desk we could find as we assessed our surroundings. It was a small island bordered by blue waters and breezes that never seemed to stop blowing while hills and white stucco homes lended it that clean, fresh feel—a feel that both of us seemed to need at the moment as we rammed into—literally—an information desk situated inside a small welcome center. I laughed breathlessly as I reached a hand down and helped Mason up from the position he had pretty much slid into just as the man behind the desk looked at us in startled expectation. I smiled as I gasped.

"I need to know the name of the most popular restaurant here in town." I stated laughingly as Mason started laughing beside me. I was having one hell of a time thanks to that ex-producer, more recent lover of mine, and I couldn't help but keep the smile plastered constantly across my face as the man behind the desk looked between the two of us knowingly.

"I would say the Sofia and Steki restaurant along the shore line on the right side of the island." The man replied as I nodded at him thankfully and pulled Mason along behind me again hurriedly. He was still laughing.

"These people have got to think we are nuts." Mason remarked as he followed along—walking the streets next to me as we started to descend toward a building that looked out onto the Aegean Sea. God, it really was beautiful. I looked around—hoping I guess that I would see him there with arms crossed across his chest going 'well that was great fun wasn't it,' but I didn't get that lucky. Nope, he meant to play this game well didn't he? We both paused at the door of the restaurant as Mason looked down at me quietly.

"You ready?" He asked as I nodded before taking a deep breath and stepping inside. How did we know what to look for—who to ask for. A man approached us from the side with a smile and, when I turned to face him fully, I heard him say something in his native tongue that I would just about assume was probably the words "Oh, Hell!" Mason chuckled.

"I'm guessing Tom's been flashing a photograph." Mason uttered as I nodded my agreement. Obviously he had.

"Jude Harrison?" The man asked curiously as he continued to draw closer. I just nodded my head again for the second time in five minutes, and the man smiled before motioning for us to follow him. Oh, Tom had been one busy man, had he? It certainly appeared that way. We were led into a corner of the restaurant—a little ways away from the main crowd and asked to sit as the man walked away from the table—leaving us alone. I sat down and looked over at Mason.

"We might as well enjoy whatever this is, cowboy." I replied as Mason smiled. I could see the faint sparkle in his eyes as the man approached again—this time with two champagne glasses and a bottle of the bubbly concoction. He poured the liquid and handed us both a glass with a large smile. How…what's the word…elegant? I chuckled—my face freezing suddenly in that particular expression as a bouquet of roses were suddenly brandished from behind the dining counter along with another folded white sheet of paper, a small white box, and the sound of a very familiar song being played by a small group of musicians in the background. Mason raised a brow at the debacle as he listened in amusement at the Stevie Wonder lyrics while I took the box into my hands gingerly. My heart was pounding—actually pounding and the only thing it was was a simple little cardboard box. I started to pull the lid off so slowly that Mason finally leaned over and helped me. Inside—nestled against a white piece of cotton was a key. A what? It was a friggin' key for God's sake. What did I need a key for? Mason handed me the white paper.

"Maybe this will explain." He said quietly—answering my unspoken question as I unfolded the parchment. Tom's writing appeared blurringly in front of my eyes, and I blinked to clear the image.

Congratulations puppet! You made it to clue number two. Take the key to my heart and go down to the bay. There you will find another ferry to a city famed for the birth of Aphrodite—the goddess of love—where they say she arose from the foam of the sea and became that aggravating woman of lore. The key goes to a room on the island where you will stay tonight before embarking on the next leg of your journey. You're almost there. Now look inside your flowers.

Singed by one who cares

Sealed by a kiss

Mason whistled as he read over my shoulder before leaning over and handing me the bouquet of roses.

"Damn, he's good." Mason mumbled as I laughed and dug inside the de-thorned flowers only to pull out…

"Oh my God!" Mason muttered as I laughed before placing a hand quickly against my mouth. It was the ticket stub to the Instant Star competition dated back to the day I first performed. He must have been there watching me even then—checking out the talent before making a decision about Georgia's offer. I laughed again as I upended the glass of champagne and stood up quickly—looking over at Mason as I shrugged. He smiled back

"Off to the birthplace of Aphrodite." I exclaimed as I looked down once again at the ticket in my hand. Tom…