Wedding The Greek Billionaire

Again they ate aboard ship and discussed Ulysses, who was said to have been born on Ithaca or Cephalonia. She was so knowledgeable about literature in general, it was fascinating to be with her.

When they got back to the apartment, he turned to her and told her his plans. “Tomorrow I’m leaving for Athens to be with my son. Temporary visitation has been worked out with the judge. I’m with him for two days, usually over the weekend. Then his mother has him for five and we go back and forth. It’s unequal, but works for now because of my business schedule.”

“You can’t bring him here?”

“I could, but it’s a lot of flying. Do you mind if I call you after I’m back?”

“Not at all, but just so you know, I’m leaving tomorrow to join my friends on holiday in Switzerland.”

The news stunned him. He’d just met her and already she was going away? “How long will you be gone?”

“I’m not sure.” She reached for the door handle. “But I can’t thank you enough for taking me to Ithaca today. It was a real treat, and I know you can’t wait until tomorrow when you see your son. Have a safe trip, Andreas.”

“Wait—let’s exchange phone numbers so we can stay in touch.”

“All right.”

By then she’d already gotten out of the car. It was still light out. “Don’t get in any accidents on your way home,” she teased before disappearing around the big tree.

Andreas sat there for a few minutes, upset that he might not see her again. Before he pulled away, he phoned her.

She sounded breathless when she answered. “Andreas?”

“Hi. Just wanted to make sure I could reach you.”

“You must have driven your mother crazy.”

“Probably,” he quipped. “Enjoy your trip.”

“You, too.”

He hung up and headed for the villa. Though he was counting the hours until he could be with Ari, there was someone else he’d be thinking about this weekend. Since he’d told her he was divorced with a son, she’d relaxed around him, like she might around a friend.

But he would never be able to think of her in the friend sense. She’d grown on him like mad today and belonged in an entirely different category. The thought of not seeing her again disturbed him a great deal.

CHAPTER TWO (#u5779878e-f84f-5970-aa5d-40a4160e0c50)

WHEN ZOE’S PLANS with the girls didn’t turn out, she flew back to Patras four days later and returned to her apartment in time to go to bed. Their long-awaited vacation in Switzerland had gone up in smoke.

Abby had fallen for a Burgundian vintner and had gone to France with him. Ginger had wanted to stay in Venice. Zoe had the idea she’d met a man because something was definitely keeping her there.

As for Zoe, she was excited to return to Greece. All the way back on the plane she debated whether to phone Andreas when she got there and let him know her plans had changed. But by the time she got ready for bed, she’d talked herself out of calling him.

Zoe had been a fool to ask him to go to Ithaca with her and should forget him. What she needed to do was finish her Greek research and go home to California.

Once she got in bed and turned out the light, her phone rang. Was it Abby or Ginger? She shot up in bed and reached for her cell on the bedside table.

It was Andreas.

“Hello?” Her voice had a pathetic tremor.

“Zoe—I’m back from Athens and couldn’t go to bed until I’d spoken with you. Are you enjoying your trip with your friends? Where are you?”

Hearing his deep familiar voice, she pressed a hand to her heart. “We had a lovely time, but circumstances changed and I’m actually back in Patras.”

“You’re here?” She could hear the excitement in his voice. It matched hers.

“Yes. How’s your son?”

“I loved being with him, but tell me, what are your plans now?”

“Tomorrow I’m going to Ioannina.”

“In that case I have an idea. I’ll come by in the morning and drive us both there. Then we can talk.”

“I can’t let you do that. You have a company to run.”

“Before you say no, hear me out. I’ll take my laptop and work while you do your thing. There are several charming places to stay the night. I can call ahead for reservations.”

“Andreas—stop. It isn’t fair to you.”

“Why not? I thought you understood you’re helping me. I’m not ready to be imprisoned in my office yet. Do you know what I mean?”

“I’m afraid I do,” she answered quietly. “Of course I’d love to drive with you, but if you change your mind and something unexpected comes up, please don’t worry about me.”

“Thank you for saying yes. Now I can sleep. See you tomorrow morning at eight thirty. Good night, kyria.”

Zoe lay back against the pillow, excited for morning to come. At seven she awakened and hurried to wash her hair and get ready in a new skirt and top she’d bought recently.

When she walked outside, Andreas was there dressed in sport clothes, looking like her idea of a Greek god. His black eyes traveled over her.

“It’s good to see you again,” he told her.

“I’m happy to see you, too. I wasn’t sure I’d be back again and will have to tell you what happened. But first I want to hear about Ari.”

He helped her in his car and they left the city, traveling northwest. Zoe found herself enchanted by the city of Ioannina, spread out around Lake Pamvotida. The wealthy, aristocratic city, two hours northwest of Patras, included the cultures of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. The variety of its shops and food depicted the traditions.

After spending part of the day in the library where she did research, Andreas took her to a traditional coffeehouse where they were served sugar pie and an alcohol-free liqueur. He explained it was a mixture of organic vinegar, nectar, fruit syrups and herbs, drunk with crushed ice.

“It tastes like it must have alcohol in it. I love this drink. I wonder if Lord Byron drank it, but so far I haven’t come across it in my research.”

Andreas chuckled. “You have no idea how much fun you are to be with. Why is Ioannina so important to your research?”

“Byron wrote part of Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage here.”

“I’ve read some of it. His wish for man to be free touches me most.”

She took a deep breath. “He said the most profound things. When I read his writings, I feel like I’m in touch with the divine. This is the essence of what Magda hopes will be conveyed by her film.”