A Wedding For The Greek Tycoon (Greek Billionaires Book 2) Page 13

  Akis sighed. “Raina picked up on that the night you came for dinner.”

  “For her to give up the job she wanted was huge for her. There’s no hoping she’ll come back.”

  “Why don’t you get up and shower, then we’ll fly to my house. Raina has food ready. Once you get a meal in you, we’ll talk. Don’t tell me no. This is one time you need help, even if you are my big brother.”

  September 23, Astoria, New York

  “Zoe? Come in my office.”

  She knew what the doctor was going to say and was prepared for the bad news. This was her first checkup since she’d left the hospital six weeks ago. The month she’d spent in Greece was like a blip on a screen, as if that life had been lived by a different person.

  She’d decided not to call Father Debakis. No one at the church knew she was back in the US. Zoe prayed Ms. Kallistos hadn’t seen her slip in the hospital and would never know about this appointment.

  Zoe had made up her mind she wouldn’t depend on the charity of others ever again. While she was staying at the YWCA, she’d been going out on temporary jobs to survive. There was always work if you were willing to do it. This was the life that had put Nestor in a depression. She could see why.

  If any good had come out of her experience on Paxos, it had been to introduce him to Vasso who had not only saved his life through his charity, but had made it possible for him to go to college.

  Vasso... Zoe’s heart ached with a love so profound for him she could hardly bear to get up every day and face the world without him.

  “Zoe? Did you hear me?”

  She lifted her head. “I’m sorry. I guess I was deep in thought.”

  He frowned. “You’ve lost five pounds since you were released from the hospital. Why is that?”

  “With the recurrence of cancer, that doesn’t surprise me.”

  “What recurrence?”

  Zoe shook her head. “You don’t need to be gentle with me, doctor. Just tell me the truth. I can take it.’

  He cocked his head. She had to wait a long time before he spoke again. “I’m beginning to think that if I told you the truth, you wouldn’t recognize it, let alone believe me. I am a doctor, and I’ve sworn an oath to look after the sick.”

  “I know,” she whispered.

  “But you think I’m capable of lying?”

  She bit her lip. “Maybe not lying, but since you work with cancer patients, I realize you’re trying to be careful how you tell a patient there is a death sentence in the future.”

  He leaned forward. “We all have a death sentence awaiting us in life. That’s part of the plan. In the meantime, part of the plan is to live life to the fullest. Something tells me that’s not what you’ve been doing.”

  Those were Vasso’s words. It sent prickles down her spine.

  “There’s no recurrence of cancer, Zoe. I’m giving you another clean bill of health.”

  “Until another six weeks from now, then it will show up.”

  He made a sound of exasperation. “Maybe you weren’t listening to me the first time I told you this. In people like you with none of the other complicating factors, the statistics prove that about ninety-one out of every one hundred people live for more than five years after they are diagnosed. And seventy-one out of every one hundred people live for more than ten years. Some even live to the natural end of their lives.”

  She’d heard him the first time, but she hadn’t been able to believe it. Was it really possible?

  “Since you’re cancer-free and in perfect physical shape, I want to know the reason for your weight loss. It has to be a man.”

  She struggled for breath. “You’re right.”

  “Tell me about him.”

  Zoe had refused to give in to her feelings since returning from Greece. But with the doctor who’d been her friend for a whole year pressing her for an explanation, she couldn’t hold back any longer and blurted everything in one go. The tears gushed until she was totally embarrassed.

  “Before I see my next patient who’s waiting, do you want to know what I think, girl?”

  Girl? He hadn’t called her that in a long time. Surprised, she looked at him, still needing to wipe the moisture off her face. “What?”

  “You’re a damn fool if you don’t fly back there and tell him yes. I don’t want to see you in my office again unless you have a wedding ring on your finger!”

  September 25, Athens, Greece

  When the ferry headed toward the familiar docking point at Loggos, Zoe was jumping out of her skin with nervous excitement. She’d taken the cheapest one-way night flight from JFK to Corfu and caught the morning ferry to Paxos Island. While on board she changed into walking shorts and sneakers. Everything else she owned was in her new suitcases. Luckily the largest case had wheels, making it easier for her to walk along the waterfront to the gift shop.

  Kyria Panos looked shocked and anxious when Zoe entered her store. “I didn’t know you were back. If you want the apartment, I’ve already rented it. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. That’s good business for you! I just wondered if I could leave my luggage here. I’ll pay you and be back for it by the end of the day.”

  “You don’t have to pay me. Just bring it behind the counter.”

  “You’re so kind. Thank you.”

  “Did you know Kyrie Giannopoulos tried to pay me for your rental?”

  “No, but that doesn’t surprise me.” There was no one in this world like Vasso. “I’ll buy one of these T-shirts.” She found the right size and gave her some euros. “Mind if I change in your bathroom?”

  “Go ahead. Whatever you want.”

  Having deposited her luggage and purse, she left and was free to buy her favorite snack of a gyro and fruit at Vasso’s number-one store. Once she’d eaten, she rented a bike from the tourist outfit at the other end of the pier and took off for Vasso’s beach house.

  Though she hadn’t lived on Paxos for very long, it felt like home to her now. The softness of the sea air, the fragrance, it all fed her soul that had been hungering for Vasso. Raina had said it best. “I thought I was American too before I married Akis. Now the Greek part has climbed in and sits next to my heart.” Zoe could relate very well.

  She had no idea if Vasso would be home or not. If she couldn’t find him, she’d bike to the center and drop in on Yianni. He was a sweetheart and would be able to help her track him down without giving her presence away. She wanted, needed to surprise Vasso. It was important she see that first look in his eyes. Just imagining the moment made it difficult to breathe.

  The ride through the olive groves rejuvenated her. Every so often she’d stop to absorb another view of the azure sea and the white sailboats taking advantage of the light breeze. She removed her helmet to enjoy it. While she was thinking about Vasso, she saw the local bus coming toward her. It slowed down and a smiling Gus leaned out the window.

  “Yassou, Zoe! Where have you been?”

  “In New York, but I’m back to stay!”

  “That’s good!”

  “I agree!”

  After he drove on, she put her helmet back on and started pedaling again. She went through alternating cycles of fear and excitement as she contemplated their reunion. Zoe wouldn’t allow herself to be bombarded with negative thoughts again. She’d weathered too many of them already. Because of a lack of faith, she’d wasted precious time, time she and Vasso could have had together.

  Zoe stopped every so often to catch her breath and take in the glorious scenery. She had no way of knowing if he’d be at the house, but it didn’t matter. This was his home. He would return to it at some point, and she’d be waiting for him.

  * * *

  Akis looked at Vasso. “What do you think about him?” The last person they’d interviewed for t
he assistant’s job at the hospital went out to the lounge to wait. Over the last week there’d been a dozen applicants for the job before him.

  “I think he’s as good as we’re going to get.”

  “His disability won’t present a problem and he’s ex-military. Yiannis will like that.”

  Vasso nodded. Neither of them wanted to admit Yiannis had been so unhappy about Zoe’s resignation he’d found something wrong with anyone they’d sent for an interview. He’d rather do the extra work himself.

  “Will you tell him? I need to get back to the house if only to find out if it’s still standing.” Since the Sunday Vasso had awakened to a world without Zoe in it, he’d been living at the penthouse when he wasn’t out of the city on business. He got up and headed for their private elevator.

  “Hey, bro.” Akis’s concern was written on his face. “Come over for dinner tonight.”

  “Can I take a rain check?” Akis and Raina had done everything to help, but there was no help for what was wrong.

  “Then promise you’ll keep in close touch with me.”

  “Haven’t I always?”

  “Not always,” Akis reminded him.

  No. The Friday night he’d read Zoe’s goodbye letter, everything had become a blur until Akis had found him on Sunday morning. By now he’d gotten the message that she had no regrets over leaving him. None.

  While he’d waited in the hope that he’d hear from her, he’d gone through every phase of pain and agony. Maybe it would never leave him. Desperate for some relief, he flew to Paxos. When the helicopter dropped him off, he got in his car. After buying some roses in town, he headed for their family church on the summit.

  A breeze came up this time of day, filling the air with the scent of vanilla from the yellow broom growing on the hillsides. He pulled off the road and got out. The cemetery was around the back. Sixteen years ago he and Akis had buried their father next to their mother. They’d been young and their grief had been exquisite. In their need they’d clung to each other.

  Vasso walked around and placed the tub of roses in front of the headstone. Then he put a knee down and read what was inscribed on the stone until it became a blur. As if it had been yesterday, he still remembered a conversation they’d had with their father before he’d died.

  “You’re only in your teens and you’ll meet a lot of women before you’re grown up. When you find the one, you must treat her like a queen. Your mother was my queen. I cherished and respected her from the beginning. She deserved that because not only was she going to be my wife, she was going to be the mother of our children.”

  Tears dripped off Vasso’s chin.

  “I’ve found my queen, Papa, but her fear of dying early of the same disease as you has made it impossible for us to be together. I don’t know how you handled it when our mother died, but somehow you lived through the grief. If you could do it, so can I. I’m the big brother. I have to.

  “Wouldn’t you know Akis is doing much better than I am because he’s found the love of his life? They’re going to have a baby.” His shoulders heaved. “I’m so happy for them. I want to be happy, too. But the real truth of it is... I have to find a way for that to happen, Papa, otherwise this life no longer makes sense.”

  Vasso stayed there until he heard the voices of children playing on the slope below him. That meant school was out for the day. He’d been here long enough and wiped the tears with the side of his arm. It was time to drive back to the house and take stock of what he was going to do with his life from here on out.

  Something had to change. To go on mourning for something that wasn’t meant to be was destructive. He had a business to run. One day soon he’d be an uncle to his brother’s child. Vasso intended to love him or her and give all the support he could.

  After reaching the car, he drove home with the windows open, taking the lower road that wound along the coastline. As he rounded a curve he saw a cyclist in the far distance. It was a beautiful day. Vasso didn’t wonder that someone was out enjoying the sea air.

  But when the helmeted figure suddenly disappeared from sight, Vasso was surprised. There was only one turnoff along this particular stretch of road. It led to his beach house. Curious to know if he had a visitor, or if the cyclist was simply a tourist out sightseeing, he stepped on the gas.

  When he reached the turnoff, he came close to having a heart attack. Despite the helmet, Vasso could never mistake that well-endowed figure or those shapely legs headed for his house.

  It was Zoe on the bike!

  He stayed a few yards behind and watched the beautiful sight in front of him, trying to absorb the fact that she was back on the island.

  The way she was pedaling, he could tell she was tired. At some point she must have sensed someone was behind her. When she looked over her right shoulder, she let out a cry and lost control of the bike. In the next second it fell over, taking her with it.

  Terrified she could be hurt, Vasso stopped on a dime and jumped out of the car. But she’d recovered before he could reach her and was on her feet. His eyes were drawn to the English printed in blue on her white T-shirt with the high V-neck. I’d rather be in Greece.

  If this was a private message to him, he was receiving it loud and clear. The way she filled it out caused him to tremble.

  “Zoe—I’m so sorry. Are you hurt?”

  Those shimmering green eyes fastened on him. “Heavens, no. I’m such a klutz.”

  She looked so adorable in that helmet and those shorts, he could hardly find his voice. “Of course you’re not. I should have called out or honked so you’d know I was behind you. But to be honest, I thought maybe I was hallucinating to see you in front of me.”

  He watched her get back on the bike. “I was coming to visit you.”

  His heart pounded like thunder. “This has to be perfect timing because I haven’t been here for several weeks.”

  “I probably should have phoned you, but after I got off the ferry earlier, I just decided to come and take my chances.” She flashed him one of those brilliant smiles that melted his insides. “Beat you to the house!”

  He had a hundred questions to ask, but whatever the reason that had brought Zoe back to Paxos, he didn’t care. It was enough to see her again. Something was very different. Her whole body seemed to sparkle with life.

  She rode toward the house with more vigor than before, convincing him she hadn’t hurt herself. He got back in his car and drove slowly the rest of the way. Zoe reached their destination first and put on the kickstand. She was waiting for him as he parked his car and got out.

  “Where are you staying?”

  “I don’t know yet. Kyria Panos let me leave my luggage with her.”

  His mind was reeling. “You must be thirsty. Come in the house and we’ll both have a soda.”

  Another smile from her turned his insides to butter. “You’re a lifesaver.”

  They walked to the back door. Using his remote to let them in the house, he said, “The guest bathroom is behind that door at the far end of the kitchen.”

  “Thanks. I’m a mess.”

  The most gorgeous mess he’d ever seen. While she disappeared, he took the stairs two at a time to the loft and changed into shorts and a T-shirt. Before she came out, he hurried down to the kitchen in sandals and produced some colas from the fridge for them.

  When she emerged she was sans the helmet. Her blond hair was attractively disheveled. Vasso wanted to plunge his fingers into it and kiss the very life out of her. Her flushed skin, in fact every single thing about her, was too desirable. But he’d learned a terrible lesson since the day she’d left Greece. He’d pushed her too hard, too soon, and wouldn’t be making that mistake again.

  He handed her a drink. “Welcome back to Greece.” He clicked his can against hers and swallowed half the contents in
one long gulp. “I like your T-shirt.”

  “The second I saw it, I had to have it and bought it from Kyria Panos earlier. She let me change shirts in her bathroom.”

  “You’ve made a friend there.”

  She sipped her drink. “Everyone is a friend on this island. Gus waved to me from the bus while I was riding on the road to your house.”

  “I take it you haven’t seen Yiannis yet.”

  “No. If I couldn’t find you, I was planning to bike to the center.”

  “You look wonderful in those shorts, Zoe.”

  She blushed. “Thank you.”

  “I’m used to seeing you in skirts and dresses.”

  “I know. They make a nice change. You look wonderful, too.”

  He didn’t know how long he could resist crushing her in his arms, but he needed answers. “Shall we go out on the deck?”

  “I’d love it.”

  They walked over to the sliding doors. She sat on one of the loungers while he pulled a chair around next to her. “Tell me what happened when you went back to New York.”

  He listened as she gave him an account. They were both circling the giant elephant standing on the deck, but he needed to let her guide this conversation if he wanted to know the reason she’d come back. If she was only here for a few days, he couldn’t bear it.

  “While I was there, I had to go in for my six-weeks checkup.”

  This was too much. Vasso broke out in a cold sweat and got up, too restless to sit still. He turned on his heel. “Were you given a death sentence and a date? Is that why you’re here? To thank me one more time and say a final goodbye?”

  “Vasso—” She paled and shot to her feet.

  “Because if you are, I could have done without this visit. You know damn well why I asked you to marry me. Can you possibly understand the pain you’ve inflicted by turning up here now?” The words had gushed out. He couldn’t take them back.

  “Do you want to hear the exact quote I got from my doctor?”

  “Actually I don’t.” She seemed determined to tell him, but he couldn’t go through this agony again and started for the doorway into the house.