Wedding The Greek Billionaire

She’d spent time there earlier in the year. It was the place where the Greek rebels fought in the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire. It was there that Byron came to join Greece in its fight for freedom.

“Refresh my memory about that last day,” Andreas asked her.

“From what I know, Byron rode his horse by the waters of the lagoon, then to the Chapel of the Virgin by the Palm Tree, and then for many more miles onto Aetolicon. On that fateful day he was caught in the downpour of a storm and returned completely soaked to the home in Messolonghi where he was staying. That’s when the sweating and fever started. He became seriously ill and died at the age of thirty-six.”

He shot her glance. “What more do you expect to learn about that day by going there?”

“I’m curious to compare some facts with the Turkish accounts I’ve just gathered.”

Andreas shook his head. “Does that mind of yours ever turn off?”

She flashed him a radiant smile. “I hope not.”

After they reached Messolonghi, Zoe had booked a local hotel. After she’d checked in, Andreas walked her through the Garden of Heroes where Lord Byron was featured. According to his will, his heart was buried there beneath the statue and his body shipped back to England.

As she’d walked with Andreas, she knew she’d come close to losing her own heart. But it had happened so quickly! How could she be feeling this way after her last painful experience? Zoe was at the point where she didn’t trust her own judgment and was feeling so vulnerable, she was frightened.

Because you know that what you feel for Andreas is more than what you’ve ever felt for anyone before.

They had a meal of superb grilled eel at a nearby café. He was definitely a fish man, but this would be their last dinner together.

Zoe looked at her watch. “It’s getting late, Andreas. Don’t you think you’d better get back to Patras if you’re expecting to fly to Athens in the morning?”

“It’s only an hour’s drive. Why do I get the feeling you’re trying to get rid of me?”

She sucked in her breath. “That’s the first cruel thing you’ve ever said to me. I thought we were friends.”

“I’m sorry if it came off sounding that way.”

“I’m the one who’s sorry. I guess I worry that you’re a man with so many responsibilities. You’ve done everything for me since that accident.”

“It’s obvious that you’re not used to letting anyone help you.”

That was a plain fact. “You’re right. I need to learn to be more gracious. Thank you for this whole day and the dinner tonight.”

“You’re welcome. If you’re ready, I’ll walk you to the hotel and say goodbye for another week.”

Another seven days away from him. How would she be able to handle it?

He accompanied her as far as the hotel foyer. “I plan to come for you when you’re through here. I’ll call you.”

“I know you can’t wait for tomorrow to see Ari. It makes me happy just thinking about the two of you together.”

“Good luck with your research.”

They were talking around each other. She could see a little nerve throbbing at the corner of his mouth before he turned on his heel and walked out of the hotel.

Zoe hurried up to her room on the second floor and burst into tears. This had to end.

For the rest of the week she did as much research as she could. On the sixth day, she packed up and rented a car to drive back to Patras. From there she made a plane reservation for a night flight to Venice. For the rest of the day she got her laundry and packing done.

She couldn’t stay in Greece any longer. Zoe had been the first woman Andreas had turned to since filing for his separation. It was possible he and Lia might even reconcile given a little more time and no outside distractions. He’d told Zoe that Lia still wanted him back. Zoe didn’t doubt it and couldn’t help but wonder if that knowledge didn’t work on Andreas. If he wanted to try again with Lia, Zoe knew it would kill her.

Even if that didn’t happen, in time there would be more women when Andreas was finally free. Nate had found another woman before they were ever divorced. It was inevitable the same thing would happen with Andreas. Zoe wasn’t the kind of a woman to hold a man like him for long, not after she couldn’t keep even Nate interested.

No matter where they went, every female eye followed Andreas because of his looks and sheer charisma. Her legs went weak whenever she saw him waiting out in front of her apartment.

Here she was at twenty-six, on the verge of being swept away by the sheer male beauty and magnetism of Andreas Gavras. She’d learned he was the renowned hotelier of Gavras House Properties and an influential, fabulously wealthy business tycoon from the powerful Gavras family. Their name figured heavily in the economic future of western Greece.

Though she was madly attracted to him, she had to get away while she still could. It would be impossible to go on remaining just friends with him, not when deep down she wanted him in all the ways a woman wanted a man. And when his interest turned to someone else, then what?

After paying the bill, she left at eight that evening and sat in the airport waiting for the call to board her flight. That’s when her phone rang. She checked the caller ID. A moan escaped when she saw Andreas’s name. With a pounding heart, she clicked on. This was it.

“Andreas? How are you?”

“Looking forward to seeing you. It’s good to hear your voice. I thought I’d better call now to find out how soon you’ll be ready in the morning.”

She started to tremble. “I’m so glad you called when you did. I have something important to tell you.”

There was a definite pause before he said, “Does this mean you need to stay there longer?”

“No. I just received news from my two friends. They’re both in Venice right now and are begging me to come. One of them, Ginger, is being married to a Venetian on July 5, which is in less than a week. The three of us want to spend some time together before the wedding, so I’m on my way there now.”

“What do you mean you’re on your way?” His voice sounded fierce.

She gripped her phone tighter. “I’m at the airport and they’re calling for my flight right now. I have to go.”

“When will you be coming back?”

Heaven help me.

“I’m flying straight back to California after I leave Venice. I’ve been away a long time and need to get my affairs in order before I start teaching again this fall.”

“You can’t leave yet. There are things you don’t know. Things I need to tell you.”

“Andreas—I’m so sorry. I have to board the plane. But let me say this one last thing. You’ll never know what meeting you has meant to me. I’ll always be grateful to you for everything. You’re the finest man I’ve ever known. I guarantee that in time your life is going to be happy again. Take care, my good friend.”

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