Page 62 of Loving the Greek Billionaire

“Based on what you’ve told me so far, nothing good.”

Rose laced her fingers together. “I think they would’ve legally taken him from me, under a myriad of lies, or possibly by paying off the judge. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing my child a second time. Those kinds of thoughts helped me stand firm when they tried to convince me of their plan.”

He wrapped her in a hug. “I’m sorry for all that you’ve been through. You’re an incredibly strong and compassionate woman. I already knew that, but what you’ve shared with me has cemented your admirable qualities forever.” He kissed her temple, then her ear, then her cheek.

Rose was grateful to have him kiss away her difficult and sad memories. A man like him was exactly the reason she’d refused her in-laws’ primrose path.

♥ ♥ ♥

After his date, Leo paced back and forth on the sand in the dark. Outdoor lights from the bungalow illuminated his path. Stavros watched him from his towel on the sand, where he did push-ups.

“That bad?” asked Stavros.

“I should’ve told her who I was earlier. I can’t tell her now that I know why she loathes the wealthy so much. She has good reason. I’d loathe me too.”

“What happened?”

Leo filled Stavros in.

“You’re right,” Stavros said, switching to one-armed push-ups. “You’re sunk.”

Leo stopped. “You’re supposed to be the voice of encouragement and hope here. The Gandalf or Dumbledore sage or something.”

“Do I look like an old English guy with a beard and hat?” Stavros raised a brow.

Leo resumed pacing, anger and frustration with himself and Rose’s ex-in-laws driving his steps. “How do I salvage the situation?” He kicked at the sand and then coughed when some got in his mouth.

“I think you might need to blow it up.” Stavros switched arms.

“What?”

“Remember that time in the Middle East when we got into a tight spot and the only thing we could do was blow up the building we were in so we could escape?”

“Yes. Not our brightest idea. There was a good chance we, or the soldiers we were rescuing, wouldn’t get out alive.” Leo looked at his friend, curious as to where Stavros was going with it.

“You need to blow up the situation with Rose by telling her who you are. You’ll never know if the two of you can survive the fallout unless you tell her.”

“But it might cost me her.”

Stavros sat up. “If she walks away, was she really the right woman to begin with?”

Leo frowned. “You make a good point.”

Stavros switched to crunches. “Look, if Rose is everything you believe her to be: kind, compassionate, and understanding, then you two will pull through. That doesn’t mean she won’t be mad and need some space before you come back together, but at least then there won’t be any secrets between you.”

Leo plopped down on the sand. All his anger deflated. “The thought of losing her is physically painful. And what will I tell the children?”

“That they’re getting a new nanny.”

“They adore Rose.”

“They adored the last one too and still made the adjustment. The kids can do it again.” Stavros held crunch position. “We all knew Rose’s time here was temporary until the permanent nanny could be found.”

“I know.” Leo traced lines in the sand. “I just didn’t expect to fall in love with her.”

“None of us did, and yet it happened.”

“It’s so cliché.” Leo groaned.

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