Page 9 of Loving the Greek Billionaire

He pushed the call button and loosened his grip to see her eyes.

“I love you,” she said through shallow breaths. The last words she ever spoke.

The heartbeat monitor flatlined.

Two nurses entered, pushed Leo away from Nia, and administered lifesaving techniques as doctors and staff poured in.

Leo propped himself against the wall as tears blurred his vision. Nia was gone. There was no bringing her back.

“Help me,” Leonidas whispered to the penthouse ceiling. “Help me find her.” If he let his friends and family know he was willing to try dating again, they’d have a line of women, who’d be “perfect for him and the children” set up from now until Christmas. He’d even considered a dating service or, in desperate hours of the night, an arranged marriage. But he couldn’t stomach the idea. That wasn’t how he’d found Nia. Not that he expected his future wife to come to him in the same way with a baggage mix-up at a hotel. He wanted to find her organically, without a setup.

Rose came around the corner of the couch. “Stavros, I’m ready.” Her brow creased. “Oh, are you unwell? You look as if you have a headache. We can stay in if you’re not up to the dining room.”

Leo brushed off his pants legs to wipe away the sad memories. “I’d be pleased to escort you to the dining room, Ms. Berret.”

“Rose.” She swiped an errant hair off the cap sleeve of her navy blue dress.

“Yes, Rose.” He stood and accompanied her to the elevator.

She pushed the button. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

“I’m looking forward to hearing about your tour of Athens.” Not an answer to her question but a truth nonetheless.

She gave a nod but didn’t look convinced.

Once seated in the dining room with menus, he asked, “What’s the famous dish Kyrene spoke of?”

“Fish soup.” That delightful pink tinted her cheeks again.

Leo thought the blush softened her features. “Fish soup can be found throughout Greece.” He adjusted his perfectly placed silverware.

“I know,” Rose said. “But Kyrene said this one is the best, as did several online reviews.”

“And this is what tempted you to the dining room.”

She nodded.

“Since you’re having seafood for an appetizer, may I make a suggestion for the main course?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said.

“The breast of free range chicken from Ioannina. I don’t believe you’ll be seeing that part of Greece while you’re with us.”

They placed their orders, and the waiter cleared the menus, leaving a plate of pita and fava in their place.

“Hummus?” Rose sniffed the dish.

“Fava,” Leo explained. “Hummus is served in other nearby Mediterranean countries, but here in Greece, we eat fava. Very similar in texture and taste.”

Rose shook her head. “Always something new to learn each day.” She broke off a corner of the pita and used her knife to spread the fava before placing it in her mouth. “It’s so smooth and creamy. I’ll add it to my favorite Greek foods’ list.” She wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin.

“Is it a long list?”

“Quite short actually. I’ve only been here two days.”

Leo noted her even white teeth when she smiled. They reminded him of a pearl necklace.

“Why does Mr. P travel so much instead of spending time with his children?”

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