He left her talking to a saleswoman and headed for another part of the store. Besides a laptop, Vasso wanted her to have a new iPhone. He was still amazed by the extent of her loss, and even more astounded that she wasn’t bitter or angry. She didn’t know how to feel sorry for herself. That trait alone increased his admiration for her.
Fire had snatched away everything from her, including her parents. She was forced to build a life all over again. The woman was a survivor in more ways than one. He couldn’t imagine another woman of his acquaintance who would be eager to throw herself headlong into an undetermined future.
She was beautiful inside and out. By some miracle the lymphoma hadn’t taken her life. Her gratitude was over the top, yet it was that very quality that drew him to her. You couldn’t compare her to anyone else. She’d maintained a great sense of humor even after the ordeal she’d been through, which put her in a class by herself.
As Vasso had discussed with Akis, he was happy they’d honored their father by creating the foundation. But at the time, neither of them had any idea that their money would be responsible for Zoe getting the medical care she’d needed to whip the terrible disease. Today he was thankful they’d had both centers built so he could give her the job she wanted.
She’s becoming important to you.
An hour later he found her and they walked out of the store with their arms loaded. They were greeted by a rash of photographers and journalists taking pictures and calling out questions. Someone had tipped the paparazzi off that he’d come to the store. Vasso was furious this had happened, but Zoe seemed to handle it well by ignoring them. He helped her into the smoked-glass limo.
“You must be a celebrity,” she said in a quiet voice.
“Anyone’s a celebrity if they have money.”
“There’s a lot more to their interest in you than that!”
“It’s because Akis and I came from a life of poverty. The media has been following us around for several years.”
“How ghastly.” He heard a sigh come out of her. “But I think it’s because you’ve done something extraordinary with your lives. To impart your fortune for the good of humanity puts you in a class all by yourselves. Surely you must realize how much people admire you for that. It’s a great compliment to you, even if you don’t like the publicity.”
“Trust me, I don’t,” he muttered. “Let’s forget them. I’m just sorry I couldn’t protect you from them.”
“I can understand that you don’t relish being mobbed.”
She understood a lot of things that made him feel closer to her. He was beginning to desire her company more and more. “It’s one of the reasons why I don’t spend all my time in Athens.”
Her gaze darted to him. “I don’t blame you. Under the circumstances, can we go back to the penthouse to eat dinner? Now that they’ve seen you, they’ll probably follow us to the Plaka. If I can’t pay for our meal, I can at least cook for you.”
“I didn’t bring you here to cook.”
“You don’t know how much I miss it. I was at the center for a whole year. No place of my own to have fun in the kitchen. Yours is a cook’s dream, believe me! But please don’t misunderstand me,” she cried softly. “I just meant that now I’m well, I look forward to doing the things that once brought me pleasure. That is if you’ll let me.”
How could he say no to that? “Of course.”
“If I say so myself, my parents’ taverna brought in a lot of customers because of my mother’s recipes that go way back.”
Vasso couldn’t hear enough about her life. “What was her specialty?”
“She had several, but my favorite main dish is burek.”
His brows lifted. “You can make Macedonian burek?”
“So you like it?” Her eyes smiled.
“I had it once in Kozani and loved it.”
“I’d like to make it for you if you’ll let me loose in your kitchen. We’ll see how it compares. But you need to start with an appetizer and some Mastika liqueur over ice. You probably don’t have any of that on hand.”
“Our number-four store should carry it. We’ll stop there on the way back.”
She reached in her purse and wrote something on a piece of paper before handing it to him. “Do you have all these items?”
He checked the list: dough ingredients, minced lamb, white cheese, spinach, kasseri yellow cheese, olives and tomatoes. They’d need to pick up at least half the items on her list. Vasso alerted his driver, then focused on her. “I’m already salivating.”
“So am I.” She chuckled. “There’s nothing I’d love more than to fix you one of my family’s specialties.”
“Are you homesick for New York already?” He’d been worrying about that. To live on Paxos was going to be a huge adjustment for her.
“I’ll never stop missing my parents, but there’s nothing in New York for me now so I won’t be missing it. Yet being able to cook up a meal in your kitchen will be a little like old times with my folks.”
Her tremulous answer tugged on his emotions. He had a longing to comfort her. “I can relate. So many times I’ve wanted to discuss business with our father.”
“Every time I went into the hospital chapel, I would read the words on the plaque and wonder about him. When did he die?”
“Sixteen years ago.”
She shook her head. “You were so young to lose him. That must have been terribly hard on your mother.”
Vasso cleared his throat. “She died soon after I was born.”
A slight gasp escaped her. “I had no idea. That means your father raised you and your brother alone. Did you have grandparents?”
“They died too, but that’s another story.”
“Will you tell me about it?”
“Maybe. Over dinner.” Just then the limo pulled in front of the store. “I’ll be right back.” He got out and hurried inside the crowded interior.
“Boss?”
“Yassou, Galen. I’m here to pick up a bottle of Mastika liqueur.”
“I think we’ve got one left. It’s been on the top shelf in back for a while.”
“The older, the better.”
“I’ll get it.”
“Let me.” Vasso found it and the other items needed. After putting some bills on the counter he said, “Talk to you later.”
When he got back in the limo with the groceries, he handed the bottle to Zoe. “Is this what you wanted?”
She looked delighted. “I can’t believe you stock it here. No wonder your stores have been such a huge success. This is my lucky day. Now I’m going to have to produce a meal that will win the Giannopoulos seal of approval.”
He laughed, realizing that she had a knack for bringing that out in him. When she’d walked into Alexandra’s office last week, he hadn’t been prepared for the effect this utterly feminine woman would have on him. But the first impression she’d made on him, with her wavy blond hair, had brought a spring-like newness into his life.
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