A Wedding for the Greek Tycoon

“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.