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Stavros inhaled, trying to get a better grip of his senses. After all these years, he had finally found her. He only had a brief time to look at Mairi when he had been at GAYL, but now that she was this close, he did not hesitate to look his fill.
Her hair was longer, her eyes beautifully dark like before, and her body as shapely as Aphrodite’s. She was also paler, thinner, and looked extremely stressed.
Stavros said quietly, “I’m sorry I’ve forced this meeting on you.”
The words were unexpected and confusing, forcing Mairi to look at him again. The last time she had seen him, Stavros had been a teenager like her, a boy who had broken every girl’s heart when he only ever smiled at Mairi and ignored the rest.
Now, he was a man, solidly built and extremely attractive. Add the fact that he was also a Greek billionaire, and the way all the women in the restaurant were ogling at him was entirely understandable. Maybe if she didn’t have her own Greek billionaire to love, she would have been ogling him, too.
Mairi answered just as quietly, “I don’t consider myself forced to meet you in any way, Stavros.”
“I know the truth, Mairi. Damen told me you needed more time—-”
She was incredulous. “You talked to Damen?”
A frown formed on his forehead. “Did he not tell you?”
The truth dawned on them both.
Stavros said grimly, “He lied to me.”
“Stavros—-”
“Knowing you are with him, it is with the utmost respect for your relationship that I went to him first and asked permission to talk to you.” His jaw hardened.
She knew he wouldn’t say anything anymore. Stavros was not the type to backstab anyone, even if that someone had clearly lied to him. But then – he didn’t really have to, Mairi thought, still bemused. Clearly, Damen had lied to him, prevented them from meeting. But why? Surely he didn’t think she still loved Stavros?
“He must have his own reasons. Please don’t let this ruin your friendship.”
Stavros said curtly, “If it is fine with you, I do not plan wasting our time talking about Leventis.”
Her heart sank. Earlier he had called Damen by his first name. Now he was more formal, and it didn’t bode well.
She heard Stavros sigh, a harsh sound that confused Mairi. It was as if she had hurt him.
And then—-
“Did you know I tried looking for you?”
Her head jerked up. “You did? Why would you?”
He was disbelieving. “Why wouldn’t I? It was my fault you were expelled!”
Oh, these Greek billionaires. They could drive a girl insane. Did Stavros and Damen know how alike they were, with their tendency to blame themselves for something that was not and could never be their fault?
“It was not your fault, Stavros, and I never thought that.”
“I’m not surprised you think so. You have always been too nice.”
She shook her head, smiling wryly. “I threatened Principal Childress with a lawsuit just to make sure not a single word about the incident got out. So you know, I can be a bitch if I want to.”
Stavros allowed himself a slight smile even as he said firmly, “You are not and will never be a bitch. But I do know about what you did and again I think you were too lenient on her.”
“I couldn’t risk embarrassing my aunts,” she admitted.
He nodded. “I knew it was probably your reason for letting her get away with her unethical actions.” His lashes fell, partially hiding his gaze as he murmured, “I made sure she lost her job when you left. It was the least I could do for you.”
Mairi was stunned. It was her first time to hear that. The moment she had been expelled, she had decided that part of her life was over and she had taken pains to avoid any kind of news about her old school and everyone else associated with it...and that included Stavros.
She asked tentatively, “Why did you want to meet with me?”
The way her eyes nervously darted to and away from his face was so reminiscent of how she had been when she was young, it made Stavros’ chest tighten. The years might have passed, but what made Mairi Tanner the girl who had so quickly ensnared his attention without trying was still there.
And she was more beautiful than ever.
And she would never be his because it was obvious that her heart had already been claimed by another man.
In that instant he knew that whatever he had subconsciously thought to tell her were words he should never speak out loud.
The gentle smile on Stavros’ face made Mairi remember how he had been so kind to her all those times they had talked about Greek myths, with Stavros never telling her she was letting her imagination get the better of her.
Only now did she realize how much she had missed his friendship when she had left their school.
