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????? is Greek and it’s basically calling someone baby in English. That should feel nice, instead it makes me think of Marco.
“You are crazy, Z,” I chastise, trying to defuse the situation and take it down a notch.
“You know you’re gorgeous, Helena.”
“Whatever you say,” I mutter, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks. I watch as his lips curve into a smirk and shake my head.
“Are we ready for the showing this weekend?” he asks, switching to work.
“I’m waiting for the final appraisals. Those should come today. I’ve also spoken with the caterer and approved it per your requests. The advertisements have stepped into overdrive starting today. We’ve also been getting a lot of inquiries from the gallery’s website and there have been numerous buyers calling in, too.”
“Tell me what I did before you fell in my lap?”
“I think you got along fine. You’ve had this place opened, what? Five months? I’ve never seen a gallery get the amount of traffic this place gets. I honestly think this event showing off local talent will push us over the edge. It’s a great way to get the local community interested and increase word of mouth.”
“Let’s hope you’re right. I’d hate to head back to Greece and tell my father I was a failure. Especially since the reason I came to America in the first place was to prove that I could stand on my own two feet and be a success.”
“I understand the need in that,” I laugh and God, I do. That’s further proof that Zervas and I have quite a bit in common. He understands the dynamic between my father and I because, from everything he tells me, he has the same issues with his. Too bad I didn’t mean him before my heart latched onto Marco.
“I know you do, angel. I better get to work. My first meeting is at ten this morning.”
“Oh, that’s right. You’re meeting with the Levkin brothers.”
“Actually, just one. Ivan Levkin. Don’t get too close to him. Keep all interaction purely professional.”
“I’m sorry…” I blink. Does he think I spend my time flirting with the patrons here?
“That smile you have is powerful. It hypnotizes a man. Ivan Levkin is not the kind of man you want to treat that to. His brothers are decent men. He is not.”
“So, dim the smile. Got it,” I joke thinking he’s crazy.
“No, don’t smile at all,” he replies.
I look up at him, thinking he’ll be giving me a smile and laughing with me. He’s not. His face is totally serious, and it make me nervous to see the intensity his eyes.
“Okay,” I tell him, swallowing nervously.
“Good. Do you want to catch lunch with me after my meeting?” he asks.
“Melody and I usually eat at the diner across the street,” I respond, thinking a casual lunch with Zervas would not be a good idea. Besides, I don’t want Melody to think that is why I got this job. Which is crazy, because she hired me before I ever met Zervas.
“Melody called me this morning. She’s taking a leave of absence.”
“What?” I ask, shocked.
“She said she needed personal time because her mother had a heart attack.”
“Oh no. That’s horrible. I should call her and see if I can do anything,” I whisper, my heart hurting for her. “Can you give me her phone number?”
“Of course, but I’d wait for a while. She was traveling today, and life will be hectic for her for a bit.”
“Oh,” I breathe. “I didn’t think of that. You’re right of course.”
“So, lunch?”
“I have a lot of work here,” I hedge.
“You need to eat, too,” he counters.
I push my doubts away. I’m being silly. It’s just lunch. “Okay, sure. We can go over the event in more detail.”
“Good,” he says, giving me a smile that’s hot enough to make me extremely nervous.
I think I may be getting in over my head. Something about this entire encounter with Zervas has me worried. Maybe it’s a good thing Marco is coming in tonight.
Chapter 32
Helena
Crushing disappointment.
That’s the only way to describe my reaction to the. Call I got from Marco five minutes ago. He can’t be here. I should be used to things like this where Marco is involved but I’m not. He says he will be. Here, just not before next week. I assured him it was fine. I think he could tell from my voice it wasn’t. He promised. He would make it up to me. I let. Him believe he could and then he hung up. That surety inside of me that Marco will eventually tire of me is getting stronger… as is the pain in my heart.
The gallery’s main door opening grabs my attention and I put away my thoughts of Marco and the pain that he has caused me yet again. It’s time to greet a customer and make a sale. That’s my job—my new purpose. Screw Marco.
