The Greek's Green Card Bride - Holly Rayner Page 0,1

women in business attire bustled back and forth on the busy sidewalk. A few people ate lunch on benches under the canopy of large trees that had been planted to provide shade and ambiance.

“No problem,” Stavros said. “Send it along and I’ll take a look. Probably just formalities. You know governments—so much red tape. I’ll be in the office tomorrow, and I’ll take a look first thing.”

“Thanks, Stavros,” Dimitris said. “I’ll have Anna send over the documents.”

After a few more moments of chatting, Dimitris got off the phone and turned to face the limo once again.

The interior of the vehicle was air-conditioned, of course, but it looked just as stuffy and sterile as the room he’d just come from.

He stepped forward, and Anna peered over her reading glasses in his direction. He’d texted her the good news about how the meeting went just as it had come to a close.

“I got your text,” she said in her usual clipped tone. “I just scheduled a conference call with the marketing department, due to begin in twenty minutes. They’re going to draw up a few press releases which we can put out as soon as the contract goes through. I thought we could—”

She stopped short as Dimitris shook his head.

“No?” she said, acknowledging his gesture. “You don’t want to talk with them?”

“Not right now,” he said. “I need to stretch my legs… to walk. I need fresh air.” If there was one thing Dimitris had learned as the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company, it was that he had to take care of himself. When he felt burnt out, nothing seemed to flow.

“Cancel all of my calls for the afternoon,” he instructed Anna. “I’ll fit them in tomorrow.” He opened up his messenger bag and removed a thick folder. “Could you send copies of these documents to Stavros at some point this afternoon?”

She nodded and accepted the paperwork. “Of course, sir. I’ll scan them right away.”

Dimitris thanked her then informed the driver that he wouldn’t be needing a lift.

The driver gave a nod of understanding. “Beautiful day out,” he said politely. “I can see why you prefer a walk. Where are you heading?”

“Not sure yet,” Dimitris said honestly.

He waited while the limo pulled away, and then he turned on his heel and walked down the sidewalk. He had to weave through oncoming pedestrians as he walked. Once in a while, a faint breeze brushed past, but it wasn’t nearly enough to provide relief from the heat.

It felt good to move after so many hours of sitting. He didn’t have a particular destination in mind, and it felt good to relax and simply wander for a while. He could hear the distant sound of music, like a band playing in an open-air venue, and he let his feet carry him in that direction.

The music grew louder as he neared the marina, and Dimitris felt himself relax even more. An afternoon of listening to music by the water was just what he needed. But not in this stuffy shirt, he thought, as he pulled at his collar again and then loosened the top two buttons. And I have to get out of these shoes, too.

A clothing store across the street caught his eye.

Ten minutes later he emerged with a newly acquired black T-shirt and a pair of sandals. He continued his walk toward the water, and the music grew louder.

The guitar playing was very good. Dimitris had never learned to play an instrument, having dedicated all of his focus and energy to growing his business. Though he didn’t play, he appreciated musicians who could really let it rip. He loved watching talented people express their gifts, in whatever form that might take. To Dimitris, there was something almost spiritual about it.

He was eager to watch the performance. A left turn took him onto a new street and gave him a view of sparkling green water in the distance. He could see colorful tents set up along one stretch of the waterfront, and amidst the tents, there was a covered bandstand. Dimitris eyed his surroundings, looking for a place to change into his new shoes and shirt.

An alleyway to his right drew his attention. He stepped into it and was happy to find it empty. It was a relief to get his shoes off and put on the new sandals instead. He started unfastening the buttons on his top, eager to shed the cloying layer.

Time to relax, he thought, and take in the sights of the