Zeus

After days of back-to-back business meetings, endless conference calls, and sealing deals, all I craved was a quiet moment in the garden.

Instead, I was staring at the outstretched hand of the only girl I'd ever loved.

Zoe Stavrakos.

My body stiffened and my breath caught in my throat. A slow heat spread through me. Eight years had passed, and yet seeing her again felt like being hit with a wrecking ball.

Her brown hair was longer now, cascading in thick waves over her delicate shoulders. Her skin glowed in the afternoon light, and her lips—plump, pinkish-red—stirred memories I shouldn't be thinking about.

She was a vision of elegance.

Get a grip, Zeus. Stop staring. You're supposed to hate her, remember?

Zoe forced a smile that could freeze hell. "Mr. Petrakis. Nice to meet you."

Her voice was soft, confident, and familiar.

The same voice that once whispered sweet words to me in high school—before screaming that she never wanted to see me again.

Nice to meet you? What was she doing?

Then I understood. She was pretending not to know me.

I fought not to laugh. If she wanted to play it this way, so be it.

Game on, sweetheart.

"Miss Stavrakos. What an... unexpected pleasure," I replied, matching her tone perfectly. I took her soft hand, gripping just hard enough to feel her reaction—a flicker of tension or awareness, maybe.

Damn. Her touch brought back memories I'd thought I'd buried years ago.

Then, just as fast, she pulled away, like my touch burned her.

I took the seat across from her, amused when she subtly shifted away. She sipped her tea with fluid, graceful movements, seemingly unaffected. But I knew her well. Despite her polished exterior, I could feel the tension rolling off her in waves.

Margaret gave me a cup of tea, and I thanked her.

"We're so happy to have both of you here at the Trade Expo Exhibit," John said, pulling me back to the present. "And even happier to host you in our home. We hope your stay is enjoyable."

So Zoe was the other guest that John and Margaret mentioned earlier. Perfect.

"It will be," Zoe said smoothly.

"Absolutely. I always enjoy visiting," I added.

For years, we'd avoided each other after our high school breakup. And yet here we were, face-to-face at Somersby Estate in London, stuck together for the week.

Margaret beamed. "Zeus, you know we love having you here. You're like family."

Then John turned to me. "By the way, the Stavrakos Robotic Company is Zoe's family business. I'm sure you're familiar with them. They are renowned business leaders worldwide, much like the Petrakis."

"Yes, I've heard of them," I replied, sipping the hot tea.

Who hadn't heard of the Stavrakos? Our families were once close, but things were different now. We were practically rivals. And my history with Zoe? Let's just say it didn't help.

I remembered the day it all fell apart. My grandfather, Eros Petrakis, had called me into his office. He had shown me legal documents about Zoe's family betraying the Petrakis Company in a major joint venture. Then he told me what would happen if I stayed with her.

"You will lose everything," he had said. "Your future, your family, your inheritance. Is that what you want?"

I was eighteen and so scared. Grandpa mentioned getting even and making sure Zoe's family would rot in jail. I didn't understand—all I cared about was Zoe and her safety.

I broke up with Zoe the next day. I didn't tell her about my grandfather's threat, but I had a feeling she knew. I just walked away from the only girl I had ever loved.

"Zeus is here to support our company at the food expo," John said to Zoe. "He's been a tremendous help with our international connections."

Over the years, I'd forced myself to focus on business. That's what I was good at. I'd become the perfect Petrakis heir—cold, calculating, and successful.

"So, tell me, Miss Stavrakos. What brings you all the way from New York to London?" I asked, locking eyes with her. "For sure, there are plenty of food expos in America."

Zoe's smile tightened a little. "The best opportunities are worth traveling for, Mr. Petrakis. But I wouldn't expect everyone to understand that."

I couldn't help but smirk. She was still sharp with her words, just like in high school when we would argue about silly things like which movie to watch or where to eat.

"Zoe's the CEO of Vital Harvest Foods," Margaret said, eating her scone. "Her company joined this year's exhibit."

Right. The new health food company John and Margaret had been raving about. They'd left out one minor detail—who ran it.

I raised an eyebrow. "Impressive."

"Her company is doing remarkable things," Margaret said excitedly. "You two should talk about business. You have so much in common!"

If only they knew.

"Do we?" Zoe's voice was smooth as honey. "I wouldn't have thought a business tycoon would be interested in sweet potato bars, almond milk, and kale smoothies."

"You'd be surprised, Miss Stavrakos. I'm very interested in... healthy partnerships."

Her fingers tightened around her teacup.

"Wonderful!" John beamed. "Because Zoe's company is planning to expand their distribution internationally."

My brows arched. "That's so brave. Though I wouldn't have thought there was much demand for overpriced quinoa."

That surely hit a nerve. For a moment, her eyes flashed with anger.

"Health consciousness is the future, Mr. Petrakis." She paused. "Though I understand change can be... challenging for someone with a junk food habit."

I leaned back, smiling. "If I recall correctly, Miss Stavrakos, you were once quite fond of cheesy potato fries and nachos. Sneaking bites during class while the teacher was writing on the board."

Zoe's composure flickered for a split second, her cheeks flushed.

Margaret glanced between us, puzzled. "Are you sure you two haven't met? There's definitely a..."

"No," we answered in unison.

"Never had the pleasure," I added smoothly. Then, under my breath, "Or the trauma."

Zoe's smile turned razor sharp. "Though Mr. Petrakis reminds me of someone I knew in high school. Same... superiority complex."

"Funny, you remind me of someone, too. Same tendency to always think she's right."

"Better than always being left behind," she murmured into her cup.

Don't smile, Zeus. Don't you dare smile at that.

John observed us with keen interest, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

"You know," he said casually, "Zoe's staying in the east wing. Beside your usual room, Zeus."

I choked on my tea.

Zoe's composure finally cracked. "I'm in the what wing?"

"East, dear," Margaret said cheerfully. "You'll be neighbors! Isn't that lovely?"

Zoe and I looked at each other, then quickly away. The universe had the worst sense of humor orchestrating our meeting.

"Lovely," Zoe said faintly.

"Spectacular," I muttered.

John continued to talk about the Trade Expo, but all I could think about was Zoe Stavrakos. The girl I once knew too well, now sleeping in the room next to mine.

How was I going to avoid everything ending in disaster?

The afternoon sun made Margaret sleepy. She stifled a yawn. "John, dear, maybe we should rest before dinner? Zoe, you mentioned wanting to see the gardens..."

"I did," Zoe agreed carefully.

"Perfect," John said, helping Margaret to her feet. "Zeus knows every inch of the garden. He can give a tour."

"The rose garden is lovely this time of year," Margaret added with a smile.

Zoe's lips curved in polite protest. "That's unnecessary. I don't want to bother him. He seems too busy."

"You won't bother me," I cut in smoothly. "I'd be happy to show Miss Stavrakos our... wilder areas."

Her cheeks pinked slightly, but she recovered quickly. "How chivalrous."

"Great! After your tour, a maid will show you to your room," Margaret said cheerfully. "We'll see you both at dinner."

John and Margaret excused themselves, leaving Zoe and me in a silence thick enough to cut with a knife.

"Well," I said finally, tilting my head, "CEO of Vital Harvest Foods. Two years old and already making waves. Impressive. I'm just curious, though, how someone who once set fire to our chemistry lab created a food empire?"

"That was your fault, and you know it," she shot back. Her pretense slipped for a second before she caught herself. "I mean... you must be thinking of someone else."

I smirked. "Am I? The resemblance is remarkable. Same stubborn chin. Same tendency to destroy school property."

She narrowed her eyes. "Interesting. You remind me of someone, too. Same arrogant smirk. Same inability to admit when he's wrong."

I chuckled, leaning back. "John and Margaret were quite enthusiastic about their new favorite snack bars. Now I'm wondering—have you gotten better at chemistry?"

She almost smiled. Almost.

"You could always try for yourself. If you're not too scared," she said, then pointed at the crackers and bars on the table.

"The great Zoe Stavrakos, offering me her products?"

"I've always wondered about the effects of healthy food on oversized egos."

A laugh slipped past my lips before I could stop it. But Zoe remained perfectly unimpressed.

We were both standing now, though I couldn't remember getting up.

"The gardens, then?" I suggested, my voice softer now.

"No, thanks." She lifted her chin. "I'll take the tour on my own. It'll be more enjoyable."

I stepped closer—just enough for her to catch the scent of my cologne. "Too bad. I'd hate for you to miss the best spots."

"I'm sure you know all the best spots to... bury bodies."

"Planning my murder already, Miss Stavrakos? We've only just met."

Her eyes flickered with something—annoyance, frustration...something else.

Instead of saying anything more, she just rolled her eyes, turning on her heel. I watched as she stomped away, her hips swaying just enough to test my patience.

Damn. This was going to be a very long week.