Page 30 of The Kiss that Captured a Billionaire
“When are you going to quit serving this horrid man and come work for me?” Nikos teased.
“When cows learn to fly,” Mrs. Hughes retorted.
Nikos laughed and placed his hand over his heart. “I’m wounded.”
“That’s why I had these delivered, to soften the blow,” Mrs. Hughes chuckled, lifting a silver lid to reveal the platter of pastries.
“I’m in love. Tell Mr. Hughes he is a very lucky man,” Nikos said with a delighted groan as he reached for an apricot-filled Danish.
“Oh, he knows,” Mrs. Hughes laughed before she left them alone.
“Are you finished trying to steal my housekeeper away?” Theo asked drily.
“Not even close,” Nikos replied. He lifted his fork and waved it at Theo. “So, your early morning text was a little vague—Breakfast, ASAP. There wasn’t much to go on there.”
Theo opened his laptop. The report he had requested from his PA in Greece was waiting for him. He opened the file, scanning it.
Within seconds, he was deep in a rabbit hole of old records, restoration permits, tax documents, and historic preservation grants.
The Gerster Theatre was a marvel—underfunded, underappreciated, but rich with legacy. With every photo he pulled up, every news article he scanned, his fascination deepened.
“It’s an old structure—original design from 1908. Hungarian architect. Amazing craftsmanship,” he said absently.
Nikos lifted an eyebrow. “This is about Rose, isn’t it?”
“She lives there. Works there. It’s her entire world.” Theo scrolled down.
“That’s… fascinating. What does this have to do with me being here at the crack of dawn?” Nikos asked dryly, stabbing a piece of bacon with his fork.
Theo shot him a look, unimpressed.
“Her grandfather, Alfred Smythe, immigrated from Scotland. Her grandmother, Iris, was Irish. They were performers beforethey transitioned to design and set building. That theatre—it’s a legacy project.”
Theo finally closed his laptop, rolled his shoulders and focused on his breakfast.
“Fascinating—and still doesn’t answer my question,” Nikos said, nodding at him with a curious expression. “What happened after I left last night? Did she slap you or kiss you?”
“Neither. She did agree to go out with me tonight.”
“I guess that’s progress—though, I have to say, this is a bit—unusual—for you,” Nikos murmured.
Theo scowled. “I’m going to surprise her this morning.”
Nikos set his fork down slowly. “Theo. What are you up to?”
“I have a meeting with Mimi Devan. The theatre director.”
Nikos’s eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“I’m going to make a sizable donation.”
“In exchange for what?”
Theo sipped his coffee. He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, his gaze steady.
“I plan to woo Rose,” he said simply.
“That I can understand. She is the type of woman who needs wooing. It’s the undertone that I don’t like.” Nikos stared at him before he released a sigh and flatly asked, “In exchange for what? You don’t do anything without a purpose.”
