The Greek Billionaire's Marriage Matchmaker by Holly Rayner Page A

see stands of hope in her joy-filled eyes as she whispered something in his ear. Stelios smiled and kissed her more deeply still, as sure as Zoey was that he had found what he’d been seeking his entire adult life. His world was nothing more than Zoey. Her lips. Her eyes. Her soul. Her heart.

 
     
     
    THIRTEEN
     

Melinda found an unoccupied bathroom not far from her office and ducked inside. She had brought her purse with her, and in a matter of moments, her hair and makeup were as good as new. It was now impossible to tell that just moments ago, she had been spangled with tears, and the noble beauty that had once captured the heart of judges shone through once more. Her resolve flared in her eyes, and she felt renewed, and ready to take on anything the world could throw at her.
     
    “I’d better go save poor Annie before she gets run over by the Fourth Estate.”
     
    So saying, Melinda headed down to the reception area where, just outside the front doors, her receptionist was telling a rather handsome man to clear off. Zoey may have doubted Annie’s resolve before, but the woman had stood firm for over an hour.
     
    Melinda stepped outside, and reporters immediately began to swarm in her direction. She held up her hands to stop their advance and addressed them in a loud, clear voice.
     
    “You’ll have heard by now that the lawsuit has been dismissed, so I can only assume you’re sticking around for details about Mr. Zakridis’ relationship with my daughter. Well, I can’t speak for the gentleman or for Zoey, and the only comment you’re going to get from me is ‘no comment’. From this moment on, other than clients of Melinda Forde Singles, anybody who enters the building will have the police called on them. I hope that’s clear to everyone,” Melinda finished firmly, placing her arm around Annie’s shoulders.
     
    The two women retreated inside the building, and a few moments later, the reporters outside began to disperse.
     
    “Thanks for holding down the fort, Annie,” Melinda said warmly.
     
    “Not a problem, Ms. Forde,” the receptionist replied.
     
    “I’m going to be holed up in Zoey’s office for the next few hours. Please send any clients we may have today there.”
     
    Annie nodded and slipped behind her desk. “Have a nice day,” she called after Melinda.
     
    After nearly half an hour, Zoey and Stelios came downstairs and informed Melinda that they were off to spend the rest of the day making amends, Zoey promising her mother that she would be back at her post early the next morning.
     
    By that afternoon, Melinda marveled at just how calm and quiet everything had become. Only a few hours ago, everything had been in chaos. It seemed amazing to her how quickly things could change, but one thing hadn’t changed since morning: not one client had come through her doors all day.
     
    That wasn’t unusual. Melinda’s fees were astronomical, after all. On average, she got two or three new clients each week, and normally she was perfectly fine with that. But Zoey had put a flaring spark in her heart that morning, which Melinda was finding it difficult to ignore.
     
    Ever since Melinda had seen Zoey and Stelios together, and seen for herself the authentic attraction they had for each other, she had been consumed with the idea of helping other people to experience the kind of love her daughter now felt. For years, she had matched people together for no other reason than it paid well, but now she yearned to help someone, anyone, to become truly happy. As those thoughts raced through her mind, a sharp knock rang out on the office door. It opened a moment later to reveal Annie and a tall gentleman in a salt and pepper suit.
     
    “Ms. Forde, this is Mr. Branden Kingston,” the receptionist started. “He says he’s a former client of yours. He’s been widowed for three years now, and feels it might be time to start dating again.”
     
    Mr. Kingston stepped forward and offered his