There was measuring, shaking, and pouring while Alexa watched. She had certainly been in the presence of powerful men before. Greece was a small country and, thanks to her well-connected uncles, she was part of the elite, running in the same circles as politicians, shipping magnates, and art dealers in Athens and on the islands. Over the years, she’d been entertained by mayors, ministers, and presidents in other countries. Her luxury tours included embassy visits and mixing with sports stars and business titans. But Timmo Lynch had a certain humility that most men in a similar position didn’t even bother to feign. He looked at home in his own apartment, as if he really did make himself an old-fashioned every night after a long day at the office. He wasn’t waiting for his staff to rescue him. In fact, there was no staff there at all. He handed her the drink and a cocktail napkin, then lifted his own beverage. “Sláinte.”

“Cheers,” Alexa said, taking a small sip of the balanced drink. Perfect. “Thank you. I’m impressed by your bartending skills.”

“Once a bartender, always a bartender. It’s my fallback job.”

“In case International Man of Influence falls through? You seemed to be a star at the UN.” Since the engagement party, Alexa found herself searching his name once or twice a week and following him on social media. He had made a powerful speech on the ethics of globalization at the UN General Assembly last week.

“I could be canceled any minute,” he replied.

Politics was too tricky for her to weigh in on that statement, so she circled back to his domestic skills. “Don’t tell me you cook, too.”

“I won’t because I’d be lying. My chef, Beatrice, left us something in the kitchen. I’m guessing salmon because that’s about the only thing my doctor lets me eat these days,” he said wistfully. Then he gestured to the living room. “Please, make yourself at home. I’m going to change out of this suit if you don’t mind.” He nodded and proceeded down the hallway.

She didn’t mind at all, although she thought he looked very dashing in his navy suit and purple and green tie. But she was happy to have a little time alone to check out the apartment. Especially the photos, which seemed to feature the same blonde over and over again. But then she realized he probably had security cameras everywhere, so instead she glanced around the room in a vague, nonthreatening way, like a normal houseguest and not a woman casing the joint.