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“All of them.”
“Be serious.”
“I am. I never went with someone I wasn’t crazy about.”
“For a time, you mean.”
He grinned.
“How long did the attraction last?” she asked.
“Maybe two dates.”
“I was the same way,” Andrea confessed. “I never had myriads of boyfriends, but I liked guys a lot better than girls.”
“Your only problem was that none of them measured up to your dad except Ferrante.”
“It wasn’t like that, Stavros. I never compared him to Dad. What I loved about Ferrante was his gentle nature, and that’s one of Dad’s best qualities. But in other ways they were completely different.”
Stavros made an odd sound in his throat. “My father has never kept his opinions to himself. He didn’t like my doing jobs for anyone but him. I was happy for any job that would help me save money and get away from him micromanaging me. He had his mind made up I would go to college in London for a business degree. I decided I wanted to be an engineer and went to MIT. He wanted me to live in Thessaloniki with the rest of the family. I wanted to live here on Thassos.
“We disagreed on every issue. He let me know when he thought it was time for me to get married. I told him I wasn’t sure that day would ever come. He’d picked out Tina to be the woman I should marry. The Nassos came from the right bloodline with all the important connections and affluence.”
“Does your mother have no say in how you conduct your life?”
“She mostly goes along with my father, especially where Tina is concerned. But I think that of all my decisions, choosing to live on Thassos has caused her the most grief. Mother sees us like a clan, all closely knit. I’m afraid I’m a person who needs more breathing room.”
Andrea pondered everything, almost afraid to ask her next question. “Has there ever been a time when you and your father agreed on something important?”
“Yes. He supported me when I played soccer. When the board proposed new names for vice president of the corporation, we both felt that my brother, Leon, had the stability and wisdom to be the best choice over my two cousins.”
“That’s it?”
“I’m sure there were a few other times, but not many. That’s something you can’t comprehend, can you?”
“No...but then I’m not a man.”
His smile was devilish. “I’m happy to say you’re the personification of femininity.”
“Be serious for a minute.”
“I’m trying, but it’s hard when I’m looking at you.”
It was hard on her when his eyes seemed to devour her. “Did your brother pick his own wife?”
“Yes, but she had the right breeding and family history to satisfy my parents. Leon gets along without making waves. He’s a terrific father to their children. I manage to do things that get under my father’s skin. It’s not on purpose. I love my father because he’s my father. But I don’t like him very much. Can you understand that?”
“I guess I can, but it makes me sad. Dad and I just click.”
Stavros nodded. “Otherwise you wouldn’t be leaving Greece with him.”
She averted her eyes. “How does your father treat Leon’s children?”
“He’s still dictatorial, but a little nicer.”
“Then there’s hope. I’ve told you before that I think you’ll make a wonderful father, Stavros. Maybe it’ll take giving your dad some grandchildren to soften him.”
In the midst of their conversation Andrea heard music. She turned her head and saw that a cabin cruiser had discovered their special spot. People were on board playing loud music, disturbing the tranquillity. In the far distance, she saw a sailboat coming closer.
