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“Besides that.”
“He passed on a piece of trivia I found interesting. The visual effects team working on the American films of the Twilight saga used very fine pure white Thassos marble dust, which they added to the face paint. That’s why there’s this incredible sparkling effect when sunlight touches the vampires’ skin! Trust my dad to know details like that. He’s the smartest man I ever met.”
Stavros filed the information away. “Have you told him that lately?”
“All the time.”
“Lucky man.” Since Stavros’s father already believed he was the smartest man living, Stavros had never paid him such a compliment.
“I’m the lucky one to have a father like him.”
“You know what I think?”
She flicked him a curious glance.
“Despinis Linford is the smartest woman I ever met.”
“Hardly.” Another troubled sigh passed her lips. “Please. Call me Andrea.”
“Then I insist you call me Stavros.”
“The sign of the cross. A holy name.”
“My parents regret giving it to me. I’m afraid I’m the apololos provato of their brood.”
She turned her head to look at him. “You? The black sheep of the Konstantinos family? Why would you say such a thing?”
“Maybe because I choose to do things other than live up to my father’s dreams for me.”
“It sounds like you have dreams of your own and think for yourself. There’s nothing wrong with that. You ought to wear it as a badge of courage rather than a curse.”
A curse. That was exactly what it had been like, but she made it sound like something to be proud of. A different way to look at himself? How did she manage to do that without even being aware of her power? The thought was daunting because he realized he could really care about her. That was a complication he didn’t need right now.
“You’re fortunate to have a father who approves of you.”
“You mean yours really doesn’t?”
“Afraid not.” His voice grated. “Your incredulity tells me how different our fathers are. In my whole life, we’ve rarely seen eye to eye on anything. Unless it’s his way, it isn’t right.”
“But you’re obviously successful!”
“Not in his eyes.”
“That’s horrible.” Her voice shook. “How painful for you.”
“I’m used to it.”
“Even so, I can hear the hurt in your voice deep down.” Her keen perception astounded him. She studied him for a minute. “For what it’s worth, I approve of you.”
“Why?”
“When we first met, you were ready to give me a full interrogation at the quarry. But after I introduced myself, you listened, and in your unique way, you apologized and let me look for Darren with you. I find that admirable and think I like you much better now.”
Andrea Linford, where did you come from?
Little did she know he already liked her to the point he was ready to carry her off to an unknown location where they could get to know each other for as long as they wanted, undisturbed by anything or one. It shocked him that he would entertain such a thought when he’d only just met her.
They’d neared the trail that led to the cave. It was getting too dark for tourists to be out. Stavros had been watching for anyone walking along the winding stone road bordered by heavy underbrush.
