‘I never thought he was that popular,’ he said drily. He paused. ‘It seems, this time, he took the trouble to be discreet.’
This time, Selena repeated under her breath and winced.
He saw and said more gently, ‘Forgive me. I meant it might indicate that this time he could be genuinely in love.’
‘In two weeks?’ Her objection was instant and vehement. ‘That’s ridiculous. No one could possibly fall truly in love that quickly.’
‘You don’t think so?’
‘Of course not. People have to—to like each other first. Be friends. Enjoy each other’s company. Have shared interests, and learn respect for each other’s opinions.’ My God, she thought. I sound like my great-grandmother.
His brows lifted. ‘That is how it was for you?’ His tone was politely interested.
And what was she supposed to say to that? To admit she could count the number of her dates, all strictly casual, on the fingers of one hand?
It might be best, safer, she thought uneasily, to make him think she was involved. ‘Yes,’ she said defiantly. ‘As a matter of fact.’
‘And that is how it sounds, pedhi mou.’ His dark eyes glinted at her. ‘Matter of fact.’
A change of subject seemed well overdue. She said, ‘What do you keep calling me?’ She tried to pronounce the words as he had.
‘It means—my little one.’
She lifted her chin. ‘Then please don’t say it again. It’s—demeaning. I am not a child.’
‘Po, po, po,’ he said softly. ‘Then why tie back your beautiful hair like a little girl at school?’
‘Because it’s cool,’ she said. ‘And neat.’
‘Ah,’ he said. ‘That is how you see yourself, perhaps?’
‘I’m too busy to give it much thought,’ she retorted. ‘Besides, all that’s important to me right now is my sister’s well-being.’ She paused. ‘How do we go about finding her?’
‘Quietly,’ he said. ‘Another reason not to go to the police. People talk and news travels fast. It is better your sister does not know you are here to collect her, so she and Kostas do not run away to another island, or even to the mainland and add to your difficulties.’
He beckoned and a waiter arrived at the table with an ice bucket, a gold-foiled bottle and two flutes.
‘Champagne?’ Selena asked incredulously. Another first. ‘What is there to celebrate?’
‘As yet, nothing.’ He shrugged. ‘So let us toast a beginning. The launch, if you wish, of our quest and its ultimate success.’
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