“He wants me to stay in New York. He wants me to do all the personal meetings and schmoozing, to be the face of the company.” Andy’s fists tightened on the table. “I’d like to live here. I’ve told him that if I lived on the island, I could be here for him, check in with him now and then, even though our housekeeper, Mrs. Harris, seems quite competent and is surprisingly kind and patient with him. I think I could tear him away from his computer and his obsession with making money and help him realize the pleasure of generosity.”

“Are you saying you’re thinking of living here permanently?” she asked.

“I am.”

A shadow passed over his eyes. She said softly, “But something is holding you back.”

Andy took a few bites of the casserole. She liked it that he took his time before answering.

“I don’t want to make my father so angry he has a heart attack. But I don’t want to live in the city. And I don’t want to marry Anastasiya Belousova so I can attract more tycoons to invest with our company.”

Christina gasped. “Whoa. How did we get to Anastasiya Belousova?” She’d seen the model’s pictures on the front of all the fashion magazines.

“I was engaged to her.”

Okay, Christina thought, that’s the kind of woman Andy Bittlesman dates.

“She’s a model.”

“I know.”

“So she’s used to a certain type of life. Private planes to Aruba, Christmas in Paris, that sort of thing. In a way, Anastasiya’s like my father. She has always worked hard, and she thrives on having the best of everything at her fingertips. Pouilly-Fuissé and oysters from room service at the Plaza. Private jet with friends to ski at Aspen. Seats at the Oscars.”

“I’ve seen her face in magazines,” Christina admitted. “She’s very beautiful.”

“True. She’s also always hungry and dissatisfied with her looks. She’s twenty-seven and in despair because she’s so old.”

Christina laughed but suddenly went serious. “I shouldn’t laugh. I know that can be a real problem among women. Does she like Nantucket?”

Andy grinned ruefully. “Yes, she does. For about two days in August, when she’s got lots of galas and parties to attend.”

“You make her sound shallow, Andy, but you must love her if you were engaged to her.”