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"Thanks" Eugene seemed to relax He took one of the cups of punch "Dwayne and ured it was about time we educated ourselves about art, y'know?"

"Of course" She gestured toward the buffet table "Help yourselves to cookies"

"Look, Dwayne, they've got free food"

He started toward the table

"Excellent" Dwayne downed the contents of his punch cup and set off in Eugene's ake

Nick sauntered through the door at that ress "Everything okay in here?"

"Yes, indeed," she said "I was just welcoitimate members of the community"

He raised his eyebrows "Do I detect a trace of irony here?"

"Probably" She glanced at Carson, who stood with Anne in front of the picture of Zeb The two children appeared to be deep in conversation A couple of ht "Tell me the truth, Nick Would you say that I'? You've got everyone froene and Dickhead Dwayne to the wife of the future ot representatives of both the Harte and Madison clans Trust iti the truth here And there's another thing that guarantees you a place of honor in our fair town"

"What's that?"

"You broke the curse"

She made a face "If you mention that stupid curse one more time, I swear, I'll--"

"I'd appreciate it if you would not refer to the condition of nity

"At least you had a previous sex life When I look back, I've got to wonder if I was the one under a spell Two years is a long tiave her a sht?" he said

"I a question Not in public, at any rate Now, you'll have to excuseto host a show here" Shehis voice, "there is oneI wanted to tell you"

She paused and looked at hi to see if there was anyone within earshot Then he grasped her ared her into a quiet corner of the rooot a lead on the Upsall"

Stunned, she just stared at hi very close, one hand braced against the wall behind her There was soerouslyoff her view of the rooe spoke of possession and a silent claim that she knew every other man in the rooh her This was the way he had stood with her at Lillian's gallery show, she thought He had put hi her out of the herd,her out on a date She had known in her heart where a date with Nick would lead and her nerve had failed her that night

Oh, sure, later she had co the risk of getting involved with hie had failed at crunch ti and several ht, because she had finally taken the risk, she knew him far more intimately and deeply and she could see what lay beneath the surface In addition to the intensely sensual threat he posed, there was strength and honor and integrity Dear God, I'm in love