TALL DARK AND HUNGRY Page 0,88

did have to be done. Kate had claimed that she didn't trust the men to finish the job without being there to ride herd.

"Bastien wasn't looking too happy himself at din¬ner," Kate commented, and Terri glanced at her sharply.

They had headed out for a meal right after Kate's announcement about the new living arrangements. Once seated in the little French bistro Kate had sug¬gested, Bastien had launched into an attempt to argue that Terri should stay at the penthouse. First he'd pointed out that she was all settled in the guest room. Then he'd said the penthouse was larger and more comfortable. He'd tried countless other excuses, too--even suggesting that Kate should move in and leave Lucern in her apartment instead--but none of his arguments had gotten him anywhere.

Terri had finally pointed out that this was the rea¬son she'd flown from England, to stay with Kate and help with the wedding. The moment she'd said that, he'd ceased trying to prevent the unstoppable and had sat quiet and grim through the rest of the meal. Terri had never seen him so silent. She missed his smiles and the talk they usually shared.

"Didn't he?" Kate prodded, drawing Terri from her thoughts.

"Did he?" she countered mildly. "Perhaps he has a touch of food poisoning, too. We all tried that casserole."

"Hmm." Kate's lips twisted with sardonic amuse¬ment. "I gather that means you aren't going to tell me how things are going between the two of you."

Terri was silent for a moment. She fanned out the petals of yet another flower, then glanced up. "He's a very nice man."

"Yes, he is," Kate agreed.

"Handsome."

"Definitely handsome. All the Argeneau men are. Of course, Lucern is the cream of the crop, but Bastien is good-looking too."

Terri had a different opinion, but she let it go. "He's so..." She glanced toward the ceiling, searching her mind for the word. "Special. The way he opens doors, and the way he orders for me--and he's so funny, Kate. And smart. He's definitely smart. And charming, and when he kisses me--" She stopped abruptly and blinked. "Well, he's just a lovely man."

"You love him!" Kate crowed. "I knew it! I knew you two would get along like a house on fire. Oh, this is wonderful, Terri! We can be sisters-in-law as well as cousins and best friends and--"

"Slow down," Terri gasped, cutting her off. "Jeez. I only met him a week ago."

"So?" Kate asked staunchly. "I didn't know Lucern very long before I knew he was the one. Of course, we had some things to work out before it all came to¬gether, but when you meet the right one, you know it. And you-two are right together, Terri."

"Hmm," she murmured, concentrating on the flower in her hands. She wanted to believe her cousin was right, but was afraid to get her hopes up. Having to pack her things and move to Kate's had been a hor¬rendous blow. Terri had wanted to sit down on the side of the bed and cry at the very thought. She wanted to spend time with her cousin, but she didn't want to lose out on time spent with Bastien too. Or the chance to kiss him, to make love to him, or to be held in his arms. It was as if she'd been offered a taste of heaven then had it snatched away. When she'd wor¬ried about pursuing this relationship, Terri had known it would end, but she'd thought she had the full two weeks. She hadn't been prepared for today being the end, and the wrenching of her heart was horrible.

"Really. It's plain for anyone to see that he cares for you. His eyes rarely leave you and he's terribly at¬tentive. I'm positive he's in love with you, Terri."

When she kept her head ducked and said nothing, Kate patted her hand reassuringly. "It will all work out, cousin. Trust me. There will be things for you two to work out too before it does, but..."

Terri glanced up, noting the way Kate was staring off into the distance. There was a worried look in her eyes and she bit her lip. "What kind of things?"

Kate's eyes jumped back to her with a start. She'd obviously been far away. Now she got an evasive look on her face and concentrated on collecting tissue and string to make another flower. "You'll find out. It will be okay."

"Tell me," Terri insisted, but Kate shook her head.

"I can't. He has to do it."

Terri stared, anxiety crowding in on