TALL DARK AND HUNGRY Page 0,1

originally intended on occupying the penthouse suite above the New York offices of Arge-neau Enterprises until the wedding, but after moving his things into the apartment that first night, he had gone to visit Kate and simply stayed. By the time Bastien fled Toronto--and his mother's matchmak¬ing efforts there--to work out of the Manhattan offices, Lucern had already moved most of his things into Kate's tiny apartment, and Bastien had the pent¬house to himself. As usual. He rather preferred it that way, and wasn't looking forward to the temporary in¬vasion of guests and family that the wedding would bring. However, he consoled himself that it would only be for a weekend; then he would have his blessed peace again, and no interference from his mother.

He shook his head at the thought of Marguerite's latest antics. She had always been involved in her children's lives, eager to see them happy, but her latest stunt had shocked even him. Bastien was the last of her children to remain single, and the woman was de¬termined to see him settled in a loving relationship like his brothers and sister. That was understandable, he supposed, but her way of getting it done was mad¬ness. His sister Lissianna and her psychologist hus¬band, Greg, had worked out so well, Marguerite had

decided to round up a female psychologist for Bastien in the hope that he would fall in love with her. The silly woman had made appointments with every fe¬male psychologist in Toronto, ferreted out the single ones, chosen those she liked best and thought he might like, then had announced she was a vampire and put the thought into their heads that they should request to speak to a family member about her "delu¬sions." Bastien had spent weeks running around Toronto, going from psychologist to psychologist, clearing memories and ensuring that no damage re¬sulted from her stunt. Then he'd escaped to New York to avoid getting caught in any more of her madcap schemes.

Yes, his mother was going off her rocker with nothing to occupy herself. He hoped Lissianna's re¬cently announced pregnancy would prove a distrac¬tion. Bastien didn't mind the idea of settling down and having someone to share his life with, like his sib¬lings had, but he wasn't holding his breath waiting for it to happen. He'd been alone so long, he began to wonder if it would ever be otherwise. Perhaps Josephine had been his one hope at happiness.

Unwilling to contemplate the memory of the hu¬man woman he had loved and lost, Bastien glanced between Lucern and Kate. "So, what is this favor you want?"

The couple exchanged a glance, then Lucern said, "You should have ordered something to eat, brother. It's on me."

Bastien was vaguely amused at the stalling tactic. Much like himself, his brother hated to ask for any-

thing. "It must be a big favor if you're willing to spring for lunch," he teased.

"You make me sound cheap," Lucern said with a scowl.

"You are. Or were," he allowed. "Though you ap¬pear to have improved since Kate's arrival in your life. She's managed to make you loosen the purse strings somewhat. There was a time you wouldn't even con¬sider living in a city as expensive as New York."

Luc shrugged. "She's here," he said simply.

"Actually, I'm the one who needs the favor," Kate announced.

"Oh?" Bastien turned to her with interest. He liked his soon-to-be sister-in-law. She was perfect for Luc. His brother was lucky to have found her.

"Yes. My best friend, Terri--well, she's my cousin, really. Well, she's both, cousin and best friend, but--"

"This would be your maid of honor?" Bastien in¬terrupted patiently.

"Yes!" She beamed at him, apparently pleased that he recognized the name. But it shouldn't have sur¬prised her; Bastien was good with details. Besides, the woman was the maid of honor and he was best man. As such, they would be paired off and stuck together for the whole of the upcoming wedding. Of course he recalled!

"What about her?" he asked as Kate continued to smile in silence. When she hesitated, he prodded, "Is she arriving at the same time as everyone eke, or a day or two early?"

"Actually, she's coming two weeks early," Kate ad¬mitted. "She had vacation time coming to her and

took it all in one large lump to fly over here and help with the wedding."

"It's a good thing, too," Lucern muttered, then ad¬mitted, "We can use all the help we can get. You wouldn't believe how complicated weddings are, Bastien. First the date has to be picked, the hall re¬served,