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    sea. „There’s always the chance that he really is here with Crawford on an honest vacation. I suppose I shouldn’t
    worry about it until he makes a clearly incriminating move!“
    „If he’s anything like the others, he won’t wait long before he tries his hand at courting you,“ Kevin replied, slicing
    another wedge of cheese and handing it to her on a cracker.
    „Well this time, I’m not going to fool around. I’ll just tell him straight out that I won’t even go out with him, much
    less…“
    „You tried that with candidates number two and three as I recall,“ Kevin reminded her pointedly. „They just kept
    pestering you until you finally resorted to your little schemes.“
    „I know. There’s something about wealthy, successful businessmen that makes them believe they can have almost
    any woman they want. Especially a woman like me!“ Hilary sighed. „Now, if I were more like Julia… more dashing and
    beautiful, I could probably intimidate them…“
    „Well, you’re not like Julia,“ Kevin told her firmly. „You’re a nice, sensible, level-headed businesswoman and you
    can use those tactics just as successfully as Julia wields her, er, charms.“
    „Thank you for those comforting words,“ Hilary retorted ruefully.
    Kevin laughed. „Sorry, love, but it’s the truth and we both know it.“
    „You’re absolutely right, of course, but don’t you think you should occasionally practice the skills of flattery? I
    mean, every artist has to compromise once in a while and give the client what he or she wants, rather than the
    unvarnished truth,“ Hilary mocked.
    „That’s true. Maybe that’s why I’ve been so incredibly unsuccessful at getting you into my bed,“ Kevin grinned
    unabashedly.
    „You’ve been unsuccessful because deep down we both recognize the fact that we were born to be friends with
    each other; not lovers.“
    „That’s not what your father thinks,“ he reminded her, biting down on his cheese and cracker. „Crawford’s deathly
    afraid we’re having an affair, you know. I realized that on the one occasion when you introduced us. That was about a
    year ago, wasn’t it?“ he continued thoughtfully. „Maybe that’s why the candidates started appearing, Hilary.“
    „Because Crawford thinks I’m in danger of marrying an artist instead of a businessman?“
    „Or worse, moving in with an artist instead of a businessman,“ Kevin chuckled.
    Hilary considered the information. Crawford had never said much about Kevin Thome; he hadn’t needed to say
    anything. It was clear he didn’t approve of the young artist, but Hilary put that down to the fact that Crawford would
    never approve of a male who didn’t fit his image of success.
    „That might have been what set him off on his campaign to find a husband for me,“ she mused, „But whatever the
    reason, I’m getting fed up with the effort. For both their sakes, Logan and Crawford had better be telling me the truth
    when they claim there’s no business deal involving me in the works!“
    „Or else?“
    „Or else,“ she confirmed with a determined nod of her head.
    „You remind me of your father when you look like that,“ Kevin teased.
    „Just remember that it’s only people like my father and I, business types, who will be able to afford your art in a few
    years. Better be nice to us,“ Hilary countered, grinning.
    „Keep reminding me,“ he told her, pouring out the last of the wine. „Want to go to a film this evening?“ he added
    casually.
    „If there’s one playing that’s got a happy ending,“ she agreed.
    „You know I need the sad ending kind,“ he complained. „How else can I get myself into a properly depressed,
    tortured, artistic mood.“
    „The last time I let you drag me to one of those awful, dismal foreign things I had nightmares for a week. It’s one
    with a happy ending or it’s no dice,“ Hilary said firmly.
    „Oh, well. Maybe we can find a rerun of Bambi somewhere,“