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guy get s cold feet and run s off…’
    ‘That would make him a total idiot . ’ Matt’s reassurance was cheerful , if unorthodox. ‘ He knows what he’s got in you, Meg . D on’t you doubt it for a second.’ He finished his drink, his eyes going to her hand still holding the half - full cup. ‘ Are you going to finish it off or not?’ He grinned, glancing at his watch. ‘ We will have to run soon . O therwise , they’ll start looking for Lucifer and me. I didn’t tell anyone I was going to take him out, to be honest. But we have a dinner tonight with the guests, and my presence ha s been requested.’ He pulled a comical face and winked conspiratorially. ‘I guess G randdad wants to show us off as the perfect family, if only to rub it into the di Montis ’ faces. There is some good old competition streak going on between the old birds, ever since they were kids and shipped o f f to Canada together during the war . Gramps never really talks much about it , but I have a feeling something there made them the best of friends and enemies at the same time. I will have to get all dressed up and ready to converse politely about the weather and the prices of apples. They ’ve only got me for half an hour , though. Any longer , and I would get suicidal.’
    Also typical Matt. He was like a cat, Ry an would say exasperated ly , and this was one of those plentiful moments where he would choose his own path that was independent and out of sync with the rest of the family.
    She hurriedly gulped down her drink. ‘I’m sorry to keep you,’ she said huskily , regret t a inting her voice . ‘I didn’t think I’ d run into anyone on the moor, Matt . You should have just let me be.’
    ‘No way . ’ His teeth flashed again, and he rose to his feet to take the empty mug from her fingers. ‘ Saving damsels in distress is in my job description, didn’t you know? The ones that are as pretty as you are, anyway.’
    I suppose that’s another thing I’ll have to get used to.
    Matt had grown up, and his multiple affairs with all kind s of women had turned the awkward, shy boy with an easily blushing face into a confident young man . Apparently , he had a way with girls, if she were to believe all the gossip . S he bit her lower lip, surprised by the resentment the thought had evoked. It isn’t my business, for god’s sake. He should happily date half of the town , plus all the surrounding areas, she decided acidly, watching him with speculative eyes.
    He was back, just in time to stop her thoughts from going in a confusing direction she wasn’t eager to pursue. A strong, lean hand came down to pull her up, and she put her palm into his without any hesitation. Matt had been around for all those years, and she wouldn’t let their friendship be spoiled by her sudden , untimely awareness of his masculinity .
    ‘Do you want me to chat up Helena to get my brother off the hook?’ he asked, impossibly innocent , as he watched her from under his long, golden eyelashes. ‘I can try my charm on her if you’d like. ’
    ‘I don’t think it should be necessary . ’ S he grimaced, reaching past him to grab her jacket, drying slowly by the fire . ‘Aren’t you seeing someone at the moment, Matt ?’
    ‘Sonia is very understanding . ’ H e grinned, putting out the fire with a few efficient moves.
    She watched him douse the ashes with water . T he rising smoke scratched her throat and made her cough.
    ‘We have what you could call an open relationship.’
    ‘I don’t want to hear about it,’ she protested weakly, her cheeks burning. ‘ You have to stop talking about your private life like that , Matt .’
    ‘I am usually very discreet . ’ He grinned unabashedly, showing his insanely white teeth . ‘ It’s just with you that I let my guards down. I wonder why that is ? ’ H e turned away, only his broad back exposed to her eyes as he finished his work with the fireplace.
    If she hadn’t known any better , she would