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her movements as she picked up a washcloth and began to wipe the tile counter, just for something to do.
    She relaxed when he maintained a safe distance. “Only because you don’t have the married state to compare it to.”
    “You’re cynical for one so young.”
    Julie laughed, truly amused. She tossed the cloth in the sink and folded her arms. “I’m forty-two. I have a child in college. The gray in my hair is gathering momentum for a scalp takeover. I have to eat one less meal a day just to maintain a weight that is ten pounds heavier than it should be. I’m losing so many brain cells that my head may be hollow by tomorrow morning. Thank you, but I am not young.”
    “I don’t see any gray in your hair.”  
    “Hmmmm.” She tilted her head and pretended to consider him. “Maybe I will sleep with you after all.”
    “Yes. You will.” The calm assurance in his voice caused a tremor of anticipation in the pit of her stomach.
    “Harry, I’m joking. Listen, you’re an incredibly attractive man, if a little tightly wound. Find yourself someone younger, more adventurous.” Before I get hurt again.
    “No.”
    She tried again. “I’m not going to do something stupid like sleep with a man who believes he’s cursed.”
    “Would you sleep with me if I didn’t believe I was cursed?”  
    Hoo boy. She didn’t want to think too closely about that one. “Of course not.”
    “Why not?”
    “AIDS. Sexually transmitted diseases. Sagging breasts.”
    “You’re not planning on getting married again?”
    “Been there, done that, have the scars. No.”
    “You’re not planning on having casual affairs?”
    “Of course not.” She had a strong moral code, a daughter to set an example for. Though her daughter really wasn’t around all that much to appreciate the good example she was setting.
    “So you’re never going to have sex again in your life?”
    Julie pulled out a chair from the kitchen table and sat down hard. “I hadn’t thought about it like that. That’s sad, isn’t it?”
    “It’s not sad. It’s bloody ridiculous.”
    Julie rested her chin in her hand. “Let’s not talk about this. I’m getting depressed.”
    The front door banged and quick footsteps sounded across the living room. Tash appeared in the kitchen doorway, her thick, red hair pulled back from her face in a ponytail. She wore black running shorts and a white sport T-shirt that molded to her torso. She bent over, hands on thighs, and took a deep breath. “I knew you’d make lasagna, Mom, so I decided to run over and pre-burn the calories.”
    Julie glanced at Harrison. He stared at Tash with surprise. Tash straightened and stretched before she noticed Harrison. She gave her mother a startled look, then stepped forward, her hand outstretched. “Sorry, I didn’t see you. I’m Natasha Morgen.”
    Harry took her hand with a smile. “Harrison Chevalier. I just moved in next door.”
    Julie saw her daughter’s eyes widen under the full impact of the Chevalier charm. “Welcome.” Tash’s voice sounded breathy. Julie suspected it wasn’t from her recent run.
    “Thank you.” Neither had released the other’s hand. Julie fought an urge to rip them apart. She felt an equally strong urge to stamp her foot. She settled for clearing her throat. Loudly.
    Harrison took a step back from Tasha, dropping her hand. “I didn’t realize your daughter was fully grown.”
    “I told you she was in college.”
    “Yes, but….” He paused, looking at the young woman still smiling at him. A calculating glint glimmered in his eyes when he turned back to Julie. “Perhaps Natasha might be willing to help me break the curse.”
     

Chapter Three
     
    “E xcuse us, Tash.” Julie marched over to Harrison, grabbed his arm and pulled him across the black and white linoleum, out the kitchen door and onto the back deck. He came a bit too easily. She shut the kitchen door and turned, angrier than she’d been in a long time.
    “Touch my