Adversaries and Lovers Read Free Page A

but you do intend to level an entire block of wonderful old buildings and build it in Sellwood, if you can get your zoning change. Which means everyone there would have to sell their homes because your architectural wonder would drive taxes up so high, no one could afford to stay there—" her voice shot up "— including my grandmother !"
    "If my architectural wonder goes up in Sellwood, your grandmother and everyone else in the area will benefit because their properties will be worth ten times their current value," Ben said. "So don't try to lay that guilt trip on me because it won't work."
    "You can't put a price on homes most of these people built with their own hands, and with spouses, many of whom are now dead," Kate countered. "And you can't put a price on a lifetime of memories that would soon begin to fade if they're forced out of their homes!" She snatched the photos from his hand, prepared to leave. "Furthermore, the advertising layouts for your new helmets are trite, hackneyed, and unprofessional!"
    "And of course you're an expert in the field," Ben said, as she headed for the door.
    Kate stopped and glanced back. "As a matter of fact, I happen to work as a layout artist for Boswell Advertising."
    "Fine. Then you come up with something better," Ben challenged.
    Kate turned and faced him squarely. "Why should I? I'd rather see you fall flat on your face with your ad campaign. That way, maybe your company would go belly up, which would resolve the issue of your office building going up in Sellwood."
    "If my building doesn't go up there, it's only a matter of time before other commercial buildings will." One corner of Ben's mouth tipped up with that irritating half-smile Kate was coming to know, and he added, “However, we haven't yet made a final decision as to where the building site will be. We're considering several locations."
    "You mean... you still could build somewhere else?" Kate asked.
    Ben nodded. "It's a possibility. We can discuss it over lunch on Saturday."
    The amused glimmer in his eyes made Kate uneasy. But if there was the slightest chance of convincing the man to build on another site, she couldn't afford to turn him down. "I suppose that would be alright," she said, tentatively.
    "Fine," Ben said. "Bring some ideas for the AirFlo helmet ad campaign. We haven't decided on an advertising firm yet. Maybe Boswell would be interested."
    Kate mulled over his suggestion. If she landed the Stassen account it would be a huge feather in her cap, especially with the position of art director looming on the horizon. More important, she'd have time to expand her appeal on behalf of her elderly friends in Sellwood... tell Ben Stassen about Thelma's garden with the ancient rose bushes she'd brought from England when she moved there as a bride, and the English garden her husband made for her behind the house, and about the brick patio Frank built for Dora for their first anniversary, and about the cabinets Grandpa made for Grandma from a black walnut tree cut on the family homestead.
    Ben eyed her steadily. "We're willing to pay well for the right ad approach."
    Kate held his dark gaze. "I'll see what I can work up by Saturday."
    "Good. I'll pick you up around eleven," Ben said. "And dress casual. We'll be heading upriver to my place in the woods where we won’t be disturbed."
    Kate caught the predatory gleam in his eye. "I'd rather not go to your place," she said. The thought of being alone with him on his own turf made her heart quicken. He was too macho, too unpredictable, and far too sure of himself.
    Ben shrugged. "Suit yourself. But I doubt if I'll get another chance to listen to your campaign without the constant interruptions we have around here."
    Kate glared at him. "You mean you couldn't work it in between tennis sets, or motorcycle chases, or whatever else you do during your working hours?"
    His lips curved in a diabolic smile. "I have very little time between tennis sets and motorcycle chases, and