discussion　for　the　weekend；〃　Lee

informed　her　softly；　squeezing　her　arm　a　final　time　before　releasing

her。　〃But；　hey；　it's　getting　dark。　Let's　carry　on　inside。　Want　to　stay

for　dinner；　Ross？〃

Chloe　bent　to　retie　a　shoelace　that　needed　no　retying。　She　didn't　want

Ross　staying　for　dinner。　She　wanted　to　return　to　her　life；　and　that

meant　having　him　leave　and　stay　gone。　Naturally；　he　had　other　ideas。

〃That　would　be　fine；〃　he　said　with　gratitude。

But　Chloe　sensed　something　in　him。　As　the　three　of　them　walked　back　down

the　beach　to　her　house；　she　saw　the　tension　on　Ross's　face。　His　eyes　met

hers；　and　she　was　again　grateful　for　Lee's　presence。

Then　Lee　turned　traitorous。　With　a　grin；　he　said；　〃There's　some　great

wine　in　the　cellar；　Chloe。　The　steaks　are　already　on　the　counter。　Why

don't　you　take　another　one　from　the　freezer？　I'll　meet　you　in　the

kitchen。〃

And　he　loped　off。

Before　she　could　follow；　Ross　wrapped　a　hand　around　her　long　ponytail

and　held　her　in　place。

〃What　was　that　all　about？〃　he　asked　with　a　scowl。　〃You　told　me　you　lived

alone。〃

She　stared　straight　ahead；　looking　after　Lee。　〃I　do。〃

Ross　moved　closer。　His　head　lowered　to　hers。　〃Then　why　is　that　fellow　so

damned　at　home　in　your　house？　He　sounds　like　he's　the　live…in

chef…between　the　wine　and　the　steaks。　What　other　services　does　he

perform？〃

She　did