st kept looking。
〃e here；〃 he said in a low； deep voice。
She didn't hesitate。 Within seconds； she was across the room and in his
arms。 They were warm and intimate； very dear in a way that said friend
before lover。
〃You looked beautiful that night in the restaurant；〃 he said against her
hair； then drew back enough to smooth a loose strand from her cheek。
〃Did you enjoy yourself。？〃
She looked up； leaving her hands locked behind his back。 〃I didn't
realize it was you until I got the note。 Why didn't you e say hello？〃
〃That's off limits； isn't it？ Socializing in the real world？〃
In that instant； Anne sensed she didn't want it that way； not anymore。
But she needed to get used to the thought； so she blocked out words by
dropping her head to his chest。 Her arms told him that she'd missed him。
The speed of his heartbeat said he'd missed her； too。 Okay； so they
didn't use words。 That was fine for now。
Mitch shifted her to his side and； with an arm over her shoulder； led
her to the living room。 He drew her down beside him on the sofa； tucked
her head in the crook of his arm； and stretched out his long legs。 〃Tell
me about Christmas。〃
She spoke tentatively。 〃It wasn't as bad as I'd expected。〃
〃No downs？〃
〃A few。 Jeff and I always went from house to house on Christmas Day。 It
was more simple this year。 Dinner with his parents。〃