f only
because her legs were unsteady。 He proceeded to clear the table； rinse
everything； and perk a small pot of coffee。 She watched almost
incidentally； her thoughts far off in a world of what…it's。 What if
Crystal had won that toss of the coin？ What if Crystal had set out to
seduce Ross and been seduced herself。？ What if Crystal had died anyway？
Would Chloe feel the same guilt now？
〃How do you take it？〃 Ross asked； placing a steaming mug before her。
〃Black。 Thank you。〃
After lacing his own with milk and sugar； he returned to his seat。
Chloe tried to control her thoughts by speaking first。 〃You've e a
long way in the business world since I saw you last； Ross。 How did you
manage it？〃
He smiled。 〃You mean； how did I manage the transformation from'far out'
to 'far in'？ The fact is； I never was all that 'far out。' I went my own
way for a while。 I avoided money。 I grew a beard because there wasn't
modern plumbing where I was in Africa； and I didn't want to have to
shave at dawn by the riverside。 I wore jeans because they were
fortable； same with loose shirts。 I'd grown up in a world of rigid
discipline。 I wanted my freedom。〃
〃〃Rigid discipline'？〃 She realized again how little she knew of Ross。
He eyed her with something akin to amusement。 〃Y'know； considering you
slept with the man the first time you met him 。。 。〃
〃That'