with him。 She just didn't want to get used to
it。
〃Chloe？〃
〃Yes；〃 she said； sighing。 〃I'm free。〃
：〃Good。 Say； about eight？〃
；：But…〃
Eight it is。 And Chloe？〃
She felt totally helpless。 〃What？〃
〃How about if we dress up？〃
〃Dress up？ I haven't 'dressed up' in months。 Things here are very
casual。 There's nowhere…〃
〃There is；〃 he argued gently。 〃Leave that to me。〃
Chloe lowered her eyes and studied the floor； then slowly shook her
head。 〃Ross； I'd really rather…〃
〃For old times' sake？〃 he dared ask。 〃Today we played 'far out。'
Tonight； let's play in。' e on。 How about it？ Just this once？〃
The odd note of pleading in his voice brought Chloe's head slowly up。 He
looked so innocent； so hopeful； that she couldn't turn him down。 〃Just
this once；〃 she gave in softly； forcing the semblance of a smile to
；Minerable lips。
There was no semblance of anything in Ross's smile。 It was blatantly
broad and open； relieved and pleased。 It warmed her； reassured her；
amused her。 And it most definitely excited her。
That terrified her。
Before she could back out； though； he said； 〃It's a date。 See you at
eight。〃
He turned and made for the phone； leaving Chloe to gather the pieces of
her fast…splintering resolve and struggle with makeshift repairs before
evening rolled around。
It wasn't an easy task。 Ross