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