e with you； when I
should be back in New York trying to build a new life。 I'm wrong to
think that you really wanted me here； when in one careless minute you go
wimpy over another woman。 How could you； Mitch？ Can't you see that I
love you？〃
Whirling around； she ran from the kitchen； taking the steps with
reckless speed； stopping only when the door to her bedroom was slammed
and flush to her back。 Trembling hands covered her eyes and grew wet
with tears。 The pounding of her heart drowned out the sound of footsteps
on the stairs。
He rapped on the door。 〃Open up； Anne。〃
〃No。〃 She was mortified by what she had said； and heartsick that it had
e to this。
〃There are things I have to tell you； Anne。 Open the door。〃
Weeping； she only shook her head。
〃Anne 。。 。〃
〃Go away！〃 she pleaded。 She couldn't face him。 Nothing he said mattered。
〃I love you； Annie。〃 His voice filtered soft and sensuous through the
ancient wood of the door； and suddenly it did matter； very much。 If this
was a cruel hoax； she would never forgive him。
Turning； she laid her wet cheek against the door。 Afraid to listen；
afraid not to； she waited。
〃Did you hear me； Annie？〃 Again the velvet sound； too dear to be
dismissed； too real to be denied。 〃I love you。〃
Her pulse raced。 She wanted to believe that he did； wanted to believe it
more than anything