her of the large brown bag she'd been carrying；
he took her elbow and guided her toward the house。 〃Not yet。〃
〃You're going back to Lee's？〃
〃Not yet。〃
〃Then what are you going to do？〃
He held the door open for her to pass； and followed her into the
kitchen； where he began to unload and store the groceries as though the
place were his。 〃I want to make a few phone calls。〃 He glanced at his
watch。 〃Then wash the car； catch the end of the Giants game； shower and
shave； and take you out to dinner。〃
His recitation was so nonchalant that Chloe would have guessed he spent
every October Saturday this way； at least as far as the first part went。
As for taking her out to dinner； it had certainly never happened before。
〃It's unnecessary；〃 she said。
〃Which part…the calls； the car； the game； or the shower？〃
〃The dinner！ Lunch was enough to even us up。 There's no need for
anything more。〃
A muscle worked in Ross's jaw。 〃It's not tit…foretat； Chloe。 I'd like to
take you out to dinner。〃
〃I appreciate the thought； but…〃
〃No buts。 We're going out for dinner。 Period。〃
〃What if I have other plans？〃
He arched a dark brow。 〃Do you？〃
〃I could just as well；〃 she hedged； 〃for the way you just assume I'm
free。〃
〃Well； are you？〃
It wasn't that she didn't want to go to dinner with Ross。 On the
contrary。 She liked being