r； swollen eyes； and
bare features and suddenly wishing she could hide。
〃If you could bottle up and sell what you call awful； you'd make a
million。〃
〃Well； I'm sure you'd know。 You must have seen dozens of women first
thing in the morning。〃
〃Ah。 I think you need coffee。〃 He slid an arm behind her and drew her
up。 〃Jealousy isn't your usual style。〃 Though a smile played around his
mouth； his eyes were serious。
〃I'm not jealous；〃 she said； but she drank his coffee。 The intimacy of
it made a lie of her denial。 She wanted to know who occupied Mitch's
time and thoughts when he wasn't with her。 Oh； yes； she was jealous。
〃Better？〃 he asked and took another drink himself。 He placed the mug on
the nightstand when she lay back against the pillows。 〃Is the nightgown
symbolic？ Like the pink sweater last time？〃
She lifted a shoulder； self…conscious。 〃I suppose。 I'm getting out more
now。 I feel better。〃 Except when she thought about the uping trial；
which she desperately tried not to do。 〃What about you？ Any symbolic
recovery gestures？〃
He gave an evasive smile。 〃Some。〃
Anne waited。 After a minute； she said； 〃Like what？〃
〃It's better told at another time。 I have something more important in
mind right now。〃
〃What？〃 she asked with total innocence； until his eyes fell to her
breasts。 The nightgown was sheer。 Blushing； she cross