Lee had never talked to her this way before。
If another man had said what he had； she would have ignored him。 But she
couldn't ignore Lee。 She respected his opinion too much。
The horrified look on his face said that he hadn't planned the outburst。
He softened。 〃Hey； I'm sorry。 I came across a little too strong。〃 He
paused。 〃But I meant what I said。 Either you can let it continue to get
you down or you can fight it。〃 He thrust the long fingers of one hand
through his hair。 〃rich； I don't even know what it is。 But I believe
that you can overe whatever。 I don't know what you were before；
Chloe； but you're a strong woman now。 Don't let a good thing escape。〃
She smiled sadly。 〃You don't understand。〃
〃No。 I don't。〃 He sighed。 〃What say we drop it for a while？〃 At her nod；
he added a final thought。 〃But promise me that if you want to talk；
you'll e to me？ I have broad shoulders。〃
She stood and gave him a hug。 〃Thanks； Lee。 I appreciate that。〃
Stepping back； she looked up at him。 Funny； he was warm and strong and
in his way as good…looking as Ross； but she felt no desire； no great
inner spark。
Lee held out a hand。 〃Friends？〃
She met his hand。 〃Friends。〃
〃And we'll accept the offer from Stephenson？〃
She yanked her hand back。 〃No。 Yes。 I don't know。〃 She strode toward the
door。 〃Do what you want！〃
How to go from high to low in