e that afternoon； a more subdued one。 She recognized his
voice immediately； had been half expecting to hear it。 Its sound sent a
ripple through her； but it died quickly。 She was exhausted。
〃How are you？〃 he asked。
〃I'm fine。〃
〃It's good to hear your voice。 I miss you。〃
〃You've been gone barely twenty…four hours。〃
〃You've been counting； have you？〃
She hadn't。 Well； maybe she had。 But she wasn't about to admit it。 〃I'm
counting now。 I have five different reports to go through this
afternoon； not to mention phone calls； proposals； and what…have…you。 It
seems I have a rush job in New York。 Some snotty executive thinks his
work is the only thing that counts。〃
〃I can see you got up on the wrong side of the bed。 Bad morning？〃
〃Busy。〃
〃Anything interesting？〃
〃Uh…huh。〃
He sighed。 〃Ah。 We're pulling teeth again。〃
〃No。 There's just nothing I feel like discussing。〃 With you； she might
have added。 He had intruded on her life far too much。
〃You sound down。〃 He sounded concerned。 〃Is something wrong？〃
〃I'll be fine。〃 But she wondered。 Much as she fought it； the sound of
Ross's voice affected her。
〃What is it； Chloe？ Please tell me。 Something's bothering you。 I can
hear it in your voice。 Your spirit's gone。〃 He paused。 When she said
nothing； he said； 〃I'm driving up。〃
〃No！ I'm okay。 Really。 I'm tired。 That's all。