rved a long table at one of New York's finest restaurants。 Only
because she had refused him on so many other occasions； Anne agreed to
let him pick her up and drive her to the dinner。
She was self…consciousness when they arrived together； but the
awkwardness faded。 No one seemed to think twice about it。 Besides； she
knew these people and liked them。 This was the kind of dinner with
friends that she and Jeff had always enjoyed。
And Mitch？ Did he like spending time with friends？ There were other
groups in the restaurant。 Her eye skimmed one or two； then went to a
third； and her pulse tripped。 A man there had Mitch's hair and good
looks。 He wore a dark suit and tie； and a crisp white shirt。 He was with
a woman。 In all the time Anne watched； he didn't take his eyes from her
face。
Funny； but the possibility of their bumping into each other hadn't
entered her mind。 New York was a big place； and she rarely went out。 The
man in the corner couldn't be Mitch。 It would be too much of a
coincidence。
She refocused on her friends。 Shortly before dessert was done； though；
the maitre d' materialized beside her and slipped her a folded piece of
paper。
〃What's this；〃 Alex teased。 〃A secret admirer？〃
Anne unfolded the paper。 There； in a bold black script； was the short
message。 unul DECEMBER 3lst。 Her eyes flew toward where the man and his