to expect…whether Ross would wake her or meet
her downstairs for breakfast。 She had assumed that； at the very least；
he would drive her back to her car。 But a maid had awakened her at
seven； putting a pot of fresh coffee and a plate of sweet rolls on the
small stand by her bed before scurrying back out； and when Chloe reached
the front desk； she learned that Ross had already checked out。
She was immediately disappointed； then annoyed with herself It was
better this way。 She was too vulnerable； if the previous night's kiss
meant anything。 Ross made her feel beautiful things； things she didn't
deserve。
She was alive。 That was enough。 She reasoned that it was far better that
he should be gone from her life。
When the day manager had handed her Ross's note； though； she was livid。
〃Chloe；〃 he had scrawled in a bold hand； 〃Had to leave to catch the
early plane。 Your car is taken care of Someone from the inn will take
you there。〃 It was signed； 〃Love； Ross。〃 and was punctuated with a
period as a statement of fact。
He had no business doing that； had no business using the word love so
blithely。 But that was the least of it。 It seemed that he had paid her
tab at the inn and the cost of a new battery and its installation。
She ran on down the beach； struggling to forget about Ross； to push him
from mind； to focus on work。 But he remained； alon