ere； out of the blue； without so much as a civil
hello； and start criticizing me？ I don't have to defend my lifestyle to
you or anyone else！〃 She turned away； then turned right back； confused。
〃Why are you here； Ross？ Did you e all the way from Park Avenue to
call me out for repaying your loan？ Little pton is on the way to
nowhere。 We're at the tip of a peninsula。 So don't tell me you were just
passing through。〃
〃No。〃 His features had begun to relax； though his eyes remained clear
and direct。 〃I wanted to see you。〃
Chloe could deal with the angry Ross more easily than she could with the
gentler one。 Unfortable now； she bent for her towel and straightened
holding it tight。 〃You could have called if you wanted to discuss the
Rye Beach plex。 Nothing much will happen until the referendum in
November。 Unless； of course； you alter your proposal。〃 Satisfied with
her minor dig； she began to mop her face and neck。 Ross ignored the
barb。 〃I'm not here on business。 I came to see you。〃
〃That's a mistake；〃 she whispered； hearing pain； feeling pain。 He
replied as softly。 〃Then again we differ in opinion。〃 He sighed。 〃Look；
can we walk？ Your house seemed pretty crowded。 I'd like to talk。〃
All too aware of a tingling inside； she shook her head； then tore her
gaze from his and looked out to sea。 〃It's not a good idea。〃
〃Just talk？〃
〃Fine； if