cross the room at Ross。
He spoke softly。 〃You really do look like a princess in that chair。
Those peacock markings could as easily be a crown of gold as a swirl of
wicker。 Are you fortable？〃 His eyes were gleaming； mocking。
〃No；〃 she answered honestly。 〃You know I'm not。〃
His grin held no apology。 〃That's a shame。 I don't want you to be
miserable through the entire weekend。〃
〃You can't stay all weekend！〃
〃Why not？ I have a place to sleep。 That Lee's a good guy。〃
〃Too good！〃 she grumbled。 〃I thought I could trust him。〃
Ross sat forward； elbows on his thighs； fingers steepled。 〃That's what
puzzles me。 I'm sure you can trust him； but I can't figure out for the
life of me why。〃
Chloe instantly came to Lee's defense。 〃He's been a true friend to me。〃
〃Why only a true friend？ Why not a lover？〃
〃Lee doesn't want that from a woman。〃
〃You mean； he prefers…〃
〃No。 No； Ross。 Don't twist things。〃 Beneath his stare； her own insides
twisted。 〃Lee was married once。 He has two children。 He and his wife
divorced five years ago。 She lives in St。 Louis。〃
〃Ah。 Once burned 。。。 okay； I'll accept that。〃
〃How kind；〃 she murmured； but she was annoyed enough to see an opening
and take it。 〃What about you？ In the eleven years since I knew you when；
what have you done along similar lines？ Should I assume you've developed
odd preferences？〃