and disappeared from sight。
〃I'll be in touch； princess；〃 he had said when he kissed her good…bye。
〃You shouldn't； Ross；〃 she had said； though her throat was tight with
emotion。 〃It's better this way。〃
He hadn't said anything more； had simply turned on his heel and walked
off。
The sense of loss she had felt then should have eased as the day wore
on； but it didn't。 It grew sharper； forcing her to a deeper level of
soulsearching。 On this level she felt great guilt。 Twice； now； she had
been with Ross。 Had it not been for the first time； Crystal might still
be alive。
The pain of her memory of that time was so great that she rarely went
there。 Now she did。 She and Crystal had double…dated that rainy Saturday
night and had returned home on a sour note； largely from Chloe's
distraction。 When Crystal confronted her； Chloe told her about Ross。 She
hadn't meant to gloat； only to share the excitement。
But Crystal was furious。 Hurt； jealousy； anger…Chloe had never been able
to sort through her twin's rage。 Crystal had run from the house； taken
her small sports car； and sped away。 Within an hour the police were at
the door to report that the small car had skidded on the wet road and
slammed into a tree。 Crystal had died instantly。
Chloe twitched。 Her forehead was bathed in sweat。 Throwing an arm over
her eyes； she sank more deeply in