lot。〃
〃Here？〃
〃Do you see him here now？〃 she shot back。
〃haven't seen him today； period。 He's not upstairs； is he？〃
Shaking her head； she turned toward the large bay window； whose broad
seat was her favorite perch。 〃That doesn't deserve an answer。〃
Sipping her coffee； she spoke absently。 〃As for the state of my ice box；
I eat in。 A lot。 Eggs make terrific dinner omelets； bacon a great BLT；
and potatoes are most definitely to be baked； then scooped； mashed with
a little Parmesan cheese and cream； restuffed； dotted with butter； and
broiled until delicately browned on top。〃
The silence that followed her recitation was enough to get her to look
back。 Ross's expression was one of amused astonishment。 〃You must have
memorized the cookbook。〃
〃No。 I just happen to like my potatoes that way； and I do it a lot。〃
Ross leaned back against the counter； arms folded across his chest。
〃Would you make them like that for me some time…maybe with a few lamb
chops； some fresh broccoli； a little wine？〃
He looked dangerous； newly showered and wearing jeans and a black
turtleneck sweater。 But Chloe had taken a vow of indifference。 He's just
a friend； she told herself； no different from Lee。 Calmly enough； she
said； 〃I make a meal of the potatoes。 If you'd like to do up the rest；
be my guest。〃 She settled on the window seat and looked out at the
beach。 〃It's another beautiful day。〃
〃Uh…huh。〃 His v