e something to say。〃
〃You…umph！〃 The breath was forced from her by a squeeze to her middle。
She didn't try to speak again。
〃Better；〃 he said。 〃Now； listen。 I realize that you need time； and I'll
give you that。 But I'm not leaving。 Not this time。 I want to get to know
you； and I want you to get to know me。 We blew it on that score last
time。 But yesterday was one thing； today's another； and they're
different； Chloe； they're different。〃
She liked the sound of that。 Didn't know if she believed it。 But it was
fine for the moment。 Same thing with sitting against one another this
way； looking out over the last of the sunset's flaming rays。 Ross
provided support。 And heat。 She was acutely aware of his long legs； his
strong arms； his broad chest； his warm breath。 She might not have a
right to do it； but she savored the peace of the moment。
So maybe today was different。 Certainly they were eleven years older；
maybe even worlds wiser。 But Crystal had been an intrinsic part of her
life。 To forget her would be wrong。 It was more a matter of acceptance。
Could she accept the past and learn to live with it？
〃Well？〃 Ross's baritone hummed by her ear。
〃Well； what？〃 She had reached her saturation point and couldn't agonize
anymore。 He nudged her ribs。 〃Don't you have anything to say for
yourself。？〃
Her long pause was nearly as effective as the sigh that followed it。 〃I
can speak now？〃
〃Speak。〃
〃That's a beautiful sunset；〃 she mused aloud。 〃It's a treat at this time
of year； all warm and golden。 Do you have any idea what would happen if
the ozone layer were to be destroyed by the haphazard release of fr