〃I received the message；〃 she tried。 〃Thanks for sending it。〃
〃I didn't want you waiting。〃
Or worrying； she added silently； bitterly。 His aloofness scared her。 It
suggested he hadn't wanted to e at all。 Perhaps he even regretted
having given her the key。
〃Would you like me to leave； Mitch？〃
He looked at her like she was deft。 〃Of course not。 Why do you suggest
that？〃
〃Because you're two days late； then you walk in here like a zombie and
stare at the fire。 It occurs to me that you might just want your house
to yourself〃
〃If I had wanted that； I'd never have given you a key to the place。〃
〃Why did you？ I keep asking myself that； but I can't e up with a good
answer。〃
〃I wanted you to have access to the place whenever you wanted。〃
Gewhy？〃
〃That's a crazy question。〃
〃And this is a crazy situation。〃
He went to the front window and stared out at the darkness。 〃I never
promised you more。〃
Well； he was right。 A heavy weight settled in Anne's stomach。 Head
bowed； she rose from the sofa； reached for the empty mug； and headed for
the kitchen。 At the door； she stopped； but she didn't turn。 〃Have you
had any supper？〃
〃No。〃
〃I'll make something。〃
〃That's not necessary。〃
〃I'll do it。〃
Five minutes later； she sat across from him and watched him down the
club sandwich that she had made with the chicken that had gone uneaten
on Friday night。 Conversation was sparse and cryptic； pounding her
frustration。 〃Thank you；〃 he said when only crumbs remained。 〃That hit
the spot。〃
〃I'm glad I've finally done something right；〃 she murmured； standing to
clear th