n。〃　She　caught　a　breath。　〃What　do　you　want　me　to　say？　I　know　what

you're　saying；　but　I　don't　know　what　to　do　either！〃

Mitch　sighed　and　drew　her　back　to　his　chest。　〃It's　gone　past　that；　Anne。

I'm　asking　myself　whether　I'm　ready　to　see　you　in　public；　in　New　York；

and　whether　you're　ready　for　that。　I'm　asking　whether　I'm　ready　for　more

of　a　mitment　than　just　a　physical　one；　and　whether　you're　ready　for

that。〃　He　tipped　up　her　face。　〃I　want　to　sleep　with　you；　Anne；　but　I

can't　do　that　and　then　walk　away　when　it's　done。　For　the　first　time　in

so　long　it's　not　just　a　physical　need。〃

He　had　echoed　her　thoughts。　Anne　was　more　interested　in　him　than　in

anyone　else　since　Jeff's　death；　but　she　wasn't　ready　for　a　full…time；

open　relationship。　There　was　still　that　loose　end　to　tie　up　in　court；

still　that　emotional　barrier。

He　pressed　her　cheek　to　the　beat　of　his　heart。　〃I　wouldn't　want　to　hurt

you　for　the　world；　Annie。　You　deserve　the　best。　You　need　a　guy's　full

attention　and　devotion。　I　have　too　many　other　responsibilities　right

now。〃

It　was　the　right　answer；　still　she　felt　discouragement　and　loss。　She

held　on；　and　was　held　for　long　seconds。　When　she　looked　up；　he　brushed　a

tear　from　her　cheek。

〃I　won't　ask　much；〃　she　whispered　falteringly。　〃I'm　not　sure　what　I　want

any　more　than　you　are。　The　only　thing　I　ask　is　that　you　be　here　for　me

to　e　to　every　once　in　a　while。〃

He　tightened　his　arms　around　her。　〃I　will；　honey；　I　will。〃

The　New　Year　arrived　with　a　surge　of　high　spirit　that　neither　of　them；

weeks　before；　would　have　imagined　possible。　They　ate　at　a　small　inn

where　the　restaurant　was　elegant；　intimate；