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His eyes return to mine.

"Doing what?"

"Looking at my hand."

There's no embarrassment in his expression.

"I know."

My pulse gives one hard beat.

"That's not very subtle,” I say.

"I stopped trying to be subtle with you several days ago."

I should shut this down. Instead, I hear myself ask, "What exactly are you looking for?"

Ross's gaze stays on mine.

"A ring."

There's absolutely no reason those two words should affect me the way they do. I set my glass down carefully.

"That's none of your business."

"I know."

"Then stop looking."

"No."

I stare at him. He doesn't smile. He doesn't soften it into a joke.

"Is there someone?" he asks.

The directness knocks the breath out of me for half a second.

"That's definitely none of your business."

"No," Ross says. "It isn't. I still want to know."

I lean back in my chair.

"You don't get to interrogate me because I agreed to dinner."

"I'm asking one question. You asked about my previous relationships.”

"You've asked several questions actually,” I say.

"Then answer whichever one you want."

I almost tell him to go to hell. Instead, I pick up my wine.

"I was in a relationship."

Ross goes very still. The reaction is subtle enough that most people wouldn't notice it. I do.

"How long?" he asks.