It　had　never　occurred　to　her　to　pare　the　two　men　before；　but　on　all

counts　the　likeness　was　astounding。

Apparently　Ross　saw　it；　too。　He　grinned　slowly；　almost　slyly。　〃It　looks

like　Chloe's　taste　in　men　hasn't　changed　all　that　much；　after　all；〃　he

said；　with　such　a　lack　of　malice　that　Lee　relaxed　a　little。

〃I　intend　to　take　that　statement　at　its　most　positive；　friend。　This

little　lady　is　very　near　and　dear　to　me。〃　He　threw　a　protective　arm

about　Chloe's　shoulder；　drawing　her　to　him　with　his　customary

possessiveness。　She　had　always　liked　that；　and　did　even　more　so　now。　His

presence　made　her　feel　less　vulnerable。　She　chuckled　when　Lee　added；

〃Are　you　friend　or　foe？〃

〃Friend；　by　all　means；〃　Ross　replied。

〃Then　I　take　it　you're　not　here　on　business；〃　Lee　concluded。　〃And　you

can't　be　passing　through。〃

Chloe　laughed　this　time。　〃I've　been　through　all　that　with　him；　Lee。　He

knows　precisely　where　he　is。〃

Lee　glanced　her　way。　〃Sounds　ominous。〃　He　looked　at　Ross。　〃How　long　are

you　in　for？〃

〃I　was　hoping　to　spend　the　weekend　here；〃　Ross　answered　with　a　calm　that

had　the　opposite　effect　on　Chloe。　Her　stomach　was　suddenly　filled　with

butterflies。　They　fluttered　wildly　when　those　amber　eyes　turned　to　her。

〃If　Chloe　is　free。〃

Chloe　didn't　know　whether　Lee　sensed　her　internal　turmoil；　but　she　was

eternally　grateful　for　the　arm　th