owing； his body warm though the heat of the day was
gone； and her mouth was suddenly dry。 〃I think I'd better give him a
hand。 Pray we're not out of matches。〃
Her response was meant as humor； because she wasn't telling Ross the
truth。 Oh； yes； Lee was a willing handyman； able in nine cases out of
ten。 But they had a running gag over that tenth。 Chloe was convinced；
and had told Lee as much； that his occasional flub was intentional； his
way of reminding her that he needed her； too。 He never denied it。 And
Chloe always indulged him。 Emotionally； he gave her so much。 She liked
giving a little some of that back。
Without further pause； she ran up the steps。 It was only when she
reached the top and started for the door that Ross caught her hand。 He
pressed something into it。 She looked down at a book of matches。
〃You smoke？〃
〃Actually；〃 he said with a wry twist of his lips； 〃I carry matches
around with me just in case a pilot light goes out。〃
：；Do you smoke？〃
〃Through my eyes； when I'm angry。〃
〃Ross； do you？〃
〃Smoke？ No。〃
She sighed。 〃That's good。 This is a nonsmoking house。 If you wanted to
smoke you'd have to sneak one in the john； or stay out here with the
chipmunks。〃
〃That's some choice。 Good thing I don't have to make it。 As it happens；〃
he informed her； 〃my only vice is sex。 Do we have to sneak that in the