he felt more herself…felt more herself； that is； until she
realized that she and Ross were alone。
He showed no sign of sharing either her awkwardness or her apprehension。
Rather； he smiled at her； looking older and wiser perhaps； but no less
alive。 The air between them hummed； just as it had eleven years before。
Looking at him； Chloe grappled with a world of inner demons； but the
past was better left alone。 She was determined to make this reunion as
brief as possible。
〃How are you； Chloe？〃 he asked； crossing the stage to where she stood。
He was that much taller than she was。 She had to tip up her head。 〃Fine。
And you？〃
〃Not bad。 You're looking well。〃 He gave her a warm once…over。 〃Very
different。〃 Humor tugged at the corners of his lips。
〃So are you。〃 Even in spite of an inner trembling； she could appreciate
the humor。 〃When I last saw you； you were distinctly antiestablishment。
This is a switch。〃
His stance was a casual one； the hand in his pocket not only emphasizing
the solid wall of his chest but pulling the fabric of his trousers
across his thigh in a way that showed the strength of seemingly endless
legs。
〃Not entirely。 It's just that now I save my jeans for free…time wear and
my boots for cold weather。〃
So he； too； remembered what he had worn that night。 〃And the peasant
shirt？〃 she asked softly。
He laug