hen she had left to go to college
in New York； where her older brother lived。
Ross was that brother's friend。 From the moment Chloe set foot into the
Brownings' living room her eye was drawn to him。 He had seemed to
represent all the things she had never knowrmonconformity； independence；
singularity。 Even in a crowd； he stood out。 Sandra had said he was in
the Peace Corps； stationed in Africa。 He was tall and breathtakingly
attractive in a wholly new and exciting way for Chloe。 〃Gorgeous； isn't
he？〃 Crystal had whispered in the ear of her twin。
〃I'll say。 What do you think he's doing here？〃
〃That's a dumb question。 He's visiting the Brownings like we are。〃
They stood with their heads together； both pairs of eyes glued to Ross。
Chloe asked； 〃Do you think he has a girl？〃
〃A guy like that？ Girls； plural。 He's oozing virility…or hadn't you
noticed？〃
〃I noticed；〃 Chloe drawled。 〃Think he'll notice us？〃
〃Why not？ We're rich and beautiful and sexy…〃
〃 …and young。〃
Crystal bristled。 〃What's that got to do with anything？〃
〃If he's Sammy's friend； Crystal； he's ten years older than we are。 You
don't really think he'd be interested； do you？〃
〃God； Chloe； you are a stick…in…the…mud。 Of course he'll be interested。
Men like freshness。 And we are rich and beauti…〃
〃I know； I know；〃 Chloe interrupted the litany； feeling a sudden