d
toward the microphone a final time。 〃It's been my honor。 If my effort
here has helped to preserve the natural bounty of your state； then we've
all benefited。 Thank you。〃
It was the perfect time to make a gracious； if not sweeping exit。 With
Ross still standing aside in deference to the crowd applauding its
appreciation of her； she should have quit while she was ahead。 Her
mistake was in looking back at him。
His smile was devastating。 Chloe felt her chest tighten； as she was
caught in the throes of memory again。 She was suddenly immobilized；
suspended in a matrix of desire and guilt that canceled out the years
that had e between； until there was only yesterday； Ross； Crystal；
and the toss of a coin。
When a last…minute surge brought members of the audience to the stage； a
shaken Chloe returned to the present。 She had to concentrate again；
listening to questions； offering answers。 She stood at one side of the
stage with her followers； Ross stood at the other side with his。 She
gained strength with each new question； so that when the last of the
locals left； she 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。
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