said； 〃Lee； this is Ross Stephenson。 We knew each other a long time ago。
Ross heads the corporation responsible for the Rye Beach proposal。〃 She
looked at Ross。 〃This is Lee Haight。 Lee and I co…own ESE。〃
For a brief instant； she pictured the two men squaring off； and there
was that moment's antagonism。 She was relieved when Ross extended his
hand。 It was met by an equally large one of Lee's。
Chloe was struck by those hands； but they were only the start。 The
physical similarities between the two men； each of whom had been
instrumental in shaping her life； was amazing。 Both were tall and lean；
both had athletic builds。 While Ross's dark hair had faint wisps of gray
at the sideburns； Lee's highlights were more auburn； but both men were
tanned and inordinately good…looking。 Only their dress differentiated
their approaches to life。 Whereas Ross was the image of the casual male
of the more traditional school； Lee was； in appearance； reminiscent of
that earlier； more nonconformist phase through which the other had
passed。 While Ross wore slacks； Lee wore denim。 While Ross wore a sports
shirt； Lee wore a T…shirt emblazoned with an apt MAN。 Ross wore well kept
loafers； Lee had on a pair of battered running shoes。 And then there was
that neatly trimmed beard of Lee's that stretched from ear to ear； much
as Ross's had on the night Chloe had met him。
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 l