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Just beyond Kizzie were the other to each other He didn’t dare look at Rissy, or hell, Cannon

Next to hi about idiot boys who put no lier, he stepped in and took over

"Tell you what, Fred, you don’t ask hter anyyour personal business"

Armie had no idea what Simon knew about the interviewer, but that shut hiht-related questions, then closed it down

Thank God

Kizzie started toward hiic retreat for the showers With any luck the ladies would be gone by the tio

When he stepped out of the shower, Leese was there, arainst the lockers

Armie eyed him as he dried off "Okay, let’s hear it"

"You e not to"

"You failed"

Armie shook his head "You’re lucky I’m not a possessive ape like Denver or I’d flatten you"

"I’d allanced up at him in disbelief--because they both knew he’d wipe up the floor with Leese--Leese said, "I’d get in a hit or two And that’d et that" He stepped around Leese and headed for his clothes "So you and Rissy are good friends, right?"

"Why does that feel like a loaded question?"

"Because it is" As Armie dressed, he explained about her house, the break-in, and how he knew Leese was looking for a new place to stay

"You’ve got to be kidding"

"Why not?" Armie watched him "You’re not afraid to be there"

"No"

"So what’s the proble to show, "if things don’t work out between the two of you, she’ll beback houred you’d wise up and iven the display you just put on, I’ my doubts"

"Don’t," Armie said quietly "Don’t doubt me, and don’t ever think there’ll be an open field"

"Friends," Leese stressed again "Only friends"

"Because you know she wants me! Otherwise you’d be all over it and you know it!"

Leese looked at hiainst the lockers again

"Ad up on you End of story"

"Daht you weren’t a jealous ape" When Armie started to fume, Leese casually added, "And you’re pissed at yourself for that idiotic reaction out front, so stop taking it out on rowled, "followed me"

"Only to tell you that Rissy wanted to storm off, but I dissuaded her You can thank me"

Armie paused, then nodded "Thanks"

"And also to tell you that you have a gaggle of woet a drop of fahed theatrically "--association with you"