Lex Luthor sat in his study, his feet up on the desk, a book in his hands.  But his mind was not on the book.  It was, in fact, the red-headed beauty he had met yesterday that filled his thoughts.  She had been charming, intelligent, and witty.  She was also undeniably cute.  He was looking forward to the lunch they would be sharing.

 

    He rather wished that it would just be the two of them.  He enjoyed Clark's company, and he also enjoyed playing verbal judo with Miss Sullivan.  But truth be told, he found Lana rather boring.  As for Pete, well Pete hated him  Lex had no idea how the others had convinced Pete to come to lunch with them, but he wished that they hadn't.

 

    Willow was only in town for a few weeks, Lex realized that.  He also realized that she was a few years younger than him.  She was still in college, in fact.  He was Lex Luthor. He had more important things to be focusing on, keeping his Father from taking over LexCorp for one thing.  He didn't have time to focus on an infatuation that had no real chance of going anywhere.

 

    But still, he was looking forward to lunch. He was looking forward to spending time with Willow, even if it would be as part of a group.  He simply couldn't get her out of his mind.  He wanted her; and what Lex Luthor wanted, he got.

 

 

 

   -Sullivan House--

 

    Chloe was in front of her bedroom mirror, running a hand through her hair, when she heard the doorbell ring.  She took one last look in the glass before hurrying out of the room and down the stairs.  She opened the door and smiled when she saw who was standing there.

 

    "Clark! What are you doing here?  We're meeting everyone for lunch in 15 minutes."

 

    Clark returned Chloe's smile. "I know. I thought I'd offer a ride."

 

    Chloe's smile faded a little, realizing why Clark was most likely here.  "Lana's not in.  One of the waitresses at the Talon called in sick, so she had to fill in.  She's not even sure if she's going to be able to join us for lunch."

 

   Clark nodded. "I know, I was in there earlier, dropping off pies for my mom."

 

    Chloe studied him for a moment.  "So, stopping by here isn't part of your on-going quest for Lana lovin'?"

 

    "What, I'm not allowed to give my best friend a ride?" Clark asked, raising an eyebrow.

 

    "It's just that a lot of the time, when you're here, it's to see Lana."

 

    "Chlo, not everything that I do is about Lana."

 

    "It doesn't always seem that way."  Chloe said quietly.  She instantly regretted her words. She didn't want to have this conversation with Clark again, not right now, not when things had been going so well between them.

 

    Clark looked at Chloe for a moment.  He saw the hurt in her eyes, and it nearly killed him.  "Chloe, if I have ever made you feel like you're not as important to me as Lana......I mean, you're my best friend Chloe.  You mean the world to me.  Don't you remember what I told you before?  I'm never going to outgrow you."

 

    Blinking back tears, Chloe nodded.  She was so glad that Clark remembered that day in the hallway at school.  "I'm sorry, Clark.  I just worry about losing you."

 

    Clark pulled Chloe into his arms.  "Never worry about that, Chloe.  That's never going to happen; I promise."  He reached his hand to Chloe's face, and gently brushed the tears off of her cheeks.  Come on, why don't we head to the restaurant."

 

    Chloe nodded, not trusting herself to speak.  She pulled away from Clark and the two of them walked towards his truck, hand in hand.