We'd check in before noon, and she might be amenable to a long matinee. Tonight might be a good time for me to call a halt. Then I concentrated again ...n her hips.Setting up camp with a partner who knows what she is doing, what you are doing, and why, makes the Ice Capades look messy and inefficient. If our team lowered its efficiency with an occasional smooch or hug, we hadn't brought a stopwatch. We were trading off tasks day by day so that I was that night's cook.After dinner I scrubbed the. I already know that I can't keep all of you safe constantly, but I have something that will help safeguard all of you when you're at work, out shopping, whatever." I started guiding her toward my front door and she held onto me like she was almost afraid of what was inside. "This isn't going to be just me keeping you safe, but all of us working together to make it happen."She nodded and seemed to relax a little. I held her hand, giving her a reassuring squeeze before opening the door. She had. Declaring their undying love for me. Fighting over me like a scene from the movies.”Cue more laughter, before it was Sue’s turn to play the fool. “So, you think Pete’s hot, do you?”I guess I should have been affronted and hurt. That Sue hadn’t questioned her friend’s description of Francis as hot. That she only questioned me. But I’d long since stopped putting myself in that bracket, choosing to base my self-esteem on other qualities.“You better believe it, sister,” came Grace’s instant. ‘No one else is.’ ‘I’m not wanting to dance with anyone else. I want to dance with you.’ I don’t say yes. He’s no longer asking. He’s pulling me in front of the band. Once past the amplifiers the music is louder. It’s almost painful. Ben Sheppard takes me in his arms and we dance. It’s a not-too awkward dance. It’s a bit clumsy, and I give him credit for not doing the white-boy bottom lip bite. He’s looking me in the eye the entire time and I feel…I feel, what? I’m not sure, but it is a good.