”“I had to use some subterfuge to get your size. Once, while you were sleeping, I used a caliper to measure your finger and then worked out the si...e.”“Leave it to a technical geek,” she remarked.“The green stone’s an emerald.”“I thought so.”“It’s in honor of the Emerald Buddha.”She kissed his lips. “I do think you’re a closet romantic, Christian. You’ve made me very happy. I’m on Cloud Nine.”Chris popped open the Champagne and filled the two glasses. He handed one to her and they clinked rims.. Although I would not expect that what they have learned would qualify them to get a programming job. Their algorithm design skills are seriously lacking. Will my students need to demonstrate what they learned?”“There will be no test. You say they passed then they passed.”“Thank you. That was good to know. When you asked me to teach this class you promised $4,320. Call or text me and I will come and pick up my check and sign whatever you wish indicating they passed an introductory computer. ”“Nothing is eating on me.”“Yes, it is. And, you need to talk about it. Do you realize how you have changed in just the past few weeks? How passive you have become?”“Well, Cathy’s need will change that.”“Will it? Well?”I did not answer. When I started making a sandwich, Mary pushed me away from the counter and took my head in her hands.“It is the power, Davy. You cannot ignore it. You have the power simply from your brain and personality and wealth, simply from your maleness. You have it even. It’s easy enough to imagine myself as the lead heroine.”Taylor chuckled. “Sorry, but that’s where my skepticism draws a line in the sand. I’m not able to suspend my disbelief that long. I prefer seeing the young women get eaten while the surviving men wrestle in the nude.”“Yet, I’m guessing you don’t own a single ‘gay story’.”“You’re right, just as I don’t keep any pornography where my family might discover it.”“I’ll tell you what, any time you want, come here and enjoy some of mine.”Taylor.