Who wants to go look at the sky from a million years ago? Actually, I don’t know what they are showing, but it’s something different. It looks lik... something is going on all day long, plus they...”“No thanks, lover,” Princess said. “If I’m going to be leaning back to see anything, I want one of you on top of me.”“What about the rest of you?” I asked.“If she stays, I stay,” Brigitte said. “We can get a cab and find something to do. We aren’t that dependent on you.”“I never said you were, lover.. And I knew well that the tone I set at this moment would have implications. I thought briefly of how George might have managed Casey, then quickly suppressed the thought given the things I might not have been aware of. Sure, she was twenty five, but I instinctively knew the experience I'd gained as a high school teacher was exactly what I needed, even if I hadn't seen a classroom for some time. I surreptitiously took a breath, then dove in."I expect you here at 9AM," I said, without looking up. She gave them a warm smile and shook their hands. She was a pleasant person to be with and seemed to honestly enjoy meeting new people. The engaging smile she gave these people when introduced to them made them feel comfortable in meeting her. When it was time for dinner, Debra and Bud left Brad as they were expected to sit up at the head table on the dais. Brad sat with some other Regional Managers and attended the water show and fireworks with them.The meeting the following day wasn't all. Natasha was parked at the bottom of the stairs."So how was your audience with the empress?" she said. She opened herarms and I escaped into her comforting embrace."Terrifying," I said. "I don't know if she likes me or hates me. How wasit dancing with the Bannerman sisters?" Well, they certainly ripped into you. I finally told them the sight ofvenom dripping from their fangs was not at all attractive." How did they take that?" We unclutched and I took Natasha by the handand led her to a quiet.