"I've never been good at responding sympathetically when people tell me their woes, so I didn't say anything. I dropped my arm down around her shoulde...s, and gave her a hug. It seemed like the right thing to do. As I held her against me, I did a quick calculation, and realized that if she had Lee when she was eighteen or nineteen, and he was now 11, Linda and I were almost the same age. I relaxed and let myself began to enjoy the feel of Linda's body against mine. She didn't say anything else. There were complications with the original pickup from Mark, so let's make this bit quick and simple, with the final payment to the usual account and delivery as previously arranged."Quick and dirty, I hoped. They would make an immediate wire transfer to my account offshore of the remaining 50% of my commission, and after I had confirmed payment, I would arrange immediate shipment of the painting to their office via a local hot-shot delivery company. Sometimes I parked recovered items in a. He IS an idiot. But you did not have to leave the party early on my account." No, really...I would rather be here with you than at the party watching him make an ass of himself." C'mere," I said and gave her a big hug and kiss on the head. "It is his loss, for sure." Thanks, Uncle Mike. I am going to go up and change and will be right back. Oh, what are we drinking?" she laughingly asked, as she started to walk towards the stairs."Oh, Joey said to give this to you." She tossed me a small. ”“What were you wearing, Beth?” I asked, trying to hide my sudden excitement. I could see she had changed; she was now wearing a casual red dress.“What has that got to do with anything, Mike?” she asked, annoyed by my interruption.“I’m curious, that’s all.” I shrugged.Bethan stared at me for a few moments, unimpressed by my question.I changed into a pair of jogging bottoms before I went into the garden, last thing I wanted to do was encourage him.” She said.“And you’re t-shirt?” I asked,.