‘She’s important to you.’ ‘And to Julie.’ ‘Yeah, but she’s more important to you. Ok, I’m sorry, she’s off limits.’ ‘Thanks. Tha... was easier than I expected.’ ‘For one of us, anyway. You used to get that look in your eye when you talked about me. It’s not the Julie look, but it’s still nice. I wasn’t able to accept settling for it, maybe she can.’ ‘Helen, she’s had the kind of life you might have if not for an old Greek man with strange fashion sense who loved you just as much as he loved his. Right now I had other concerns."I think I know what's been happening," I said, as I returned to the girls."What's been happening with what?" Shannon asked."Mikkelson, Parry, my sudden lack of control, everything that's been going wrong. This hidden enemy that seems to be working against me."She glanced at Allison, concern written across her face like a billboard. I didn't see any kind of response from Allison but Shannon turned back and said, "It's you isn't it? I mean, not you-you, but. “Smells good,” she said when she finally joined me, pouring herself a cup of coffee.I’d decided on scrambled eggs and fried potatoes this morning. Summer looked good. In fact, she looked delicious. Fresh scrubbed, her hair still damp, her nails freshly painted. She’d chosen a soft pink this time.“Like them? They’re new,” she announced, striking a playful pose.Panties and a bra.“They’re pretty,” I told her. They were, too. Pastel green lace with a little white bow. Both cute and sexy. They fit. Contrary to the shirt Louise had suggested she wear, Alice really wasn’t here just to get laid. At least not to jump into the sack with just anyone. It that had been the case, anyone of her dance partners would’ve sufficed. In Alice’s case, there had to be something, something she couldn’t always define, but knew how to recognize.After having made her third circuit of the large hall, Alice started back for the bar. She wondered if Cleo was back from her break and more importantly, what time she.