" The local woman said with a laugh.It was a laugh that I immediately joined in when I saw the look of horror on Bernie's face."Same to you pixie." I ...aid with a grin, remembering what we had ended up calling each other the last time we'd met.Seeing Bernie's bewilderment, I explained. "This little pixie swears blind that I stole some of her height."Obviously knowing her friend's manner she nodded and said. "I might have known it would be something like that." She may have understood but it was. I picked her up on the side of the road this afternoon. Nicole this is Jim Westland, my boss.”Nicole laughed with the most adorable smile I've ever seen and held out her hand, "Nice to meet you, Jim. Jason is right. My car ran off the road in Acton and he was there to save me. He's my knight in shining armor."“Really! Sounds like something he’d do. You look familiar. Aren’t you an actress?”“Yes. Guilty as charged.”“I thought so. I like your movies.”“Thanks.”“Well Matthews, we’d better get to. ” “Excuse me?” she said. “You keep looking for someone.” I flashed my cutest, most non-threatening smile to defuse any accusatory tones. “I don’t think he is coming. And no offense to him, but either he has a monumental excuse, or he is an idiot.” She giggled. The smile worked.“Well, kudos on your perception. I think you might be right, about him, not showing that is.” She turned her attention back to her drink. “And, while you might also be spot on about his level of intellect, he’s just a. I noticed her mom dabbing her eyes while I spoke, and that did itfor me too. I could barely finish.Then Ben invited anyone with an amusing story to tell about me or Mark tocome to the microphone. Unfortunately, there was no shortage of takers,especially on my side. When Julia came up I was terrified that she'd beunable to resist saying something incriminating, and when she began withthe story of how I came to her rescue with Justin, I thought for sureshe'd spill some beans. But she somehow.