”“As are we all.”As the meeting broke up, Jason and I did a little sidebar conversation about a project.“They’re clearing the site now. The ...lient’s abandoning his old substation. The town kinda grew up around it...”“That happens,” I said.“You and I both know that. So they’re changing the distribution voltage in the area, means a lot of line work, but we haven’t decided to do that stuff just yet. The sub, though, it’s all us now. Our people are out there already, but it’s civil and structural. There was still a patch of burned bone exposed on the side of his head.“Ok,” Orro said grabbing some napkins, “Some of us would like to enjoy the birthday cake.”She put the napkins on the closing wound and shooed Logan aside.Rogue over heard Scott whisper something to Jean and frowned. She looked back at the cake and saw the smiling faces around the table…“Should I cut it first or open the presents?” Rogue wondered.“Make the first cut of the cake and then open your presents,” Orro smiled, “I. "Louie?" He asked. "Close enough," not bothering to correct him. He then offered to take our drinking to his place if I'd be interested. I was. His place was a typical apartment. Earth-tone furniture with white walls that made you feel that you were inside an ice box without it being cool. The refrigerator look. He walked to his kitchen and yes I looked at the movements of his ass while he went to get the beer. I think he knew I was staring. It was warm inside, but that only made the cold beer. "Thank you Aki." Kanpai, Scarlett, I am happy to see you again." Me too, Aki. I have looked forward to this."There was no doubt I was attracted to him in a way I couldn't explaineven to myself. Power seemed to emanate from him and I felt small andsubmissive in his presence. I was forgetting what I was here for andit took an effort to drag myself back."Scarlett, I'm afraid the call I took was something I need to takecare of, so I need to leave here." Oh, OK, so can we get together again soon?".