"I suddenly realised Lyn was distancing herself from this moment. Shecould never be seen as part of my demotion, and even my replacement wasnominated ...y myself. It all looked like my own doing, by choice. And thatwould include when I presented myself as Lauren. It would look like thecompany, and therefore Lyn, were supporting me when she had in factinstigated the whole thing."What if you want your job back?" Abbie asked."I'll look at other stores. You've earned this opportunity." I don't. Katrina and Angela nodded. They had had some previous experience with the idea and had done a thorough study of the place before they came and were very much aware of Presenting and its protocols. Neither of the two were particularly worried about Presenting and decided it was just best to deal with it when and if it was called for.Philippa saw the nods so she continued. She flipped her legs right up over her body then down onto the table just past the top of her head. Her back was arched in a. I'm sure my smile looked as forced as it felt."I cleaned the place up, I shaved everywhere, I put perfume in places I've never put it before, and then I leave that picture up. Idiot!" she said in frustration."Don't worry ... I'm sure you'll find a way to make it up to me," I said to break the tension.She gave me a kiss full of promise. "You can count on it."We shared another kiss, and she was off to the bathroom.I tried not to brood over Paul's now hidden picture. The realization that Kendall. '"Why?"'She doesn't like her little brother. Never has.'The girl, Isabeau, seemed to collapse like a puppet whose strings had been cut and dropped heavily onto the edge of the bed. Her shoulders shuddered and her breathing got ragged and gasping."I'm ... so ... sorry." she cried.Something inside the boy snapped. He became enraged. I could feel the heat in him building, along with concentrated feelings of mistrust and doubt.And then he made the connection he'd been trying for earlier. I don't.