Unlike the Empire Club, you can walk out of here any time you want. No one is forcing you to stay. Any time you two want to try to make it on your own... you are free to leave."There was fear in both their eyes as Laurel and and Yuki exchanged glances."Preeze," begged Yuki. "We no know how to live as anything but slaves now." We have nowhere to go," added Laurel, "no one to take care of us." Then from this moment, I never want to hear you question me again. You will do what I say, when I say it.. " "I didn't mean...not to imply..." I was shuttering again, unable to control the waiver in my voice any more than the tremors spreading down my back. She was getting closer, I could hear her footfalls on the concrete, but the warmth of her body heat couldn't combat the cold sweat breaking out on the back of my neck. "What I meant to say was that-" "Shut up!" Her shout caused me to yelp, and then clamp my lips tightly in automatic submission. I hated being yelled at in the safest of. ‘Where or when did you become so talented?’ ‘Ed,’ she said to me. ‘I really like being with you.’ Then she leaned in close and gave me a quick kiss. I’d been hoping for some more information, but clearly she wasn’t sharing any more of it at the moment. Later in the evening the music slowly became very romantic. Simone reached for my hand and pulled my arm around her shoulders. It was a reasonably clear sign and felt great. Her shoulder was slender, but strong. Under her top I could feel her. I could count on one hand the number of times we'd actually visited each other's homes.Stephanie was telling me about a call for proposals she'd seen online for a conference in Houston. She'd had some ideas and was wondering if I wanted to collaborate on something. I agreed. At that point in my career I'd have agreed to anything to get my name out there - publish or perish, as they say.Outside the Union, a blonde girl pressed a flyer into Stephanie's hand saying, "Thursday at eight. Check us.