"I think she meant it as a compliment.Nicole, back in her element, turned on her charm. The First Lady gave me another black glance as she took Nicole...with her into her own private area of influence. I wandered the room, mingling with the guests.So far, like I said, it had been pretty predictable. The first surprise of the evening came when Gertie showed up at my side."Gertie! I didn't know you came to these things." I don't. This is the first time I've been here in 10 years. They always ask me. My phone rang shortly after the door opened and he greeted his friend James. Andrew had called to tell me to go to the room across the hall from his bedroom and to make myself a glass of wine. He and James would be up shortly.Sitting in the window seat, I watched the groundsmen finish with trimming the yard. I didn't hear the door open, but felt eyes staring at me, when I turned there were the two men looking at me with very hungry eyes. Andrew introduced James and reached over to hold my. He saw it open and Kara emerged wearing denim shorts and a sleeveless blouse. She locked the door, dropped her keys into her bag and trotted toward him. “Sorry,” she said, “Mom called.”“Which car should we take?” he asked.“I like riding in yours.”Adam dug his keys from his pocket. “Would you like to try driving it?”Kara’s face brightened. “You’d let me?”“I will if you tell me you know how to drive a stick.”“I do,” she replied. Adam began to hand the keys to her. “I might be a little rusty --. ” said Max. “Questions.”“Hit me.” said Simon.“First, how and why do you know what Nick’s service agreement with SSCS says?” asked Max.“How is because we’re all welcome to read that particular service agreement any time we want. The answer to why is tripartite.” said Simon.“I don’t know that word.” said Max as the waiter brought their drinks.“It means that the answer comes in three parts.” said Simon. “The first part of the reason I read it is because Nick asked me to look over his entire.