" I looked up and saw Collin standingthere with a tray of food in his hand. There was another boy with him."Collin," I responded with a grin, happie... to see him than I would haveexpected. This was the first time we'd seen each other since our tourwith Zenith and Tektonix. "This is Dana." Nice to meet you," Collin said. Then he asked, "Do you mind if we sithere?" Go ahead," Dana responded.The boy with Collin was lean with a mop of auburn hair. "I'm Fixx," heintroduced himself."Nice purse,". .. well ... you know my brother Carl works at Elite Jewelry..." And?" Well Jake came in on Wednesday ... and bought a half carat engagement ring ... and I just figured by now..." Sorry Kris, no engagement yet ... I've been out of town." She tried to keep the feeling of dread out of her voice."Allison, I'm so sorry. I just figured Saturday night would be the night ... sorry."Allison cringed as she mentioned last night. Had she gone to the farewell dinner with Jake she'd most likely be engaged. “Good morning, Sammy,” Joyce looked up at him with her warm, enveloping smile.“What’s the news, sport?” Paul said.Sam pulled up a patio chair and sat down next to his father. “I’ve got a date tonight.”“Well done, Sam. Who’s the lucky girl?” Paul tousled Sam’s hair.Joyce’s smile broadened. It’s a good thing Paul was looking at Sam, because he surely would have wondered why his wife was smiling her head off about one little date.“Kelly Becker. She’s a girl in my class,” Sam said.“Great, well I. Just prepare for how I manhandle the likes of you,” I told Cersei as I took her as roughly as I could.“Oh, Seven Hells, Ser Roger, that’s ... ouch, that’s very rough!” Cersei squealed in spite of her usual dignity when I slapped her bottom during the next stroke.“That’s the point, Your Grace! I’m not your brother, cousin, or son, to be manipulated by you or coddle you at all. I neither ask nor give quarter from the likes of you! I know all of your secrets and you know none of mine. Send my best.