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only thing I could do to release the volcano of mixed emotions that I was feeling. It was not fair. I was not expecting Kelly to be hooked up to tubes, not yet, not this soon.

    Chapter Three Three is Not a Crowd
    Sophie’s big day was something that I was looking forward to and dreading at the same time. I was happy for her success, as a promotion to be a partner in her company’s law firm could not have been an easy thing to accomplish. I would miss the carefree attitude she had towards life and love.
    I was standing at the door to Sophie’s announcement party and was seriously thinking of turning around but didn’t. She was my friend and it was a momentous occasion for her, so I bit the bullet and walked in.
    I saw Ethan almost right away and being the consummate people-person, he was already talking the talk and walking the walk. Schmoozing with people was second nature to him and he did have a way of making someone feel comfortable around him. He had certainly shown me a thing or two already and in the bigger picture we really had only just met each other.
    “So, are you friends with Sophie or a just an onlooker like the rest of us?” A middle-aged man was trying to engage me in conversation and I turned to him and said the first thing that came to mind.
    “Oh, I’m one of the onlookers. She is amazing, isn’t she?”
    “Yes, but maybe she shouldn’t be so eager to accept the post. There are some in the firm who believe that she got fast-tracked because of her, shall we say, more formidable assets.” I couldn’t believe he was being so crude about Sophie to someone that he didn’t know.
    “I doubt that is the case considering she’s been working very hard to get where she’s at and if some people think otherwise, that’s because they are jealous.” He then tried to change the topic when he saw that his inappropriate remark had upset me.
    “So, do you plan to stay here with these stiff suits the whole night or are you interested in something more relaxed?” This man was starting to get on my nerves. “I think that you are very attractive and I would love to show you how I feel about that.”
    “Thanks for the offer but I prefer to take my time in getting to know someone first”.
    “And then what? Only to discover that you have wasted your time getting to know someone that is not a good fit? You don’t just go into a store and buy a pair of shoes do you? You try them on first before you buy.”
    “Yes, but after many have tried them on then they will be considered used. No quality man will want to buy used shoes. I find this conversation very insulting and I suggest that you look elsewhere for another pair of shoes to try on because this one is not for sale.” He tipped his glass of champagne to me and then scampered off like I had bruised his delicate ego. I hoped that was exactly what I did.
    The party was very tame considering how out of control some work functions could get. It was all shop talk, conversations about the law and other mundane topics that were a little too high brow for me.
    It wasn’t until the booze started to flow that these yuppie types started to relax. The president of the law firm made his declarations and Sophie took her accolades in a somber and quiet manner. It was her way of playing the reticent power tycoon that everyone had been accustomed to.
    She raised her glass to the slightly inebriated crowd and said, “I believe the only thing left to say is something that Marie Antoinette said and that is...let them eat cake.” A roar erupted from the crowd and then they laughed and cheered. We all joined in the merriment even though there wasn’t any cake at this little gathering which may have been her point.
    Ethan was now standing beside me and he said, “They have no idea what kind of shit storm that they are taking on. Listen, I have a very early meeting in the morning so I think I’m going to call it a night.” He kissed me ferociously, driving his tongue in