Pernille squeezed her forearm again, and turned to David, “What did I tell you, David? She’s my soul sister, right?”

Therese shook her head. “But I have to agree with David on this one, Pernille.  That’s a tough one to drop on unsuspecting future in-laws over dinner.”

“She may be your soul sister, P, but she’s got my back, too!” David exclaimed and then winked at Therese.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Therese was debating internally whether she should break the good news to Carol about the job to photograph the “wedding of the decade,” as New York society was calling Pernille’s and David’s upcoming nuptials, while she waited for Carol, who was still in the shower.

Therese was dressed already, and was looking out at the tiny snow flakes that were drifting outside the window, playing idly with the string of pearls hanging from her neck.

They were preparing to go to the annual Winter Antiques Show that the owner of the furniture place that Carol worked in couldn’t attend due to a family emergency back home in Connecticut. The likelihood of running into David and his parents, or even Pernille and the Eastons was pretty high, given that the show was growing to be the occasion for social New York to turn out in high style – and opening night was just the event that drew every doyenne and the hereditary “fancies” out for the night, gathering in one place, no matter the weather outside.  The furniture place had a booth, and the owner had heard that the Astors, Rockefellers, and their ilk were all coming for this year’s show.

“So, you’ve been quieter than usual, dearest,” Carol whispered as she walked up behind Therese, fresh out of the shower, clad in a robe, unbelted again. She snuggled up to her beloved, slipping her arms around that tiny waist, and pulling her close.

“I was just thinking about what Pernille said the other day,” Therese answered, startled at first by Carol, but immediately settling back into the warm skin, still warm from the hot shower. She tilted her neck to one side, and felt soft lips lay tender kisses on a trail that ran up her neck to her jawline. Then it stopped.  Therese groaned disappointedly.

“You haven’t said much about that meeting with her, Therese.”