”Thanks. Sorry you weren’t able to join us last night, Bo. We were all looking forward to it.”

”Sorry, but I did make it down there, I was just quite late.”

”You did,” Mandy asked in surprise. ”You should have danced with us.”

”Well, that was my plan, but something came up.”

”Oh man that sucks. Sorry. More work?”

”I wish.”

”Huh?”

”Actually it was the sight of you all over Lauren on the dance floor and her letting you.”

”Shit…umm, Bo…” Mandy stammered. ”I’m so so sorry. I don’t remember,” she continued with a tremble in her voice, ”but we didn’t mean anything by it. It’s like an old habit I guess.”

”Maybe. That thought did cross my mind, but it didn’t keep me from wanting to take you behind the curtain and beat your ass.”

Bo spoke with such pride and confidence. I could imagine her smirking and probably with arms crossed creating that daunting presence she uses at work so often.

”A few years ago I would’ve gone all out bitch on you. I have to say that it was a struggle to contain myself after seeing…” Bo sighed. ”Anyway, I had to get some air before I did something bad. Lauren saw me and came after me.”

”That explains her disappearance, but Bo please believe me,” Mandy begged. ”I am truly sorry. I swear on my life that it will never happen again.”

”Let’s hope not. She was as much to blame as you. I know you two are like best friends and I don’t want to come between that, but if you ever-”

”I won’t. I promise, Bo. I’m really happy fro you two and I give you full permission to slap the shit out of me if I ever disrespect your relationship again.”

”It sounds like we have an understanding then?”

”Definitely.”

”Good, because I like you and the rest of her friends.” Bo’s voice turned lighter, happier as she spoke, ”In fact, I had wanted to ask you and Charlie to attend my family’s charity gala for domestic abuse next month in Seattle. Now that I am taking the reins, I’d like to get away from the stiff old rich couples and raise more awareness through a wider range of faces and since you two have ties in that area, I thought you might like to take part.”