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Damon came back out with bowls and spoons then went back in and returned a umbo

"Get the rice if you don’tthe bottle of wine I have laid out," Jo said as Damon set the pot down

She and Serena sat and when Dah it was hot and umbo, usually more suited for the cold of winter, tasted delicious

After dinner, they sat back with a glass of wine and watched the lightning bugs pop over the water In the distance crickets chirped and frogs croaked The tree locusts added to the cacophony, but it was soothing to Serena After so long hearing only the sounds of the city, she was lulled by the tranquility here

"So how long have you two been together and how did youthe silence

Serena stiffened and sent Dalance He took her hand under the table and squeezed reassuringly

"We were introduced by aeach other a short ti to convince her to keepbastard, just like your father And they expect you to fall at their feet for their efforts," she said to Serena

Serena laughed, her disco "I expect they do And I’ll admit, it does turn er to pretty words"

"Lord no I swear all the Roche men have the lion’s share of charm and charish" She winked at Serena as she said the last

Serena chuckled as Damon rolled his eyes

"If I have charm, it sure as hell never worked on you," Daot rinned "You have your father to bla, I ell acquainted with the Roche silver tongue and had built an immunity"

She turned to Serena "What about you, Serena? Where are you from and what do your folks do?"

Damon looked curiously at her as well, and she realized that they’d never really talked about her Or him for thatwith other parts of their anatohtly and looked away from Damon "I was born and raised in Houston My dad is retired from an oil company, and my mom still teaches school I’m an only child as well"

"Ah, then you and Damon are both likely spoiled rotten," Jo said

"I don’t deny it," Damon said as he sipped at his wine

"Good dahtning bolt descends"

Serena laughed again, enjoying the easy rapport between h it hadn’t been that long since she’d last visited It was easy to get caught up in work, become too busy to pick up the phone or stop in to say hello After witnessing Da to ot back Life was short Da was certainly a testareat," Serena said, suddenly compelled to talk about her own parents "I probably was spoiled, but she raised me to be independent To think and do for raduate high school She put herself through college and got her teaching degree I was always so proud of her She doesn’t take any shit from anyone"

"Sounds like et along well," Serena said with a smile

"And what do you do?" Jo asked "If you don’t ation, Mom," Damon saidti her business to other people But the happiness she brought her clients quickly reitimacy of Fantasy Incorporated

"I own my own business I fulfill fantasies," she said

Jo blinked in surprise "What kind of fantasies?"

"Mo

"Not the kind you’re thinking," Serena said as she hid her s her own sexual fantasy fulfilled counted

"I create scenarios for people A fantasy situation For instance, one ofa chef in a top restaurant in Houston He didn’t kno to go about it, wanted e the details, so I did"

"Oh, how fun! So it’s like a play day almost," Jo said

"Well, I suppose you could call it that It’s a chance to do soet to do My most recent client wanted to be a princess of her own cruise ship"

Serena’s face tightened, and she regretted bringing Michelle up

"I think that’s wonderful, Serena And how creative! I’ve never heard of another business like it"

"Thank you I enjoy it"

Jo reached for her plate, but Damon stood and ht, and I’ll put away the dishes"

"You raised a good h as he disappeared inside

"Yeah, well, just don’t let hiet impossible to live with"

Serena chuckled and leaned back in her chair, inhaling the night air She glanced up at the sky, which was clear and dotted with the first stars And she wished Wished for the impossible She wished for the fantasy to never end

CHAPTER 26