Bea laughed. The last time I looked, [http://i-vomit-on-all-men.com] i-vomit-on-all-men.com wasnt a general-circulation daily newspaper.

Ginger agreed. All you do is provide irrefutable evidence that men are pigs, not just in America, but all over the world. Youre providing a vital public service.

Roxie sniffed. Yeah, well, thanks. Unfortunately, the board doesnt see it that way. They told me last month to shut it down and I said I would, but, obviously, I didnt. So I have a meeting with them next Wednesday at ten.

Thats just like them to make you sweat bullets for a week, Bea said, shaking her head. Ill sniff around and see what I can find outthey might just be blowing smoke up your ass.

Thanks, I guess, Roxanne said, looking into the faces of her friends.

When she reached Josie, she tilted her head slightly and gave her a quizzical frown.

Josie knew this was her opening. Listen, guys, theres something I need to But Roxie chose that moment to burst into tears. First Raymond and now this! she cried. In a few days Ill be unattached /and/ unemployed! What have I ever done to deserve such a craptastic life? Somebody tell me!

Josie followed her friends lead and plopped down to the grass. Bea and Ginger followed, and the women gathered close as Roxie cried. They sat like that for about five minutes, watching as the sun cleared the rooftops, spilling light onto the brand-new day.

Bea was the first to speak. She put her hand on Roxies shoulder and said, Were right here, Rox. whatever you need, you let us know.

Thats right, Ginger said, patting Roxies back. Were all going to get canned eventually, with the way the newspaper business is floundering.

So well be strong together. Well get through this together.

Do you want us to go in there with you next week? Josie asked.

Roxie shook her head and laughed. I dont think having my girl-power posse along would improve the situation.

Just then, Lilith let loose with a snarling growl, low and intimidating despite the muzzle. A dog park regular had just arrived with his male husky.

Shhh, girl. Quiet. Roxie stroked Liliths short wiry hair. Give it a break, why dontcha?

Lilith began frothing.

Ive got an idea, Ginger said, sounding cheerful. Take little ole Lilith here into the board meeting with youbut forgo the muzzle. Let her release all her pent-up aggression once and for all!

Their laughter rose and fell, then faded into a round of sighs, Roxies the loudest. After a few moments, they rose from the grass and continued their walk. With every step, Josie saw how Roxie teetered on hysteria even as she talked on and on, preparing for the battle that lay ahead.

Josie figured her confession could wait a few days, at least until Roxies crisis had blown over. The last thing her friend needed to hear right now were the details of Josies miraculous discovery of her soul mate, the millionaire tattooed love god whod introduced her to true passion and mind-blowing sex. Josie figured a girl needed to be in a stable frame of mind to hear that kind of news from her best friendespecially when that friend had taken a vow of solidarity to be done with men forever.

Ready for a refill?

Rick dragged his gaze from his laptop screen to find Teeny hovering over his desk, yet again. This time hed brought in the coffeepot. Ten minutes ago the interruption had been about a problem with the security cameras at the ranch. Ten minutes before that, Teeny had come in to inform him that theyd set a date for the corporate backpacking retreat.

Rick sighed deeply. All right. I surrender. Shut the door, man. I cant stand this another second.

Teeny ran a flawless pattern to the door and back, then slid into a chair by the window, where he crossed his legs casually and asked, So, is there something in particular you wanted to talk about? His eyes twinkled as much as his diamond stud earring.

You should have been in a sorority, Rick said, shaking his head and laughing.

Tell me about it.

Rick closed his laptop and laced his fingers behind his head, still chuckling. It must have been torture for poor Teen last night, because the instant Rick got in the car, he told his friend he wasnt going to talk about his evening with Josie, that he needed some time to think things over first.

Teeny had shrugged like the topic was the furthest thing from his mind, and hed driven Rick to Pacific Heights in silence.

You want to know about Josie, Rick said. It wasnt a question.

Okay, sure. Is that what you called me in here for?

I didnt call you in here for anything, Timothy.

Teeny laughed, his mountainous shoulders shaking as he let go with a high-pitched snicker. He stomped a size 14 Italian loafer on the bamboo floor a few times for emphasis.

You need a life, Worrell.

Hey, man, I got a life. A really, really good one. But right now, Im interested in hearing about /your/ life. Were you right? Was Josie Sheehan a wild thing up under that librarians wardrobe?

Rick unhooked his fingers and swiveled around in his chair to face Teeny. She doesnt dress like a librarian.

Fair enough. A kindergarten teacher, then.

She doesnt dress like a kindergarten teacher, either.

Youre right. My bad. Teeny held out a palm in concession. Let me start over. He cleared his throat. So, was Josephine Sheehan a wild thing up under that obituary writers wardrobe?

Yup.

Damn!

But I dont kiss and tell.

Hey, man, up until recently, you didnt even kiss.

This is very true.

So whats next?

I have absolutely no idea.

Thats when Rick got up from his desk chair and walked to the glass wall of his office. Beyond he could see the UC Berkeley campus, the Bay, and the city of San Francisco spread out before him.

Uh… Teeny rubbed a hand over his shiny bald head. Are you saying you may not want to see her again? Because weve got some serious man hours invested in Miss Sheehan.

Oh, no. Im sure I want to see her again. Shes all Ive been thinking about this morning. In fact, were having dinner tonight. And Im thinking about bringing her to the ranch.

Okay. Teeny nodded soberly. Then its the tattooshe must have hated the freaky snake shit, huh?

Rick turned to his friend and shook his head, laughing softly. She doesnt love it, but she didnt run out of the room screaming, either.

Its a start.

It is.

And did you tell her about?

No. Rick didnt need to hear the whole question. He knew Teeny was asking if hed told Josie about how he acquired the tattoohis six-month, hallucinogenic journey through the Asian subcontinent that ended with the last-minute reprieve from a Thai prison sentence, not the first time his daddy had saved his ass, nor would it be the last.

See, thats where Im stuck, Teeny, Rick said with a sigh. I dont how much truth she can hear and still want to be with me. And I dont know when to start telling her. And I know that I cant have a real relationship with a woman unless she knows where Ive come from.

I hear you, Teeny said.

All I know is that last night was not the time to mention any of it.

Teeny nodded. I can see how the serpents would be plenty for one night.

You got to ease the girl into the situation, right?

Rick laughed outright. I dont know /what/ Im supposed to do! Thats the point! And Ive got to tell you Rick looked at his friend and shook his head in consternation. Im starting to think the self-denial routine all these years wasnt just about going straightIm thinking maybe I shut myself off from the world to avoid facing my past.

Teeny uncrossed his legs and leaned forward in the chair, a deep frown creasing his forehead. Im not following you, Rick. All Ive seen you do since Ive known you is make amends for your mistakes, fix all that can be fixed, do the right thing at every turn. I havent seen you avoid a single damn thing, mannot once.