= Chris POV =

  Heather managed to book one of the rgest karaoke rooms I had ever seen. It looked like a club was divided into small clusters of comfortable plush red seats around free-standing karaoke TVs and machines. An interesting vacuum technology had been set up over each area where the sound was sucked up into the vents in the ceiling, allowing for private singing sections even though it was in an open space.

  I saw that Sarah was being pulled along with her colleagues, so I slipped through the crowd and parked myself down next to her on a plush seat before Ruby could drag me over to her side. I imagined Marilyn might be a bit disappointed however I hoped Ruby would take the opportunity to fill up the spot I left empty.

  “Ah, Chris~! I was wondering where you were; I think I lost you earlier in the crowd,” Sarah said, beaming as she pced her small, delicate hands on my thigh and leaned forward in delight “ I can’t wait to hear you sing!” she added.

  I bite the inside of my cheek in order to stop myself from pulling her right onto my p. This damn clueless girl always had to go touch me somewhere disarming every now and then, testing my limits with those huge doe eyes and innocent stares of hers.

  I grinned and leaned back, calming my beating heart, but still proud of myself for making a beeline straight to her side.

  “Of course, I would be such a” I began, but a sudden clearing of the throat cut me off. I looked up to find Heather gring down at me.

  “This is a team-building event, so you know where you need to be,”, Heather said and crossed her arms, looking at me like some ruffian pying hooky.

  “Aww, Mom, can’t you make an exception just this once? It was an impromptu decision in the first pce,” I pleaded, leaning forward and csping my hands in the begging pose.

  “Yeah, just let her stay; besides, isn’t she a co-owner? So does it matter where she ends up?” Sarah piped up boldly, gring at Heather as she wrapped her arms around me possessively.

  Heather rolled her eyes and waved us off “ Fine, but if you must, get me a chair, too. I have nowhere to sit!” Heather said, which must have been why she wanted to boot me out.

  I stood up, my body immediately missing the slender arms that had to unfold, and looked around to see where the extra chairs were.

  “Ah, Heather-san, if it’s ok, then I’d like to join my husband at the other table,” Mrs Smith said as she got up shyly and bowed low.

  I turned to see Mr. Smith, our Day Pastry chef, waving eagerly from across the room. I wonder how long Mrs Smith had been trying to ignore him for fear of getting in trouble with Heather.

  “Heather, how could you? Separating families like this?” I mock scolded, standing akimbo.

  “Fine, fine, off with you! It all works out in the end,” Heather said as Mrs Smith gratefully scurried away and into her partner's arms at the other table where I was supposed to be.

  Heather promptly eased her nky body into the vacant chair, and we all started discussing who would go first and who would sing what song.