Amy hadn’t enjoyed a meal so much in years. The chicken was tender and alive with lemon and pepper, tangy and delicious. The asparagus tips were perfectly steamed, retaining just the right amount of crunch. She couldn’t seem to get enough rice pilaf, which went perfectly with the chicken and the white wine.

She was on her second glass.

But it took a moment of protracted silence for Amy to notice that her mother and brothers were watching her, the absence of any conversation speaking volumes. Amy stopped and looked around at them, swallowing her chicken in the sudden awkwardness of their attention.

“What?”

Danny said, “Nothing, Amy, nothing. It’s just that you seem … pretty upbeat.”

Margaret reached for her own wine glass. “Upbeat? Darling, you’re positively giddy. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you’d found a friend.”

Amy could almost feel the blood drain from her face.

Calm down, Amy’s inner self told her, play it cool, the way Camden would do it. So she decided to say nothing at all.

Jonathan said, “What did you and Isla do this past week? Four days was a long time to be away.”

“Take it easy, Jono,” Danny said, “we can trust Isla, she’s like one of the family.” He gave it some thought and then added, “But not actually related, that’s important. Wonder why I never hit that.”

“She wouldn’t let you,” Jonathan said. “And don’t call me Jono.”

“We just spent a few days talking about things,” Amy said. “She was really supportive but challenging too. She forced me to look at life a little differently.”

“How so, darling?”

Amy searched her imagination for a creative lie, but slowly discovered that the truth was not only the better excuse but the better course.

Didn’t Camden say something about the truth being revealed? Love reveals the truth?

And Amy knew she couldn’t speak the whole truth, perhaps anything but the truth: It was wild, absolutely crazy! Before, I felt like a bird in a gilded cage, but I got out and flew around and it was incredible! It was something I did, something I did for myself, and I never felt better, never felt more comfortable in my own skin. And I’m going to do it again, as soon as I can!

But Amy said, “Isla convinced me that you were right, Mom, that I’m only going to be as happy as I want to be, happy as I choose to be. Happiness, it’s not about the house you’re in, one place or another, real happiness comes from within. I think I’m finally getting that.”

“And after all those years in college,” Margaret said, raising her glass. “Here’s to higher education,” before gulping down the rest of the glass.

Jonathan and Danny swapped a glance, Jonathan’s worried, but Danny’s smiling and pleased. Danny’s didn’t last.

* * *

Tia McBride’s assistant, Shin Lu wore an eternal scowl, seeming to disapprove of everything and everyone around her, every minute of her life seemed to be a trial of her patience. And in the plush surroundings of the Longshadows offices, her sternness seemed even more powerful, more intimidating.

But Amy was beginning to see the purpose of that, the marketing value. That’s what this is, Amy knew, a business like any other. That makes me the customer, and the customer is always right.

Something about just being in that office was making Amy feel stronger, like it was reflecting something in herself that was evolving, finally and at long last. Amy was there for herself, acting on her own, doing what she wanted to do without permission, without apology.

Just being there was turning her on.

“Another, so soon?” Shin Lu walked across the big office and sat down behind the desk where the nameplate read Tia McBride. Shin Lu eased into the chair with a satisfaction Amy couldn’t miss. “We do have a lot of repeat clients, but … after less than a week? I’ll be happy to report to Ms. McBride that you were so gratified.”

Amy smiled, but she felt less and less intimidated by the minute. Amy had money, Amy had power. Without people like Amy, something like Longshadows couldn’t exist and he was beginning to realize that. “You can report anything you wish to Ms. McBride. But in the meantime, call Camden and have him clear his schedule.”

Shin Lu smiled knowingly, pausing to reflect before saying, “You want the same service provider.”

“That’s right.”

“We try to suggest that you indulge in a different — ”

“No.” The cold silence which passed between the two women was stilted with increasing tension. “Camden.”

Shin Lu sighed. “Miss Dey, have you ever heard of Stockholm syndrome? It’s when a hostage forms an attachment to his or her captor — ”

“I have heard of Stockholm syndrome, Ms. Shin. I learned about it when I was a philosophy major at UCLA.”

“I thought your family kept you secluded — ”

“It wasn’t easy. I roomed with Isla, my best friend. She’s the only excuse I can use to get outta there. But I don't have to explain myself to you. I’ll pay whatever you want, just set it up.”

Shin Lu looked at Amy long and hard, a slow nod to her little head. “You know we have the right to refuse service to whomever we choose.”

Amy looked back at Shin Lu, a woman who obviously relished power and wanted as much of it as she could get. “You also have the ability to grant such requests … or don’t you?”

“I beg your pardon?” Shin Lu’s eyes narrowing, her tone becoming more serious.

“Well, I suppose I’ll have to talk to Ms. McBride personally. I don’t mean to go over your head — ”

“I do have the authority to contract services, Miss Dey, of course.”

Amy shrugged. “Then why would you refuse me?”

“Because you’ve fallen in love with your service provider, and that’s something we strongly discourage. I’m sorry, Miss Dey, but unless you’d like another service provider, I’m going to have to deny your request.”

Amy sat there stunned, her heart beating faster, blood rushing hot in her veins. But she used her new sense of self-control to quell it and press a professional smile onto her face. “I see. Very well.” She stood and Shin Lu stood too, Amy adding, “Thank you for your time,” before turning to cross the office, Shin Lu right behind her.