Freya spoke briefly to Magnus on her way to work. He had an emergency meeting, and there wasn't much time to talk.

Her day turned in to somewhat of a mad dash to put out fires as she worked through a few HR nightmares. And when she'd arrived home, she found Marissa dry heaving into the toilet. She was sick. And she had an advanced hip hop class she was supposed to teach. There was no way they were going to be able to cancel on such short notice

"Justine! I'm so glad you are here. What happened to Marissa? I can't get her to say anything but groan."

Justine tossed her bag on a chair, quickly changing, knowing very well that Freya wouldn't be able to teach Marissa's class.

"I keep telling her to stop pigging out at lunch. She had something from a food truck. You know Marissa, must try everything. I think that’s what made her sick. She started turning different shades of sickly pale, and our boss decided to send her home. That was the last I knew since she hasn't checked her phone."

"I found her like this when I arrived. If it's been going on for that long, maybe we should take her to the ER. If it’s food poisoning, it can get worse."

"Freya, we have two advanced classes to teach today. Plus, the others. What do you suggest?" Justine was irritated, but Freya couldn't figure why.

"How about I ask Eros to drive her and report back to us with her condition. Then if she is still there, we can go after we close?"

"That'll work. Just make sure she has a barf bag. The last thing anyone needs is her throwing up in their cars."

Freya got Marissa going and made sure Eros knew where to find her identification and insurance card. She gave him brief instructions and quickly sent them on their way.

When they wrapped up their classes, Justine shared why she’d been frustrated. It seemed Marissa was on somewhat of a tight leash at work. Her productivity had been on a slow decline in the past few months, and with the holiday season and not very many people interested in buying an insurance product, Marissa's inability to bring in new customers wasn’t doing her any favors.

Justine was stressed because she was her friend and she also believed Marissa didn't have anything saved up. If she lost her job, Justine would be stuck with paying all the bills. It wasn’t something she was prepared to do.

Freya assured Justine she’d help wherever possible. And if anything, Marissa could possibly offer earlier classes at the studio, which was something Freya eventually wanted to do but didn't have the time.

There was an untapped market in the area to offer classes to children who were not of school age. The idea put Justine in a better mood. If there was one thing Marissa did well, it was dance. She was passionate and self-motivated when it came to teaching dance.

"Hi, Eros. How's Marissa?"

"Much better. I'm bringing her back now. They were quick to see her. No need to pump her stomach, just a few meds, mostly for nausea, but she already looks better. She's sleeping in the back seat now."

"That's good news. Thank you, so much. We'll see you when you get here."

She hung up with Eros as Justine approached her. "So she's going to be okay?"

"Yes. They are on their way back. Look, I know a lot is going on at your office. But I don't think it’s a good idea for her to go in tomorrow."

"Oh, I agree. Besides, I feel a little better having talked to you. If we wrap our heads around a good solid plan, we can do this on our terms and not wait until she is forced out of the agency. If that's all right with you?"

Freya had to think about it for a moment. She was supportive of the plan, but when would she have time to do it?

"Would you be absolutely mad if I suggested we order in for Thanksgiving? I think we need to sit down and brainstorm this before I leave. Getting the word out, doing a soft opening, is in our best interest before the New Year. There won’t be a lot of attention due to the holidays, but it will give parents the option.

"Also, if you think it’s a good idea, you are welcome to come stay with me. You'd have to share a room with Marissa, but you practically do anyway. Once we can save up the money, I can always have a room built on. Remember, we have Mike, Sarah’s dad, to help us." She smiled.

"Freya, you'd do that for us?" There was disbelief in Justine's voice.

"Of course, I would. The two of you are not just my friends; you are also instrumental in the growth of my business. Just don't let it go to your head." She laughed, Justine, joining in.

"Thank you, Freya. That really means a lot. You are like family to us. I know I speak for Marissa as well."

When Eros arrived with Marissa, they got her into bed so she could rest for the remainder of the night.

Neither was too hungry, so they settled on popcorn and tea while watching a late-night show. Except the show poked quite a bit of fun at Magnus' family.

"You know, it's funny. One day, hardly anyone here in the States knows of Martierra, and next thing you know, that's all anyone can talk about."

"Well, I suppose that has a lot to do with the Crown Prince possibly taking a fancy to an American, and since we've recently shipped one of our own off to become a royal, there is this sudden fascination with royalty. In this case, our girl wouldn't ‘just’ be a princess. She could potentially become a queen."

"Stop it! Magnus and I are just friends," Freya said, throwing popcorn at Justine.

"I'm not cleaning that up." She laughed. "And you keep telling yourself that you are just friends. You both are clearly more interested in more than just a friendship. Otherwise, you wouldn't be traveling to see him."

"Not you, too?" Freya gave Justine the evil eye.

"Obviously, I'm not the only one saying this. Who else said something?"

"Tristan, my brother."

Justine sat quietly as she nibbled on the popcorn.

Tristan and Justine had gone out on a date. He really liked her, and Freya believed she really liked him. He'd attempted to pursue her, but Justine had shut down, not wanting to go any further. Freya, being the friend she was, didn't want to come across as non-supportive, but instead of trying to discuss it, she simply let it be.

She sometimes wondered if that had been the best way to handle it. Because anytime Tristan's name came up, Justine went quiet.

She was gorgeous and smart, but most importantly, beneath that tough girl attitude, she was deeply kind and fiercely protective.