In other circumstance, with another person as the subject of this little debate, she would have been mildly impressed.  And, even though she wasn't exactly<span style="font-style: italic">impressed,</span>she had to concede Dean a few points for pulling that off.<br/><br/>Why did the idiots always seem to have the lion's share of the luck?   Perhaps she should ram her head into the wall a few times, to see if she could get her own to improve.   Well...in truth, she shouldn't complain.  Being invited<span style="font-style: italic">here</span>was a stroke luck.  She couldn't really attribute this opportunity to anything<span style="font-style: italic">other</span>than that.  Aside from divine providence, in which she, card carrying atheist that she was, staunchly did<span style="font-style: italic">not</span>believe.<br/><br/>"I'm sure," she replied to Sophia.  "Sue me for running to the obvious conclusion."   It was as much of an apology as she was would offer, on this one.<br/><br/>After Prince Charming had rejoined them, she supplied "Oh, you know me Dean, I'm just the concerned type. Was afraid maybe you'd fallen in."<br/><br/>Why did he<span style="font-style: italic"> really</span>get on her nerves, so much?   Dean was annoying, but essentially harmless...certainly, Anna had met many worse guys during her quarter century of life, given the somewhat rough crowd she tended to run with.   Dean wasn't malicious, or dangerous.   And, he did seem to make Sophia so very happy, for some reason she had yet to fathom.   But, he just<span style="font-style: italic">really</span>set her teeth on edge...<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Sophia could do -so- much better...if she'd only try! </span>How many times had<span style="font-style: italic">that</span>thought run through her mind?  She'd lost count.  And, it didn't fully make sense of her feelings toward Dean, either.  Not by itself.   Well, nothing for it.  For her sister's sake, she'd maintain the peace on this trip, which she really wanted both of them to be able to enjoy.   After that, hell, it was Sophia's life, and she was an adult, now.<br/><br/>Though...that didn't mean she<span style="font-style: italic">wouldn't</span>attempt some covert maneuvers, or work to facilitate certain opportunities,  if she thought it might result in her sister running off with somebody else...all was fair in love and social media, after all...<br/><br/>"Okay, get a room, you two!" she remarked as they went in for that lusty smooch.<br/><br/>"And, in fact...how about if we get out of here, and do just that?"