Vicki went from befuddle to utterly boggled.  Not only had Fredrick merrily confessed to loving, even lusting for her all these years, George had only clapped his shoulder and called him "friend".  If Beth had not been there, Vicki would have halted the conversation right there, demanding clarifications and explanations.  Why hadn't Fred said anything all this time?  Why did he pick now to simply blurt it out like he was talking about the weather?  Did he want his possible new boss to start the sexual harassment lawsuit now before he even got hired?<br/><br/>Still, George's casual amusement at the shocking declaration forced Vicki to assume a similar poise as she wanted nothing but to maintain the friendly atmosphere.  She chuckled along with them, her amusement growing more authentic.  Her concerns melted in their laughing faces, each seemingly at ease with the revelation.<br/><br/>As Beth leaned toward her to hand over the gifts, Vicki could smell her perfume, notice how her golden shoulders lacked the dusting of freckles her own bore.  Beneath the woman's scent, she could make out the delicate flowers, the warm sweetness of the chocolates as she opened the box to set them on the table to share.  It seemed to her as if Beth was as aesthetically pleasing to her other senses as to her eyes.<br/><br/>"Red as well for me, love," Vicki called, settling onto the center of couch.<br/><br/>Vicki giggled, the girlish sound rather odd coming from an otherwise severely poised woman.  Only Fredrick and George had seen her giggle that way and only years ago.  "There now!" she announced, "You have something in common!"