Chapter 558

It was a foreign feeling to me not to be in control. But my darling girlfriends had taken that control out of my hands -- at least as it related to the big-picture plans for this trip. So everything came as a surprise to me as it unfolded, and it was kind of delightful. I felt like a kid on Christmas, a new present at every turn.

Katie had steadfastly refused to do anything but flirt and tease on the plane. When we landed, a matte green Rolls Royce Phantom II greeted us on the tarmac. Christy left us with a grin and confident promise to see us soon. It was three o’clock on Thursday afternoon in Vegas. We climbed through the suicide doors into the backseat. We found a bottle of Dom Perignon, opened and with a glass for each of us ready and waiting.

"To opening presents," Katie said when she raised a glass in toast.

"Cheers, Katie," I said. We clinked glasses, and I added, "I’m glad it was you. Who’s my chaperone, I mean."

Katie lo