“I guess he came through the window,” said Libby, standing up to get a bowl. “I saw him studying the ficus tree on that side the other day. Was your window open?” He sidled past Laura, peering into the pot. “Yes, chili, precisely what the doctor ordered.”

“Cilantro, sour cream, and cheese in the fridge,” said Maggie, looking at Polly, who was closest.

Polly pulled the containers out and set them down on the counter, looking for a spoon. “Yes, my window was open, but that’s because I live on the second floor and had mistaken Oliver for an elderly cat, rather than a fur-suited ninja who scales walls and climbs trees. My mistake.” She looked at Laura. “Dude, you should grab a bowl and dig in before Libby steals it all.”

“It’s not stealing,” said Maggie. “It’s sharing.” She smiled at Laura. “But she’s right, please don’t stand on ceremony.”

Laura helped herself and discovered she was ravenous. She sat down at the table and started to eat, feeling better with every mouthful. It wasn’t long before everyone else joined her.

Then the questioning began. It started innocently enough.

“So, Laura,” said Maggie, around a mouthful of chili, “where did you grow up?”

“New York.”

“State or city?” asked Anna.

Laura smiled. “Both.”

Maggie frowned. “So how did you and Polly get to know each other?” She turned to Polly. “You said at college?”

Polly shook her head. “No, we met after.” She turned to Laura, an expression of complete innocence on her face. “I’m not sure I even know where you went to college.”

“Columbia.”

“Polly said you’re a physical therapist?” Libby asked curiously.

Laura shook her head. “Not yet, that’s why I’m here, to go to graduate school. My undergraduate degree is in biology.”

“Huh,” said Libby. “Mine’s in ancient history.” He reached for more cheese. “Less useful, probably.”

“So, how did you two become friends?” Maggie was not to be deflected.

“We met online first,” said Polly, with her back to them, over by the oven. She radiated nonchalance, and Laura worried she’d come home with a sociopath. “On Amphibinet. We enjoy a shared love of amphibians.”

Short pause. Everyone swiveled to look at Laura.

She smiled and nodded, silently. Oh good lord, Polly’s a lunatic.

“And then she came to town for ReptileCon a few years ago and the rest is history.”

The pause deepened, if that’s possible. Laura was red-faced and had stopped eating. Libby and Anna were watching, their spoons held in midair.

“Really?” said Maggie thoughtfully. “I thought you said amphibians.”

“Amphibians and reptiles, yes,” said Polly, still looking as if she’d just come from rescuing orphans and baby birds. “We love them all.”

“I had literally no idea.” Maggie looked at her, then Laura, then back to Polly. “What’s the difference between a salamander and a gecko?” she asked.