Polly leaned across the checkout desk. “Nod. You’ll enjoy it.” She shrugged. “Plus you don’t have much choice, she’s relentless about this one, extremely nerdy, pursuit.” This was clearly an old topic.

“What is it, exactly?” Laura wasn’t ready to nod.

“It’s a highly exciting, intellectually oriented social bonding exercise for people who’d rather look at a piece of paper than each other.” Nina seemed pretty darn eager about whatever this was, and Laura recalled how easily she’d run off to loan a total stranger warm clothing. She owed this girl a debt of gratitude, and here was a chance to pay it off.

“I’m sorry,” said Laura, blushing at her own slowness, “I still don’t have any idea what we’re talking about. Is it a club?”

“It’s a bar trivia league, you drink, eat pistachios, and answer trivia questions on a variety of subjects.”

“For money?”

Nina looked horrified. “No! For honor!”

“And an occasional ugly T-shirt,” said Polly, “which is why I don’t do it. That and my inability to remember anything for longer than thirty seconds.”

Nina smiled at her. “However, you are an excellent cheering section, despite your gnat-like hippocampus.” She turned back to Laura. “How about this? Come over to my place Friday night, and I’ll explain the whole thing. You’ll really do it?”

“I’ll try,” said Laura, “if you promise to rehab your wrist.”

“Deal,” said Nina. “Wait till I tell the rest of the team!” She hugged herself and then added, “And you can also explain what Polly meant when she said you had Bob all worked up.” She looked at Laura and grinned wickedly. “Or did you think I’d missed that?”

TEN

An hour and a half later Laura was trudging along Third Street, carrying a bag full of books. She’d waited fifteen minutes for a bus, but none had shown up and she’d grown impatient. The weight was hardly a challenge but the sun was pitiless and Laura was starting to realize why LA had developed such a robust and air-conditioned car culture. A truck pulled over ahead of her, and when she drew level and peeped in, Bob was leaning on the steering wheel and smiling at her. Of course, because she was sweating through her T-shirt and was 87 percent certain her period had just started. Which would also explain the giant spot on her nose and the bursting into tears in the bookstore two days earlier.

All these thoughts raced through her head in the few seconds it took Bob to say, “Uh, I’m heading home, do you need a ride?”

Laura hesitated, because she really, really didn’t like being in cars since her accident, but then a trickle of sweat rolled down her back and she decided she could handle the incredibly brief drive home.