Dave relaxed into the couch. “We might do that later. We thought we’d get the shouting out of the way first.”

“Sounds like a good plan to me,” Elsie said. “This here’s Gus. He’s taking me out dancing, so I’ve gotta change my shoes.”

Dave and Gus shook hands.

“Nice place you have here,” Gus said.

“It’s not mine.” Dave pointed to Kate. “It’s hers. I live next door.”

Gus looked over at Kate. “Nice place you have here, ma’am.”

“So you’re taking Elsie out dancing, huh?”

“Yup.”

Kate scrutinized him. “You won’t be late, will you?”

“Um, I don’t know…”

“Elsie works the early shift, you know,” Kate said, putting emphasis on the word early.

“Yeah, no kissing on the first date and call us if you can’t make the eleven-thirty curfew.” Dave hooked his arm through Kate’s. “Can I see you in the kitchen, please?”

“In a minute. I have a few more questions for Gus.”

Dave caught her at the waist, slung her over his shoulder, and carried her away. “Now,” he said. “I think we should talk now.” He closed the kitchen door and set her on her feet.

“Why did you do that?” she sputtered. “That was humiliating!”

“Kate, you were grilling the poor man. You were about to ask him for credit references. I know that look in your eye. You were going to get his license plate number.”

“The first date, and he’s taking her dancing! I know his type.”

“Oh, yeah? What’s his type?”

“He delivers sweet rolls!”

Dave put his hand to her forehead. “You feeling okay?”

“You think I overreacted?”

“Just a tad.”

“I do that a lot, don’t I?”

Dave dragged her against him and held her tight. “Mmmm. You’re a hotheaded, hot-blooded wench.” He kissed her with exaggerated passion, and she smiled. “What are you smiling about? This is serious kissing.”

He could always make her smile, she thought. He was playful—something she’d never known in a man before. The men in her life had always been on the somber side. She considered Dave and decided she liked this better. Much better. “We’re not supposed to be kissing. We’re supposed to just be friends.”

“I never agreed to that.”

Gus tapped on the kitchen door. “We’re going now. It’s been nice meeting you.”

Kate stuck her head out. “Nice meeting you, Gus. Have fun tonight.”

“There’s a young man came to see you,” Gus said. “I sat him down in the living room.”

Kate opened the door wider and looked beyond Gus. “Ohmigod.”

Dave peered over Kate’s shoulder. “Who is that?” he whispered. “He looks like he’s made of wax.”

“It’s Anatole.”

“Does he move?”

Kate gave him an elbow. “Of course he moves. And he doesn’t look like he’s made of wax. He just has fair skin.”