“In point of fact, I spent part of my afternoon thinking about just that.”

“And?”

“And I thought I’d rearrange my schedule, leaving Friday and Saturday nights open as much as I can. That way, we can spend as much time as you’d like together over the weekend, mindful that when Sunday night approaches, we do our best to curtail our…um…our appreciation of each other, so you can make it to work on Monday without the help of espresso. How does that sound?”

“Like a plan if ever there was one.”

“And it’s enough for you?”

“Yes, Bennett,” Ruby said softly. “It’s enough for me.”

“Good,” Bennett said, moving in for a short kiss. “Now, get some sleep. You’ll need it come Friday night.”

***

Doreen chowed down her cheeseburger and fries, and in between every bite, she glanced over at Ruby, who was shoveling Vietnamese shredded chicken and brown rice into her mouth. Doreen curled her lip. Of all the trucks, Pho Real was the only one too healthy for Doreen’s liking. Their menu consisted of vegan soups, cellophane-like noodles, tofu, seaweed salads, and chicken or pork shaved so thin there was no point in chewing, and Doreen liked to chew. She liked big sloppy burgers and ribs dripping in sauce. She liked hot dogs covered in chili and cheese, and when it came to pizza, if it didn’t have at least four toppings, it just wasn’t pizza.

Even though it was December, without a cloud in the sky and on a bench unprotected by the shade of trees, when Ruby finished her chicken, she unzipped her parka as she reached for her drink. She took a few sips of her coconut milk and Goji berry smoothie, and then putting it aside, Ruby reached for a small container of frozen pineapple yogurt, which had softened but not yet melted.

“What is up with you?” Doreen said, crumpling up her napkin.

“What do you mean?” Ruby said, scooping up some yogurt.

“When did you go all healthy happy meal on me?”

“It’s good, and all of it has the right kind of carbs. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“If you were going out for a run after work, I suppose, but the last time I checked, you don’t run.”

“Not unless I’m being chased.”

“Which brings me back to what I asked a second ago. What is going on with you? Why do you need to pack in the carbs?”

“Um…well…I have a date tonight.”

“With who? A lady wrestler?”

“No, with Bennett Archer.”

Whatever expression Doreen was displaying slipped off her face. “You have a date with tall, dark, and deadly?”

“Yeah, and it’s not the first.”

“What the hell are you talking about? The last time we spoke—”

“Was last week, and things have changed between then and now.”