“If I didn’t want to answer your questions, I wouldn’t have. It was just a long day, and dredging up the past hit a few nerves, which is why I’m standing here right now. I wanted to apologize for my actions last night…or rather this morning. I shouldn’t have treated you like that, and I’m sorry.”

“It was as much my fault as it was yours. I mean, if I were a cat, I would have died a long time ago, what with the amount of curiosity I have.”

Bennett smiled. “Of that, I can’t really disagree. You take inquiring minds to a whole new level.”

“Ouch.”

“It’s all right. I’ve become used to it.”

A few silent and somewhat awkward seconds passed before Ruby stepped back. “Would you like to come in?”

Bennett eyed the low ceiling in Ruby’s apartment. “I fear that could end in a concussion, but if you’re up for it, I’d like to take you out for an early dinner. Make up for my lack of etiquette last night. What do you say?”

Ruby’s face lit up. “I say that’s a great idea. Let me just go put on some shoes, or do I need to change?”

“No, you’re fine. I was thinking of something casual. Italian?”

“That works. Give me one second.”

Ruby hurried to her closet, and tugging on a pair of knee-high boots over her straight-leg jeans, she swept her wallet, phone, and keys into her purse and was back at the door in nothing flat. “I’m ready.”

“I see that,” Bennett said, stepping aside so Ruby could lock the door. “Someone must be positively starving.”

“You said Italian, didn’t you?”

“Yes. Why?”

Ruby flashed a quick grin. “Well, I’m kind of hoping I’m going to need the carbs.”

***

“I’m impressed.”

Ruby looked down at her cream-colored sweater. “Why? Because I’m not covered in splotches of marinara?”

“No. Because we walked from the brownstone, spent twenty minutes in the car getting here, and have made it through not only an appetizer but halfway through our meal, and you’ve yet to ask a question. Pacing yourself?”

“More like knowing what side my bread is buttered on.”

Bennett cocked her head to the side. “Meaning?”

“Meaning, I’d rather not go back to my empty apartment tonight, and I’m hoping by curtailing my endless curiosity, I won’t.”

“I told you. I wouldn’t answer your questions if I didn’t want to. It was just that between seeing Desiree and Eliza at Max’s and then filling you in on all my failed love affairs, it struck a nerve. That’s all.”

“Okay,” Ruby said, twirling her fork in her dinner of linguine with roasted tomatoes and clams. “And this is delicious.”