“Not at all,” Allison said reflexively. What a sucker she was. Sucker, sucker, sucker. Then she remembered that giving Suzanne time for herself had been one of her mentoring dreams. She packed Adam back in the car, and took him home.

Adam stopped to study something invisible on the walkway to her house. “Come on, sweetie,” she said.

“That’s a termite,” he said.

“Hopefully an ant.”

“No. It doesn’t have a pinched waist.”

“I better call the exterminator then.”

“Don’t kill it!”

It was going to be a long afternoon. But then the evening would arrive. Tonight!

Candy wagged through the window as Allison climbed the porch steps. “Candy’s excited to see you.”

Adam caught up to Allison. “I like you,” he said.

“You do?” She stopped turning the key in the lock, and looked at him, wanting to hear more. It was pathetic, but right now, validation from anyone would suffice.

“You remind me of my grammy.”

“Oh. Your grammy.”

“She’s my best person yet.” He put his hand in hers. It felt as soft and warm as a fresh bun.

ALLISON LAY ON THE BED IN A LACY, CREAM-COLORED TEDDY. SHE’D bought it at the mall this afternoon after Suzanne picked up Adam, in honor of what was about to occur. It had been the most discreet of the silky little outfits she had tried on, all of which seemed to be more lacy panels and wildly plunging necklines than actual fabric. Unfortunately it had a thong, which she simply did not understand. Why was it necessary for women to wear thongs? Why did men like this? The salesgirl waved away her concerns. “First-world problems,” she said, and rang up the purchase.

Allison lit a candle while Ted washed up, then lay back down again. Her breasts oozed out on either side of her getup, giving her a flattened look. So she moved onto her side, propped on one elbow. Her breasts slid down to the side as a pair, seeking the comfort of the mattress. By the time Ted came out, teeth brushed and flossed, she was on her side, one arm under her head, the other under her breasts, holding them together in a way that made her look like she had more cleavage than she actually did, which had been quite an art to arrange.

Ted brought the bright light of the bathroom in with him. He wore striped pajamas with long pants and a top that buttoned up the front. The kind of pajamas her father wore. Maybe Suzanne should start a men’s lingerie company. Teddies for men. That might do well with women who had lost enthusiasm. Although there couldn’t be thongs. She shook off the thought.

He blew out the candle.

“That was for effect,” she said.