She kicked him under the table. He got up and hobbled off.
“Mike, now don’t pretend you’re too drunk,” she said, “because you’re famous for carrying your liquor. I’m afraid I was lying when I told you I wasn’t a virgin.”
Shayne clucked. “Well, a girl of eighteen-”
“I’ll be nineteen in two weeks! Mike, I’m determined to get some experience on this Florida trip. I admire you tremendously! I’d really be very flattered if you’d-”
He wagged his head. “No.”
“Not under any conceivable circumstances?”
“Not under any conceivable circumstances.”
“Not even if we were on a boat alone on a hot night and we took an air mattress out on deck to look at the stars, and music was playing-”
“Not even then. I have great will power.”
He used some of it to stand up. He leaned down to kiss her on the forehead.
“You’re a nice kid, Sally, and you’ve been a lot of help. I’ll drive you home after I make a phone call.”
“Mike-”
He shook his head, smiling, and went to the phone. He dialed a number. A woman’s voice answered.
“Mike!” she said, pleased. “I take it you caught your rabbit?”
“A couple of rabbits. Are you free for dinner tonight?”
There was a pause. “Do you really want to wait that long?”
“I’ve been up all night. I thought-”
She laughed. “Mike, you nut, I have a bed.”