“Play a little hard to get,” I said, mischievously. “Don’t appear so available.”

“But, I am available …” Annie replied, not getting my point.

“Stop throwing yourself at him, Annie!” I spelled it out for her.

“Oh,” Annie said, sitting back in her seat. “That’s just my way of playing.”

“I know, and don’t ever change,” I told her. “Just tone it down a bit where Rick is concerned.”

Then she grinned impishly. “I’ll try. But where Rick is concerned, I make no promises!”

“So, you really like him?” I asked, turning to face her. “I mean, in a romantic way. No joke?”

Annie nodded, sitting back with a faraway...