“Hey, don’t give me that ‘she’s your friend’ *****. Dana’s my friend, but not her. She’s pushy and annoying and honestly, I think she killed Dana’s cat.”

“Oh, not you too.”

“I call ‘em like I see ‘em. Dana’s great, but that chick is hinky.”

“Whatever. Where are you parked?”

“In the garage. Stupid overpriced waste of money.”

“Can I get a ride with you? My truck took the worst time today to die.”

I turn and stare at her. Is this some sort of convoluted Shanish peace offering? Or did she just break down in front of the hospital? I scan for her truck, then chastise myself for being so cynical.

“Sure. Where’d your truck die?”

“In front of my house.”

“Well then how did you get here?”

“I took the bus,” she says, and I realize I’ve crossed the line into interrogation. I turn away and walk toward the parking garage, and she follows.

“All right, you go, public transit girl,” I grin, making light of it. “Riding with the unwashed masses.”

“Taking the bus doesn’t make people the great unwashed. You snob.”

“I’m teasing you, hottie. Don’t get your knickers in a twist.”

“I’m not wearing any knickers.”

“No knickers, *and* riding the bus. My, you *have* had an interesting day.” I’m grinning, and suddenly so happy and alive to be here joking around with her.

“Yeah, there’s a lot of things about me you don’t know.” She has turned around to face me, and is walking backwards up the ramp into the garage.

I raise my eyebrow and take a big flirty step toward her. “Really?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m so surprised. Because you’re such an open book.”

She gives me my favorite Shane grin, lopsided and wry. “This way,” I say, jerking my head toward the stairs. “This elevator is slow as Corky on downers.”

She smiles, shaking her head back and forth. “You’re so going to *****.”

“I’ll save you a seat, sweetie. So, what are these things about you that I don’t know that I’d find so shocking?” I stop halfway up the first flight of stairs, facing down, smiling, and she has no choice but to stop or run into me.

“Well,” she grins, rising to the challenge, dipping dangerously forward into my personal space. “Let me think.”