"Well, it's about time you came home on time," Alanna said as I walked into the door of our apartment later that night. "To what do I owe this honor?"

I slipped out of my coat and hung it on the coat rack near the door. "You wouldn't believe it if I told you."

Alanna squealed, her voice raising three octaves. "You have a date?!"

I smiled. "And that's the first thing you thought of." I walked into my bedroom, shaking my head.

I had closed the door behind ...