She seemed to catch herself, or maybe the fact that I wasn’t returning her embrace finally registered, and she started to pull away in embarrassment. I warned myself not to, but I couldn’t stand the thought of putting a damper on her mood, so I pulled her back into my chest for just a few seconds more.

“You’re happy with your surprise; I take it.”

“Yes, very. I don’t know how you did it but thank you. I’ve always been afraid of something happening to the car ...