Jane said when he arrived at the office. She had his calendar and coffee ready, just as she usually did. “How was the dinner?” “It was nice. You should have gone.” He had offered to get her a pair of tickets. Malcolm gingerly set down his case. He was still babying his bruised arm a little. “Why are you holding your arm that way?” she asked as Malcolm sat down. “I got punched protecting Gary from an enraged boyfriend.” He settled in his chair and got comfortable. “Is that why you look like crap?” She stepped forward and began fussing with his tie. “Okay, I’ll give you the condensed version. I had fun. Hans and I danced. It was nice. I stepped in to break up a fight between Gary and his date’s boyfriend and took the punch. My shoulder is bruised, and it hurts. We left after that. At my house Hans kissed me, but I freaked, so I doubt he’s going to want to see me anymore. I feel like an idiot, and now I’m going to have to deal with the fallout of Gary’s bad behavior.”
