"All right, I forgive you." She pats his arm. "But don't complain if I laugh at yours."

"I confess I'm having some trouble coming up with something embarrassing enough to qualify without being too embarrassing to share on a first date."

"You're not trying to weasel out of this, are you?"

"I would never."

"Well that was the least convincing denial I've heard in a while."

"No comment. But no, honestly, I am having trouble."

"We can leave it for now. You don't giggle like you're conjured out of a romance novel. I'm not sure how I expect the male leads in romance novels to giggle but it isn't like that."

"I choose to take that as a compliment."

"Smart move." She tugs on his elbow slightly and they start walking again. "So, how about a non-embarrassing fact?"

"Actually," he says, "before I get into that, would you mind terribly if I stepped away for a moment? I think I caught a glimpse of an old friend just now and I want to go say hello, ideally without embarrassing myself in front of my very charming date if it turns out I was seeing things."

"Sure, go ahead," she says, in the manner of someone who very definitely knows there's more to this story and is politely not grilling him about it.

"Thank you. I appreciate your understanding."

He leans down and kisses her on the cheek, and then heads in Cyrille's direction.

Liesel stays right where she is, touching her cheek with her fingertips and smiling a deeply charmed smile.

Well.

Can't win them all.

"Cyrille," he says when he reaches her. "Nice to see you. Mind fucking off?"

"Serafin. Nice to see you too." She considers. "Maybe later."

"Is there a particular reason you're stalking me tonight?"

"I stalk everyone, haven't you heard? Today I drew your name from the hat, sorry, happens to everyone." She smiles. "I didn't know you went on dates. Feeling lonely?"

"She's cute, isn't she? She's mine and you can't have her," he says, smiling right back.

"You're lucky Yvette likes you. Or does she still?"

"Last I heard. You know something I don't?"

"Probably. But I'm bored of this conversation now, have fun with your date."

"Have a nice night," he says pleasantly, and he turns around and walks back to Liesel. By the time he reaches her, he has an actual smile on his face instead of the expression of polite loathing he always ends up having around Cyrille. He offers her his arm again.

She takes it. "All caught up with your friend?"

"Yes, but let's not talk about her."

And off they stroll again.