“Hello, James,” Deven replied mildly. “Had any consensual sex lately?”

“A book is as private and consensual as sex.”

“Deven tilted his head again, set down his glass, and said, "Any fight between us, my Lady, will be short and unpleasant.""Just like you." Miranda bit back.Silence.Then Deven laughed.Miranda didn't, but she felt the tension in the air dispel and sat back with her wineglass."I like her," Deven told David. "She's bright and fearless, just like they say. Give her fifty years and she'll be a force of nature.”

“Alice!" said the visitor's mild voice, "am I late to-night?""You always seem late, but are always early.”

“What about James?”“James? James, the guy I work with? James who takes ice cream scooping more seriously than anyone should? James who almost had a nervous breakdown when the chocolate and rainbow sprinkles accidentally got mixed together? That James?”“He has a good work ethic. And he’s cute.”“Hello, I’m not thirty. I don’t want a good work ethic yet. I just want someone who can form complete sentences.”

“Have you been writing any personal experience articles lately?" the woman asked the writer. "No," replied the writer. "I've been busy having them.”