IT’S FOREPLAY (2)

"You love calamari," she said as I turned back to her.

"Yes," I agreed, a little startled. She laughed and swigged more of her beer.

"I'm sorry, I should have just let you say it, shouldn't I? Any time calamari comes up in a conversation, you mention that you love it. I was just saving you the effort."

I shook my head, wincing, and reaching for my drink, said, "Old friends I've never met can really mess up my vibe."

"Awww, Muffin, does your pussy hurt?"

Martini's are about as comfortable up the nose as anybody might expect. She was still laughing over a half emptied beer by the time I'd stopped spluttering enough to wipe the tears from my eyes.

"I can't believe you said that," I sniffled.

"Sorry," she laughed. "I knew a guy who used to say that. To his brother! It always amuses me."

"Ah well, serve me right," I said, and then returned immediately. "Well, the drinks aren't hardly fresh, but a moment like this demands a toast."

"It's been a long time coming, hasn't it," she mused, cons