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asked, taking out my wallet.
    â€œI’m giving you our special discount, so you don’t—”
    â€œI’ll take care of that!” Sharp Suit pushed past Dino Woman and whipped out a billfold.
    â€œHey!” she shouted, but a few more men stepped in front of her.
    â€œThere’s no need.” Elf Boy eyeballed Sharp Suit with a menacing expression. “I was about to say that she doesn’t owe me anything.”
    â€œThat’s okay,” I said firmly, tapping the counter and drawing their attention away from each other. “I can pay for my own drinks. Here.” I handed him a $20. “Please put the rest in the tip jar.”
    I stepped aside and headed quickly for the coffee bar. The barista, a slim pony-tailed blond girl with a lip piercing, looked at me, then peered down the length of the counter. The line was starting to snake around the shop. Alarmed, she darted over to the register. I heard some angry whispers, and then she came back, shaking her head.
    â€œI’m so sorry. What was your order?”
    I was too confused to be annoyed. Elf Boy had gone back to work and was waiting on Dino Woman, but he kept glancing my way. That I could tolerate, but not Sharp Suit, who waved and blew a kiss at me—he was old enough to be my dad! A guy next to me, also waiting for his order, caught my eye, and I mumbled, “Please save me from the weirdo convention that’s come to town.” What was wrong with these people?
    I turned back to the barista.
    â€œOne large chai and a double mocha latte with skim, please.”
    â€œComing up.” She smiled, obviously relieved that I wasn’t going to be difficult. Then she looked back at Elf Boy and rolled her eyes. “Men,” she grumbled.
    Cups finally in hand, I sashayed over to Shar, but my springy step died when I saw her. She sat, posed at the table, her long legs crossed and her slender fingers twisting her wavy blond locks. Her eyes flicked upwards toward the ceiling or down to the floor, but never at the tables around her—which were filled with guys of all ages. They were staring at her, drooly grins on their faces.
    â€œShar?” I whispered, standing there. “What’s going on?” I jerked my head as subtly as I could at the growing entourage.
    â€œI was just sitting here, and they started crowding around!” she said in a low voice. “What about him?” She pointed to something behind me. It was Sharp Suit, pushing his way through the now-crowded shop as he eyed our table.
    â€œHe offered to pay for our drinks,” I said, “but I have no idea who he is!”
    â€œAnd him?” She jerked her head at someone standing behind me.
    â€œI’m here to save you!” he gushed.
    â€œWe’d better go,” Shar said, quickly getting up to leave. A few of the guys around us got up. It was too much.
    â€œPlease, leave us alone!” I said loudly. Several of the men sat back down as we hustled out the door, Shar giving one last glance back. When we were a few blocks away, we ducked into the recess of a closed docking bay.
    â€œWhat happened back there?” she asked, breathless from our fast pace.
    All I could do was hold up the palm of my free hand in confusion. Elf Boy was definitely in an altered state, but the others? Whatever it was, there had to be a logical explanation.
    â€œCome on,” Shar said. “I need some retail therapy to calm my nerves.” She stepped out onto the sidewalk and I followed her. All seemed normal; people streamed around us, the usual pedestrian foot traffic. “We’ll go to Bendel’s first.” She grinned at me. “They have this eco-friendly bath line that even you can’t diss.”
    â€œWatch me,” I chuckled, but the laughter died on my lips as a few guys turned their heads to look at us. We hurried along, and didn’t stop until we reached the department store. We passed