"We'll see how long it stays that way," Annie murmurs, almost as an absent thought when really she couldn't be more deliberate in her teasing. She gives his arm one more brief squeeze and then moves to extricate herself, slipping away from his side and heading towards the porch steps, but not before waiting for him to follow so she can lead him down.

"Why don't we come back tomorrow morning and tackle everything then? 'Cause right now, I'm thinking it's closer to the hour where we should have a beer to celebrate this monumental day in our friendship."