She glanced up with surprise at his suggestion and found he was frowning at his own words.
"Or, maybe I'll change that to I promise only to put the whammy on other women and not actually bite them," Greg decided. "As you say, I can practice the biting part on you, and I'd really rather not get that close to another man."
Lissianna grinned with amusement as she finished her letter and stood. "But you don't mind me getting that close to other women?"
"Hmm." He considered it briefly, looking torn, then sighed. "Okay, so amendment number two, I'll cure your phobia so that you don't have to bite anymore at all, and I--"
"Greg," she interrupted gently and he paused to glance at her questioningly. Lissianna moved to collect her purse and coat, and said, "We can discuss this when we get home too, but right now we need to get moving, the sun will be up soon."
"Yeah." A crooked smile curving his lips, he caught her hand and walked her to the door.
Father Joseph was standing at the end of the hall when they left her office, and Lissianna slipped her hand selfconsciously from Greg's when she saw him. She had barely done so when the priest glanced their way.
"All set?" he asked, as they approached.
"Yes." Lissianna smiled as they reached the door, then commented, "I'm surprised Kelly isn't already here. Has she called in sick?" While Claudia filled her position on those evenings Lissianna had off, Kelly was the girl who filled her position during the day shift. She was usually there before Lissianna left.
"No." Father Joseph shook his head. "I told her you had someone in the office with you, so she went down to the kitchen to fetch a cup of coffee. She should be along soon."
"Oh, okay." Lissianna smiled. "I guess I'll see you tonight, then."
"Yes. Have a good day," Father Joseph said, then glanced at Greg, and added politely, "It was nice meeting you."
"It was nice meeting you, too, Father," Greg answered, then opened the door for Lissianna.
"Where's the Jeep?" Lissianna asked, as they crossed the parking lot.
"You mean Thomas's Jeep?" Greg asked with surprise.
"Yes. Didn't you borrow his Jeep to come get me?"
"No. I brought my own car," he said, then explained, "We picked it up when Thomas took me to my apartment to pack a suitcase. He drove back in the Jeep and I followed in my car. It makes me feel less like--"
"A prisoner?" Lissianna asked softly when he cut himself off.
Greg grimaced, but nodded as he led her to a dark BMW. He unlocked and held the front passenger door for her to get in, then closed it and walked around to the driver's side. Lissianna leaned over to unlock the door for him, then sat up as he got into the car. She did up her seat belt as he stuck the key in the ignition and turned it, then raised her eyebrows when nothing happened. Frowning, Greg tried again, but the engine wasn't even turning over.
"What the--?" He pumped the gas pedal a couple of times and tried once more, then cursed with frustration when nothing happened.
Lissianna bit her lip as he tried again. "Maybe we should call a taxi."
"It was working fine on the way out here," Greg muttered, trying once more, then a tapping sound on the window made them both jump and glance out at Father Joseph. The priest stood on the pavement outside the driver's door.
Greg rolled down the window when he gestured and the man asked, "Problem?"
"It won't start," Greg muttered, trying again.
Father Joseph watched him turn the key, and frowned when nothing happened. "It must be the starter. It isn't even turning over."
"No, it isn't," Greg agreed, sitting back in his seat with a sigh.
The old man hesitated, then said, "I was just going to pick up some supplies. I could give you a lift. Where were you going?"
"Oh, that's sweet, Father, but it's probably way out of your way," Lissianna said, then mentioned the area her mother lived in.
"Oh!" Father Joseph exclaimed, brightly. "That isn't far from where I'm headed. It must be providence. Come along, I'll have you home in a jiffy."
Turning away without waiting for a response, he walked to the van with the shelter's logo on the side, and Greg glanced at her in question.