“Don’t know him,” Alisha mused, then leaned forward with a mischievous glint in her eye. “Okay, but before we get out the ruler… Juni, let’s discuss strategy. You need to show off what Daniel maybe hasn’t seen of you yet.”

Juniper raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“Stand up,” Alisha commanded, gesturing with her hands. When Juniper complied, Alisha circled her appraisingly. “How’s your posture been around him? Stand straighter, hun. You gotta open up your bishops early in the game.”

“Alisha!” Juniper laughed, but straightened her shoulders anyway.

“I’m serious! You need to restrain his center… if you know what I mean,” Alisha said with a wink.

Juniper’s eyes widened. “Oh my God, what?”

Alisha grinned wickedly. “That’s what I learned recently from my lessons… double fianchetto… gotta get the juicers out early.”

They both dissolved into laughter, Juniper shaking her head in disbelief at her friend’s titillating remarks.

“I know you, Juni,” Alisha continued, catching her breath. “Always with that particular adornment to tradition… butttt…”

She drew out the word dramatically, placing a hand over her heart.

“I know you’re one of those girls always practicing type safety, but life is so much simpler if you just opened them up a bit.” She made a subtle blooming gesture with both hands, glancing meaningfully at Juniper.

“Some people are so old-fashioned… like you… but then you see those very same girls…”

She paused for effect, widening her eyes dramatically…

“Early morning walking home with the drip…”

She shook her head slowly, adopting a tone of mock concern.

“My goodness”

“Doesn’t seem very safe to me, now does it?” She paused again, fixing Juniper with an exaggerated knowing look, one eyebrow raised and lips pursed in barely contained amusement.