Frank went inside to greet Matilda, while Lisa gave me her typical greeting.

“Anyone interesting I should know about?” My body froze for a second; I wanted to kick myself. “Hmm?” she purred in her innocent black widow way.

I realized I’d made the most amateur of all rookie mistakes: I’d provided fresh prey for this cold-blooded huntress. We walked in together as Frank said hello to Ted and Matilda.

“No,” I said emphatically. “There’s no one here for you.”

She stopped in her long-legged tracks when she saw Ted, jabbing me in the side sharply.

Noooooo! My world was beginning to spin out of control.

I grabbed her arm, again insisting, “Don’t even think about it. He’s off-limits.”

She shook me off and was within an inch of Ted in less than a second, she’s that good.

“Hello,” she said with her hand extended, “I’m Lisa.” She practically oozed warm and fuzzy. Black widows can be very deceptive when they wish.

Ted’s cheeks were crimson, and I cursed silently. His blush was just the sort of thing to set Lisa’s predatory heart aflutter. She has a particular fondness for virgins, which I’m guessing Ted was. The hamster wheel in my head began to turn fast as I had the fleeting thought of bashing my evil friend over the head with a frying pan, but it was too late, other guests were arriving. I had to greet them. I couldn’t tell if Ted was afraid or entranced by the she-devil.

Luckily, Matilda grabbed him by the hand, ushering him back to their game.

I had a very bad feeling about things.