“And you had a way with the ladies,” she said. “But you definitely traded down.”

The guy next to them noticed the tension and shifted awkwardly. Maddy snapped her fingers. “Skedaddle.” She stared him down and thumbed over her shoulder. “Well?” After a few seconds, he sighed and left in search of warmer climes.

The brunette hopped aboard the empty stool.

“So what are you doing in town?”