Ally gasped and took a step back as she rounded the top of the stairs. John lunged to keep her from falling, but only succeeded in grabbing her butt. Ally’s head spun around, and she stared at him in utter amazement. John’s faced turned 3 shades of red.

Blink. Blink. Blink. The moment stretched on into moments until Ally swatted his hands away.

“Hands off the merchandise, Gropey McGropesAlot.â€? Ally said as she fought back a smile.

“I…I…I…â€? John’s hands withdrew into his pockets.

“I understand. Men, hormones, all that stuffâ€? Ally said with a giggle as she strutted into the upstairs hallway.

“It’s not like that…â€? he said defensively.

“It felt like that to me.â€?

“Like, What-ev-erâ€?, his Valley Girl impersonation made Ally laugh.

“Like, before you groped me, I was like going to tell you how this color was all like, you know, disgusting.â€? Ally mimicked.

John looked in amazement at the hallway and wondered when Sherwin Williams started carrying Desert Vomit Blossom.