Recipe for Disaster

Tobias stood frozen for a moment.

Richard quickly put his arm around Vanessa's shoulders, introducing her. "Vanessa, this is Prof. Mercer, the golden bachelor from our department I always tell you about."

"Oh, not at all." Tobias smiled humbly. "Hi, pretty lady."

That 'pretty lady' rolled off his tongue naturally, and it put Vanessa in a great mood.

Richard was carrying a gift and about to walk in