Social sense.

Stella stopped, which forced him to stop, too.

"Thank you so much, both of you, for your warm welcome. I can't wait to celebrate with you tomorrow."

"Thank you!" Molly beamed and then hugged her. "I'm thrilled that you'll be there!"

After another round of hugs and handshakes, Stella followed Mike outside.

"Where did you learn to do that?" he said to her, once they were out on the street.

Do what?" she asked him. He hadn't let go of her hand, and she certainly wasn't going to be the one to let go.

" 'Thank you so much, both of you!' " he said in a high-pitched voice. She swatted him with her clutch.

"We have not known each other long enough for you to make fun of my voice!"

"I wasn't making fun of your voice." He squeezed her hand. Okay, so he did realize they were still holding hands. "I was making fun of what you said."

"Give me a break." She turned in the direction of the BART station. "Where did I learn basic social graces? Where did I learn how to say please and thank you? I don't know, I think my parents taught me when I was two."