“There’s a way to let girls down gently, you know.” “Why?” Neil asked, but Nicky only heaved a pitying sigh. Neil shoved his hands deeper in his pockets and looked at Dan. “Do girls need kid-glove treatment? I thought they were tougher than that.” Dan’s grin was approving. “Most of us are. Some of us are like boys, though, and have delicate egos.”