She made a go-ahead gesture with her hand . He dove in. I'm here because I really like you because I may b e confused about a lot of things and maybe you're making a good point about the poo-poo face, but the fact is, I'm here right now because I can't stop thinking about you. I think about you all the time and when I do, I have this goofy smile on my face. It looks like this. Now it was his turn to demonstrate. So that's why I'm here, okay?That, Ali said, trying to hold back a smile, is a really good answer . He was about to crack wise, but he held back. With maturity comes restraint . Myron?Yes?I want you to kiss me. I want you to hold me. I want you to take me upstairs and make love to me. I want you to do it with no expectations because I don't have any. I could dump you tomorrow and you could dump me. It doesn't matter. But I'm not fragile. I'm not going to describe the hell of the past five years, but I'm stronger than you'll ever know. If this relationship continues after tonight, you're the one who'll have to be strong, not me. This is a no-obligation offer. I know how valiant and noble you want to be. But I don't want that. All I want tonight is you . A li leaned toward him and kissed him on the lips. First gently then with more hunger. Myron felt a surge go through him . She kissed him again. And Myron felt lost . A n hour later or maybe it was only twenty minutes Myron co l lapsed and rolled onto his back . Well? Ali said . Wow . Tell me more . Let me catch my breath . A li laughed, snuggled closer . My limbs, he said. I can't feel my limbs . Not a thing?A little tingle maybe . Not so little. And you were pretty good yourself . A s Woody Allen once said, I practice a lot when I'm alone . She put her head on his chest. His racing heart started to slow. He stared at the ceiling . Myron?Yes . He'll never leave my life. He'll never leave Erin and Jack either . I know . Most men can't handle that . I don't know if I can either . She looked at him and smiled . What?You're being honest, she said. I like that . No more poo-poo face?Oh, I wiped that off twenty minutes ago . He pursed his lips, frowned, and batted his eyes. But wait, it's back . She put her head back on his chest . Myron?Yes?He'll never leave my life, she said. But he's not here now. Right now I think it's just the two of us.

Chapter 6