I’D BEEN WORKING for most of the evening on a HAP fund-raiser when the phone rang for probably the twentieth time that day. Kate had called five times because she kept forgetting things during our previous calls. Sean called three times, twice to try to talk me into going clubbing that night, and the third time to tell me he’d decided to ditch the club scene and to ask if I wanted to watch the Lakers game at his place. Mom had called just to say hi, and, strangely enough, so had Abby. I was tired of talking to people, so I let the machine pick it up, but when I heard Grace’s voice, I nearly broke my ankle diving out of my chair.

“Screening calls?” she asked with a touch of bemusement.

“It’s been Grand Central Station here today; just didn’t want to talk to people anymore.”

“Ah, but you picked up for me?”

“You’re a different story.”

“Well, I’m flattered.”

I could hear the beguiling smirk in her voice, a tone I’d heard in the voices of countless women over the years, but never in hers. I was confused. “So,” I finally ventured, “you called back. I was starting to think I’d never hear from you again.”

“I know; I’m sorry it took me so long.” The flirt was gone from her voice; she sounded like the old Grace. “I just had to think for a while, you know?”

“Yeah, I understand. Listen, Grace, I really am sorry about … what happened. I swear to God—oh, sorry—I swear I have no idea what came over me.”

“Its okay, honestly. I’m sorry I just took off and then avoided you like that. I was just so shocked, I didn’t know how to respond.”

“So, now that you’ve thought about it, what’s your response?” I held my breath.

I could hear her take a deep breath. “Well … I really want for us to be friends. I really enjoy your company, and I’d like to see you again. Beyond that I don’t know.”

I almost laughed out loud I was so happy. “As long as you’re not dropping me like a bad habit, I’m up for any arrangement you want to impose.”

She returned my laugh. “How about I impose dinner on you? Here at my place, 6:30, Friday?”

“I’m up for that.”

“I’m glad.”

“Thank you for asking.”

“Thank you for accepting. See you then?”

“You bet.” We said our good-byes and then I stood, phone in hand, trying to comprehend this turnaround. It was the last thing I’d expected. I was on the brink of trying to analyze this sudden change of heart when I decided I didn’t much care what had caused it. The fact that she wanted to see me again was enough.