“Is all of this something unusual?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I don’t know, Buddy. I’ve never done this before.”
He looked skeptical. “You’re not having a virgin’s reaction, if you know what I mean. It’s all right,” he quickly added. “I didn’t expect you would, and I’m fine with that.”
How was I to explain any of this to him, if I couldn’t explain it to myself? He saw how I was struggling to find some explanation.
“Hey, don’t sweat it. I hate people who make love and then sit around analyzing it all day. It is what it is, and for us, no matter what, it’s wonderful. Short and simple.” He waited for my agreement, and when it didn’t come fast enough, he asked, “Right?”
“Yes, Buddy. It was wonderful, and I’m happy I came here to be with you.” I reached for my clothes and began to get dressed.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“Yes, Buddy.”
“I didn’t mean to move so fast, but—”
I looked at him and put my finger on his lips. “You mustn’t apologize for passion,” I said.
He smiled. “It was like it was all meant to be, even this secret rendezvous. Hey, we’re like Romeo and Juliet. What’s in a name and all that stuff.”
I turned away. If he only knew how true that was. We didn’t come from warring families, but we came from two worlds so different that we might as well. I could sense how my silence was making him nervous.
“You know I mean for this to be more, Lorelei. I wasn’t looking for a one-night stand.”
“I know.”
“You’re not saying anything,” he said. “Y
ou’re not angry, are you?”
“Oh, no, Buddy.”
“Then what is it? Your father? Your sister? I mean—”
“Let’s not talk about it anymore, Buddy. You were right. Just enjoy and live in the moment without doing an autopsy.”
I saw the confusion in his face. “Autopsy? Nothing died here, I hope.”
“No,” I said. I smiled as warmly as I could. “Something was born here.”
That pleased him. “Great.”
“But let’s leave it be for now,” I said.
“That’s fine, as long as I can see you and be with you.”
What was I to tell him, to promise him? “We must not say things that will disappoint us in the end,” I said.
“Why must there be an end?”
“There always is.”
He shook his head. “I swear, I don’t know what makes you so cynical, Lorelei. You’re too young to be this cynical. Unless you’ve been hurt badly in a love affair. Have you?”
“I know you don’t believe me, but this is my first love affair,” I said.
“Mine, too. I mean it. Don’t smile. I’ve been with other girls, yes, but I’ve never felt as strongly about any as I do for you.”