“It’s not your imagination.”
“Worried that your father won’t like me?”
“Oh, he’ll like you.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I know what he likes.”
“So, why was there all that hesitation about me meeting him before?”
“Let’s not ask any questions for a while,” I said. “It’s too beautiful and peaceful here. I feel as if I’m in a painting, and I like that feeling.”
“Why?” he asked with a soft smile.
“It makes me feel all of this can go on forever,” I said.
“Why can’t it?”
I laughed. “You remind me of a little boy sometimes,” I said. “So innocent, so trusting.”
“Oh, and you’re Miss Sophistication, I guess, huh?”
“I don’t mean it to be a criticism,” I said. “I wish we could all stay young and innocent forever.”
He sipped his water. “We will.”
“Oh, and how?”
“Love can do that for you,” he said.
“Really? Why do you believe that?”
“Everything hard and difficult and even ugly seems far less so when you’re in love. When I met you, as quick as all this seems to be, I felt as if my eyes were opened wider, my ears could hear more. All my senses were unclogged, sharper. Suddenly, everything I did was… not exciting, exactly, but more joyful, and that keeps you young. Does that make any sense?”
“Yes,” I said.
“It was the same for you?” he asked hopefully.
“Yes.”
“Then you won’t laugh if I tell you I love you and want to be with you forever and ever.”
“I won’t laugh,” I said.
He lowered his glass to the tile and leaned over to kiss me. This time, I kissed him back. He took the glass from my hand and put it down gently. We kissed again.
“I can’t imagine ever being happier than I am at this moment. If I died tomorrow, I wouldn’t feel cheated.”
“But how can you be with me forever and ever if you die, Buddy?”
“You’re here,” he said, pressing his hand to his heart. “Locked in forever and always with me. If we never saw each other again after today, I’d see you everywhere in every woman’s face and hear you in every woman’s voice. You’ve possessed me.”
“That sounds like—”
“Delicious torment. Don’t stop.”
He kissed me again. Half of me wanted to drive him away and save him, but the half of me that wanted him was stronger. His hands moved over me, tugging at my clothes. I felt myself tighten in anticipation. Ava’s orders were to make love as much as possible before I brought him home. “His blood should be hot with passion and desire,” she had said.