Chapter 5

Quite frankly, his pursuit soothed my battered heart, and finally I consented to go on a date with him. But I warned him, “I’m through with love, Gary. Don’t fall for me.”

“You don’t have to warn me. I never do.”

“Don’t even talk to me in words of love.”

“I won’t, I promise. I just want to screw you.” He laughed when I raised an eyebrow at his frank words. “Have I shocked you?”

He had, since Justin and I had been so circumspect, but I was hardly about to admit it. “Is that what you wanted to do?”

“I just like to lay my cards on the table.”

“And so you have. And if I tell you that won’t be in the cards?”

“I’m a patient man. I’m willing to wait.”

“I won’t love you,” I warned him. “That would be a mistake.”

He smiled. “Ah, but the mistakes we regret the most in our lives are the ones we didn’t commit when we had the chance.”

“Are you quoting Helen Rowland to me?”