“Thank you for loving me,” Christy said. “And for being patient. And for putting up with my crazy doubts and fears.”
“All part of the package. But they aren’t crazy. They’re pretty normal.” I waited a moment to let that sink in. Then I ventured, “Do you mind if I ask what started all this? I mean, something to do with you and Wren.”
“You probably figured it out.”
“You had sex with her and were feeling guilty?”
“You know me so well.”
“You wanna tell me about it? You don’t have to if you don’t want to, but… now I’m curious.”
“It wasn’t anything special. Well, it was, but you know what I mean. It wasn’t special-special, like the Polaroids or the things we do at the inn. It was just… the usual.” She glanced at me sideways to judge my reaction.
When I didn’t explode, she continued, “She’s been bugging me since we got back from Tahoe. At first I put her off because you and I had just moved in together. Then because we’ve all been so busy with school and stuff.
Also… ’cause I sort of felt like I needed to ask your permission or something.”
I shook my head.
“Now it seems silly, but at the time…?”
“Yeah, I understand.”
“Anyway, we sort of celebrated after I finished the sketches and her maquette. You were at judo and Trip was in class, and… one thing led to another.”
“Makes sense.”
“And then I’ve been sketching Delilah for the past week. She’s so beautiful and open about her body that I kinda think about… you know. And oh my gosh, Paul! Some of my fantasies would make the letters in Penthouse seem tame. I get the sense that she’s like me, but I can’t come right out and ask her. So I get all worked up and…” She shot me a glance.
“Wren and I’ve been meeting in Siobhan’s office after Delilah leaves,”
she admitted. “There’s a couch there, and we… um… you know.” She jumped when I burst out laughing. “What’s so funny?”
“Trip thought she was working late on her honors thesis.”
“Yeah, that’s what she said. And I let you think I was sketching Delilah. I sort of was, but… not really. I guess that means I lied to you.”
“A lie by omission, although not really. I never asked. I just assumed.”
“So… you aren’t upset?”
“No. Well, maybe a little, but only ’cause you felt guilty about it. I understand why you did, though. You’re still figuring out how this works.”
“I don’t know if I’ll ever figure it out. It’s all so confusing. And I can’t talk to Marianne about it.”
“Maybe you could talk to Erin. Or Leah.”
“I don’t know if I’m ready for that. She’s… so intimidating.”
“Who? Leah?” I shot her a glance. “Intimidating? She’s one of the nicest
—”
“No, not like that. It’s just that she’s so beautiful and exotic and—”
I chuckled. “Ah, I understand. You have a crush on her.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Not really. I mean, I know you better than anyone but your family and
maybe Wren—”
“You know me way better than any of them.”
“—but I just figured it out. So your secret’s probably safe.”
Christy folded her hands in her lap and sat in thoughtful silence for several minutes while I scanned the airspace, spoke on the radio, and began the pre-landing checklist.
“Sometimes I wish I could be normal,” she said when I finished.
“I’m happy you aren’t.”
“Do you really mean that? You aren’t just saying it to cheer me up?”
“I’ve dated normal girls,” I said. “It didn’t work out.”
“Yeah, but you dated others like me, and they—”
“I’ve never dated anyone like you.” I spared some attention from the landing pattern and gave her a quick look. “This is going to sound like a cliché, but you’re one in a million.”
She rolled her eyes. “Even I know you haven’t slept with that many women.”
It was such a Danny comment that I almost laughed, but I kept it to myself and went on seriously, “I can’t describe it, especially since I have to concentrate on landing, but you’re the only one I’ve ever felt this way about.
You’re the only one I want to spend the rest of my life with, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.”
“Now you’re going to make me cry.” She dug in her small purse and then scanned the cockpit. “Doesn’t this stupid thing have any tissues?”
“’Fraid not,” I said with a grin. “Sorry.”
She rolled her eyes and then wiped them with her sleeve. “Thank you,”
she said quietly. “You always find a way to make me feel better.”
“It’s my job. And I enjoy doing it.”
“Well, you’re very good at it.” She clasped my hand between hers and raised it to her lips for a kiss. Then she gave me a teary grin. “I’ll let you fly now. But once we get to the inn, I’m going to attack you.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Life didn’t quite work out the way we’d planned.
Damon picked us up at the airport and took us directly to the ski shop in
the village. He’d picked out several combinations of equipment, and the shop technician was waiting on my decisions to fit everything for me.
I didn’t exactly choose by looks alone, but Damon and the tech quickly went over my head with details. In the end, I decided on Olin skis paired with Salomon boots, bindings, and poles. I thought they’d look cool with my outfit, but the experts said I’d made good choices.
“We’ll have them ready for you in the morning,” the tech said.
“Thanks. Do I need to pay for everything now?”
“In the morning’s fine.”
“My dad said to give him the employee discount,” Damon said.
“You got it.” The man smiled and took everything to the workshop in the back.
“My mom asked if you’d like to meet us for dinner,” Damon said on the short drive to the inn.
I glanced at Christy but already knew the answer. “Sure, sounds great.”
“My dad wants to meet you,” he explained. “He has a bunch of questions about flying.”
Damon carried our luggage to the room—our third, although it was similar to the first two—and then politely told us that his family would meet us in an hour.
“I know I promised to attack you…,” Christy said after he left.
“Let’s do it after dinner.”
She sighed in relief but immediately looked concerned.
“You can wear underwear.”
“Oh my gosh, thank you! I was worried…”
“That’s okay. But I’m going to tease you mercilessly anyway.”
Her eyes flashed with excitement, so I dug in the side pocket of our suitcase and pulled out several old neckties and a couple of taper candles.
The ties were from the seventies, ones I’d inherited from my dad. They were completely out of fashion, but perfect for other uses. The candles had come from the dining room sideboard at home. Christy stared at them in confusion.
“I don’t get it,” she said at last.
I moved closer, until she had to look up at me. Then I said softly, “I’m going to tie you to the bed and drip hot wax on your nipples. Then I’m going to tease you until you beg me to let you come.”
She actually squeaked, although more from excitement than fear. Her eyes darted to the candles and then back to my face.
I nodded.
“And you’re going to make me wait? Till after dinner?”
“Mmm hmm.”
“That’ll be, like, hours.”
“Mmm, I know.”
“Oh my gosh! I don’t know if I’ll make it.”
I chuckled evilly. “That’s why I told you.”
She implored me with wide, bright blue eyes.
“Uh-uh. Now come on, Little Bit. Let’s unpack and get settled. And if you ask very nicely, I’ll give you a semen appetizer before dinner.”