Is it working?

?Is it working?? I ask.

She laughs, ?In a clumsy, charming way.?

?Charming?? I repeat, and pretend to mull over the word, ??I do believe that?s British for ?sexy? if I?m not mistaken.?

She laughs and places her hand on my shoulder, ?Why Whisper, I didn?t realize that you had a sense of humor!?

?Most of the time it?s hidden under a carefully crafted shell of professional detachment, introspection, and overall irritability.? I say. ?But there?s something about you that seems to bring out something in me that I though I had lost some time ago.?

She tilts her head questioningly, ?What did you lose??

I sigh, ?I can?t remember. It?s been so long. Fun?joy?hope?hell, I don?t know.?

Cassey is smiling, but still looks puzzled, ?I can?t tell if you?re being serious or not.?

?Oh good, that means I have the upper hand in this relationship.? I quip, trying to keep things light hearted.

She shakes her head, ?You do know that if you try to keep score in a relationship, you will never win, don?t you??

?Believe me, I learned that lesson the hard way.?

?I get the feeling the only way you learn something is the hard way.?

I sit down on the edge of my desk. ?Most of the time it takes a couple of whacks, but after awhile, new things can be driven into my brain.?

She giggles and sits down next to me. ?You never answered my question, what did you lose??

I almost answer without even thinking, but then I pause. I barely know this woman, yet I feel at easy and completely comfortable around her, like we are old friends. I get the feeling that whatever I say, she would accept and understand. Should I just open myself and answer honestly?