Demurely

She blushed, “Whisper…I’m at a loss for words.”

I grimaced and closed my eyes. Damn. I tried to think of something to explain myself, “Victoria, it was just…I got caught up in the moment. I’m sorry.”

She lowered her eyes demurely. “I never said that I didn’t appreciate it Whisper.”

The way she held herself and the words she spoke seemed to be in opposition to each other. Now it was my turn to be at a loss.

She just smiled at my awkwardness. “Let’s just forget it happened.” We walked back to her apartment in silence. She showed me to the spare bedroom and said goodnight.

I laid on the bed and stared at the ceiling, completely unable to sleep. Forget it happened. How could I do that? I could still feel her smooth lips against mine. I could still smell that mysterious perfume she wore. I could still taste her sweetness. Forget it happened. A woman who can’t remember the last two years of her life wants me to forget something that I would have gladly given up two years of my life for? Forget it happened. The words kept echoing over and over in my mind. I would never be able to forget it. Never.

In the morning, I got up, showered and got dressed. She was already awake and looking over our notes from last night.

“You started already?” I asked.

She said, “I haven’t slept much since this whole thing began. I guess I feel as if I’ve missed enough of my life already.” She points to the kitchen, “There’s coffee there if you want some.”

I grabbed a cup and sat down across the table from her. I had to say something. “Victoria, about last night…”

She interrupts me with a smile, “Thank you.” She says.

I am taken aback, “Excuse me?”

“Thank you for the kiss. It was rather sudden, but I did enjoy it. I can’t remember the last time I was kissed. And you know when I say that I mean it. Now, I know I gave you some mixed signals last night, but I just wanted to leave it at a kiss for now.”

The only thought that went though my mind was—even if I lived to be a thousand, I would never understand women. I smiled and said, “I think I understand.”

We spent the morning going through more paperwork. It was tedious and mind-numbing work. But, with her by my side, I didn’t mind it at all.

We had been at it for about three hours when I got up and yawned. Victoria looked up at me. “Want to take a break?’

“Nah,” I said, “I’m just going to go out on the balcony for a second.” I slid the glass door open and stepped out into the cool air. The wind blew past me and into the apartment sending papers and folder flying everywhere. I quickly ran back inside and closed the door.

“Damn it.” I said, “I’m sorry.” I hurried to help her pick up what had fluttered off the table. She just smiled that inscrutable smile she had. It was then that I noticed something…