Just a kiss.

Who was I to deny her a small kiss? Elizabeth wouldn't mind if I told her right away. A small kiss?

I rose from Elizabeth's bed, and she rose to meet me.

My heart beat heavily. I put my arm over her shoulder to steady myself, to draw her in. Li closed her eyes first, parted her lips slightly, and felt the firm plushness of her lips. Our lips parted, and we deepened the kiss.

Then she broke off, both hands on my chest pushing me away. She smiled. "Elizabeth is better, but you will do."

The door opened and Elizabeth dropped her book bag on the floor. She was a vision in warm weather clothes: long, smooth legs under shorts, dark hair rippled onto bare shoulders, and generous cleavage. The two of us standing in the room's center must have made a strange scene, but Elizabeth didn't mention it.

Elizabeth welcomed me with a kiss. Li resumed her former place at her computer, headphones on.

As we were walking to lunch, I confessed to Elizabeth.

"I'm relieved, actually. I thought last night... that you... it might have been strange? I mean, it's not as if we set new boundaries, but...I'm not sure how this works anymore."

"It works however we want it to," I began, "but I wanted to tell you that I think it's time to stop. I don't want anybody else but you, Elizabeth."

"I've been thinking, actually, that...well, this all started when I... you know, with your friend. It ought to end the same way, right?" (What was I hearing??) "I've talked to Li about our... arrangement. I think that we can help her out. Like I helped your friend. And that would be the end of it."

She smiled like we were talking about offering Li homework advice.