I licked my lips unconsciously, and saw her eyes widen just a bit. Again, I felt wetness between my legs.

A car honked impatiently behind us, and, as she moved to release her hold on me, I reached out and re-grasped one of her hands.

Without speaking she continued driving with one hand.

Okay, right. Where should we go for this talk?

I could take her for a walk on the beach, I thought.

I found my voice. “Can you hang a right at the next light, Aerin? We’re heading for the beach.”

Ten quiet minutes later, she found an available spot on one of the streets that led into Ocean Blvd., less than a block from it.

She shrugged as she joined me on the sidewalk, “what can I say? I’ve been lucky with parking tonight!”

I laughed lightly. “Don’t say that out loud. The universe may hear you and change your luck for the worse!”

She gave me a smile that made my heart race. “I’ve been plenty lucky, tonight, as it is, Harley, so I know the universe will be on my side. At least for tonight.”

I reached for her hand. She looked at my hand, hanging in the air between us.

I smiled at her, feeling confident, all of a sudden, and said softly, “I feel it, too. Aerin. It’s not just you whose heart is beating like crazy. So don’t leave me hanging like this.”

She looked at me with tears in her eyes.

“Jack?” she asked, so quietly that I almost didn’t hear it.

“I can explain, Jack. But there are other things I’d like to tell you about first.”

She took my hand in hers. For that moment, all was right with the world. And the universe was on our side.

But there were so many things to talk about, first.

And then it occurred to me. She’d mentioned other women earlier.

I released my hand from hers, and, after a beat she looked at me disappointedly.

“I’m sorry Aerin. You mentioned other partners earlier. At the restaurant? I don’t want to assume anything, so ….”

Before I could say anything else, she blew out an exaggerated breath, and grabbed my hand, saying, “No, I’m not seeing anyone else. Coast is clear on my side.”