The Ugly Secret

me for her. I shared something private with her, something not even my best friends knew. "It makes me fe

hers so I could wipe

kind of know how you feel. My dad was killed in a hunting accident when I was two. I don't remember m

went to live with my aunt and uncle, but a little part of me felt like I had to grow up quickly for my

"To dorky parents and the n

and our drinks

mall talk and getting to know each other better. It was so much different without Alexander and Ch

couple of hours away. She liked living at the beach

he clubs, we walked together up and down the strip, sometimes stopping in at one of

verload and Sarah had them make up some concoction of M&Ms, Oreos

hawt was beyond me. I'd be as big as a house

back along the beach, each of us holding our shoe

even better. I lost track of time walking up and down the

boardwalk were closed and that the

flashed me an embarrassed smile. "It's 10:

was sad that our night was ending. "But I

arah grinned

for a moment. It was then that I t

, round in just the right places and her angular features gave her an exotic look that mad

y the woman at my side. She was the kind of woman men would fight duels over. I'd hav

to do next. It really

out and took my hand.

I had never held hands with a woman before made me wonder if I had bitten off

e close to her. I needed to be close to her. We walked qu

partment and I led her to my

ys in my purse, fina

... like to com

in her eyes. I could te

a regretful sigh. "We hav

she taken me up on the offer, but I looke

hands and my eyes

ight," she said quietly, a hi

, t

?" The hopeful look in her eyes

d. "But next ti

led awk

truth time. At le

s. I felt her tug slightly

ft and warm. A shiver ran from the top

throw my arms around her but I couldn't.

took me a second to open my e

ftly, unaware that I

smiled

ands and took a step back. "I'll call you tomo

arah inside with me and never let her go. But another, possibly more rational, part w

t things for our next outing, then turned and walked back to her car. I w

ide and closed the door. My hands still smell

h to the back of my apartment. Falling onto the bed, I ima

in and again until I fina