Frankly, he had expected Rick toput up more of a fight earlier on, but he knew it would come at somestage. He rubbed Rick’s shoulder for a minute or... two and then gentlysaid, ‘I thought you were enjoying it, Rikkie. That's what it seemedlike last night, baby.’ Chris knew this was the moment of truth. He hadto go carefully here or Rick would lose it completely.Rick shook, then nodded his head. ‘I did, but I’m so confused. I don'tknow what I am anymore.’Chris put his arm back around Rick’s. "Matthew, I'm ashamed to say I enjoyed it and it did turn me on but I don't know why. It is wrong and it never should have happened. I don't know what we do now. I'm scared. Hold me please."Sarah started to cry and Matthew held her sister to comfort her but both of them could feel the same feelings returning from last night. Sarah was getting turned on but didn't want to say anything, for Matthew it was a lot more difficult to hide his feelings on the subject. Sarah could feel how it was. Nothing ever clicked, though. I didn’t quite give up, but . . . well, I more or less gave up.Lily was there to support me and keep me company, and by the time she hit high school, so were her friends. I would be amazed that anyone could have so many—I’m a confirmed introvert, though many people find that hard to believe—except that her mother was the same way. The group changed somewhat over the years, but the same seven girls were always at the center: Lily, Abby Daniels, Bailey Rivers,. . I can live with that. What about sleeping on board Thursday night?”“I was intending to. You’re welcome to join the ship any time from about 1700.”“That’s good. Would you like supper together, say 1930, Thursday?”“I’d love to. Would you like me to pick you up, or would you prefer to make your own way there?”“It would make sense to go together, wouldn’t it? I’d like to be there by 1800, if that’s alright.”“Sounds good! I’ll call for you 1730.”I left shortly after that, pleased that we’d been so.