In front of everyone B gave me the good news, and then said, “We need to discuss the details. You will join me for a meal.”With a wave of her hand... she dismissed everyone—including the F-Man, to my amazement. A richly laid table was whisked in, set for two, the food and wine followed, and in no time we were sitting there, completely alone.“I can’t begin to tell you how delighted I am, y—”“Stop,” she said imperiously, staring at me. We sat for a long moment, looking into one another’s eyes; hers. Paul looked across to Brooke who nodded her unspoken sympathy, squeezed his arm for a show of support. Her face was somehow the same – but different. Less attractive than he remembered, but the unmistakable pangs of the familiar. Something in the eyes, he thought, troubled, sad, dealing with her own grief in her own way, but still lovely. He felt connected to her in a way he couldn’t understand, let alone express, by memory and fantasy. She said she had driven the girls in on the Mass Pike,. I'll tell you about the obnoxious woman later. This time Rex intentionally but slightly inserted his palm into my cheeks. After we got on the elevator, he immediately began to kiss the back of my neck. I melted. Another couple got on at the next floor. They asked if we were on our honeymoon. I said, "Second honeymoon." Sorry, dear; it just seemed like a cute thing to say, given the circumstances! Lol! He opened the door to his room, took the DO NOT DISTURB sign and hung it outside. Then he. Is it my heart?” He asked weakly. Jake responded by placing his hand on Ryan’s chest. It felt like his heart was about to explode, it was beating so fast, every once in awhile interrupted by a terrifying break in rhythm, as if it was trying to quit. It was a different beat now. Thud thud THUD thud. Thud thud THUD……..THUD THUD THUD thud. “Jake? Jake!” It hurts man, it hurts!” Ryan sat up in bed, both hands clutching his chest in agony. “Just stay put. I’ll call Jackie,” Jake replied. “It.