A Good Little Girl Like You (A Sample)

groaned. "I didn't mean it that way. I. . ."

O.E. cut her off. "Don't worry, I know. She's nice." He

reached out and took her hand. "I like you more." Rebecca

blushed. "Come visit me? Bring the slippers. We'll watch

Wizard of Oz."

Rebecca looked at O.E. and inhaled suddenly. He might

be a loser, but he still had animal appeal even with his head

messed up. And they did have an easygoing rapport and

shared a love of Oz. Perhaps they could get along. It really

helped that Constance Westerley, the rich hippie lawyer,

thought well of him. Rebecca decided to give him another

chance. Although she didn't know if they had a future

together, the present already seemed brighter. And when

she thought about his kiss, the present seemed very bright

indeed.

We won't be kissing like that for a while. Still, she

couldn't deny his magnetism. And he might be less

obnoxious without his big mouth. She accepted his offer.

"I'd like that. I have a business trip coming up in two days,

but I'll be back on the weekend. I might come over on

Sunday. You're at Dan's place, right? Where is that?"

O.E. took a pad of paper and wrote the address.

So carefree. Could she ever be that relaxed, not even

worried about where she was living, hopping from place to

place? Rebecca doubted it. And she never imagined herself

being attracted to someone like that, either. She always

thought she needed a man who was more like herself-

serious, capable, independent.

Like Quentin? She laughed inwardly when she realized

that her interest in Quentin might have been safer, but was

no less wrong than her interest in O.E. She decided to let it

go-stop trying to fix it. Who cares where he lives or how

poor he is? He made her feel good, even when he couldn't

talk.

She stood up and leaned over his bed, giving him a light

kiss on the forehead. "I guess you won't be giving me any

world-class kisses for a while."

He took her hand and brought it to his lips, giving it a

little kiss. "I have my memories."

Rebecca backed away from him until their arms were

fully stretched out, their hands still clinging to each other.

She gave his hand a squeeze and let go, stepping away from

the bed. "Get some rest, O.E. Feel better." They smiled at

each other and she left the room, hopping unaccountably,

every few steps as she walked down the hallway.