"Well, it's just that."Well, it's just that...you see, I simply..." I was floundering. "Shit. Well, I guess there's just no really elegant way to tell you how attracted I am to you, is there?" I just caught his surprised blink before I had to look away, trying desperately to control the embarrassment which washed redly over my face. I fingered the chilled glass of a pipet and remained silent while he dealt with my confession. An eternity seemed to pass before I heard him reply, "Holly...I don't know what to say." But I knew what he had to say: those words of contrite refusal which would end my childish fantasies once and for all. And to my surprise, I felt relief flooding through me at finally having faced the ghost of my attraction for him. The knowledge gave me the strength to meet his gaze again, and say the words which would make things less awkward for both of us. |