My shower is quick, and I pick out my dress as I let my hair dry a bit, only slightly recognizing how carefully I’m choosing what to wear.I feel but...erflies in my stomach, total schoolgirl style, but I’m anxious to see her again. Even if it’s awkward, I’m thirsty to look into those eyes again. Feel the burn between my legs from just her smell.And today isn’t just any day. It’s a pitch day. And I’m at my professional best when I’m in a pitch.The Uber to the office is a blur. I didn’t drive today. .." I said I don't want to talk about it." Can't we..." Go to sleep and forget about it. I won't talk about it."To say the temperature in our little house was icy, would be an understatement. On Thursday we hardly spoke five words, and even though Friday was a little bit better, it wasn't until Sunday that we came close to daily life. But I had a feeling that I should not bring up the subject, so I didn't.On the next Wednesday Lisa took our daughter to bed around nine, as usual. I didn't really. Tyler's voice was muchchastising. "Sorry," I sheepishly murmured into my corn flakes."What's wrong with you, Beth?" Tim asked, as bemused as he wasirritated. "You're making me feel like I got a pig up my nose!" No, it's nothing like that, Tim! It's -- It's ---!!" some sensiblecorner of my mind bit my rattling tongue and I sank back into my chairand stared my cereal bowl, nonplussed by my weird warm enthuse for mybest friend and also feeling something faceless but unspeakably damningabout. “Are you going to seduce me now?” she asked playfully, in case I wasn’t.“Well, I’m going to kiss you,” I said, and took as much of her into my arms as I could manage. She was wearing a black t-shirt and black jeans, with a bright home-made shell necklace like the guy made who sat outside the other bar every night. She kissed hesitantly at first, before again she came to accept her right to the situation and her tongue began to roam with confidence.I slipped my hand under her t-shirt and she sat.