�Well, then what? This is life and death to me now, Andy. If you value our partnership and our friendship, I think you should throw me a bone here.�

�It�s not HIV. The doctor told her you gave her genital warts.�

�Me?!�

�Yeah. So, not to worry.�

�Okay, so how do you explain all that throwing up? I thought she had some kind of AIDS flu thing making her do that, but now...� Danny watched Andy�s face, and again saw his eyes wandering aimlessly around the room. �Andy, is she pregnant?�

�Anything she told me, she said in confidence, Danny.�

�Is it mine?�

�Danny, how about you ask her these kinds of questions yourself?� Andy was red and his veins were pulsing. �Now, how about you get out of here and let me finish dinner with my son. Okay?� Danny retreated as ordered and left Andy�s apartment, stumbling down the hall.

�Oh, my God,� Danny mumbled as he walked. �I�m going from a deadly contagious disease to a lifetime commitment in one evening. This is too much.�

Diane toweled off her hair and climbed into bed, tucking the heavy blankets and comforter around her. She leaned over and took one last sip of her herbal tea, then twisted the light switch. She was enveloped in darkness, and she sank back into her fluffy pillows. Three deep heavy breaths, and she was totally relaxed. Dr. Hubley had indeed shared a wonderful relaxation technique, and Diane was grateful. And worried about her. More deep breaths. Clear the mind. Sleep.

It was getting harder to breathe. The pressure was growing, and before she realized what was happening, she felt his weight on top of her. Her arms and legs were pinned. She couldn�t move. The air in her room was warm and salty, smelling of the sea. Not the cold, old dirty smell of the Hudson River, but a warm, clean aroma mixed with orchids and hibiscus, a tropical sea smell. She inhaled deeply, imagining herself on a tropical island.

She smelled the alcohol before she felt him, that sweet pineapple and rum of the Mai Tai. The tall, tan man with thick, shoulder-length brown hair and green eyes was lying on top of her, breathing into her face. He put a hand on her face and traced the outline of her jaw, then ran a finger over her lips. Everywhere he touched, her skin tingled deliciously. He stretched his neck and allowed his sensuous, curved lips to explore her neck and jaw, resting finally on her lips, then continuing to her cheeks, eyes and forehead. He was gentle and affectionate, but he was passionate at the same time.