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.