Later, when the game had run to silence, she became serious once more. "Sometimes when I wake up I can't believe my life has changed so much in three weeks. I've gone through emotions I didn't know I possessed." She turned and looked at him. "And every time it's been really, really tough, you're the one who's been there."
"You've used up your quota of thank you's. I won't accept anymore," he said.
She raised on an elbow, a broad smile growing across her face. "You know something? You're the only man besides my husband and maybe some doctors who's ever seen me naked-at least since I was a little girl!" She laughed and clutched his arm. "God, I can't believe I told you that! I swore to myself I'd never, ever mention it!" She covered her face. "I was so embarrassed I never wanted to see you again! And look, now I've gone and embarrassed you all over again!" He could feel his ears redden as he started to say something but she stopped him, still laughing. "No-it's all right! God knows you probably saved my life, at least from exposure or pneumonia. I wasn't even conscious of what was happening."
He smiled, in spite of himself. "I was nervous as a cat that you'd wake up but I had to do something. You were soaking wet and shivering like a leaf."
"No, no-don't tell me about it!" She paused, then asked, "Was there really a power failure or were you just saying that? No, no, don't answer that either. I don't want to know!"
"Totally black. I couldn't see a thing. So how did you know?"
She laughed and bit her lip trying to stop. "You put my panties on inside out!" Before he could reply, she jumped up, still laughing, grabbed his hand and tugged at him. "I can't stand this any-more-come on, let's put our feet in the brook!"
A perfect day doesn't make you feel less like a bastard for not being honest, for holding back important things from someone you care about, especially if that someone is the person making the day perfect. That was exactly how Dean felt after he dropped off Cynthia Byrne at her empty house. If she wanted him to come in, she didn't suggest it and he wasn't about to rush matters. Part of him felt like a pimply 16-year-old chasing the prom queen, while the rest of him was a lying, cheating sneak thief. He didn't like either feeling one bit. But being around Cynthia Byrne was worth all the aggravation of these mixed emotions.