April Lindner

“And then he reached toward me again, this time with both arms, as though he might wrap them around me to give me some comfort. But then he stopped, bit his lip, folded his arms, and strode away.”

“When Nico bent to kiss me, I shut my eyes, absorbing all that was familiar about him - his taste, the softness of his lips, his arms holding me steadily - and I could tell he was the same, drinking me in, committing my kiss to memory as we found our way home to each other in the gathering dark.”

“What?" He was frowning now. "No bathing suit? Are you sure you're not a nun?""Some nuns swim.”

“is there anyhope for me?""For a comeback, you mean?"He shook his head. "is there any chance I'll turn from plastic back to flesh?”

“Because I do have feelings, and if I were beautiful and talented and famous, I'd make it as hard for you to leave me as it is for me to leave you.”

“At the sight of him, I was clutched by a feeling like that precarious moment just past the top of a roller coaster's highest hill when gravity takes hold and the car barrels downward.”

“This can't be real," he said into my hair. "This has to be an acid flashback." I laughed, delighted to be in his arms. "I swear I'm not an acid flashback.”

“And he left me to dreams that were anything but sweet.”

“Don't pull away from me like I disgust you. You'll break my heart. - Nico”

“Every so often, a lightning flash would reveal us to each other, and the expression on his face - so rapt, so helpless, so utterly mine - was the most beautiful thing I ever expected to see in my life.”

“I think you'd be much better of marrying ME.""Miss Moore, are you proposing to me?" He affected a shocked tone."Yes Mr. Rathburn, and you'd better answer fast or I will rescind my offer.""Don't do that." His grip on my hand tightened. "Yes, Jane. My answer is yes.”

“And then I heard Nico's voice. It was a song I've never heard before. I struggled to make out the lyrics. "You were my hands," I heard him sing. "You were my eyes. There's nothing left to reach for now, nothing left to see.”

“Let to your own devices, you'd show up for the wedding in overalls," he said."But they'd be white ones.”

“I'd inquired him about being safe, he had reached into the drawer of the beside table and drawn out a satin-lined box of condoms. "Standard rock-star equipment," he'd said with a sly smile.”

“Come inside with me," he whispered, "and let me make love to you"-he undid another button-"all night along, and then all day tomorrow, and then the day after that...""You have a show to put on tomorrow night'" I reminded him.Mr. Rathburn -Nico- sighed deeply. He brushed my hair back again, tucking it behind my ears. "That's the spirit. You'll keep me honest, won't you?""I'll try.”

“That's three times you've hurt my feelings in one conversation," he said a bit gruffly."Three times?" I really hadn't mean to be rude.He counted on his fingers. "You don't like my music. I'm a soccer dad. And I'm good-looking... 'for a rock star'. ”