“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.”

“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.”

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

“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.”

“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.”

“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 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.”