The girl’s eyes widened faintly. For a moment she could only stare back. “Really…?” she asked at last, very quietly.
“God, I—” Trembling, he had to struggle to restrain his emotions. “Allison, honey, I know in one way we don’t even know each other, but in a different way it’s like somehow we have all along! I…” He blinked. “W-well, I’ve w-watched you for quite some time, and now I— Now I know!” he forced out helplessly. “I know that you’re as witty and clever and kind as you are beautiful. There’s the pretty head on those smooth white shoulders, and there’s the mind behind those huge dark eyes—all the thoughts, all the emotions, all the needs and the desires and the questions—and I-I want them all!”
“Bryce, I…” Off-balance, she hesitated, and yet he thrilled to the fact that her hand, in
