“How do you mistake love?” Halle asked. Maybe she was mistaken also?
“There are many kinds of love,” Arel said.
“Are there?”
“Do you love Derek as you love your father?” A grin was in Arel’s voice.
“Family is different!” Halle pushed the other woman’s shoulder.
“I love you,” Arel said softly, stilling Halle. The Western woman leaned close, placing a gentle kiss on Halle’s forehead. “I don’t love you as a lover. But I love you wholly and completely nonetheless.” Halle suddenly felt like crying. “And I love Derek—but as my friend; I didn’t and don’t want him between the sheets. When I kissed him, it was strange, awkward; there was nothing to it other than a kiss.”
“I see,” Halle barely said over another yawn. She wondered if she kissed Derek what she’d feel.
“Let’s go to sleep, Halle.
