Window on Yesterday by Joan Hohl Page B

excitement. “Tell me, Alycia.”
    For the space of a deep, calming breath, Alycia considered prudence then tossed caution aside. “I was imagining being with you, being held by you, the way we were ... was it only yesterday?”
    “Does it matter?” The thread of intensity woven through his low tone told her that it was not as simple a query as it appeared to be. While asking, Sean was also trying to tell her how unimportant he felt time to be.
    Alycia now understood and accepted his belief. “No, Sean, it doesn’t matter at all.”
    “Good.” He expelled the word on a relieved sigh. “I want to see you tomorrow, today, whenever.”
    Alycia smiled and curled one finger around a strand of silky hair. “And I want to be with you ... whenever.”
    “Would you like to go out or stay in?” He was all business now, brisk and determined.
    “Stay in” she replied at once.
    “I’ll bring the pizza.” Amusement enriched his voice. “Okay?”
    “Bring enough for four.”
    “Of course.”
    “Thank you.”
    “For what?” Sean asked in genuine puzzlement.
    “For accepting my friends.”
    “I like them, but”—Sean paused to add emphasis to his tone—”I’d accept them even if I didn’t particularly like them, simply because they are your friends.”
    “I know.” And suddenly Alycia did know, with utter conviction, that Sean was prepared to accept almost anything, just to be with her. She knew, because she felt exactly the same way about him.
    “Good night, sweetheart.”
    “Good night”—Alycia’s hesitation was very, very brief—”sweetheart.”
    * * * *
    The pattern was thus set for the remainder of that week. If Alycia had paused to consider it, which she didn’t, she might have concluded that Sean’s courtship of her was somewhat confined, yet not confining.
    They were rarely alone together. Still, they were together, and that was all that really mattered. They laughed often and freely, and their shared laughter was a strong property in the cohesive working to bind them one to the other.
    Alycia reached the decision to put her friends into the picture the moment she reached the breakfast table the morning after Sean’s nocturnal call. Displaying her usual concerned curiosity, Andrea gave Alycia the perfect opportunity to explain.
    “Did you have a good time with Sean last night?” she asked innocently.
    Noticing that Karla was suddenly all ears, Alycia smiled and nodded. “I had a very good time,” she answered, somewhat amazed at the steadiness of her hands as she poured coffee into her cup. “In fact, Sean and I both had such a good time that we decided to do it again this evening.”
    “Do it?” Karla arched her delicate eyebrows. “Do what?”
    “Karla!” Andrea groaned. “Must you be so nosy?”
    “It’s the only way to learn anything,” Karla retorted without bothering to as much as glance at Andrea. “So, what happened?” she demanded, giving Alycia a penetrating look.
    “Nothing, and everything,” Alycia murmured, her smile curving softly. “We had dinner. We danced. We talked. I fell in love.” Her dreamy-voiced admission had the impact of a small bomb.
    “What!” Karla exclaimed.
    “Huh?” Andrea looked stunned.
    Alycia sighed. “I said I fell—
    “We heard what you said,” Karla cut her off impatiently. “The question is why? How?”
    “That’s two questions.”
    “Cute.” Karla’s lips puckered into a sour curve.
    Ever compassionate, Andrea reached out impulsively to grasp Alycia’s hand. “If you’d rather not talk about it...” she began, falling silent when Alycia shook her head.
    “I don’t mind talking about it.” Alycia lifted her shoulders in a helpless shrug. “It’s just that there’s really not much to talk about. I can’t explain something I don’t understand myself.” Her expression grew pensive. “As you both know, I certainly didn’t plan on falling in love. Falling in love wasn’t on my list of things to do. But...”