[ He returns to the present, but the images his mind conjured up are still lurking around at the edges of his awareness. Something about what he saw is telling him it's important. He better not forget it. ]

When you say a few of them, do you mean different towns? States? Both? [ She does kind of have the look of someone who gets around. He's just not sure how far she's come or how many places she's passed through. ]

Is it going to get people on your trail if you tell me where you've been? I'm only asking because I'm not really that well traveled, so... [ He trails off there, briefly thinking back to the small stack of travel magazines he stashed in one of his desk drawers. And then he huffs out a dry laugh. ]

Big time writer? That's not me. I'm no Stephen King or Dan Brown. Just because my books sell a lot doesn't mean that much. [ It does mean he gets to live a semi-comfortable life, but he wouldn't dare put himself on the same level as the greats of the writing world.

Honestly, he's not looking for much encouragement to take that last step. They're already so close to each other, faces just inches away, and that force that's pulling at him to just step over the threshold and connect with her seems to grow even stronger.

Well, here goes nothing. If she pushes me away or punches me, I guess that's my answer.

He leans in just a fraction more and his lips find hers, and for about five or ten seconds, he holds the kiss until he eventually pulls back. ]