The knock on the door came at last. Quickly, she jumped up from the couch where she’d been waiting impatiently. Checking herself in the mirror, she tried not to notice the newest lines on her face, and she pinched her cheeks hoping to give herself a bit of colour. She took a deep breath and took steady, measured steps to the door.

The knock came again and she turned the handle, swinging the door wide. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw the arresting blue eyes and hopeful smile that greeted her.

“Rich!” she cried as he swept her into his arms and drew her close, still holding the roses he had brought. She could feel that his heart was beating just as wildly as hers.

“Let’s go sit down,” he said with a smile, giving her a light kiss before leading her across the room. “How was your day?”

“Pretty uneventful,” she said as she left him to get a vase, “but so much better now that you’re here.”

“I’m so, so happy to see you too,” he responded with a smile. “I’ve got a bottle of Pinot in my carryall. Bring a couple of glasses and come sit down beside me.”

She sat to his left, watching his face as he poured the wine. He handed her a glass with a “Cheers!”

Taking a sip for courage, she looked up from under her eyelashes, hesitating before blurting out, “I thought maybe you’d changed your mind about us.”

“Changed my mind?… But why would you think that?” Rich asked, puzzled.

“I’ve been here all week and we’ve barely seen each other! What else could I think?” she exclaimed, tears forming in her eyes. “Every night watching all those women clambering for your attention and then, mostly, me walking home alone. You’re beautiful and passionate as Astrov, but I wanted to see you, Rich, one on one!”

“Oh, love. I’m so sorry I’ve made you feel so alone. That’s the last thing I’d want, especially after you came all this way.”

He sighed, saying, “I did try to tell you what it was going to be like if you came. I need that alone time every night to get back to myself or I’ll be no good to anyone. But really, I’m so grateful that you’re here. Please understand… I don’t know… Maybe I really am just too selfish for any relationship to work long-term.”

Now it was her turn to sigh. “Oh no, don’t feel bad. I’m glad to know I got it wrong. Both of us still have so much to learn about being together, apart. It’s not so bad when I’m at home working, but here…”

Rich put his arm around her shoulders, as she snuggled against him. “You do realize that it’s been two years since we met? It’s an anniversary of sorts. Remember that first night in Quebec, when you reluctantly met me for dinner? I wasn’t sure you’d even come!”

Blushing, she said, “Oh please! Don’t remind me! I was listening to one of your love poems and spilled my coffee all over the place! I don’t remember ever being so embarrassed!”

“But you’re not sorry, are you?” She shook her head and he continued, “I do ‘carry your heart’, you know, even when we can’t be together. And there are some advantages to all that distance… being a couple still feels so new in so many ways! Like for example, have I ever touched you like this…”

“Rich! Stop! … And, no… but later, please? Right now, I really want to talk to you about something.”

“Uh-oh… that doesn’t sound good. In fact, I’d say it’s every bloke’s worst nightmare!”

“Rich! Seriously!”

“Okay, okay,” he laughed, sheepishly, wondering what could possibly be coming.

“That interview you gave, the one in The Telegraph?”

“Oh come on!”

“No really, Rich. Hear me out,” she insisted. “Why did you make it seem like you were hiding something? Are you ashamed of me? Ashamed of being with an older woman? Is that why you were all vague, letting people think who knows what?”

“No! No!” Rich jumped up and started pacing the room. “I don’t know. I just don’t like being pressurized like that. Why should I give her anything real? I meant what I said… My parents always taught me that you don’t air your laundry, dirty or otherwise, in public and that’s what I believe too.”

“But why don’t you want anyone to know that we’re seeing each other? ‘Dirty laundry’? Am I really so horrible to look at? Do I embarrass you?”

“Oh, love, of course not! And I did say, ‘or otherwise’, you know. Look, I seem to be making a mess of this. Is it so hard to understand that such an important part of my life should be mine alone, or at least mine and yours? You’re beautiful, and I tell you that all the time, but I just don’t want to share you with the whole world!”

“Really? That’s all it is? You just want me for yourself?”

“Yes! Yes… please?” He had that hopeful smile on his face again. “Could I have you for myself right now?”

He looked so eager that she couldn’t help but smile back. “Oh, fine!” she conceded with a giggle. “But only if you really do touch me like that again!”

As she melted into his arms, she was sure that they really would figure it all out, and just for now, she was glad that they had this secret romance, all to themselves.

Two Straight Lines

by Walking on Cars

I know I’ve told you a hundred times
You’re the best thing about my life
Don’t wanna be anywhere but you

Now I know that I love this place
You know that I love your grace
Don’t wanna be anywhere but you

I’ll be the king of your castle
Of my eye you’re the apple
Your crazy heart I can handle

I wanna wake up beside you
Til the end of time
We can stay here forever

We’re like two straight lines

So glad that I said hello
All of those years ago
Don’t wanna be anywhere but you

Ten years that have gone so fast
No one thought that we would last
Wouldn’t wanna be anywhere but you

I’ll be the king of your castle
Of my eye you’re the apple
Your crazy heart I can handle

I wanna wake up beside you
Til the end of time
We can stay here forever

We’re like two straight lines

When we’re old and almost done
I can say I loved someone
So when your heart is slowing down
I’ll go with you, I’ll go with you

One hundred years won’t be enough
For me to show you all my love
So when your heart is slowing down
I’ll go with you, I’ll go with you

I’ll go with you

We’re like two straight lines

Happy Valentine’s Day!