`` yes , '' i say , burying my head in his chest to hide my flaming red cheeks . despite my need to slow things down , he does the opposite and applies more pressure to me with his hand . he put the small black box he had picked up back on the table . we lay this way for what seemed like forever before he raised his head and kissed me . ruby threw back the covers and stood up . mary dropped the napkin into her lap . i leaned in , anxious to hear what she had to say . 