But it was getting very late and at last James said it was time to say good night. Diana’s heart sank a little at this but she got up and James helped her to get dressed, straightening her clothes and buttoning her blouse for her. And then he walked her back to her dorm, holding her hand while they talked about inconsequential things. When they were almost there he pulled her into an embrace and said, “You’ve been through quite a lot tonight, young lady. Maybe take a few days to sort it all out and then we can talk again, all right?”
“Okay,” Diana whispered.
James saw her to the door, kissed her lightly and took his leave. Diana was a little disappointed that he hadn’t said anything about a third date but took comfort in knowing that she would be seeing him again soon.
She slept like a rock that night, but woke to the sound of her roommate’s giggling and realized, to her acute embarrassment, that she had her thumb in her mouth.
