“Cappuccino?”

“Yes, thanks.”

When she handed him his drink, her fingers brushed his ever so subtly. It must have been the thousandth time in all those years that they’d been friends, yet it still sent chills of excitement throughout his entire body. And it was getting to him.

“Look, I can’t do this any longer,” he blurted out without thinking. “Those small touches here, hugs there, and I’m expected to not react to it.” A sigh. “It’s killing me, Alice, damn you!”

He moved to stand, but her voice held him back: “And what if it’s the same with me?”