Luella pulled him towards a private room. Once inside, she spun around to face Adam and didn't know where to start.

"What, Luella?" Adam said maliciously.

"Adam, I-I'm sorry for everything that's happened. I really wish I could take it back but I can't and-oh my God, Adam, I still love you!" she yelled, close to tears. Adam ran both hands through his short, light brown hair and surveyed her closely.

"You're drunk," was his response.

"Maybe," Luella replied. "But I do know what I'm saying and it is the truth. I want you back."

"Why, so you can treat me like shit again? I'm not going through that. It's not that easy to just forgive you and pick up where we left off."

"No, Adam, I promise I won't do that again. It's just that…you scared me, Adam. You were the greatest guy ever. The only one that never tried to impress me by trying to be someone else or begging me to give them a chance. I didn't know how to deal with that. Please, Adam," she said, tears falling from her eyes down her perfectly pink days. It was the tears that scared Adam-he knew Luella well enough to know that she never cried over a man. He understood, in that moment, that she was really, truly sorry; that she was actually begging for him back. He knew if he stayed any longer he would probably give in to her because he did, secretly, want her too. Despite his friends' assurances that Luella was an ice queen, someone who walked all over guys' hearts with patent leather Manolos, Adam knew that he had something special with her. When their relationship was good, it was really good. He looked away from her and said, "We'll talk about this tomorrow." He almost hugged her, but instead patted her arm and left, leaving Luella inside the dark room alone.

Tara had been watching the door marked "Private" for almost ten minutes. Tan Man had gotten bored and was dancing with some other blonde-haired girl with terrible extensions. She saw Adam emerge, looking confused and upset. She watched as he said goodbye to Peter and left the VIP room. After waiting another few minutes out of courtesy, Tara knocked softly on the door to the private room and entered. Luella was sitting on the couch, her eyes dry but tear tracks still visible on her face. Tara sat down next to her and waited.

"He said we'll talk tomorrow," Luella said with a half smile.

"Well, that's a start," Tara said, nodding encouragingly.

"I told him I still love him," Luella said, almost as if she were commenting on the weather.

"Oh," Tara said. "That's-"

"Stupid?"

"No, Lu, just a bit bold. But, hey, it could be been worse. We'll see what tomorrow brings. You want to get the fuck out of here now?"

Laughing, Luella stood up. "Yeah."

The two girls took the train to Luella's house, where Tara stayed the night.

Luella had a small balcony off of her bedroom. Originally, it was more like a fire escape, but since it was no longer used, Luella fixed it into a balcony. She loved to sit there, just looking. She could see miles of Brooklyn spread out before her like a map, inviting her to inspect it, learn its secrets. She had one chair on the balcony, a comfortable backyard chair with a big cushion. The cushion was patterned with large, bright yellow sunflowers. The morning after the party found Luella sitting, as usual, on the sunflowers, her eyes unfocused and her hands clenched around a small, pink cell phone. Suddenly, she heard the window that led to the balcony opening behind her. She turned and her jaw dropped. Adam was climbing out onto the balcony, wearing gray jeans and a dark blue cardigan over a white button-down. The top button was open, exposing an inch of Adam's chest. The sight made Luella want to rip off his clothes right then and there. He was carrying two Starbucks cups. Handing one to her, he said, "I hope you still like white chocolate mocha."

"Yeah, thanks…what are you doing here?" she exclaimed.

"Told you we'd talk, didn't I?" Adam asked slyly. He walked over to the railing and leaned up against it. "I've been doing a lot of thinking," he told her. "And part of me definitely wants you back too." Luella's heart soared. "But," Adam said. "I am still really angry about everything you did. I mean, whenever I made you the slightest bit angry, you'd flirt with every guy around you. How do I know nothing happened with any of them? God knows that any guy would die to just have you flirt with them." Luella smiled at the compliment, but it quickly faded.

"Adam," she said. "I never cheated on you. I never would. I've cheated on other boyfriends, but none of them were like you. I don't think you realize how special you were-are-to me.

"I guess not," he said, staring intently at Luella's face. "I've gotta say, I'm not used to girls like you wanting guys like me."

"And you have to stop thinking like that!" Luella said. "You're amazing. You're cute and smart and funny and sweet. Why wouldn't a girl want you?" Adam flushed. "Thanks." He paused for a minute, then said as casually as he could, "Hey, you want to get some breakfast?"

Luella didn't think she could hide her excitement. "Yeah. But," she said, "I've got a better idea."

It was almost a year ago. It was springtime in the city. Adam and Luella had been together for a few months. The cold winter had gone and trees were blossoming, daffodils were starting to appear, and a spring sun was gaining strength. To Luella, it was the most beautiful time of year, full of hope, happiness, and reinvention; and she couldn't think of a more perfect man to spend it with. Luella had just woken up at Adam's house on a Saturday morning. She looked over and saw Adam's peaceful face and smiled. Then, leaving him alone in the bedroom, she went to the kitchen, wearing just boy shorts and a skimpy tank top. She searched his cabinets and found a red box and started to cook.

Shortly after, Adam came into the kitchen in his boxers, yawning and running a hand through his hair.

"Smells great. Whatcha making?" he asked, peering over her shoulder at the simmering pan. Luella smiled. "Turtle pancakes," she replied.

"Turtle pancakes?" Adam repeated, scrunching up his nose.

"Not made of real turtles, silly. My grandma used to make them for me all the time when I was little." She slid a stack of perfectly browned turtle-shaped pancakes onto a plate. She carried this and a bottle of maple syrup to a table in front of a bay window. It was the only big window in Adam's small studio apartment, and Luella loved it. Adam never sat at the table by the window when he was by himself, but he followed Luella over and sat next to her. When they were finished eating, Luella jumped up suddenly.

"I almost forgot!" she said, running into the bedroom. She came back and in her hands was a small, bright purple colored vase, filled with a nice assortment of fake flowers. She had tied a pink bow around the neck of the vase and she placed it neatly on the table.

"There," she said. "I thought it would look so nice here. And the flowers will never wilt or die." She smiled and gave Adam a kiss. He thought the gesture was adorable.

The vase was still on his table when Adam had walked in after the party at Scorpio.

Presently, Adam was licking the syrup off of his lips. Luella had made turtle pancakes after they had come in from the balcony. Tara had quickly made up an excuse and left to give the two some time alone. The breakfast was good- the pancakes were delicious and Luella was happy and in love. Everything now seemed to be back to normal-her and Adam were talking like they never had broken up. Adam had said that like Luella, he had barely seen other girls and if he did, it was a one-date kind of thing. This made Luella even more happy and, still in her pajamas, she brought the empty plates to the sink and began to wash them.

Adam was staring at her back, realizing just how much he had missed her. Seeing the low ponytail that hung down her back and her toned butt and legs drove him crazy. Against all better judgment, he decided to do something very rash.

While she was washing the dishes, Luella felt Adam's arms suddenly snaking around her waist, pulling her closer. She almost gasped and he whispered, "It's been too long."

Forgetting the dishes, Luella turned and kissed Adam with all the passion she could muster. Adam moved his hands all over her body, savoring the feeling of every curve. He couldn't help but pick her up and carry her towards the bedroom. He pushed her down on the bed and she responded promptly by removing his sweater and shirt. It wasn't long before he only wearing his boxers; her only a bra and boy shorts. The kisses that followed were the most amazing and most passionate. Just when Adam thought he couldn't take it anymore, Luella slowly removed her bra and underwear and then his. They both stared in silence for a minute, the sight of each other's bodies bringing back many good memories. Luella laid down and Adam positioned himself on top of her. They had been apart so long that everything felt new and interesting. Luella moaned and her body trembled. With each thrust the passion inside her grew until, with more moaning and her fingers digging into Adam's back, she climaxed. Shortly after, Adam did too and they collapsed onto the bed.