She looked at me expectantly, as if to say "so what?"

“I am officially unemployed. I quit my job. Well, he's going to try and find a position for me in their L.A. office, but for now I'm out of work."

“And what was this reason that was so important you had to quit?" That little smile was starting to spread across Lisa's face. She seemed to already suspect the answer, although perhaps not to the magnitude I meant.

“Because the woman I loved was here in L.A., and I couldn't bear to leave her." Gingerly, I stood up. My knees ached. My elbows ached. Actually, every part of my body ached. Sleeping on the floor against a wall is not something I would recommend.

Lisa looked a little shocked, her face was bunched up like she was going to cry again.

"The... the woman you--"

I cut her off with a finger gently pressed to her lips. Then I took a hold of her shoulders, and looked directly into those eyes that fascinated me so much.

"I love you." And then I kissed her.

Damn that felt good. I felt all the pain and ache and worry in my heart melt away with that kiss. Only now could I truly understand what Lisa felt whenever she murmured “soul mates." I felt her spirit bonding to mine, a shared energy flowing between us that sparked between our Lips.

When I finally released her, she gave a little contented sigh. But then she screwed up her face again and glared at me.

“You know, you can't just waltz up here and expect me to just fall into your arms again. You think just because you quit your job that I'm going to forgive you! If so, then you're in for a big surprise because—~."

I cut her off with another kiss, a soul searing kiss into which I poured out every feeling of joy and love I could drum up from my heart. She moaned into my mouth and flowed back into me, hugging me tightly. When I let her go this time, I murmured, "But, I love you."

“okay, I'm not dumping you. I'll give you another chance." She smiled brightly.

“As long as you never go behind my back again! If you do, God help me I'll--! What's this?"

Her hands were on my ass and apparently brushed against a hard object in my pocket. Before I could do anything she ducked her hand into it, pulling out the black velvet box I'd had there.

Her mouth was agape as she held the box, mixed astonishment and fear in her face.

“This isn't--."

“No, it's not an engagement ring." I gently took the box from her hand and opened it for her. Then I delicately extracted the diamond encrusted band, holding it up for her to see.

“Besides, I can't afford a big enough rock for you yet. Maybe someday later."

This brought a wider smile to her face.

"This is just a promise. I will never stray from you again. What I did was wrong and selfish. And I am terribly sorry and wish I could take it back." The deep, nervous, breathing was back.

“But I can't take back what I have done. I can only swear never to do it again. I truly love you, and only you."

Now she really was crying, happy tears tumbling down her face as her smile reached its maximum proportions while I slipped the band onto her finger, She gazed at it for a moment, turning it this way and that to see the sparkling of the diamonds. Then she leaned forwards and kissed me again.

“You're forgiven," she sniffed, wiping away the tears.

“But you smell pretty bad."