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wish I could say that I didn’t know what came over me, but the truth is, I do. I was… jealous.” Taking a deep breath, she let the rest of the words tumble

out. “I was jealous, and instead of talking to you about my feelings, I battered you with them, then ran away like an idiot. I acted irrationally, and I’m sorry.”

Winding down, she continued to stare at her hands until to silence became too uncomfortable to bear. Sneaking a peek up at Dylan through her lashes, she

swallowed hard at the mask the tall woman wore. Her heart clenched hard in her chest, and she fancied she could feel it fracture. The sting of tears came

to her eyes, but she blinked them away before they could fall.

Never again, she told herself, unclasping her hands and setting them on the couch, prepared to push herself up and leave. I’ll never put my heart on the

line again. It’s just too damn painful.

As she stood, she turned her face away from Dylan, unable to look at that stony mask one second more. “I…guess I’ll see you at practice, then. I’m sorry to

have taken up your time.”

She had almost made it to the door when Dylan’s soft voice halted her steps.

“Why were you jealous?”

“That’s a good question,” Cat replied, barely aware she was speaking aloud. “I’ve thought about it a lot during these past couple days, and I don’t think I

can come up with an answer that would satisfy even me.”

The silence behind her gained weight, oppressive as only such silences could ever be. Her heart beating so fast and so hard that she was sure it would

pound itself right out of her chest, Cat gathered every scrap of courage she ever possessed, and gave voice to the one question she wanted…needed…

answered.

“Dylan,” she began softly, so softly that Dylan, even with her exceptional hearing, had to strain to hear her, “do you love me?”

Silence reigned again, for just a moment. “Excuse me?”

Whirling, Cat pinned Dylan in place with a gaze that was open, honest, and deadly serious. “I need to know. Do you love me?”

“Yes.”

It was amazing, Cat mused, how that one simple word could restore hope to a heart gone cold. Still, the smile that might have been expected stayed from

her lips. “I think…I think that maybe part of my…jealousy…came from not…knowing…that.” The silence was still thick, and Cat found herself turning her

head away yet again. “I know it sounds like I’m dumping all of this on you, but I’m not. Not really. I guess I was just…scared….”

Not sensing any movement, Cat was startled at the sudden feel of long, strong arms wrapping themselves around her and the press of a tight, lean body

against to hers. Emotionally drained, she could do nothing but melt into the enveloping warmth, her hands coming up to tangle in the fabric of Dylan’s shirt

as if holding onto a lifeline. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, voice muffled against the fabric covering her lover’s chest. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Dylan murmured, brushing her hand against Cat’s back in soothing circles. “It’s okay. I’m here. It’s okay.” After a moment, she pulled away

slightly and gently tipped the younger woman’s chin up so that their eyes met. “I love you, Catherine. I’m sorry that it’s taken me this long to tell you how I

feel. I’m so—.”

“No,” Cat replied, touching a finger against Dylan’s full lips, “please, don’t apologize for my insecurities. My heart knew your answer before I even asked

the question. I know you love me, and I knew it then. I just….”

“Cat, if this photo shoot bothers you so much, I’ll call Horace and tell him to shove it. I don’t want you hurting like this.”

“Dylan, I can’t ask that of you, and I won’t. This is a part of who you are, a part of who you’ve always been. I absolutely hate the way you were coerced into

it, and I hate being a part of that, but I also realize that it bothers me a lot more than it bothers you.” She smiled. “I trust you. I think…I think I just need to

learn how to trust myself.”

Dylan was silent for such a long time that Cat began to fear that she’d misspoken. Finally, the tall woman’s expression cleared and she looked down at her

partner intently. “If you don’t have any plans for the morning, why not come to the shoot with me?”

“Oh,” Cat demurred, “I’m not sure I—.”

“Please. I think it would really help you to see what goes on during these things. I think you’ve built an image up in your mind that nothing but experience

is gonna erase. I don’t want that image coming between us, Cat.”

Cat looked up at her pensively.

“Please.”

Taking in the naked plea in those arresting eyes, Cat can do nothing but not her acceptance. The kiss she received in thanks drove any further

apprehension from her mind.

The photography studio was large and well-appointed, and Cat found her nerves settling just a little as they walked in and were greeted by Cory, the

photographer’s assistant. Cory was a well dressed, reed thin young man with a thick mop of curly red hair and a bubbly, welcoming personality. Leading