"The truth is, if I had a little more time, I would do everything to make you a part of my life," Ray said. "But I'm not sure I have that time. When my mother was pregnant with me, my father beat her severely, and I didn't escape the consequences. I have constant headaches; the doctors say I could die at any moment. That's why we don't need to have this date. It will hurt me to see you with someone else, but as long as we haven't crossed the line from good friends, I can still let you go."

  "You're about to go study, and you need a reliable support system—something I could never be. I have no right to ask you to wait when I'm not even certain of tomorrow."

  Listening to Ray, the girl struggled to hold back her tears. The young man was about to continue, but Lily silenced him with a kiss. Ray was surprised, but his arms instinctively wrapped around the girl's waist. The couple's awkward kiss gradually filled with passion.

  It was only the uncompromising demand of their lungs that made the engrossed pair reluctantly part their lips.

  As the girl, who was short but still taller than him, pulled away from his lips, Ray smiled and said:

  "You do realize that after what you just did, you can't run from me, and I can't let you go?"

  Despite his words, Lily understood that Ray was still willing to pretend it hadn't happened, so the girl smiled and said:

  "That's good, because I have no intention of doing that."

  Reluctantly pulling apart, the couple continued on their way. Lily asked:

  "How do you feel?"

  Correctly interpreting the meaning of her question, Ray said:

  "Don't worry, I don't see any difference, so I'm fine."

  "Does your mother know about this?"

  "No. We have a good retionship, but an acquaintance of mine fears I might die an innocent boy, and if my mother found out the truth, I'm afraid he might be right."

  Hearing Ray's answer, the girl thought about how to thank him for everything he'd done and said:

  "How about coming to my pce for dinner tomorrow, say, around eight?"

  "I think that's a good idea. I'll come early to help you cook."

  "That's not necessary," Lily said.

  "I know, but I need to win your grandma's heart. To be fair: tomorrow dinner at your pce, the day after at mine."

  "Okay, but let's visit Violet tomorrow afternoon; she misses you a lot."

  When they reached the girl's home, Ray handed her the bulk of his wages, the money from the bet, and also what Jill had given him. Seeing the substantial sum, Lily firmly shook her head and said:

  "I can't accept this."

  "It's not just my money. Part of it is from Jill and the guys. I can understand why you don't want to take it, but the truth is, right now you need help, and they want to help. I'm sure that in the future, if they need help, you'll help them too. As for my money—your family is my family. As your future husband, it's my duty to take responsibility."

  "You always have a way with words, but I don't remember saying 'yes'," Lily said with a smirk.

  "I have no doubt that when there's a ring on your finger, the answer will be yes."

  Struggling to hold back tears, Lily said pyfully:

  "Alright, your little wife will be a good girl."

  With that, she accepted the money and gave her beloved a tender kiss. As their lips parted, Ray said:

  "Oh, and I almost forgot."

  Saying this, he quite deftly, for a person of his build, took off his backpack. Ray pulled out a book and handed it to the girl, saying:

  "This book was supposed to be my attempt to apologize for today's farce, but since things have taken such an unexpected turn, let it be a gift to mark our new retionship."

  "You really are original. I think only you would give a girl a book after a confession."

  "Perhaps, but I'm still not original enough. It would have been much more romantic if it had been my book."

  Looking at the small house, Lily said reluctantly:

  "I have to go. Grandma usually waits for me after work; I doubt today is any exception."

  Giving Ray one more kiss, the girl headed home. Stepping onto the porch, she turned back and, smiling, blew him a kiss, which made him smile. As soon as the door closed behind the girl, Ray also headed home. This day had brought unexpected changes into his life, but despite his fears and doubts, he could say for sure that right now, he was happy.