Because of its extreme heat and humidity, Havai was not a place for the faint of heart. When the beer in the cooler ran out at David's pool party, I stepped up to offer to go grab another case from the garage fridge. It was necessary for me to be away from everyone for a while, so I did it.

For almost five years, since the summer before our junior year of high school, David Peterson and I had been together. Since then, we've been inseparable. Basically anything that goes on at school. Trips with the family. It was our first year in university. In fact, we were named "Most Likely to Marry Their High School Sweetheart" by our fellow seniors.

He had been so special to me that I had handed up my virginity to him.

But . . .

Indeed, David had evolved. I couldn't pinpoint when he stopped being the kind, considerate man he used to be, or what changed him. We were starting to feel too familiar with one another. When he saw that I wasn't "trying" or was behaving like a "bitch," he wouldn't hesitate to tell me.

Despite the fact that it was June and we had both returned from Havai Central University, I saw my lover less during the summer than I did during the academic year. The truth is that we all had jobs. To the contrary, he made it quite plain today that he would rather spend time with our old high school pals than with me.

God. We used to be the best of friends, but now we hardly spoke at all. There were no meaningful exchanges or lighthearted ribbing. David would only contact me when he was in the mood to have some sexual fun. I had evolved into it in his eyes

As I made my way through the house and out to the garage at the other end, I listened to music on my phone, which I had tucked into the top of my swimsuit. Without turning on the overhead light, I pushed open the door and down the two steps into the vast garage. The cement floor was chilly on my bare feet, but the music was great, and there was enough darkness that I could try to forget about my irritation with David. Perhaps all I needed was to snap out of my funk.

I ignored the dirty floor and the chill of my wet swimsuit as I danced blindly to the tune coming from between my breasts. I gave up trying to care and it helped... kind of. To the beat, I swung my hips. To hide the stupid grin that was spreading on my lips, I placed my hands in the air and waved them about.

It was liberating to let go and dance like a lunatic with the kitchen door wide open as the sole source of illumination. I sung along, having memorized every word, and really let go during the chorus. As I swayed and swung my hips, I sang the song's lyrics:

My throat closed up in a shocked cry as I skidded to a halt.

Dr. Johnson was standing at the entrance, and by the look on his face, he had been there for some time.

David's father was a surgeon at County Hospital, which was one of the many reasons his appearance caught me by surprise. He was on call much of the time and so seldom present. Even though he never missed a major life event like a birthday or a graduation, he and David seldom spent time together at home.

When his kid left for college, why had his father retained such a large house? It was quite unusual. The good doctor scarcely touched it.

When David was a kid, his father's looks made him seem much younger than he really was. Slight creases around his eyes gave away his age, but they also made him appear wise. Distinguished. Silver threads were interwoven in his dark brown hair and short beard, and the afternoon light streaming in from the adjoining window brought out the gray. A nice appearance overall.

Senior prom photographs included David and his father, and my friends couldn't stop gushing about Dr.Jonson. Although I had mocked them, I did appreciate their position. The father of my current lover was not only good-looking, but downright gorgeous.

On the other hand, I couldn't muster my normal cheery disposition toward him and instead became rather wooden.

Can one really die from shame? My weak legs gave way to a straight back and a thousand-degree blush over my cheeks. I tried to seem as if he hadn't just seen me dancing and singing like a crazy fool by averting my glance to the concrete floor and tucking a strand of my long, black hair behind my ear.

I stumbled over my words and said, "Uh. So, I reached inside my top and pulled out my phone to turn the music off. I was just running out to fetch more beer for the party when you interrupted me. To be honest, I don't know what I was doing. Only Mike, David's pal, was in his twenties. Correction: "I referred to Coke."

Dr.Jonson did not seem to mind that it was the worst "saving" ever made. The deep, lovely noise filled the spacious garage. The sound caused me to look at him. His look was one of muted enjoyment, and he had his palms propped up on the door frame.

However, he just blinked it away and straightened up. "Did David ask you to pick up a six-pack for him?"

I opened the fridge with a shrug and surveyed the virtually barren shelves. The chilly air from the open fridge helped cool my flushed cheeks. As the saying goes, "I offered."

When I took the container by its handle and pulled the24-pack off the rack, the cardboard made a creaking sound. Since this was the second time this summer that he had caught me, I did my best to ignore the guy in the doorway and concentrate on the weight in my palm.

This was the second time he had caught me in a questionable act.

No, really, don't even consider it.

I slapped on a stoic look and hobbled toward the door with my drink, having spent more than enough sleepless hours daydreaming about that moment. As we got near, Dr.Jonson remained immobile. Suddenly, his brown eyes narrowed on mine, and I braked. I couldn't go past him since he was in my way.

Is everything all right between the two of you? he inquired anxiously.

Due to my shock, I almost misplaced the case. David didn't appear to notice how far apart we were becoming. In what possible way could his father justify this?

"We're . . ." Neither the content nor the delivery of my message was clear to me. I attribute it to being a result of my academic obligations. Because of this, we lost our rhythm.

Dr. Johnson gave a cautious nod. As a first-year college student, David had trouble adjusting to his newfound independence and maintaining a consistent academic schedule. His poor academic performance was a source of tension between him and his father.

I tried to force a smile on my face. We'll be alright, I'm sure of it.

Nothing could alter the look on his face. When he glanced at me, it was unclear if he was scared, upset, or just didn't believe me. Nonetheless, he gave me another nod and moved aside so that I could pass. Before I even reached the kitchen, he started talking.

"Jessica." His words carried quietly yet decisively. Not sure if I ever properly expressed my gratitude for everything that you done for David, but please accept my sincere appreciation.

I had to put on the brakes since I didn't know what was going on. "What?"

Dr. Johnson moved about uncomfortably on his feet. "It was tough for him to adjust to life in Havai. You simplified things, and I appreciate that. He placed his balled fists on the kitchen island and pressed his knuckles into the granite while leaning forward. He's a better man because of you, and for that I'm eternally thankful.

I huddled the box closer to my body, still in disbelief, and felt the cold cardboard.

He had a tumultuous upbringing. David was born to parents who never wed, and he stayed at home with his mom until he was sixteen, but he seldom discussed the subject.

As for his connection with his father before moving to Havai, I can only assume it was strained at best. According to the tale I had coaxed out of his mother, he had been hanging out with a group of youngsters she was afraid about, so she had sent him to live with his dad to protect him from their influence.

David and I sometimes joke that we began dating because I was the first female in town to be kind to the new child. The strategy devised by his mother appeared to succeed when he began hanging out with my group of intellectual, somewhat geeky pals.

Not knowing what to say in response to his father's thankfulness, I clutched the drink tightly in my arms. I didn't know what to say. To whom do I extend my thanks?

That's really kind of you, but I can't take any credit for it.

Dr. Johnson's lips raised in a little grin at the beginning of each sentence, and it grew in size and intensity as he continued talking. Either way, I'm grateful, so there. I'm sorry to have walked in on you mid-whatever you-were-doing.

To hide my shame, I stiffened at the little taunting he gave me. Well, I just couldn't help myself. Personally, Joven is one of my favorite people.

To which she said, "I agree they're nice, but they don't cause me seizures." His grin broadened.

I said, "Ha, ha," in a monotone. Let me tell you, generally I'm a wonderful dancer. I had no idea anybody else was in the area. I gave him a really stern look.

He seemed to submit by raising his hands, but his grin remained. Saying, "Well, I don't really have space to discuss." Using his thumbs, he looped them back toward himself.

There's no better candidate for "World's Worst Dancer"

I'm stumped. It's possible that your youngster is already more skilled than you.

Whenever David went to a school dance, you could usually find him standing off to the side. He had the spastic hips and flailing arms of one of those inflatable windsock guys you see at car lots selling secondhand automobiles whenever he tried to dance.

When I finally left David's dad and headed downstairs to the basement, I still felt uneasy. There was a strange, pleasant feeling in my chest.

It took me two more weeks with David before I finally snapped.

Sadness overcame me as I sat in my hot vehicle in the Lowe driveway. When our friendship ended, I felt a deep sense of loss. I yearned for the return of the man I'd loved, but I knew it would never happen.

The funeral for my grandmother, who died last week, was last week, but David did not go. He claimed to have had to work, which was great by him. But he also didn't show up for the visitation. Although I had been crying and looking at the coffin, he did not comfort me. He abandoned me to answer the never-ending "Where's David?" from my relatives.

I fabricated a "sick" excuse.

Our common acquaintances informed me that he had forgotten and gone to see a movie. Because of it, it was crystal clear to me how unimportant I really was.

I heaved a sigh of exasperation as I reached across the bench and grabbed my bag. In preparation for the inevitable moment of telling him I was done with him, I had brought a swimsuit and towel over. That was the first time I ever ended a relationship.

Not me; I didn't ring the bell. Confident in my ability to enter the Lowe home unannounced, I up the porch steps and pulled open the door. Should I consider this my last attempt?

The door slammed shut behind me as the wind pulled it tight, and I heard his father's heavy boots pounding on the wooden floor.

"Jessica?" The look of bewilderment that had crossed his attractive face faded into a casual grin.

My body just stopped moving. Hey, Dr. Johnson. Is it possible he didn't inform you I was coming over?

In an offhand way, he shook his head. I believe he is now submerged in the water.

"Oh. Okay." I took a few steps toward the basement door before my sandal's toe snagged on the fringe of the foyer carpet. "Ah!"

I took a few wobbly steps forward while trying to keep my balance and ended up colliding into Dr. Johnson.

As I slammed into his solid chest, he let out a low moan. I was able to push him back halfway before his strong hands gripped onto my waist and wouldn't let go. I felt a flash of embarrassment, but as I looked up sheepishly into his eyes, the feeling quickly dissipated.

My chest tightened at the feeling of his hands on me.

His air of worry for my near-fall vanished as his grip tightened on me. His dark eyes collected what looked suspiciously like fire. His jaw tensed and the muscles that ran down it flexed.

I couldn't possibly be having these thoughts. No way was he gazing at me like he was contemplating putting his hands behind my back and pulling me to him. My whole being buzzed from the touch, and the more still we were, the louder and more frenzied the hum became.

Surprisingly, his hug threw me off more than the rug had.

There was a problem with our proximity, yet he had a magnetic presence. Even though I knew I should resist it, I found it difficult to shake my attraction to him.

Strange and shaky was the way his voice came out. What's up?

Yes, I sucked in a deep breath and said. I don't know why, but I never noticed how stunningly deep and blue his eyes were.

His grip suddenly loosened, and he dropped me as if I were a hot burner. His face suddenly blanked out as a wave of embarrassment swept over him. "Sorry."

He walked away from me, turning around so that I could only see his hulking back. Exactly what did he have to apologize for? Preventing my free fall, if you will? A hand on me? Or his lustful, hypnotic look that reminded me of David's.

Before, I'd thought some unsavory things about Dr.Jonson. I tried not to feel bad about them, but I just couldn't stop myself. I told myself that these dreams didn't pose any danger since they were just mine. No longer did I have to feel bad about brooding about my boyfriend's dad.

A vivid blue pool was enclosed by a stylish black wrought-iron fence on the outside stone patio yard. The pool wasn't huge, but it was the perfect size for the large property. David was apparently swimming laps in it, and any of the Lowe men could do so if they so desired.

Apparently he felt my approach because he paused mid-stroke to wipe the water from his eyes, brush his wet, black hair back out of his eyes, and flick it aside with his fingers. He cocked an eyebrow at me in intense scrutiny.

You're not wearing a suit, are you? Without a hello. Simply his tone of annoyance.

I may say, "I have it with me." Seeing the vacant lounger by the pool, I cast my gaze in its direction. If I didn't feel like swimming, I could always just sit down and start the talk we needed to have with him.