"You look nice," Pat said as they walked into the diner. "I'm not saying that to flirt, because this isn't a date." He ordered raisin bran. "See, raisin bran. If anyone sees us, they'll know we aren't on a date. Nobody orders raisin bran on a date."

"Right, it can't be a date if you have raisin bran," Tiffany said. "Nobody's going to think, maybe he's on a date, because who would order raisin bran for dinner unless he was trying to make it look like he's not on a date. And there's no way anyone's going to stop and ask, why does that weird guy who ordered raisin bran keep saying he isn't on a date, unless he's on a date? " She steepled her hands and watched him eat.

"Why are you watching me eat?" Pat said. "That's weird."

"Yeah, that's me, the weirdo watching the guy who's eating raisin bran at 8 on Halloween night." She helped herself to a bite of cereal.

"Can we be casual and eat from the same bowl of cereal?" Pat said. "When I put my spoon in my mouth and put it back, and you put the spoon in your mouth and put it back, it's like drinking out of the same glass, and that's like kissing, and you said `casual' means no kissing."

Tiffany plunged her spoon in for another bite. "I'll chance it."

"You know, I wouldn't mind being on a date with you," Pat said. "It's just, I've got my problems, and you've got yours, and I just can't be associated with you that way... I mean, it's not that I have a problem, it's just that there's a lot of other people who wouldn't like it, and they really could do something to mess us up. Like my Dad, he doesn't think I should be spending time with you at all, and I have to live under his roof, and there's... some of my friends... who say I should be careful. I'm worried about Dr. Timbers, too, he'd love an excuse to put me back in the bad place, and Nikki... She'd totally freak out if she found out about you. Especially after the things you've told me."

"Yeah, that would totally freak her out," Tiffany said. For a moment, her eyes bored into him with a searingly cold stare. Then she composed herself in a half-smile. "Hey, Pat, there's something I've been thinking I should probably tell you. Remember when I told you not to worry about getting me pregnant...?"

Pat took another bite before it sunk in. "Wow, I've never seen a guy do an actual spit take," Tiffany said. She helped dab with a napkin. "And to answer your questions, yes, I'm sure, and yes, it's been the whole time."

Pat took a sip of water. "Okay, here's what we do," he said. "I'll marry you. Like. Right away."

"Right. That always solves everything."

"Hey, I know that's a big step, and it's not what you were looking for," Pat said, "but just think about it. It's not just the honorable thing for me to do, it's like, this whole thing is some kinda sign from God. I mean, damn, just the one time, and with you..."

"Yeah," Tiffany said, twiddling her fingers, "judging from my track record, I'm pretty much invincible."

"All right, we can make that work. Even my Dad will get on board with that..." Pat covered his mouth and furrowed his brows. "But it won't work. I'm already married. I think I'm still married."

"Yeah, we should check on that."

Pat gazed into Tiffany's eyes. "Okay, Tiffany, I know I'm not the best person to be making these decisions on my own. What is it you want to do?"

"To be honest, I'd still rather be casual," she said. "Like you said, getting married is a big step. I think we should wait until we have some more time to get to know each other, and get more comfortable with each other. We could try laying off the sex, and find some things to do together. Like, I could try teaching you to dance, and maybe you could even be my partner for a recital."

"That's a great idea," Pat said, with a smile that made Tiffany want to scream. "Nikki always said we should learn to dance together. She would love it if I learned how to dance... I'll write a letter to Nikki. I'll ask her to meet with me, we can all meet and then we can sort this all out... I just need to get a letter to Nikki."

She sighed. "I can get a letter to Nikki..."

Pat nodded as Tiffany spun a tale. "That's a great idea... You're right, she can just write back... We can hold off meeting until she's ready... I'm sure Nikki will understand..."

"Yes, I'm sure everything will go fine," Tiffany said. "There's one more thing... since I am doing you a big favor... Could you sleep with me tonight?" Pat blinked. "I mean, would you come to my place, and... actually sleep."