"What's the matter, Michelle?" Dusty asked, cupping my face in his hands. His deep blue eyes were filled with concern.

"Nothing. Nothing at all. Why do you ask?" I said, trying to sound honest. I didn't want to lie to him, but I didn't have much of a choice. Dylan's words haunted me, however.

"Are you sure nothing's wrong? You look so upset." Of course I was upset. It was the night after my encounter with Dylan, and I still felt a little emotionally drained. I had gone back to my hotel room, stayed the night in the city, then went back to my house in Connecticut. I hated the drive back and forth, but my agent lived in New York, and I simply couldn't bear living in such a huge city. It just wasn't me. I was happy in the small town in which I resided.

Dusty was an independently wealthy young man with a sixth sense for investment. After our first few dates, he was so taken with me that he had bought his own place in Connecticut to be closer to me. Needless to say, I was a little surprised at that, and quite flattered, but it was so easy to forget that thousands of dollars were pocket money to him.

Almost as soon as I had returned home that morning, I felt so distraught that I just needed to be with him. I knew he would make me feel better. He always did. Now I was sitting with him in his living room. He had designed it himself, and everything was in green and white. Green was one of his favorite colors. The walls were pristine white, the overstuffed sectionals a medium green, the plush carpet a deep forest green. It was still a little early; the sunshine coming in through the window was still weak and pale, and I could hear birds singing.

"Nothing's wrong, Dusty." I said. You're being a total hypocrite. "Actually, to tell you the truth . . ."

"Yes?" he asked attentively. I couldn't take my eyes off him. His handome face, the long, square jaw with its almost perpetual five-o'-clock shadow, the full lips, deep, passionate sapphire eyes, thick dark hair. With his dark, rugged good looks, he could easily pass for an action hero or rock star. It was hard to believe that he was an investor; even harder to believe that he was my boyfriend. He stroked my hand gently and took it in his. His hands were so warm and smooth, save for the cool press of metal from the two silver rings he always wore. I swallowed.

"I saw someone I knew from a long time ago yesterday." I said.

"Oh." He looked relieved. "Was it someone from before or after you lost your memory?" More lies. Even when I vowed to tell the truth, I was still caught in my own web of lies. I sighed.

"After." I told him. If I said that he was from my other life, there would be too many questions. How did you recognize him? Or how did he recognize you? Did he bring back any memories? Did he tell you who you are? Did he tell you about your life? Did he tell you about your family? Questions that I couldn't deal with.

"OK. So what happened that makes you so upset over seeing him?" Dusty asked.

"I . . . I don't know. I guess I just wasn't ready to see him again." I replied, toying with my ring.

"I think I understand what you mean." He kissed my forehead. "Some people, you just need to see them coming in order to deal with them, am I right?"

"Exactly." I said.

"So you probably just want to forget about the whole thing." he said. I nodded. "All right, I'll leave you alone about it then." He kissed me slowly and softly on the lips. "So, what do you say to dinner this Saturday?" he asked.

"Dinner? Sure. Where?"

"Right here, just you and me. I have a little surprise for you." he said.

"Really? What is it?" I asked, excited and intrigued. Already ideas and fantasies were racing through my mind. Did he want me to go away on vacation with him? Move in with him? Maybe even marry him?

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise. At least this'll keep your mind off that guy for a few days." he said.

"Oh, great. Then what's going to take my mind off of trying to guess what your surprise is?"

"I'll think of something." he said with a mischevious smile. He started kissing me again. I pulled away, giggling.

"That could work." I said.