"Play a little hard to get," I said, mischievously. "Don't appear so available."
"But, I am available ..." Annie replied, not getting my point.
"Stop throwing yourself at him, Annie!" I spelled it out for her.
"Oh," Annie said, sitting back in her seat. "That's just my way of playing."
"I know, and don't ever change," I told her. "Just tone it down a bit where Rick is concerned."
Then she grinned impishly. "I'll try. But where Rick is concerned, I make no promises!"
"So, you really like him?" I asked, turning to face her. "I mean, in a romantic way. No joke?"
Annie nodded, sitting back with a faraway look in her eyes, turning her attention toward the road. "For a long time. Too long."
"Has there been anyone else?" I asked, probably already knowing the answer, but asking anyway.
