The silence was painful as they drove to a nearby diner, took their seats at a corner booth, and looked over the menus before placing their orders. When they could avoid conversation no longer, Devin spoke. "Okay," he said, "here goes. I've always really liked you, Carrie. I love your spirit, your sense of humor... And most of all I love your defiant, stubborn streak, but that in the end you always do the smart thing. Last night you reminded me of all that, and I guess I got carried away with wishful thinking." "Are you serious?" she said. "So all those years ago, when you knew I had that painful schoolgirl crush on you..." "Back then, you were my little sister's best friend. And the age gap seemed too significant. But that doesn't mean I didn't think you were amazing. Seeing you now and remembering what I always liked about you, now that we're older, two years doesn't seem like such a big deal." "I wish you had told me. Even if you had said, 'Look, I like you too, but I think I'm too old for you.' Do you know how stupid I felt, thinking it was just a one-sided crush and knowing that you knew?" "I'm sorry." He touched her hand. She smiled weakly at his tender touch. It did feel nice. "Okay, but… The way you acted last night, the way you were so… controlling... And the fact that you" – she lowered her voice to a whisper – "spanked me..." She felt herself blushing again. "That's the way you would be with someone you were in a relationship with?" This time it was Devin who turned red. "Well, not all the time. But… I do hope it can be like that some of the time. That there can be times when I can take charge and that you – or she – would be okay with that. I'm not talking about controlling your life. Just occasional, consensual, submission in the privacy of our home." He blushed again. "God, you're the first person I've ever said this out loud to." "Well," Carrie grinned, "It's only fair that I know your big secret, since you knew mine all those years." He laughed nervously. "I know I caught you off guard last night," he said. "I really didn't plan for that to happen, and it shouldn't have happened without us having discussed all of this first. I really am sorry for that." She nodded as if to accept his apology. He continued. "And I know it probably seems crazy to you right now. If it's too crazy for you, I understand. But I have a feeling, if you give it a chance, get used to the idea, you might come around." "I don't know, Devin." She didn't think it was crazy – that wasn't the right word. It wasn't as if she had never heard of men who like to spank their wives or women who liked to be spanked. She just had never imagined being one of them. "I know it's a lot to digest," he said. "I mean," she said, "before you even get into the rest of it, have you even thought about the fact that we live hundreds of miles apart from each other?" "I know," he said, "and I'm not sure what we would do about that, assuming you would even consider giving something between us a chance." "You're going to have to give me some time to think." Devin nodded. "I know."