Window on Yesterday by Joan Hohl

Alycia,” he said with quiet emphasis. “Three days, three weeks, three years— what’s the difference?” He shrugged. “On Monday morning, I was neither looking for love nor even thinking about being in love. I had come here to prepare a series of lectures. My mind was occupied with the contracts and commitments I have to fulfill. And then a young woman literally ran into me.” His smile of remembrance liquefied her bones. “Since then I have not been able to concentrate on my contracts, commitments, and lectures. So, to answer your question, yes, Alycia, I do believe it’s really possible to fall deeply, intensely in love within three days’ time. But if you have doubts—
    “I don’t, not anymore,” Alycia interrupted him urgently. “Like you, I can’t explain why or how it happened, but I love you, Sean, so very, very much.”
    “Oh, God.” Sean’s groan pierced her heart. “I don’t want to leave you, not tonight, not ever,” he muttered, burying his face in her fragrant hair. Slowly, inexorably, he pried her arms from his waist “But I must, love.” Grasping her shoulders he set her away from him. A melting smile curved his lips as he groped behind him for the doorknob. “I’ll get here as early as possible tomorrow afternoon, okay?”
    Tears filling her eyes, Alycia nodded and backed away from him, afraid that if she didn’t put some distance between them she’d launch herself into his arms once again. “I’ll be home from school by three-thirty.”
    * * * *
    Except for one major and several minor variations, Thursday evening was a replay of Wednesday. As promised, Sean arrived early. As they had completed their classes and were officially on spring break, at least two of his three hostesses were in fine spirits. Only Alycia appeared subdued.
    The minor variations concerned the meal Sean had ordered, and later went out for. Instead of pizza, they dined on a variety of Chinese dishes. Instead of white wine, they sipped a rich plum wine with the meal. Instead of coffee cake, they devoured almond cookies for dessert. And instead of coffee, they washed the cookies down with fragrant tea.
    As it had been the night before, conversation was easy and relaxed. The major variation occurred after Karla and Andrea excused themselves and retired for the night. Though he stared at Alycia with an agony of longing in his eyes, Sean did not take her in his arms. Opting for abstention instead of torment, he went directly to the door.
    “Why are you leaving so early?” Alycia asked, clutching his coat to her breast.
    “You know very well why.” Smiling wryly, Sean pried the garment from her fingers. “I no longer trust myself with you, so I think I’d better leave while I can still think.”
    “Aren’t you even going to kiss me good night?”
    Sean smiled at the pout in her voice, but shook his head. “No, love. I need you too badly, I wouldn’t be satisfied with one kiss.”
    Although Alycia’s lips curved down at the corners, a thrilling sense of power shot through her. Never would she have believed she could have such a profound effect on a man, any man. And now, to have this particular man admit to his need for her was ... Alycia smiled at the word that jumped to mind: “humbling.” In all truth, she felt humbled by the power Sean had granted her. In that instant, Alycia knew she would not be satisfied with one kiss. The knowledge made her brave.
    “We’ll be alone tomorrow night,” she said. “And then there’ll be no need for you to be satisfied with one kiss.”
    Sean froze, his narrowed eyes questioning. “Are you saying what I think I’m hearing?” he asked carefully.
    “Yes,” Alycia replied bluntly, past the point of coyness.
    Sean took one step toward her, the sound of his sharply indrawn breath loud in the stillness between them. Then he stopped and stepped back, shaking his head and laughing softly. “Oh, my tormenting love, I hope you mean it.” Turning, he pulled the