Such a man was suitable to have as a girl's favorite lover, but he came back late. I had kept a place in my heart for him for eight years, but in the last few months, I didn't.

His hand stretched out across the table, grasping one of my hands holding the knife.

"Steven," I said.

"I still want to call you brother," I told him.

He seemed to get it, but he kept asking, "Would you like to be my girlfriend?"

"No!" I hesitated but did not want to deceive him. "Sorry, ...