They helped each other undress, piece by piece, moving silently, slowly, almost as if in a dream. Where before they'd just tossed their clothes aside carelessly, these they folded or draped carefully over a chair while accessories were left in a neat pile on the dresser. When they both stood before each other, naked, Shelby broke the solemn mood by turning toward the bed and giving Noel an impish grin back over her shoulder.

"You know," she murmured, "We never got around to ...