Chapter 8 - Page 103 - Talking Eyes

    Jim picked Rhasha up, carried her through the door, and gently set her on the sofa. He took off his shoes and socks, then pulled his shirttail out and sat on the sofa with both bare feet on the cushions. Rhasha leaned back against Jim. She faced upward between his knees, with the back of her head on his chest. He placed his chin on the top of her head and put his arms around her neck. He began acting like a schoolboy. He gently pulled her hair back and stroked it with his hand, and kissed her on the side of her neck. Rhasha shivered with pleasure. Every time he nibbled on her ear, she turned around and acted like she was going to slap him, but when she turned back around, Jim could see her smiling, waiting for him to do it again.

    After about an hour, he threw his left leg over Rhasha’s head, planted both feet on the floor, and sat up straight, forcing Rhasha to sit up as well. He picked up her right hand and slipped his fingers between hers. “Rhasha,” he said, “let’s make a pact.”

    “OK, but what’s a pact?”

    “An agreement,” Jim replied.

    “Oh. OK, Rhasha said. “What kind of agreement?”

Jim extended his hand with his pinkie finger sticking out. “Put your pinkie finger next to mine.” Rhasha held up her pinkie finger. “Now,” Jim said, “any time one of us holds up a pinkie finger, the other has to put their pinkie finger up. We’ll put our pinkie fingers next to each other and hook them together.” Jim and Rhasha hooked their pinkie fingers together. “Let’s do this often,” Jim said, “as a reminder that you and I pledge our friendship, to last forever.”

    Rhasha was smiling. Jim knew she was going to tease him. Rhasha held up her second finger. “Why not this finger, Jim?”