Non-plussed by Tegwen's little admission, Steelbeak pressed for a third date even before their second one was over. Escorting her to the car, he said, "I t'ought we could go ta Selanne Pond." He opened the door for her. "Maybe I could teach ya how ta ice skate." The suggestion was made with marked hesitation; he thought she would vehemently say no.

He was certain the mere thought of Selanne Pond and ice skating would rouse Tegwen's recollections of the last time she'd been there. And it would be all over between them.

They'd only been out twice. There had been no kissing, hugging or any other miscellaneous intimate or innocently affectionate contact. And he'd already dumped well over two hundred dollars on her. Losing out on subsequent dates, if anything, would save him money. Why did that turn his stomach to knots?

She paused at the door, turning to look up at Steelbeak. Tegwen smiled. "I'd love that."

Steelbeak thought he was hearing things and couldn't stop an impulsive "What?!" in response.

Tegwen settled into the passenger seat, not quite so casually flashing her shapely shins. As they spent more time together, she did seem to be getting bolder. "I said I would love that." She straightened her parka, reaching over her right shoulder for the seatbelt. "I've never been good on the ice. Maybe you can change that?"

Slowly, Steelbeak smiled. "Hey, um. . . I want ta give ya somet'in'."

"The tulips weren't enough? You're spoiling me!"

He dug into his jacket pocket, producing a set of white plastic cards roughly the size of credit cards.

"What are those?" Asked Tegwen.

"Access passes," Steelbeak replied, handing them to her. His fingertips brushed her palm just long enough to leave him craving more. He caught her trying to hide a quick little shiver. "If ya want ta come visit me at my place, dese'll get ya in wit'out bein' interrogated by de front office."

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