Near Love Stories
by J. B. Hogan

Opportunely, Charles noticed Dan McGuire across the room and waved to him. Dan raised a bottle of beer in salute. Charles held his up in return. He missed what Maggie said.

"What?" he said. "There's Dan by the table. See him?"

"Yes," Maggie said, a sharp edge coming into her voice. "I said it is fair. You're not listening."

"Oh, Maggie," Charles cajoled. "Come on, this is supposed to be a party. Let's go visit Dan awhile. You say he always cheers you up. Come on."

He tugged on Maggie's arm. She scowled but let him pull her towards Dan and the refreshment table.

"You're not always going to get away with this, Charles," she said. He smiled at her as they came up to Dan.

"I know, baby, I know. But let's just have fun today, OK? Forget it, please?" Maggie didn't answer.

"Forget what?" Dan asked.

"Oh, nothing, pal," Charles said, "nothing. We were just talking. Right, Maggie?"

Maggie looked at Dan and smiled. He smiled back. God she's pretty, he thought. Absolutely beautiful. Charles is one lucky SOB.

*    *    *

Maggie toweled dry in the large shower stall at Charles' apartment near the campus of the University of Boca Tierra located in the heart of its bustling capitol, San Sebastian. She pulled the shower curtain back and Charles, wearing only his shorts, watched her movements in the mirror over the sink.

"Morena," he said softly.

"What?" Maggie said, looking up.

"Beautiful brown woman," he repeated. "Morena."

Maggie smiled. Charles turned away from the mirror to look directly at her. He felt a sharp pang that was somewhere between pleasure and pain. She was so pretty. So lean yet finely shaped, with a casual, understated sexuality. Charles thought of how soon summer would end and of the personal choices each of them would have to make. He wanted it to stay like it was with her now. He wanted to remember this particular image of her forever.

Moving forward, he took the towel from Maggie's hand. She stepped out of the shower onto the rug. He ran his hand along her bare shoulder.

"You're after something," she grinned.

He moved closer to her, pressing against her.

"Charles," Maggie said quietly.

He held her closer, pushed her long, thick hair back, kissed her on the shoulders, neck, and cheeks. She lowered her head and turned towards him. He felt the warm solidness of her mouth against his.

"Come on," he said.

"Charles," she said, catching her breath.

"Please," he said. "Please."

*    *    *