“How do you do it?” I ask.

“Do what?”

“Pull my guard down before I’ve realized. Make me show you my insides without my permission. I give you everything. I give you all of me... all before I’ve realized it’s happened.”

She moves to speak but I cut her off.

“Tell me it’s not just me. Tell me I give it to you too. Tell me I’m not the only one leaning here, beggin’ for somethin’ I didn’t even know I wanted.”

“You give it to me too,” she admits almost shyly. “Likely more. I share the deepest parts of myself daring you to look away. But you don’t, in fact, you move closer.”

At that moment I realize there’s something sacred about bearing yourself completely to another. Something jarring. You’re jumping off a cliff, hoping, praying someone will catch you before you hit the ground.

This is it. Me. In the flesh. Ready to run yet?”