Sasha sniffled. She hated crying, especially in front of anyone. "For one thing you're my boss and I don't think it is a good idea for us to…" She looked down at her hand encased in Brian's. "And you're newly divorced and you have 3 kids and…"

Brian interrupted her by placing a soft kiss on her lips. "I have given this a lot of thought Sasha. Leighanne and I haven't been together in over 3 years so it is not like I even have feelings for her anymore. I'm certainly not carrying a torch for her." He gave her hand a squeeze. "The kids are at Howie & Sam's for the night so you don't need to worry about them walking in on us. And as for being your boss," he put his hand under her chin and brought her eyes level to his. "Sasha, I am attracted to you and I think you're attracted to me as well. I don't want to go through each day wondering 'What if?' I think we should explore those feelings."

"I wish I could Brian. I really wish I could, but I just can't." She removed her hand from his. "I need to leave. Thank you for dinner. It was delicious."

"Sasha wait." Brian took a few steps forward and caught her arm. "Will you at least tell me why you 'wish' you could be with me but you 'can't' be with me?" He looked at her face. "Sasha, do you have a boyfriend?" He let go of her arm. "I didn't think you did. I'm sorry."

Sasha shook her head. She could have taken the easy way out and lied to Brian but she didn't want to do that. "I don't have a boyfriend Brian. That's not the reason."

"Then what is the reason?" He prodded.

Sasha closed her eyes. "I'm an SI Brian." She blurted out. She felt the tears fall from her eyes. "I can't be with you because I can't let you see me like I am." She tried to look at him but she didn't have the courage to do it. She focused her gaze on the floor in front of her. She couldn't believe she had just said the words 'I'm an SI' out loud, to Brian. The only other people she had ever said them to were emergency room doctors and her therapist and counselors from her support group. She felt a sense of relief telling Brian.

"What's an SI Sasha?" Brian asked, picking up her hand. "Does that mean you're a virgin? If it does and you don't believe in sex before marriage then just tell me. I'll completely understand Sasha."

Sasha shook her head. Another easy out but she couldn't lie to Brian. She cared too much about him to lie. "I'm not a virgin Brian. That ship sailed a long time ago." She moved closer to him and kissed his cheek. "I'm sorry Brian. I really have to go." She let go of his hand and practically ran from the room, grabbing her jacket and purse as she made her way out to her car.

Brian stood in the middle of the room. He had no idea what had just happened. "What is an SI?" He asked aloud. "Is Sasha a member of some weird cult or religion I'm not aware of?" He wondered. He moved to the dining room and started to clean up the dishes. "I'll check the Internet after I have cleaned up." He decided.