'Whoa! The more she draws back, the more I wonder what went on with her cousin. Sam has been so honest with me up until now. This has to be some story for her to so adamantly resist talking to me about it.' He pulled Samantha into a tight hug. "Honesty is important to me Samantha. I don't like to see you the way you are right now. Please don't hide things from me. I love you and I want to see you happy."

Samantha took a deep breath and looked at the ground. "Howie please understand, there are some things in my life I am still struggling with. I am not trying to intentionally keep a secret from you." She looked into his eyes. "I will tell you about Taryn. Soon. Not today though. I need time to figure out how to explain to you what happened and why I feel the way I do without sounding bitter and resentful. Taryn and I had a very complicated interaction." She searched his face for signs he understood or accepted what she was saying. "I promise, very soon, I will explain to you why it is so difficult for me to talk about her."

Howie pulled Samantha closer to him and kissed her deeply. "I really do love you Sam. I am a good listener. Nothing you could say will ever change the way I feel about you."

"Thanks hun." She bit her lip. "Just give me a little more time OK?"

"Take all of the time you need sweetie." Howie replied kissing her forehead. Howie looked at his watch. "We had better head home and get your stuff ready to go to the airport."

Samantha nodded. "It is inevitable I suppose."