I laughed aloud, and for a moment my body went in two very different directions. The older brother in me wanted to pat her on the head and say forget about it; the other part of me couldn't help but react to that abashed but still mischievous grin.

I shrugged, trying to suppress the laugh that had done nothing to ease her embarrassment. "It happens."

"No," she groaned. "No, John, it's so bad. I'm sorry. I just can't help it. It's never been like this before."

Monica was not a virgin. I knew that much. I had caught her with a boyfriend at least once and ignored the sounds behind...