As they drove on in the dark rain they were a good ways into the scenic loop by now, maybe roughly three miles, Jimmie started to get a sense this night was somehow special. Maybe it was because they were both sharing the pain of a relationship gone badly or maybe it was because he just felt emotionally raw and in need of serious comfort, much as he suspected she was feeling.

A sudden unbidden thought popped into his head making him grip the steering wheel tighter. I wonder if she finds me attractive, in a manly sense, like I find her to be?

Scoffing at such a silly thought,...