the last thing your parents told me was that you were playing semi-pro football in texas . '' he shoved his fingers through the pale gold of his hair , making her breath hitch at the desire to smooth the short satin strands . every christmas , he 'd be just as he was that night at dinner . she had given herself too him , only him . but i did see it , and i did come to understand , and as soon as i was well enough , i went to join her . 