"Lisa, don't do that yet. And hear me out, please. I have some good reasons why not. First of all, I know what a valuable gift you're offering, and it is taking everything I have to turn it down, but I need to do that and you don't know it but you need me do do that.
"Unless you fill that prescription in Oxbow or Newtown, everyone's going to know, and they will probably not think very highly of us, which isn't going to be good for either of us later on. In a small town, it can be very important what other people think. Another thing. That might be something I did casually in the past, but it's not something I could do casually with you. I would not be able to be that intimate with you and then leave. I love you too much to treat you that way. I would at least want us to be able to spend the entire night, and I don't think that would be taken very well here, either. Imagine your grandmother's reaction. I happen to know she keeps tabs on when I bring you home. I don't want this to be a fling, Lisa. You mean too much to me for that." He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "Please don't be upset with me, Lisa. Flings are empty and boring."
"I'm not upset," she said. He looked at her and decided that she looked more relieved than anything.
"Good. I've never been in love before, Lisa. I just want to enjoy that for a while longer before we move to another level, okay? This is all completely new and different for both of us."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Everything is different for me because I'm involved emotionally. Before, it was just physical sensation. Now, it means something. Even kissing is a different experience. I love you, Lisa Kreider."
"I love you too, Fabian DiSanti."
"I talked to Greg the other day," Fabian said. "In fact, we had lunch."
"Really?"
"How would you like if I borrowed his sailboat one day soon and both of us went sailing?"
"I love sailing," she said. "That really sounds like fun! The weather's been perfect for it, too. And yes, I know how to sail. Amy made sure Annie and I learned. Truthfully, I was only interested at first because the sail was so pretty. The rainbow with the little sunny on it. I like that boat. Why did you have lunch with Greg? Just to borrow his boat?"
"No -- I've had lunch with other guys around here, too. Keith, Rodney. Rick. I'm just making friends, Lisa. Sometimes lunch can be a guy-thing."
"If you say so," she smiled. "I've never seen you have lunch with guys."
"Probably because I've either gone to Addie's or to the Tavern. Sorry, but it was a guy thing."
"Right. And it would hurt your masculine pride to order a patty-melt from your girlfriend?"
"I don't even know what a patty-melt is, so no. Is this a problem?"
"No -- just teasing you." Lisa laughed and rested her head on his shoulder.