"How should I know?"
He took her by the elbows and looked into her eyes.
"He has gone?"
"Yes."
"What happened?"
"N-nothing."
She met his eyes with a clear gaze—a whimsical smile twisting her lips.
"You know, Philidor," she said quietly, "I don't like to be kissed unless—unless—"
She stopped and slowly disengaged her elbows from his grasp, "Unless I want to be kissed."
He searched her face anxiously.