He shook his head. "I can't forget."
Her poor heart almost choked her at the words. She wanted him to kiss her again, and keep on kissing her till she told him to stop. How wonderful that would be! But she stifled the desire with an effort of will that turned her cheeks white.
"You must forget," she told him, her chin wobbling.
"Tell me you don't love me, and I'll do my best."
"I don't—" she began and paused. To save her life she could not tell this man the contrary of what every fiber of her being was proclaiming. She could not. She compromised. "I don't know," she said tightly. "I don't know."
"But I know," objected Billy. "You just give me a——"
"No," she interrupted, "don't plague me, Billy, please don't. Just—just don't ask me again, that's all."
"Is there anybody else?" he demanded.
She shook her head. "No one."
"Then I've got a chance."