Right now, Cris just wanted to be anywhere but here. All he wanted to do was jump into bed, bury his head under the pillows and not come out until it was time for them to go home. He didn't know whether he could feel any lower than he did now. But when Jasmine took his hand, Cris sensed that she was going to say something. He knew he had to speak up. To stave off any possible unpleasant moments that might cause further embarrassment to Jasmine and to himself.

Shaking his head, Cris blurted out, "It's okay, Jasmine. You don't have to say anything. It was dumb of me to have even asked you. Just forget I sa...," and then it dawned on him what Jasmine was saying to him. He had made her the happiest girl in the world? She would be honored to be his girlfriend?

Wait! What did she just say? Cris turned to look at Jasmine, surprise written all over his face. The look in her eyes told him all he needed to know. She did want to be his girlfriend. Cris just couldn't believe it. The joy he felt at the very moment totally overwhelmed him and he began to smile.

"Of course the offer still stands. I just thought....," Cris broke off what he was going to say. For the second time that day, he found himself speechless. All he could was lean over and pull her into his arms and hold her tightly, burying his face in her hair.

"You don't know how happy you've made me, Jasmine. Thank you." he whispered tenderly as he closed his eyes and savored the moment. Leaning back, he placed a finger under her chin and tilted it up as he leaned forward and softly kissed her soft, warm lips.

It may have been frigid cold here on the lake, but Cris felt warm all over. All was well with the world again.