I looked into Daphne's beautiful brown eyes and forced myself to calm down. This may not have been how I wanted to make my confession, but this was as good a time as any. "The conversation you overheard in Frasier's kitchen this afternoon...we were talking about you."

"About me?" Daphne asked. "But why..."

I stood up. Daphne did not try to stop me this time. I took hold of both her hands, amazed at how wonderfully soft they were. "I was telling Frasier how frustrating it is to be in love with someone who has no idea how you feel. I've felt this way for a very long time, Daphne." I sighed, ashamed of what I'd done. "But when you were asking me about the woman I loved, I couldn't quite work up the nerve to tell you the truth. I can't tell you how sorry I am. If you never wanted to speak to me again, I would understand."

"Never speak to you again? Why would I do a thing like that?" she asked.

"Well, we're supposed to be friends, aren't we? I lied to you. That's not exactly the sort of thing a friend should do, is it?" I felt like a child caught misbehaving. I could hardly even look at her.

"No...it isn't," she admitted. "But friends can make mistakes. If I asked you again about the woman you loved, would you tell me the truth this time?"

"Of course," I replied immediately. I paused, waiting for her to ask.

"What's her name?" Daphne obliged.

I sighed, staring into those brown eyes. "Her name just happens to be...Daphne." I reached over to touch her cheek and found that it was even softer than I'd imagined.

She gasped slightly when she heard the words. But she did not pull away from me. "That's better." She put her arms around my neck. I could hardly believe this was happening.

"I know I should've told you the truth from the beginning. I was just so afraid of what you would say, and I didn't know what else to do." I could hardly believe she was here, in my arms. The smell of her perfume overwhelmed my senses.

"Do you want to know what I would have said?" she asked. I nodded, unable to speak This moment was almost too good to be true. "I would have said yes."

I couldn't believe what I heard. "You would?"

Daphne nodded. "You've always been so nice to me, buying me gifts, or listening to me stories. And look at what we did tonight, in the kitchen. I don't know when I've had a better time." The smile on her face melted my heart.

"I had fun, too," I said. "I always do, whenever I'm with you." I kissed the back of her hand.

"So, what do we do now?" she asked.

I immediately thought of the food in the kitchen. "Well, we do have all this food. Are you hungry?"

Daphne smiled. "Yes. That sounds lovely." She held me even tighter. My head began to spin again. Before I even knew what was happening, I leaned down and kissed her. It was a small, gentle kiss on the lips. But it was unlike anything I'd ever experienced before. Daphne sighed softly.

"We should eat," she said. "Before the food gets cold. I hope you like me roast!" I remembered how hard she'd worked, putting this meal together, not even expecting to eat any of it herself. It was the nicest thing anyone had done for me in a long time.

"I'm sure I will," I said. "I can't thank you enough for making it."

Daphne blushed at my compliment. "It was nothing special. Just one of me recipes. I know you don't get too many home-cooked meals these days."

I thought about the many lonely nights I've had since Maris and I split up. They seemed like a distant memory now. "It was something special," I corrected her. "You have no idea how much I appreciate your kindness."

Daphne kissed my cheek. "It was my pleasure."

I sighed. "I'll have to find some way to thank you." I kissed her again, longer this time. I knew this was something I'd never get tired of.

"Let's see," she said with a grin. "Dinner with a charming, handsome man. I'd say that's about all the thanks I need."

I blushed. "Thank you, Daphne." I kissed her one more time, then managed to pull out of the embrace. I carefully led her to the table and pulled out her chair. As I sat and admired the food before me, I couldn't help but think that I'd never had a better meal. Not only was this better than any of the finest gourmet restaurants in Seattle, but I couldn't think of anyone I'd rather share it with.

The End