They’d be exclusive, but not committed.

She didn’t know how to approach that, but the last thing she wanted to do was make promises they couldn’t keep due to their living and work situations.

She figured he was a smart man. He’d understand.

Hopefully he’d agree.

“Do you want me to kiss you?” he asked.

Now he was just jerking her around with the way he was wiggling his eyebrows.

If anyone looked at him on the street, they’d never take him for a doctor.

Least of all an oncologist with such a serious and almost depressing job at times.

“I wouldn’t mind one. I know friends don’t always kiss.”

“Sure, they do,” he said. He pointed to his cheek. “They often leave one here.”

She took that as he wanted her to take that first step.

How could he know that she’d need to take it at her pace? Major respect for him understanding that without her voicing it.

She leaned over. “You mean like this?”

She put her lips softly on his cheek, his trimmed facial hair tickling her upper lip some.

“That was nice,” he said.

She was still close to him, then turned her cheek and pointed. “Your turn.”

He laughed and gave her a light kiss on the cheek.

She’d never played a game like this before with a man.

It was fun and arousing more than gentle and slow.

“Now what?” he asked.

“Now we have to get off the ferry,” she said. “Did you notice it docked?”

“I was too busy waiting for my friendship kiss.”

She laughed. “Friends kiss on the lips too.” She pointed to her lips. “Do we do it together?”

“Sure,” he said. “We’re here meeting in the middle. Let’s give it a try.”

Their lips touched and rather than them both pulling back, they stayed there engaged.

No tongue action.

No multiple kisses.

Just touching the other’s lips and holding steady.

Feeling the other out.

The sounds of cars moving had them pulling back, her eyes opening.