A Lesson In Desire

Last night, after grading papers until midnight, I found myself unexpectedly at a dinner party with some young colleagues. We were engaged in casual conversation when one of them, Jane, who’s in her twenties and has been quite flirty lately, suggested we play a game to lighten the mood. It involved truth-telling with a twist: I had to share something personal that shocked everyone else. To my surprise, I blurted out an admission that had long stayed buried, my secret crush on Jane since our first encounter months ago. Laughter and surprised looks followed, but after the shock wore off, she winked at me in a way that made me feel like the night was just beginning.