EXTRACT FOR
A Man Needs A Maid
(Giselle Renarde)

"You can leave all this for morning, if you're anxious to get home."



"No, it's okay.  I'm used to working late."  Aviva wasn't entirely clear whether he was trying to get rid of her.  "Unless... oh, you're probably tired after all that small talk.  I can go, if you want."



"No, no."  Wallace grabbed her arm insistently.  "That isn't what I meant.  If you'd like to stay a little longer, you're very welcome.  Hell, you can stay all night, if you want."



Aviva swallowed hard, and Wallace released her arm.  



"Oh, I didn't mean..."



"I know.  I didn't think..."  Aviva turned toward the sink, organizing the silver cups.  "I didn't think that's what you meant."



Beyond her laboured breathing, the kitchen was quiet.  But it didn't stay that way for long.  Piano music filtered in from speakers in the ceilings.  Wallace had showed her the control panel earlier in the evening.  The rest of the house seemed a little behind the times, but the sound system was cutting edge.  That told her Wallace valued music, highly, and Aviva felt closer to him with that knowledge.



"You wash and I'll dry," Wallace said.



"No, you don't have to."



"I want to."