Afterward, they lay in the dark. The bedroom window was open. A gentle breeze swept in and brushed across Guy's face. He heard a neighbor practicing a guitar. Angel sighed.

"I want to take you home," she said.

"This is your bed. I think you just did," Guy said, pulling her closer.

"I mean, I want to show you where I'm from. I want you to meet Dad."

Guy thought about this for a long moment. "A trip to your hometown? Sounds like a big step."

"I'm not trying to scare you. I just want you to understand."

"I think we understand each other pretty well."

"You know what I mean."

"Ok then."

"But there is a catch."

"I see this gets better."

"You can't go there unless you have fulfilled your truest earthly desire."

"I think I completed that step a few minutes ago."

Angel poked him in the side. "I'm serious."

"So am I."

She sat up, held her knees, and looked at him. "Have you fulfilled your truest desire?"

"Angel, I think you are my truest desire."

"This is serious. Deep down inside, what do you really want?"

"So tell you what I want, what I really, really want?"

"Stop quoting the Spice Girls."

He grabbed her and pulled her to him. "I guess I want you."

"You're just saying that. What drives you? What pulls you forward?"

"Honestly, I'm not entirely sure."

"There must be something you truly want, deep down inside?"

"Maybe an endless bank account?"

"Who wouldn't?"

"Right? Or how about a button in my car that vaporizes nasty people who cut me off?"

"Dark, but more my expertise than yours. I need you to focus. Think about this. What do you want?"

Guy was silent again. He moved to sit on the edge of the bed. Angel leaned into his back in a hug. "When I was very young, I had something really important to me. And I lost it. It's not like it was lost forever. I just wasn't chosen. I was runner-up. Second best. Just once, I'd like to be the first choice.

"I think we can manage that," Angel said, squeezing him tight.

"Great, people have always been telling me to 'go to Hell,' and I guess now I will."