“You didn’t have to get me anything, but I’m glad you did.” Tara winked, which put a fire in Sheldon’s loins that wouldn’t be fully extinguished until Arbor Day. She opened the box and pulled out a stunning pair of emerald-cut aquamarine earrings in an antique white gold setting.
 

Tara held her hand over her mouth. She was either joyfully overwhelmed or ready to cough up a fur ball.
 

“I believe you mentioned you liked emerald-cut diamonds. I thought diamonds were a bit presumptuous. Besides, the aquamarines match your eyes better. The setting is taken from an Edwardian design.”
 

“Sheldon, these are stunning!” Tara was almost moved to tears. “I don’t know what to say. I can’t accept these. These must have cost you a fortune!”
 

“It’s true, I’ve been eating cat food for the last month.” Sheldon waved it off. “My dad’s in the jewelry business, yada yada yada.”
 

Tara melted. “You can’t ‘yada’ your way out of this one! I know better.”
 

“Our working relationship—” Sheldon cleared his throat. “Our friendship has meant a lot to me. I would be honored if you would accept them.”
 

She was moved by Sheldon’s sincerity as well as the resale value of the gift. “How can I refuse?” Tara took off her earrings and put on the new pair. If Tara looked any better, Cleopatra in comparison would have been given a job as a ring announcer for midget wrestling.
 

“Oh, I almost forgot, I have something for you!” Tara reached into her evening purse and pulled out a small parcel wrapped in handmade parchment. Sheldon graciously accepted it. “I hope you like it!” Tara bit her lip.
 

“I already do,” Sheldon said suavely. The scotches were still working. He opened the package. It was a small book, very old. His eyes went wide. Sheldon perused it like a paleontologist who had just discovered the mummified muscle tissue of Brachylophosaurus Canadensis. “This was written by Yang Lu-chan, the founder of Yang Style Tai Chi!”
 

“It’s one of his journals on how he developed the long form,” Tara confirmed.
 

Sheldon was stupefied. “I’ve been searching for a copy of this for years. I don’t know what to say. This must have cost you a fortune!”
 

“I know a woman, who knows a woman, yada, yada, yada,” Tara jested.
 

“You can’t ‘yada’ your way out of this one. The least I can do is buy you a drink.”
 

“Already have one. But you can dance with me.” Tara was surprised by her own boldness. The peppermint schnapps was working its mojo.
 

Sheldon missed the chance to ask her to dance first and he knew it. Instead of trying to cover up his mistake with a shallow excuse or cleaver quip, he merely held out his arm for her to grab. Tara took his arm. Their eyes met and for a long moment, they silently swore they knew each other from a past life.