This page is written for everyone who has known the joy and pain that love brings.The stories that appear in Tales of the Heart are shared by those who have lived through, and therefore understand, the complicated world of romance. Enjoy! And, please feel free to share your own story. Your anonymity is guaranteed and your stories are protected by copyright laws.

We had waited all year for this vacation.

When my roomate, Sally, and I arrived at our Emerald Beach destination, we checked into our ocean front hotel room quickly so as not to waste one moment of our time in the sun.

"I just have the feeling that this week at Emerald Beach will mark great changes in our lives, Sally predicted, stacking her tank tops on the closet shelf.

Yea, right, I thought, tossing Sally a quick glance.

I knew that, if I were Sally, I wouldn't be looking for great changes.

Blond, with an hour-glass figure and hazel eyes, Sally was probably the most popular woman I had ever known, whereas I, a petite brunette with brown eyes, had been fighting a losing battle with shyness all my life.

"We'll see," I answered, recalling the lonely nights I'd spent at home alone while Sally was out on the town with one of her admirers.

I had spent those hours alone reading - first, the best sellers, then the classics. I had even read the Bible from cover to cover.

"One thing's for sure, if there is a man here who likes to discuss what he has read, I'm his gal," I quipped, following my roommate out the door .

Tired from our long drive, we postponed our walk down the beach. Instead, we stopped at the first vacant umbrella, spread our beach blankets on the white sand and settled down to watch the incoming tide.

When I awoke, the waves were lapping at my toes and Sally was nowhere in sight.

Probably out gaining a new conquest, I thought, realizing that this week was starting out just like the weeks at home, with Sally out on a date and me, left alone to read.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't seem to overcome the shyness that kept me from dating the nice young men Sally had introduced me to.

Several hours later, I closed my book, folded our blanket and headed back to the room to wait for Sally.

As I approoached the oceanside pool, however, I heard Sally's unmistakable laugh. And there she was, perched on a barstool, engaged in deep conversation with her latest admirer. "A littleof the green-eyed monster?" a deep voice asked from behind me.

Turning, I saw a man standing near the pool, sipping his mai tai through a broad, teasing grin. I nodded and quickened my pace, hoping this dark, handsome man had not seen my face turn red. I breathed a sigh of relief as I closed my room door behind me, hoping that Sally would soon return to dress for dinner.

"Who is that man?" Sally asked from behind the shower curtain. "He has obviously had an effect on you" The blow dryer whirred in my ear as I stared at my blushed face in the mirror.

I ignored Sally's query, wishing that I knew how to answer.

It doesn't really matter, I thought. Surely, that good-looking man was already spoken for.

Yet, the image of his tan, lean body refused to leave my memory.

As Sally and I sat at our table sipping on glasses of dry, white wine. I knew that, according to custom, she would soon be on the dance floor. She had a charisma that guaranteed that. Her friendly, outgoing personality captured the lasting interest of men who were first drawn to her wholsome beauty.

As the evening progressed, I sat at our table alone, watching Sally as she danced the night away.

"A little of the green-eyed monster?" I heard again.

I jumped, nearly spilling my wine, and turned to see the face that had haunted me since I first saw it at the pool that afternoon. The young man walked around the table and casually sat across from me.

"A pretty girl like you should be the life of any party," he said. "I wonder why you hide behind your friend, when you are so much prettier than she."

My heart lept into my throat as my mind sought a reply.

"Nonsense!" I finally laughed.

But this man didn't give me time to protest further. "Still waters run deep," he whispered. "I've been watching you all day, and I know that, in spite of your friend's looks and personality, she cannot hold a candle to the woman that I know you are."

The next thing I knew, I was dancing. "Don't be afraid of me," my dance partner said, pulling me close.

My mind was racing.

How could I trust this man who so bravely entered my life? Who is he? After this week is over, will I ever see him again?