As they released from the embrace, Carrie looked into Mike’s eyes responding - How could I? You KNOW how I feel about you… Mike was taken aback for a just a moment, but held his gaze continuing to look deep into her eyes. He moved forward until their lips were almost touching, and hesitated - was this really going to happen? But without hesitation, Carrie moved into the kiss, and their lips met. Again a pause, but still Carrie did not back away. And once Mike knew she was accepting of his feelings, a More Intense Kiss Ensued. And the passion grew between them.

But reality finally did make its way through the enchantment, and Carrie broke out of The Kiss. They stared at each other, neither one having any idea what to say, both trying to absorb what had just happened. Within seconds, Carrie slipped into denial. And as though nothing had happened, she suggested they go share the good news about the CoS position with the others. Mike - a mixture of thoughts and emotions racing through him - obliged. Later in the evening as he tried to talk with Carrie about what had happened earlier, she slipped even further into denial about her feelings, and told Mike they should forget The Kiss had ever happened. And Mike’s heart shattered as he agreed to do so.

It’s obvious that Mike and Carrie’s Mutual Infatuation Clearly Harbors An Ernest Love that has not yet been realized. But Carrie Certainly Advocates Remaining Resolute In Everything, especially her marriage. And so she’s struggling to push her feelings for Mike out of her mind and heart so she won’t have to deal with them. Carrie knows she Cannot Allow Risking Romantic Involvement Ever, or it would destroy her marriage to Austin. But if she’s around Mike, she doesn’t know if she Can Avoid Reactions Resulting In Enticement.

Usually, Mike Mostly Is Kept Enamoured of Carrie by dreaming of her, and being around her. But now, Mike also has the memory of The Kiss. However, the Memory Is Causing Heartache And Extreme Loneliness, because even though he now knows she has feelings for him, he still must live without her. And knowing this makes it even more difficult to bear than before. The thought keeps going through his mind that Maybe If Carrie Had Allowed Entertaining Love with him before she got married, she might have never married Austin. But he can’t keep returning to that thought, or it will drive him out of his mind.

Mike knows that More Indiscretions Could Harm And Embitter Love between Carrie and Austin, and he won’t allow that to happen. He knows he needs to avoid being around her as it Might Instigate Kissing Endlessly. And even though she has now accepted the PR Director position at the hospital, Mike knows he Must Intentionally Keep Encounters on a professional level only. The two of them working together Might Inadvertently Create Havoc And Encourage Lovemaking, if they were to once again give in to their feelings.

But now that The Kiss has happened, it’s clear that Mike and Carrie are meant to be together. Mike Is Completely Hopelessly And Endlessly Lost in love with Carrie. And in her heart, Carrie knows she Can Always Reach Out Longingly Initiating New Emotions, and Mike will be there for her. And there’s a strong physical attraction there as well, and deep down, I suspect Carrie imagines she Could Always Reach Rich Intense Ecstasy with Mike. *oops* And we want Mike and Carrie together. We want to see him Motivated Into Captivating Her And Expressing Love, instead of holding his true feelings inside.

The Kiss - their Kismet Is Signed & Sealed - and WILL be delivered! It’s only a matter of time. After all, their Magic Is Creating Hope And Everlasting Love. And as Mike told Carrie, you don’t ever want to lose your faith in that….