March 10, 2003 | 10:11 PM

The other night we were saying good-bye, and in each other�s arms all friendly like. He kissed me on the cheek and in my ear he whispered,

I remember watching you way back then, in the cafeteria� 1997? �98?�. yeah, I remember you then.

I could feel him smile against my earlobe.

I turned my head, and I kissed him on the mouth, and our lips caught each other like tightrope walkers falling into nets below. The kiss lingered�surprisingly, for half a minute or so.

It was a Dom Perignon kiss�urbane and suggestive. A Cary Grant Audrey Hepburn kiss. Refined, with wit and dignity and innuendo. As classy and sly as a Dorothy Parker quip.

Afterwards we stepped back and looked at each other in shock, not ever having expected what just transpired. We two reflected the other�s goofy grin. He took me by the shoulders and purred into my ear.

Hot stuff,

And I giggled, backing away, flipping my hair and flashing him one last look before I sauntered off to the car on the other side of the street.

There have been so many moments like that recently. The moments that can only be bought with real freedom, when there are no rules or expectations and anything goes. It was a beautiful instant, and one more thing I�ll always treasure.