This is fascinating and wonderful. I am taken with the idea of Stella wanting a man who would love her but not worship her -- it seems so right on target. There's a tension about RayK and Stella, even in his reminiscences of her, whereas there's a difference in how RayV introduces himself to her. He's attracted, but sure of himself. Not desperate to please her. No wonder that appeals. You nailed it. And I like to think that RayK and Fraser will have that separate-but-together-ness that she has found. Nice, nice take.