hand.
Â
Brian's warm voice filled the store. "Karina. I can't make it to the store but I wish you every success on this day. Call if you get a chance."
Â
Tired but happy, she immediately dialed his number.
Â
"Hi Brian. I'm sorry I missed your call. I've just had a chance to check the answering machine."
Â
"Are you still at the store?" he asked in amazement.
Â
She did her best to stifle a yawn. "Yes. We couldn't even close the doors until an hour after closing. Then we still had to clean up. I'm about to pick up pizzas and head to Susan's. We had a phenomenal day."
Â
"Excellent. You sound like it's almost time for bed. You've been through a lot getting to today."
Â
"Definitely an early night for me," she agreed. "I wanted to tell you that both Susan and I would be at the lecture Thursday. Sandra might come as well."
Â
"Good. I'll see you then. Get your pizzas and get some rest."
Â
"I will." Karina smiled into the phone. "Thanks for calling, Brian. It meant a lot."
Â
"I wanted you to know that I was thinking about you on your big day."
Â
"Thank you." Karina grinned a she replaced the phone. Amazing how a few simple words could dispel the day's fatigue, at least for a few minutes.
Â
***
Â
By Thursday, Karina and Susan were finding their rhythm at the store. Business was steady, with lots of inventory going out of the door. They were going to have to do some reordering already.
Â
Karina dressed with extra care for the evening. This was the first of the evening seminars and boy, had she come a long way. She hadn't seen Brian since the last kiss. Between getting the store ready and his schedule, they hadn't had time for more than phone calls. Which was okay. She didn't want to start a relationship in bed, either. Of course, with the heat that flared every time he touched her that temptation became harder and harder to resist. Tonight both terrified her and excited her. Could they now move forward? And if soâwhere would their journey take them?
Â
The lecture hall was packed, as always. Mark was at the door handing out information sheets. Karina eagerly stepped forward to hug him before going to look for seating.
Â
So busy chatting with her friends, Karina didn't notice Brian approaching. A gentle fingertip stroked her cheek as he walked past, bringing bright red to her cheeks. She stared straight ahead, trying to ignore the curious looks from those seated around her. The caress lingered in her mind for a long, long time.
Â
At coffee break, they gathered in a corner, catching up on news.
Â
"Good evening, ladies. How is everyone?" Brian asked as he approached.
Â
Other people joined the group, leaving no opportunity for personal conversation. Yet threads of intimate energy continued to ebb and flow easily around them. Brian shifted closer to Karina and murmured in her ear. "How's the store doing? Any regrets?"
Â
"Not a one." Karina beamed. "I was thinking just this afternoon about how far I've come since that first weekend. I wouldn't change that for anything."
Â
"Good. That's the way it should be." He paused for a moment. "I was hoping you'd have time to have lunch at my place on Sunday. Come meet my daughter and perhaps after that we can carry this conversation further." With that, he walked out of the room.
Â
The two other women immediately closed ranks around Karina. "What was that all about?" Susan whispered curiously.
Â
Karina hugged her friend, almost bouncing with barely restrained excitement. "He's invited me to his place on Sunday. I'll get to meet his daughter."
Â
"Then he's serious," Sandra announced. Both women nodded knowingly at Karina.
Â
She stared at them in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Â
"No one introduces a special friend to their children unless they're serious." Susan explained gleefully. She hooked her arm through Karina's.
Â
Karina was hopeful but doubtful. "But don't
Â
Brian's warm voice filled the store. "Karina. I can't make it to the store but I wish you every success on this day. Call if you get a chance."
Â
Tired but happy, she immediately dialed his number.
Â
"Hi Brian. I'm sorry I missed your call. I've just had a chance to check the answering machine."
Â
"Are you still at the store?" he asked in amazement.
Â
She did her best to stifle a yawn. "Yes. We couldn't even close the doors until an hour after closing. Then we still had to clean up. I'm about to pick up pizzas and head to Susan's. We had a phenomenal day."
Â
"Excellent. You sound like it's almost time for bed. You've been through a lot getting to today."
Â
"Definitely an early night for me," she agreed. "I wanted to tell you that both Susan and I would be at the lecture Thursday. Sandra might come as well."
Â
"Good. I'll see you then. Get your pizzas and get some rest."
Â
"I will." Karina smiled into the phone. "Thanks for calling, Brian. It meant a lot."
Â
"I wanted you to know that I was thinking about you on your big day."
Â
"Thank you." Karina grinned a she replaced the phone. Amazing how a few simple words could dispel the day's fatigue, at least for a few minutes.
Â
***
Â
By Thursday, Karina and Susan were finding their rhythm at the store. Business was steady, with lots of inventory going out of the door. They were going to have to do some reordering already.
Â
Karina dressed with extra care for the evening. This was the first of the evening seminars and boy, had she come a long way. She hadn't seen Brian since the last kiss. Between getting the store ready and his schedule, they hadn't had time for more than phone calls. Which was okay. She didn't want to start a relationship in bed, either. Of course, with the heat that flared every time he touched her that temptation became harder and harder to resist. Tonight both terrified her and excited her. Could they now move forward? And if soâwhere would their journey take them?
Â
The lecture hall was packed, as always. Mark was at the door handing out information sheets. Karina eagerly stepped forward to hug him before going to look for seating.
Â
So busy chatting with her friends, Karina didn't notice Brian approaching. A gentle fingertip stroked her cheek as he walked past, bringing bright red to her cheeks. She stared straight ahead, trying to ignore the curious looks from those seated around her. The caress lingered in her mind for a long, long time.
Â
At coffee break, they gathered in a corner, catching up on news.
Â
"Good evening, ladies. How is everyone?" Brian asked as he approached.
Â
Other people joined the group, leaving no opportunity for personal conversation. Yet threads of intimate energy continued to ebb and flow easily around them. Brian shifted closer to Karina and murmured in her ear. "How's the store doing? Any regrets?"
Â
"Not a one." Karina beamed. "I was thinking just this afternoon about how far I've come since that first weekend. I wouldn't change that for anything."
Â
"Good. That's the way it should be." He paused for a moment. "I was hoping you'd have time to have lunch at my place on Sunday. Come meet my daughter and perhaps after that we can carry this conversation further." With that, he walked out of the room.
Â
The two other women immediately closed ranks around Karina. "What was that all about?" Susan whispered curiously.
Â
Karina hugged her friend, almost bouncing with barely restrained excitement. "He's invited me to his place on Sunday. I'll get to meet his daughter."
Â
"Then he's serious," Sandra announced. Both women nodded knowingly at Karina.
Â
She stared at them in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Â
"No one introduces a special friend to their children unless they're serious." Susan explained gleefully. She hooked her arm through Karina's.
Â
Karina was hopeful but doubtful. "But don't
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