Too Close to Touch by Georgia Beers

myself clear?”
    Kylie swallowed, knowing her face was ß aming hot and hating it.
    She nodded, feeling small.
    “Good.” Gretchen sat back again and waved Kylie off like a ß y, ending the discussion. “Go home. Eat something and get some rest.
    We’ve got a lot to do tomorrow.”
    Kylie stood, clutching her pad to her chest, and beelined to her cubicle without looking back. She didn’t want Gretchen to see the tears that, much to her dismay, had Þ lled her eyes. Painfully embarrassed, she packed up in record time and walked down the hall and out the employee entrance, wanting only to get to her car as quickly as possible. She was determined not to cry and annoyed that it was even a possibility. All she wanted was to get home and hug Rip. He had always understood when she was frustrated, his loving blue eyes reß ecting his unconditional love for her.
    At the realization that he wouldn’t be waiting, she stopped dead in her tracks in the middle of the nearly empty parking lot. Only then did a tear spill over and roll silently down her cheek.
    • 47 •
    • 48 •
    TOO CLOSE TO TOUCH

CHAPTER FIVE
    Gretchen sipped her Pinot Grigio and stared out the window of the restaurant at the people walking up and down Park Avenue. It certainly wasn’t Manhattan, but as smaller cities went, it was nice. The population seemed fairly diverse. A young, obviously gay couple was followed a few feet back by a man and woman in their sixties, holding hands. Many people were walking dogs, anxious to get out into the much-awaited spring weather. Gretchen enjoyed the simple act of people-watching, sipping her wine in complete relaxation. It was a state she didn’t reach often.
    Activity on the street was beginning to pick up with the promise of summer. Just in the three weeks she’d lived in Rochester, Gretchen had already seen it. The number of people seemed a little higher; the shops seemed a little brighter and seemed to stay open a little later. It even smelled like summer was coming.
    Taking note of the small outdoor tables, Gretchen decided that once May’s evening chill left the air, she’d sit outside and dine. She glanced at her watch and noted with a smile that Pete was late, as usual.
    It had grated on her nerves when they were married, but now she just chalked it up as a Pete-ism and shrugged her indifference with an oh, well, that’s Pete resignation. If you didn’t expect to have to wait for Pete, you didn’t know him very well.
    They were meeting at six thirty. At precisely six Þ fty, Pete strolled through the front door. Gretchen waved at him. He exchanged smiling words with the hostess, then crossed the room and met Gretchen at her table, giving her a warm, tight hug as she stood to greet him. As her face brushed his shirt, the spicy aroma of his cologne hit her senses
    • 49 •
    GEORGIA BEERS
    and she was swept momentarily into her past, remembering when their bathroom smelled of that same scent and how much she’d adored it.
    She’d purchased it for him every Christmas for the six years they were together.
    “Right on time, as always,” she teased.
    “I just wanted you to be sure to get a glass of wine in you before I got here,” he teased back as they sat. “God, it’s good to see you. What’s it been? Last summer? I can’t believe you’re here.”
    “Last summer at your cottage,” Gretchen replied, feeling more content than she had in several days. She smiled, hoping to convey the warmth in her heart. “It’s good to see you, too.”
    “I’m so happy that you moved up here. We’re practically neighbors now.” His blue eyes twinkled with excitement, making him appear much younger than his Þ fty years despite the gray at his temples.
    “How’s Allyson?” Gretchen asked, making eye contact with the waiter in order to get Pete a drink. He zipped over quickly and took the request.
    “She’s wonderful. She sends her love and says to Þ nd out when you can come over for dinner.”
    Gretchen