She paced back and forth. The room was 5' x 7' and there was hardly enough space to make full strides. She reasoned that massaging opposite palms with her thumbs was an attempt for some relief. The nervous gesture was really just to keep from biting her nails.
"Why am i feeling this way now," she asked herself. "Kathy, focus..."
The day was going okay for once. Kathy's book signing at Barnes & Nobel was a huge success. After years of writing, something finally caught a publisher's attention. She smirked at that thought, the words weren't the only thing being noticed.
Three years ago, Frederick Prichard stared at a slim brunette through the coffee shop window. He laughed as he watched an order take place of decaf coffee at one of the hottest caffeine spots in town. The barista handed her a cup with so many markings it was impossible not to recognize her. He watched as she maneuvered through the long line of waiting customers without looking up from her Blackberry. He opened the door as she exited.
"Thank you," she quietly mumbled.
"You're welcome, Miss Rogers," he replied, keeping the door open.
For a moment, the Blackberry was forgotten. She looked up to see who spoke her name and found a tall man holding the door open, looking straight at her.
"I'm sorry, how do you know..." she trailed off as the thought occurred to her she just confirmed that was her name.
"Miss Rogers, please excuse me for being so forward. My name is Frederick Prichard, you can call me Rick."
"Thank you for holding the door, Mr. Prichard, but the AC will escape," she smiled politely. "Did you want to speak with me?"
"Well, yes," Rick released the door after another customer had entered. "There is a park just up the way, may i have some of your time?"
"I don't know... i have an appointment in" she twisted her elbow up just enough to look at her watch while keeping the coffee upright "oh my God, i'm late already. Maybe we can talk another time, Mr. Prichard?"
"An appointment with Leonard Publishing, yes?"
"How did you..." her voice trailed again.
"My assistant let me know i could find a Miss Kathy Rogers down at the coffee shop ordering a decaf latte. And Miss Rogers, you're right on time."
