The less than Hallmark greeting took Tina by surprise.  However, the woman’s absolute splendor took Tina by surprise even more.

Everything about their brief encounter was a contradiction. 

The meeting seemed to happen at lightning speed yet…in slow motion.

Their exchange was so comfortable yet…so intensely nerve-wracking.

The woman seemed to be so strong yet…so gentle.

The brunette was so attractive yet…

Tina realized there was no contradicting that thought.  ‘She was fucking exquisite!’

Then Tina inhales sharply and covers her mouth as if she uttered something publicly that was only meant for her.  ‘Did I just think that?’

Tina tossed and turned in bed, unable to find a comfortable position.  She eventually ended up on her side and that is when she caught a glimpse of the jacket.  Not just any plain old jacket, but a black double breasted Burberry…from her.

Tina then caught a glimpse of her reflection from her dressing table’s mirror.  There was this incredibly huge lopsided grin on her face.

The thoughts swirling in Tina’s mind began to banter:

‘What are you thinking, Kennard?’

‘That you should see her again.’

‘Of course…to return the jacket.’

‘The jacket!  Yes!  Dry clean and return Burberry.’

‘Yeah.  Polite and right thing to do.’

‘I felt a connection with her…’

‘Yeah, you’re new in town and want company.  I’m sure she’d make a good…friend.’

‘Friend…yes exactly.  Definitely, you just have to see again.’

‘Must see her…um, to personally return her jacket.’

‘Yep, personally return it because…damn she’s hot!’

The last thought caused Tina to bury her face deeply into her pillow and she forced herself to find sleep.

The next few days flew by and the next thing Tina knew, she was leaving work late Thursday evening.  In fact, she had left her office at almost ten each evening of the work week.  Alphaville executives were overloaded with work in preparation for tomorrow evening’s event at a Hollywood hot spot, The Factory.

Each day…and night for the record, Tina thought about the brunette.  She thought of her voice, her smile, how it felt when she briefly tugged at her hand to pull her close…every detail replayed in Tina’s mind.

The jacket still remained in her room.  Since their encounter, the jacket had been dry cleaned and was ready to be returned. 

Tina had been meaning to return the jacket.  She remembered that the posted hours were Tuesday to Saturday noon to five.  It seemed every time she thought she had an opportunity, a work crisis arose or the gallery was no longer open.

Deep inside, Tina was also a little fearful of meeting the dark haired beauty again.  Every time Tina recalled their encounter, her stomach tightened and heart quickened.  She could not explain how she reacted that day and never remembered ever reacting to someone like that since…well, when Bobby Fratelli french kissed her in middle school!  And even that was not remotely anywhere close to what she felt with the brunette.

Despite the slight feeling of fear, the desire to see the woman in the gallery was overpowering.

Tina was determined.  ‘Just let me survive Friday night’s event.  Saturday morning, I’ll be at the Bette Porter Gallery first thing to return the jacket to the woman.’