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I arrived at the office ahead of schedule. I was so worried about being on time, that I hardly gave Nick any attention this morning. Sure we chatted long enough to share the plans for the day, but I always wanted more time with him, we were always doing something that kept us apart, at least intimately. I hated having to put a stop to his affections and advances when his touch always made my heart weaken. However, I knew I was going to survive the day knowing that we had the house to ourselves tonight.

I stepped off the elevator and onto the 5th floor of the building and said hi to Cathy, the receptionist that I have known and grown to love over the years. She was standing behind the desk, her short blonde hair stuck behind her ears exposing her bifocal glasses. Although Cathy was in her upper thirties, she had terrible eyesight.

“Good Morning Renee. Isn’t it beautiful today?” She greeted me with a warm smile. I couldn’t believe she was this happy on the day of a proposal.

“Hi Cathy. Aren’t we especially cheerful?” I greeted her back, as I stopped at the desk on the way to my office.

“Is it that obvious? I thought if I hid my nervousness with fake happiness I’d get through the morning better.”

“Why do you say that? What are you nervous about?” I asked, it wasn’t too unusual to see Cathy bright and cheery in the morning, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear the answer.

“Dave’s already here with the potential client.” Cathy responded. I could see the weariness in her expression as she spoke.

“Here? Now? No, the meeting isn’t scheduled till nine thirty. What is he doing here early?” I panicked. I was not expecting those words to come out of her mouth. The meeting was a good hour away, just long enough for me to set up the conference room with the displays and prep with the other team members before we gave our presentation.

“I’m not sure Renee. I came in this morning and he was already here waiting for Dave. He’s with him now, giving him a tour of the building.” Cathy picked up a stack of mail and started sorting them into separate piles.

“No, this is not good. I’m not ready to meet him yet. I haven’t even been to my office, yet alone clock in for the day. No, this is not good.” I could feel my blood pressure rise. I had been stressed all week about today, and now he was here early?

“It will be ok Renee. You’ll be a pro, like always.” Cathy smiled as she handed me my stack of mail.

“Thanks Cathy, you really are pulling out your best material this morning.” I responded dryly.

“Ah, see it’s working already. I have you making jokes.” Cathy chuckled. She finished sorting the mail and placed them on the cart she used to deliver mail to all the offices.

“Hi Renee. Did you hear the news this morning?” Jenni walked up to the desk and joined in the conversation.

“Oh yes. I’ve heard the client is here early.” I turned and looked at Jenni. She was as perky as ever today. Normally I liked her enthusiasm, but it seemed to irritate me this morning.

“Yes he is, but I was referring to the time of the meeting. Its been pushed up to nine.” She stated matter of factly.

“What?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. That just barely gave me enough time to set up, yet alone prep for the meeting.

“Oh, you didn’t hear. Sorry to break it to you.” Jenni smiled wearily. I couldn’t help but think that everyone else was prepared for this meeting but me. And why did Jenni know before I did? It wasn’t her meeting today.

“Well, I guess I better get a move on. Catch you girls for lunch.” I stepped away from the desk and headed towards my office. I needed to sit down, and do it quickly before my heart was going to explode. I could hear Jenni behind me, her heels clacking on the tile flooring with every step she took. I was already annoyed at her for knowing about the time change; the last thing I wanted was for her to follow me. I had to think of something to get her away from me.

“Jenni?” I stopped just outside my door, my portfolio in my hands, “Could you set up the conference room with the easels, and set the drawings on them? I have them placed in order of how I want them displayed. It would help me out a great deal this morning.” I smiled, trying to act like I wasn’t annoyed of her.

“Sure, Renee. I was just going to ask if there was anything you needed,” she took the portfolio from my hands, “I can’t wait to see the drawings, I’m sure they look great!”

“Well, thanks to your help with the art exhibit, they do! I really appreciate you helping me out Jen.” I smiled and watched her walk down the hallway and turn the corner to the conference room. I sighed as I unlocked the door to my office. I couldn’t believe the change of events this morning; I didn’t want to have to rush through my preparation, not that I wouldn’t be able to pull it off, it just threw off my routine. As if I wasn’t nervous enough about meeting the client. I shut my door and sat down at my desk, ready for some quiet to regroup my thoughts.

“Renee, you have a phone call on line one.” Cathy chimed in over the intercom. Damn! I could not catch a break.

“Renee Carter speaking.” I answered the phone, dreading a response. I was not in the mood for any more complications this morning.

“Mmm, I can never get tired of hearing that.” The voice on the line spoke in a low sexy tone. I shook my head, and laughed a little before responding,

“Nick, what are you doing?”

“I was just thinking about tonight. Can’t wait to have you to myself.” I rolled my eyes. I couldn’t believe he was interrupting me to talk about sex, as if I didn’t know it was on his mind this morning in the bathroom.

“Did you really have to call and tell me that? You know how busy I am.”

“I’m sorry. I love you, can I not express that?”

“No, its just I was thrown some curve balls this morning.” I turned the chair around, and looked outside the window.

“Well, you’ll have to hit ‘em out of the park, babe.” I laughed. He did have a strange way of making me laugh when I was stressed. I finally broke down and told him what he wanted to hear.

“I can’t wait till later too. It’s the only thing getting me through today.”

“Aww, babe. Don’t make me cry.”

“You are a strange, strange man Carter.”

“And yet you stick around.”

“Yeah, don’t remind me why I shouldn’t.” I turned the chair back around and faced the front wall of my office.

“Ouch! That hurt, cut me right in the heart.” Nick chuckled.

“Alright, I’ll see you later.” I tried to end the conversation, knowing that if I didn’t Nick would carry on.

“Love you babe. I’ll be thinking about you all day.”

“Yeah, you too.” I placed the phone back on the receiver, and couldn’t help but feel more relaxed. I looked over at the photo of my family and smiled. How could I be so lucky? What did I do to deserve Nick and our two beautiful, healthy boys? I wasn’t anything special. I grew up in the Midwest, had a typical catholic upbringing, and attended private schools for as long as I could remember. I had loved and lost a few men before Nick came into my life. I wasn’t looking to date; yet alone marry a celebrity when we ran into each other that night. And now we’ve had 7 years together, who knew how many more to come, or children for that matter.

I straightened my clothes and fluffed my hair before stepping out of the office. As I reached the door, I took a deep breath; I knew the biggest project of my professional career was ahead of me. As I stepped into the hallway I saw Dave escorting a man whom I knew was the client. Immediately my nerves settled down to my stomach, I was taken back by the presence of this man. I couldn’t pinpoint where the feeling was coming from, but it was too strong to ignore. It was almost like deja vue, but I knew I’d never met him before. I shook it off and approached them.

“Good Morning Dave, I hope I’m not interrupting.” I politely smiled as I stopped next to him.

“Well, good morning Renee! We were just headed to your office, Cathy said you were in,” Dave smiled so largely I knew he was trying to impress the client, “I’d like for you to meet Marc Ayres.”

“Good morning Mr. Ayres, its nice to meet you.” I reached out my hand and he accepted. He smiled as he took hold of my hand and shook it gently, yet firmly.

“Its great to finally meet you too, but please call me Marc.”