“Well, Mario,” she reached to pet his head as he lay by her chair. “Let’s see if I have any mail.” Surprisingly enough, there was only one e-mail waiting to be read. Clicking on the icon, she opened it.

Subj: Waiting to see you

Date: September 16, 6:36:58 AM Eastern Daylight Time

From: Sam Moleson

To: Brooke Loran

Brooke,

I’m on pins and needles just waiting for the minutes to click by. God, who would have ever thought that 6 days, 19 hours, 38 minutes, and 17 seconds, would take so long. I know, patience. Well, patience is a virtue and I’m not so sure that it’s one of my favorites any more. All I have to say is these remaining 10 hours, 24 minutes, and 5 seconds are going to seem like days until I see your smiling face and hear that voice of yours.

Gosh, you’d think that I’m in love or something. I know, I’ll vote for the something, it’s just too early for it to be love.

Hopefully you got sleep, cause I sure didn’t with the clock staring me in the face all night, reminding me of our date.

See you soon, but not soon enough. Sam

A smile crossed Brooke’s face when she realized that Sam was just as anxious for their date to begin as she was. Quickly typing up a reply, she sent it off, feeling like a high school girl getting ready for Prom night.

Subj: Re: Waiting to see you

Date: September 16, 2:58:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time

From: Brooke Loran

To: Sam Moleson

All I have to say is these remaining 10 hours and 24 minutes and 5 seconds are going to seem like days until I see your smiling face and hear that voice of yours.

***g Well, now there’s only 2 hours, 8 minutes and 17 seconds to go before I see you walk out that door. I’m sure I’ll be a nervous wreck driving all the way there. I need to find some good music to play in the 300 on the way there to keep me calm. Don’t you ever let anyone know that you’ve gotten me this nervous. ;-)

Who are you, Sam, to have this hold over me like you do?

Gosh, you’d think that I’m in love or something. I know, I’ll vote for the something, it’s just too early for it to be love.

***Something sounds about right. g

Hopefully you got sleep, cause I sure didn’t with the clock staring me in the face all night, reminding me of our date.

***Not a wink… How are we ever going to be able to stay awake to enjoy our evening? Any suggestions…? wink I’m still curious to know about this surprise you have in store for later… The suspense is killing me!

Well, now there’s only 2 hours, 1 minute and 43 seconds left. It’s still too long to wait.

Can’t wait to see you,

Brooke, AKA “Auntie”

Hoping that she would receive another message from Sam, Brooke left her computer on, just in case. Gathering up herself and all the tingling sensations that her body was feeling, she headed toward the shower and started getting ready for the big evening.

The few minutes in the shower were all that it took to keep her from being disappointed. When she walked into the office across from her bedroom, she smiled seeing Sam’s e-mail address on the screen. I’ll be reading you in a minute or two. She winked at the screen as she continued to towel off her hair, turning towards her bedroom.

Once dressed and happy with her appearance for the evening in a well-worn pair of faded black Levi’s and a silk shirt to match, she sat down at her computer. For the remainder of the time she had left, she exchanged e-mails with Sam.

Subj: Re: Waiting to see you

Date: September 16, 3:48:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time

From: Sam Moleson

To: Brooke Loran

In a message dated September 16, 2:58:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Brooke Loran writes:

Don’t you ever let anyone know that you’ve gotten me this nervous. ;-)

Dear Auntie,

Oh, so you’re the cool, calm and collected type…eh? Are you trying to tell me that you’ve never gotten nervous before a date? Hmmm…Or maybe you haven’t had a real date before. Don’t worry, what we do is strictly our business and nobody else’s.

How are we ever going to be able to stay awake to enjoy our evening? Any suggestions…wink I’m still curious to know about this surprise you have in store as to what you want later… The suspense is killing me!

Somehow I think that we won’t have a problem staying awake and enjoying our time together. I could always give you a little slap or tickle if you start to doze off.

Surprise…did I say surprise? Curiosity killed that cat…don’t let it kill you. Let’s just say that I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I will.

Oh, Auntie, you don’t have any set bedtime…do you?

Your back door pick-up kind of girl, Sam

Brooke smiled and shook her head. “Hmm…what am I going to do with you, Sam?” She thought for a moment then quickly typed in her reply.

Subj: Re: Waiting to see you

Date: September 16, 4:01:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time

From: Brooke Loran

To: Sam Moleson

Dear Auntie,

***Cute, Darlin’… real cute…g

Oh, so you’re the cool, calm and collected type…eh? Are you trying to tell me that you’ve never gotten nervous before a date? Hmmm…Or maybe you haven’t had a real date before.

***Well, you’ve got me. You’re right. I have never been nervous before a date because none of my previous encounters could actually be placed in the date category.

Somehow I think that we won’t have a problem staying awake and enjoying our time together. I could always give you a little slap or tickle if you start to doze off.

***So help me, if you slap me or tickle me, God forbid, I will not be responsible for my actions… Or reactions.

Surprise…did I say surprise? Curiosity killed that cat…don’t let it kill you. Let’s just say that I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I will.

***Ooh, naughty!

Oh, Auntie, you don’t have any set bedtime…do you?

***Sure do… let me creep over to the counter so I can pop some Geritol. After I have my prune juice and nap, I’ll get back to you on it. BTW, my memory is slipping… what was that question, again?

Your back door pick-up kind of girl,

***One of these days I’ll pick you up the front door and sweep you off your feet.

Tata, Brooke

The dark-haired woman smiled and sent the e-mail off to its waiting recipient. It didn’t take long before another line of script came to the screen, signaling another incoming message. Again, it was Sam and Brooke couldn’t wait to see her reply.

Subj: Re: Waiting to see you

Date: September 16, 4:22:12 PM Eastern Daylight Time

From: Sam Moleson

To: Brooke Loran

In a message dated September 16, 4:01:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Brooke Loran writes:

One of these days I’ll pick you up the front door and sweep you off your feet.

God, Brooke! My heart just did a round of palpitatious flutters when I read that. And you’re asking me what kind of hold I have on you? I sure hope this date thing works out cause I’m looking forward to that front door and being swept up in your arms.

The one with her feet waiting to dangle in the air… Sam

Blue eyes flashed with amazement at the stirring emotions that Sam’s e-mail was invoking in her. Now, Brooke’s mind mentally played out the images of sweeping in that front door of the dorm and holding Sam’s body to her own, with the blonde’s small form high above the ground, cradled in her arms. Suddenly she found herself wanting to do exactly that. Better slow down, you don’t even know if this date tonight is going to be a bust or not. Don’t go getting ahead of yourself here. You know you’ve got Loran to worry about. She sighed and forced her thoughts off of the subject that would haunt her even in her excitement and returned Sam’s e-mail with one of her own.

Subj: Re: Waiting to see you

Date: September 16, 4:36:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time

From: Brooke Loran

To: Sam Moleson

God, Brooke! My heart just did a round of palpitatious flutters when I read that.

***Hmmm…Guess I should ask Terri about that word, huh? I’m just kidding. I know what you mean. Yes, you do have quite the hold on me. And for once in my life, I can honestly say that I don’t mind.

I sure hope this date thing works out cause I’m looking forward to that front door and being swept up in your arms.

Not as much as I’m looking forward to holding you there. Brooke

Sending it on its way, she turned to look out the window. “It’s going to be a nice day for the drive, too bad you can’t go with me, Mario.”

The dog came over to her, eager for her affection. “Sorry, boy, I can’t keep my eye on you, the road and Sam all at the same time.”

Brooke petted the dog as he nuzzled her hand. “You’re going to love her, Mario. Just you wait and see.”

She turned back to the screen and there was her reply.

Subj: Re: Waiting to see you

Date: September 16, 4:48:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time

From: Sam Moleson

To: Brooke Loran

In a message dated September 16, 4:36:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Brooke Loran writes:

Yes, you do have quite the hold on me. And for once in my life, I can honestly say that I don’t mind.

Not as much as I’m looking forward to holding you there.

Can someone die and go to heaven…and still be alive? Because I think I just did. Okay, I must still be alive cause I’m breathing and the tingles are still going through my body with just the thought of you. Brooke, I hate to say this, but I think we’re playing with some major kind of fire here. Don’t you dare think about putting it out. Well, unless we both agree on it. LOL ;)