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possibility of a warm, comfortable, safe relationship that would prove satisfactory to both parties.
    She halted her thoughts as she realized how far ahead they were spinning. There was plenty of time to see where it all led. It was enough for now just to feel that she was on the same wavelength as Ryerson. In fact, it was the most delightful sensation she had ever had with a man. She wanted to treasure it fully and understand and explore it completely.
    „We’ll take it slow and easy,“ Ryerson promised again. „No rush. I think you and I will become very close friends, Ginny.“
    Friends. Virginia smiled very brilliantly. „That sounds wonderful.“
    „No Rush.“ The reassuring words echoed again and again in Virginia’s mind during the next three weeks.
    She would find herself pausing for a few minutes at her desk to think about them. They would float through her consciousness just before she went to sleep. She would repeat them to herself in the shower.
    „No rush.“ She had found a man who was content to let a relationship build slowly, easily, naturally into a close friendship before he made any demands on her; a man who was willing to give her time. She and Ryerson would become good friends before they decided whether to take the risk of going to bed together.
    The knowledge was infinitely reassuring to Virginia.
    For the first time since her disastrous marriage, Virginia could accept the fact that she might really be able to establish a close relationship with a man. And if she chose the right man, an understanding, undemanding man, she just might be able to perform adequately in bed. Ryerson wouldn’t expect fireworks.
    Almost four weeks after she had found Ryerson on her doorstep, Virginia met her sister for lunch at a downtown cafe. Debby showed up with several shopping bags. She was her usual eye-catching self in a sizzling red short skirt and a matching bolero jacket. She examined Virginia’s tailored business suit and sleek hair and frowned slightly but said nothing. She was accustomed to her sister’s more conservative ways.
    „All right, let’s have it,“ Debby demanded as soon as they were seated. „How’s the big love affair going? We all know you and Ryerson have been seeing each other constantly for nearly a month. Mom and Dad are afraid to get their hopes up again, but personally I’m feeling very positive about the future. I think you and Ryerson are meant for each other.“
    „That’s very generous of you,“ Virginia said blandly. She opened her menu and studied the list of pastas.
    The dish with olives, capers and basil looked especially interesting. Her appetite seemed to have increased a little lately. Usually she just had yogurt or a salad for lunch. „But just to set the record straight, there is no flaming love affair. Ryerson and I are friends.“
    Debby peered at her over the top of the menu. „Come on, Ginny, don’t be coy. This is me, Debby, your nosy sister. What’s going on between the two of you?“
    „Well, last Saturday Ryerson and I spent a wonderful evening at the ballet,“ Virginia said sedately. „On Tuesday we had dinner on the waterfront. Excellent Alaskan salmon, by the way. I think we’re going to attend a program of chamber music in the university district this weekend. We haven’t quite decided on that, though. Also, there’s a new exhibit of cacti at the conservatory in Volunteer Park that we’ve been meaning to tour.“
    Debby raised her eyes toward the ceiling. „An exhibit of cacti. Heaven help us. That’s not what I meant and you know it. I want to know if you’re sleeping with the man, darn it!“
    It was Virginia’s turn to raise her eyebrows. „You always come directly to the point, don’t you. Deb?“
    „Sure. Most folks think it’s part of my charm. Now level with me, sister dear.“
    Virginia smiled loftily. „Your question does not deserve an answer, but I’ll give you one, anyway, mostly because I know it will drive you