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of scenery.  Usually by this time, they got bored of the summer.  This year, was proving to be no different.  “We’ll see you next week.  Take care!”
    He waved as they headed towards the door.  When he opened the door he nearly bumped into Rebecca coming into the office.  “Oh; I’m sorry.”  She giggled and then looked down at children.  “Did you get registered?”
    “Yep; they sure did.”
    “I’m going to be in your class;” Kari remarked with an excitement that made Thomas beam.
    “You are?”  She gave Kari a high-five and Kari laughed.  “That is awesome news.  I look forward to knowing you better; all of you.”  Her eyes briefly washed over Thomas’ and he saw a hint of red brightening her cheeks.  “I…I have to go, but I will see you later.”
    “Good bye Rebecca.”  Thomas spoke softly as they left the office.  He didn’t know why, but he suddenly felt awkward around her.  He glanced back her way and saw her looking at him through the window.  When their eyes met she looked away.  He laughed to himself; that was weird.  He shrugged it off; it was just nice to know that one important job was done.  Now onto landing the job.
    ____________________
    Rebecca watched him leaving with 3 of his kids.  She really couldn’t get past out handsome he was.  “What are you doing?”  She jumped when she heard Adam’s voice behind her.
    “Nothing.”  She replied nonchalantly.
    “Oh;” he shrugged.  “So, when can we have our next date?”
    She just stared at him and started to laugh.  “We have never had a first date; let alone a next one.”
    “Sure we have; last night, that was a date.”
    She moved past him, trying to ignore that he was still looking at her.  "Adam; I appreciate you helping me out, but that’s all it was.  I don’t want to be rude, but it wasn’t a date.  It was just a cookout, and you just happened to go.”
    “Hm…” his eyes fell to the ground and then he looked up and smiled.  “Did I pick you up?  Did we go together?  Were you in my car?”
    “You know I was, but…”
    “By my accounts; that was a date.  Try to classify it as something else, but I know what it was.”
    “Did you kiss me at the end of the night?”  She laughed when she saw his shocked expression.  “The answer would be no; so it wasn’t a date.”
    “Would you have allowed me to kiss you?”
    “No!” She shrieked as she continued to look like she was busy.  “The point is…”
    “The point is I doubt you kiss every guy you go out with.  If you do, then I’m feeling rather neglected; which makes me want that date even more.”
    Rebecca rolled her eyes to his determined look.  “Adam, we’re friends.  That’s all; I’m sorry if I lead you on in anyway, but to believe that something would ever happen between us…it’s absurd.”
    “Wow; I don’t know if I would go that far.”  He looked like a lost puppy dog and she felt bad that she was being harsh, but she had to speak the truth.
    “I’m sorry; I had to be truthful.”
    He nodded.  “I understand, but you know where to find me if you change your mind.”
    “Yeah I know, but I won’t be changing my mind.  A relationship between us would be bad news.”
    “I don’t know about that; we get along rather well, don’t we?”  She nodded; they had a great friendship and he was a wonderful boss.  However, she wasn’t interested in him; she hoped he would finally get the message.
    “That’s not the problem.  I just don’t like you that way.  I’m sorry.”
    He shrugged.  “It is what it is.  I have some work to do.”  He left her standing there; her mouth was hanging open.  In time he would realize she was only trying to protect him.  Until then, she would just have to steer clear of him and not give him any crazy notions.
    ____________________
    Thomas waited nervously for the police detective to come back into his office.  He didn’t know why he was on edge; it wasn’t