A few days later, Sam was at work, staring at her computer screen and trying to focus on the project at hand. It was only a week or so until the planned meeting with Valerie, and Sam’s thoughts were a jumbled mess of anticipation, fear, shame, and excitement.
Part of her knew Barry was right; no good could come of any possible relationship with someone like Valerie. Sam had a gnawing suspicion there might be more to fear about Valerie than Barry even suggested. What did she really know about her after only a few dates? For all Sam knew, she could be a drug addict…or a criminal…or anything. Sam knew it was foolish to open that door up again and see Valerie, but she also knew she was going to do it. No matter what anyone said.
Sam forced herself to get back to work. Working on a complicate
