As she walked away from the shop, practically all the men who passed by turned to look at her, but there wasn’t a single one she found to be attractive enough. Dahlia slowed her pace, then stopped before a shop window to tidy her appearance. She was alone. Her husband would be away another two weeks, and for two weeks she would be alone, quite free.
Suddenly she was startled, uttering a little cry at the shock of someone bumping into her.
A male voice said, “I’m sorry. I beg your pardon, ma’am, I didn’t see you.”
Dahlia turned around to see the man who was speaking. He was a young man, smartly dressed, with a package in his arms. Their glances locked, and they both smiled.
“May I escort you somewhere?” the young fellow asked without hesitation.
“Thank you, if it isn’t too much trouble
