From: h.buchanan@igb.com.au
To: holmes@webnet.com.au
Subject: Saturday night
Hey Sam,
I enjoyed not taking you to the reunion the other night. Care to do it again? I’m guessing the kids are with their father next weekend. Are you free?
Hal
Sam sat staring at the computer screen. This was taking things a step further, no question. She sat, nervously biting the edge of her thumb. She wasn’t ready. It was as simple as that. Hal of all people should understand.
From: holmes@webnet.com.au
To: h.buchanan@igb.com.au
Subject: Re: Saturday night
Dear Hal
Sorry, the kids will be with me. They start at their new school next Monday, so we’re having a quiet weekend.
Sam
No, that sounded too curt. She deleted ‘Sam’ and added
Maybe some other time.
Sam
But he might take that as an opening to ask again. What about
Thanks for asking.
Sam
Now it sounded too eager.
Thanks for the other night.
Sam
Suggestive?
Thanks anyway.
Sam
Good. Polite, but definitely non-leading. She clicked Send, then immediately deleted both his original message and her reply.