I only have this week off to take a break."

“Ah, yes. Beckman! Good firm. They're doing well. It's downtown, not too far from the University isn't it?"

"Yes... Robert."

“Well, well. That's not too far from my office. I'm not in there very often, it is a long drive. But I pop in every now and again to make sure they're not driving my company into the ground. We should meet for lunch sometime when I'm in town."

I was seized by momentary fear, a little intimidated by Amber's father and yet hopeful that maybe he Liked me. Getting in with the parents would be great for the future, and it seemed that despite 'The Heights‘ reputation for snobbishness, my lack of social nobility wasn't going to be a deal-breaker in my dating his daughter.

“That sounds great Robert," I answered with full confidence.

He patted me on the back, and for the first time, I started to really think about my Long-term romantic future.

SUMMER, STAFF ENGINEER (June 2002)

I shot my cuffs and took one more second to make sure my tie was straight. They said the dress code was business casual, but for my first day I wanted to make a good impression. They say its always okay to be too dressed up and never okay to be too dressed down.

Minutes later I was smiling at the matronly receptionist as I told her,

“I'm here to see Brianna, in HR."

I sat in the lobby for about five minutes. I was early after all. I tried to calm myself by breathing slowly and absently wiped the nervous sweat from my hand. I already HAD the job, so it wasn't like interview nerves. But a tingle of excitement still zipped up and down my spine.

My first real job.

When the security door opened, I immediately stood and got ready to greet the HR staffer who would walk me through my paperwork and get me started. The only problem was that as soon as the attractive brunette came through the door, my tongue immediately tied itself into a pretzel.

She wasn't the most gorgeous woman I'd ever seen. Either Amber or

Cherys would easily have taken that crown. But she was still quite pretty and her green eyes sparkled.

And yet it wasn't her attractiveness that floored me. I'd been around enough pretty women in my life. It was that she looked JUST Like

Danielle. Same eyes, similar cheekbones, same curve to her lips. Only her dark brown hair initially set her apart.

I was seized by momentary confusion. Was this my sister come to play a prank on me?

“Hello David, pleased to meet you. I'm Brianna." She reached her hand to shake and I took it numbly. You know how they say you can tell a lot about a person by their handshake? My handshake said I was a limp, spineless fish.

“Uh..., um..."

I was a caveman.

At least her voice was different. And the longer I stared at her face the more I began to pick out the subtle differences. Still, the resemblance was striking. But at least I managed to find my voice.

“Oh, sorry," I muttered as my tone picked up in strength and my grip firmed up. "You startled me, that's all."

Brianna smiled demurely and she blushed.