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guess in the end, it wasn’t for me. Maybe right now I’m just lost.”

      The waitress was back with their plates, then left them on the table.

      “Enough about me. What about you?”

      “Not much more about me. Going day to day, wondering if I’ll have a job.”

      “That bad,” she said.

      “Yeah.”

      “Are you looking for another job?”

      Am I looking for another job, Don thought to himself, remembering Rob Barker. “Interviews are few and far between,” Gunn said, trying to hold back his anger. “Doesn’t help when you’re under a non-compete agreement and your job choices are limited.”

      “They can do that?” Kim inquired

      “Oh yeah. A lot of companies do it now. And they can fire me and I still can’t work in the industry for 2 years.”

      ‘That’s horrible. No wonder there’s so many people unemployed.”

      “They can do a lot of other things. So can the people that interview me for a new job.”

      “Like what?” Kim asked.

      His thoughts turned back to Rob Barker and North Shore Publishing. “How about asking someone to take a personality test?”

      “Personality test?”

      “Yeah,” Don said, his voice rising. “Go through 200 questions on whether you should lie to your boss. Or do you ever lie to anyone.”

      “That sounds ridiculous.”

      “Not as ridiculous as going to the interview and being asked to take a test that is like a high school equivalency exam. I mean, I graduated from Brockport. Didn’t have great grades. But still.”

      “Take it easy,” Kim said, rubbing his shoulder.

      “I mean, I never would have even applied to that job at North Star Publishing if it weren’t for my non-compete.”

      “Why did you apply then?”

      “Because I’m tired of worrying day after day about losing my job. I have to apply for jobs that I’m unqualified for. All because I can be fired and be deprived of making a living.”

      “I’m sorry.”

      “Not like anyone will talk about it on the news. Be interesting if they actually made a comparison of how many people are being deprived of a living while looking for a job and collecting unemployment.”

      “Guess they won’t talk about that?”

      “Yep. Can’t understand why. Guess that isn’t important enough.”

      “I’m sorry.”

      “Sounds like you’ve had it harder than I have,” Gunn replied. “Doesn’t sound like you had a very good childhood.”

      “No. I didn’t.” She sniffled.

      He pulled her close and she sniffled again. “Don’t be upset.”

      “I’m not,” she said, rubbing a tear from her eye.

      He felt his heart go out for her now, caring for her more.

      “I’m glad I met you today, Don.”

      “Same here.”

      They looked into each other’s eyes and he moved closer, covering her mouth with his. She pulled him close, her breasts rubbing against his chest again.

      They were out of Grizzlies after dinner, the kissing continuing outside, Kim jumping into Gunn’s arms as they reached the car. Her legs straddled his as he kissed her deeply, his tongue probing her mouth. Once inside the car, they kissed a few more times, then stopped. “Let’s just go back to your place already,” Kim said.

      ***

      2 hours later, they were in bed, Kim snuggling against Don’s chest, their legs tangled under the covers.

      “That was great.” she said.

      “Yeah, it was,” Gunn replied.

      “Bet you didn’t think your day would start off like this.”

      “That’s for sure,” he said, kissing her neck.

      “You wore me out,” she said.

      “I’m kind of worn out myself.”

      “I should go,” she said, getting up.

      “Really,”

      “I’m not a good morning person,” she said.

      “Wouldn’t mind if you stayed,” he said, propping an elbow against the pillow.

      “I might start to scare you and never want to leave.”

      Gunn chuckled.

      “I really had a good time and I want to see you again. How about tonight?”

      “Sunday night.”

      “Anything wrong with that?”

      “Just hate Sundays. One day closer to work.”

      “You must really hate your job.”

      “I do.”

      “That’s too bad. Look, we’ll have a good time. I’ll make you forget about it.” She kissed him on the cheek, stood up, then got dressed.

      “Where are we going?” Gunn asked.

      “We’ll just go to Grizzlies again if you want.”

      “Two nights in a row.”

      “It’s a Sunday night. You pick the place next week. Okay?”

      “Okay.”

      “Mind if I call a cab?”

      “Sure. You need money?”

      “I’m okay.” She grabbed her cell phone put it to her ear, then asked for Don’s address.”

      “I’ll wait outside.” She stood up and walked to the door. He got up, went to his closet, took out a blue robe, put it on, went to the door.

      “You’re a great guy Don Gunn.”

      “So are you Kim Hunter.” He drew her close and kissed her.

      “Might have to make the driver wait,” she said, rubbing his cheek with the back of her hand.

      “Sounds good to me.”

      She saw a pad on the table. She walked over, took a pen, then wrote her number on it. Then she asked for his number and e-mail and she put it in her cell phone.

      “I’ll go downstairs. Night.”

      “Night.”

      He watched her go and she turned and waved at him. Then she pressed the button for the elevator and it arrived. She waved again, then went inside the elevator.

      He shut the door, then locked it, stared at the clock on the wall, saw it was 2:27. “I already miss her,” he muttered. “At least she wants to see me again.”

      He walked over to the door that led to his terrace. He opened it, felt the cool breeze as he dropped into a metal chair. He watched as the blue cab that said All City on the door pulled up. She opened the door, stepped inside, and closed the door. Then the cab drove away.

      He closed his eyes, replaying the evening, not wanting it to end. He opened his eyes he and watched as other cars came up and down the road. A red mustang pulled into a spot, the window coming down before the engine died. Gunn narrowed his eyes, recognized the familiar face of the man that had the brown buzz cut hair that sat next to the bald-headed man from Grizzlies. “No, it couldn’t

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