Second Chances Read Free Page B

straightened, reached out and put a friendly arm around her shoulders. She lowered her gaze, willing him to pull her in closer. Instead, he turned her toward the door to the seminar room. "Good. Then let's get back. The next set is due to start."
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    Karina blinked. What? That was it? She walked back to the seminar room, her nerves feeling as though they were being tossed on the high seas. Relief warred with irritation and the first stirrings of old anger resurfaced. She had a right to be angry. Didn't she? He'd left her . Only they'd made no promises. It had been for the one night only. She'd known it, she'd accepted it. So why was the sense of betrayal rearing its ugly head now?
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    Because she'd wanted that night to turn into so much more. She'd wanted to be so much more to him.
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    And it turned out he hadn't wanted her in any way.
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    It didn't matter that she'd known that going in, or that it had been pisspoor timing for him back then. She'd gambled and lost. And now…what?
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    Brian showed her to a seat up at the front. It felt as though his hand lingered on her shoulder as he left. Or maybe that was just wishful thinking. She couldn't be sure. But her heart was ready to believe he'd done it, and that just confused her more. She smiled shakily as he walked away. He was, as always, the consummate professional. Damn him anyway.
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    The next part of the workshop required people to form groups. They were instructed to each explore one area of their lives that they wanted to change, and ask the rest of the group for suggestions on how to go about doing so. Mark, Brian's assistant, supervised this session, and Karina watched him with interest.
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    "Many people get bogged down with responsibilities and forget what makes our lives worthwhile. Find something you want to do. Set a goal to work toward. Remember to plan some fun into your changes. Now choose a new partner and talk about what your goal might be, and how each of you might achieve that goal."
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    "Karina, will you work with me?" the woman seated next to her asked.
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    "Yes. Please." Karina jumped at the offer. Susan was facing the conflict of going back to work now that her children were all in school. Like Karina, her problem was that she had no idea what she wanted to do. On the plus side, however, Susan had a supportive husband with whom she was still madly in love.
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    Despite being physical opposites—blonde, elfin Karina versus statuesque, brunette Susan—and in different stages of their lives, the two women had connected instantly.
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    "All right, let me start. I adore my husband, but I want more for myself. I just don't know what that more is." Susan laughed self-consciously. "I'm not making any sense, am I?"
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    "Yes, you are. You aren't happy with yourself and therefore aren't happy with your half of the relationship. Getting your self-confidence back through finding a purpose or a job that you love will help you to learn to love yourself. Your marriage would be renewed because you will be renewed," Karina offered.
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    Susan's expression was incredulous. "If you can figure that out, why are you here?"
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    Karina laughed ruefully. "I need help, that's why. With my career, for a start. I'd love to have my own business, but haven't a clue in what area." And that was only the beginning. There was so much more that she couldn't even go into. Focusing on the seminar had become a bigger issue, and increasingly difficult. Her hormones were tracking Brian's movements throughout the room, anticipating when he might stop in at her group to check on their progress, her heart pounding whenever he seemed to be heading in her direction.
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    And he never came.
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    "This seminar has been difficult." Grimacing, Karina added, "The more I see change required in one area, I find other areas that need it more. Are you noticing the same thing?"
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    "Yes, definitely. Seeing the well-dressed people here reminds me how