Kim stood frozen, staring at the one man who could make her heart race. And it was certainly racing this time. Kim felt like it was going to jump out of her chest. She hadn't seen or spoken to Shane Donovan in almost ten years. This was the last place, here in Salem, in Bo Brady's office, that Kim expected to see him. Then he looked up and held her gaze. "Hello Kimberly."
"Hi Shane," Kim replied feeling her mouth go dry.
An uncomfortable silence hung in the room until Bo finally broke in, "Kim you remembered some..."
"It can wait," Kim interrupted. "I didn't know you were having a meeting. I'm sorry for barging in." Desperate to get out of the room, Kim fumbled her way out the door practically tripping over a chair.
"Excuse me gentlemen," Shane said to Bo and John as he followed Kim out of the office.
"Hey. What? Don't they see each other?" A confused John asked Bo who was shaking his head and rolling his eyes
Outside the office, Kim was almost running, foolishly trying to flee the inevitable meeting, when she heard that unmistakable English accent behind her. "Kimberly wait."
Knowing he would soon catch up, Kim stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around. There he was in front of her again. This time, Kim took a good look at him. He still had the same full head of hair, now streaked with gray, and there were a few more lines around his eyes and mouth. Then his face broke out in the most radiant smile and Kim had to catch her breath. God he was gorgeous, she thought. "I didn't know you were in Salem."
"There's no reason you should," he replied. "It's not like we keep in touch." Kim thought the last comment had a twinge of sarcasm to it but then he continued warmly, "How have you been Kim?"
"Good. How about you?" Kim tried to sound casual, hoping to cover her nervousness.
"Just fine. Is Jeannie with you?"
"No, she had to stay home and finish school," Kim explained, "then chose to stay in L.A. through the summer with friends."
Shane tried to hide his disappointment and then said more brightly, "Why don't we make this unexpected meeting of ours a reunion of sorts? I'll be done shortly. Can we have lunch?"
"Uh, no it won't work. I-I already have plans," Kim stammered then paused, "with Kayla."
There was another awkward silence as the name hung between them like a sharp thorn neither was willing to touch. But Shane was undaunted. It had been almost ten years since he had seen or spoken to Kim and in that time he had really missed her and mourned the emptiness her absence had brought. He was determined to get together with her now and would do anything to sway her. "How about dinner then? Tonight?" Kim hesitated, torn between actually wanting to see him and absolutely wanting to avoid him. "Then how about tomorrow night?" he persisted. "You can't be busy both nights."
"I'm not sure it's a good idea."
Shane smiled remembering those were the exact words he said to Bo not five minutes ago. "Please Kim. I'd really like to talk with you," he implored, almost holding his breath. "Tomorrow night?"
"All right, tomorrow night," Kim relented. "I'll meet you at the New Salem Inn at 7."
Shane let out a huge sigh of relief. "Good. I'll see you tomorrow," With that, he turned and headed back to Bo's office, leaving Kim to wonder if she had made the right decision.
