The next few weeks Betty worked like crazy. She made cold call after cold call – setting up meetings and lunches to try to get companies to buy advertising spots in the magazine. At one point about midway through the second week she was so discouraged and tired she was almost ready to quit. Daniel wouldn't let her.

"You've come so far…you're almost there. Just give it another week." He had said to her.

She mused at the role reversal that had taken place in their relationship. He was now the confident one with all the pep talks, pushing her to achieve her potential. Had she been so annoying when the shoes were on the other feet, she wondered.

At the end of the third exhausting week, she had done it. She had secured enough advertisers who had made a six month commitment that the magazine could roll out at least six issues. She was still on a tightrope – there was no telling what would happen after that. But if she could ensure a quality magazine for the first three issues she was sure they would extend their ads.

Lindsey Dunne was very impressed with her initiative and determination. "I certainly made the right decision when I hired you." He had said to her. Betty was so proud.

Daniel took her out for a celebration dinner. They hadn't seen each other in the three weeks. She had been working such long hours and when she got home from work she had been too tired to do anything but sleep. Even her weekends had been filled with research and trying to catch up on the stuff she hadn't had time to do because of all the meetings she had to go to. She still had to make sure there was quality material going into the first issue in case she had achieved her goal.

"To: hard work and determination." Daniel raised his champagne glass. "I'm really proud of you Betty."

Betty blushed a little. She was still uncomfortable when people praised her. Daniel thought she looked stunning this evening. She was wearing a beautiful sapphire blue dress. Her hair was pulled back away from her face but was tumbling down her back in soft, brown curls. He had really missed her. Their relationship was still fairly new when she'd thrown herself into this project and three weeks without seeing her had seemed like an eternity.

Daniel wanted tonight to be special. She had worked so hard, she deserved a celebration. He had taken her to one of London's most extravagant restaurants. Betty had argued as usual when Daniel wanted to do something like this for her. But he had insisted. He didn't do it all the time and there were occasions when it was justified – tonight was one of them.

"You know…I didn't think I could do it. It really felt like such a long shot going into it. And it's still fragile…there's no telling what might happen in the next few months. But for now, I'll take it." She smiled.

While they ate dinner Daniel filled Betty in on what had been happening with his job. He was learning so much about the advertising industry. He loved the fast pace – everything was in constant flux. He loved the creativity and the high pressure. He had even signed up for an evening course on graphic design at the London Art Institute so he could learn how to layout his own creative ideas for ads. He'd already been to two classes.

"Wow!" Betty said "Why didn't I know that? How long has it been since we've seen each other?"

"Twenty one days, thirteen hours and twelve minutes…give or take." Daniel answered.

Betty laughed. He continued "You know you haven't even seen my condo yet."

"That's right!" Betty remembered. "Maybe after supper you could show it to me."

"I was hoping you'd ask." He smiled at her.

After dinner they grabbed a cab. Daniel's condo was in a very nice area of London. Betty couldn't help but notice all the large homes in the area.

"Fancy…Mr. Meade." She teased him.

He laughed. "Mine is only a townhouse Betty. I didn't buy a mansion."

Daniel's house was tucked away on a side street off of the main road. There were four units attached together but each with its own entrance and garage. The grounds and garden were shared between the four units and they were meticulously kept up by the grounds keeper. The complex had been built only three years ago so the units were all new.

Daniel hadn't done much decorating but he had bought some furniture. He had a dark leather sofa and matching recliner, both facing a large, flat screen television he had mounted on the wall. There was a small gas fireplace in the corner. It wasn't the extravagance he had grown up in but it certainly was elegant. He showed her the kitchen and then they walked down the hall and she saw the bathroom and all three bedrooms, stopping at the master bedroom last.

"It's beautiful." Betty said sincerely.

He took a step toward her. She looked so fantastic tonight…he placed his hand on one cheek and kissed the other cheek softly. His hand dropped to her shoulder and he kissed her neck. He ran his hand down the full length of her bare arm grasping her hand, and he lifted his head to look into her eyes. "You're beautiful." He said. He kissed her softly at first but then more hungrily.

Betty was taken aback. They were in his bedroom…only inches from his bed. He was so handsome and he loved her so much. A part of her wanted to relax and go wherever he wanted to take them. But another part of her knew she wasn't ready. She was falling for him that's for sure…but she wasn't sure if she loved him yet. She pulled away.

"Daniel…" she whispered. "I can't…"

He took a deep breath in. "I know." he said as he let the breath out. He knew Betty well enough to know she wasn't going to fall into bed with him on a whim. They'd been dating almost two months, and known each other for over four years…that wasn't exactly what most people would call a "whim". But Betty Suarez wasn't most people. And she hadn't told him how she felt about him which made him realize she was still trying to figure it out. As long as she was trying to figure it out…he would have to wait.

"I'm really sorry." She looked at him apologetically.

"I know that too." He smiled at her. "I didn't mean to push…you just look so good tonight. And I haven't seen you…been able to touch you…in three weeks. I guess I had a weak moment."

She smiled at him, letting him know she understood.

"Let's go do something fun!" He said changing the mood.

"What?"

"I don't know…dancing or something. If I can't have you to myself, at least I can show you off."