Novella Chapter 3: A Shared Day of Learning

Chapter 3: A Shared Day of Learning

As Brittney entered the large conference hall, the hum of conversation and the scent of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. The first general session was about to begin, and she couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation as she searched the crowd for any familiar faces.

Then she saw David standing near the entrance with a smile that lit up his face as soon as he spotted her. Before Brittney could wave to him, he was making his way through the crowd toward her.

"Brittney, there you are!" David exclaimed as he arrived at her side. "I was hoping I'd run into you. Mind if I join you for the session?"

Brittney hesitated for a moment, her mind racing with conflicting thoughts and emotions. But then she nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Of course, David. I'd love the company. I don’t see anyone I know."

Together, they found seats near the front of the hall with some of David's colleagues. As they settled in, Brittney couldn't shake the feeling of being swept along by forces beyond her control.

As they perused the day's schedule, Brittney found herself copying David's itinerary onto her own notepad, her hand moving almost of its own accord. She was excited about the presentations and ahead and was surprised to notice fingers shaking as she wrote. It must have been the flight and different schedule.

“Would you like coffee? I’m getting some and will grab you a cup,” David said.

“Oh thank you. I haven’t had any yet.” Brittney looked at her fingers remembering how her husband, Alex, had held them on their evening walk the night before her flight.

“Here you go,” said David presenting Brittney with a cup filled to the rim. “Be careful, it’s hot,” he said as their fingers touched in the exchange of the cup.

Brittney immediately took a sip and then sighed. “Thank you! I needed this.”

Throughout the day, Brittney and David sat side by side, sharing insights and exchanging ideas as they listened to the speakers and participated in group discussions. Brittney felt a sense of camaraderie building between them. She was amazed at his insights, especially for someone who’d just completed his internship.

Brittney recognized traces of infatuation but thought she could easily control the situation. He was younger, smart, and handsome. Infatuation was probably what all women felt around him. She would enjoy David as a professional peer and return to life as usual in a few days.

As the day drew to a close and the final session came to an end, Brittney found herself torn between conflicting emotions. She was learning a lot from the training and from her conversations with David, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was treading on dangerous ground.

At the final social networking session that evening, Brittney was resolving to have dinner alone and make a call to her family. Then David, accompanied by a couple of his friends said, “Brittney, you should join us for dinner.”

“Oh, I would love to, but I need to make a few calls.”

“That’s fine. We’re in no hurry,” David said. “Text me when you’re ready and we’ll meet you in the hotel lobby and walk down to Brick Town. I have a favorite place there.”