<div style="text-align: justify;"><em>"You could upgrade but I seriously doubt that you could handle me...I mean coffee and bake goods.. and candle light dinners, you wouldn't know what to even begin doing with doing with yourself.."</em> Izzie's flirting brought a grin to Doug's face and he tapped an index finger against his cheek as he thought about her response. Her smile faltered a tad, but quickly flared back to its sunny self. He couldn't help but wonder who she had thought of that had brought such a moment of reflection to mind.<br/><br/><strong>"That's true enough. Its not like all those nights sat in front of the open fireplace, watching the sunset with a glass of wine in the hand, have ever brought out the romantic in me. Or those long early-morning walks with the dog have ever felt like we are hiking through a land of magical promise."</strong> He mock-frowned. <strong>"Plus of course, all those years of construction work have left me in good condition, with plenty of stamina, and that's never an attractive quality."</strong> He shook his head, ruefully. <strong>"No, I guess there really is no hope for us."</strong> He mad a sad face and held his hand over his heart. He could at least try to make Izzie laugh before leaving. He heard another customer enter and noticed the other guy at the counter looked to be ready to order, so he winked at the woman and picked up his coffee and cakes. <br/><br/><strong>"I'd better scoot off to work - you have a great day Izzie!"</strong> He offered the woman one last wink before turning to leave.</div>