Free Unforgettable Embrace by Joanne Clancy Page A

exclaimed.
    “ You are too,” Liz said, “case in point, not owning one pair of runners.”
    “ Liz you are the girly girl of us, with your dainty ballet pumps and respectably heeled shoes,” Rachel said, “ I aspire to wear high heels and buy numerous pairs, but I don't last very long in them before I revert to my flat pumps or heaven forbid trainers again.”
     
    “ So what's our assessment of this guy, Tom 1978, and his brown brogues, then?” Jen asked, enlarging his photo on the computer screen.
    “ A good, decent wholesome man,” Liz said. “He does have a kind face,” Rachel interjected. “Lovely brown eyes,” Liz sighed.
    “ Is he worth winking at?” Jen said.
    “ Yeah, go on, let's wink,” Rachel laughed.
    “ Kevin O' C looks a bit creepy,” Liz pointed at the screen.
    “ Just a bit,” Jen agreed, “I think it's his eyes, they're too small and too close together.”
    “ Yeah, and look at how short he is; five foot seven inches,” Rachel said, “I don't think so, much too short for me.”
    “ A fine tall, strapping lad, that's who you need,” Jen grinned at her friend.
    “ Isn't that what we all need?” Liz said with a cheeky smile.
    “ Oh, look, someone wants to private message you,” Jen exclaimed.
    “ Let's talk to him, see what he has to say,” Liz said.
    “ OK, you can type,” Rachel said to Liz.
    “ Hi, how are you?” Liz typed.
    “ Just fine,” was the response from Mr. JJ, “you want to have a sexy chat?”
    “ Oh for heavens' sake!” Jen said, “pervert!”
    “ No thanks, goodnight,” Liz typed and that was their brief encounter with Mr. JJ.
     
    Several winks and even a few emails later, the girls decided to call it a night and Liz and Jen shared a taxi home together. Rachel was quite pleased with herself; she'd already exchanged emails with a few men on the site.
    It's all quite civilised really, this online dating, she thought to herself. She liked the idea of being able to read profiles of potential dates and see if you had anything in common. Some profiles were an immediate, definite no no, others seemed pleasant and one or two were even intriguing. She was looking for a tall man, who was no more than ten years older or at least the same age as her. She didn't want a younger man; she couldn't imagine what she would have in common with someone who wasn't at least her own age.
    She realised that was a little hypocritical and assuming on her part but those were her criteria. She most certainly did not want a man who was shorter than her, preferably taller, but at least the same height. She wanted to be able to wear her highest heels if she so chose.
    She could never understand how tall women could date shorter men.
    Imagine holding his hand, she thought to herself, I'd feel like his mother. I’d never be able to wear high heels because I'd make him feel like even more of a munchkin than he already was. Small men, definitely not for me, she thought, as she got herself ready for bed and prepared to settle down with her latest and ever-faithful Mills and Boon romance.

 
    Chapter 12
     
     
    “ Help me,” Rachel hissed into her mobile phone, “I can't stop sweating!”
    “ Pardon!” Liz hissed back down the phone, “where are you and why are we whispering?”
    “ I'm on a date with John Mahoney, one of the guys from the internet. It's our first date and I can't stop sweating all over him. Any recommendations on how I can cool down quickly?”
    Liz couldn't stop laughing. “Run your wrists under the cold tap,” she managed to advise in between gasping for breath, she was laughing so much.
    “ I'm glad you find my predicament so hilarious,” Rachel said. “I've got to go.”
    She hung up on Liz, who was still hysterical.
     
    She ran her hands under the cold tap which cooled her down, marginally. She dried her hands and checked her appearance in the mirror. She'd spent hours carefully applying her makeup, which was now slightly streaked and rubbed off in