Billie, more than once, cursed the fact that although they have been together several times now, they never exchanged phone numbers. This meant no matter how much she wished to talk to Quentin, she couldn't.

Billie half thought of stopping at Quentin's family home to talk to his mother, but she really didn't wish to run into his father. Besides, it wouldn't look good if they had a fight this early on. It would send the wrong message.

She drove to the co-op, but the woman behind the desk did not know who Quentin Harrison was or that he was staying in the building. So of course, she couldn't tell Billie with whom Quentin was staying.

"Don't you have a guest registry? He would have to sign in if he were staying with a friend, wouldn't he?" Billie suggested.

"I really would like to help you, Miss, but even if he was staying with a friend, I'm really not at liberty to give you that information."

Billie let out a long sigh and heard the ding of the lobby elevator doors opening. She turned to look. If only it were that easy. If only the doors would open and Quentin was standing there. Instead, she saw...

"Donavan?"

"Billie? My God, what are you doing here?"

"I um... I was here to see a friend but I'm not entirely sure where they are staying."

Donavan strode over to her and hand put his hand on her back as he leaned over the counter. "Donna, isn't it?"

"Yes, sir."

"Is there no way to help Ms. Dupree here?"

"No, sir. We have very strict privacy policies and I have not seen the man, Ms. Dupree has described coming into our building."

Donavan took Billie by the elbow and lead her away from the desk. "Donna is new to the management here," he explained. "Who are you looking for? Maybe I can help?"

Billie could not believe her ex-boyfriend was offering to help her with anything. The last they spoke he was yelling at her about how selfish she was being and about how tired he was of dealing with her feelings, as everything always had to revolve around her.

"It's okay. I'll just try back another time," Billie said and moved away not liking how Donavan kept hold of her elbow.

"By now, I know pretty much everyone in the building, Billie. I'm sure if you told me I could help."

"No really, it's fine. I should go," Billie said motioning towards the front door.

"Would you like to grab some coffee?" Donavan asked.

"I really need to find..." Billie didn't know how to complete that sentence.  Knowing the idea of finding Quentin right now was futile she gave in. "You know what... coffee would be nice," Billie relented.

Donavan smiled at her and opened the door to the building so she could step through. "So how have you been?"

"Good. Things have finally started to settle. Sort of," Billie said as they walked to the coffee shop right down the street from the co-op.

"I'm glad to hear it," Donavan replied.

"You are?" Billie asked surprised.

"Well sure, Billie. I know I left things..." Donavan stopped walking causing Billie to stop too. He stared down at his shoes, his hands shoved in his pockets. "Man... I have to say this so, bear with me a moment, will you?"

"Okay," Billie said feeling very unsure about what Donavan was about to say.

"I should have never talked to you the way that I did 2 years ago. I was stupid and immature. I didn't know how to relate to what you were going through. So, I turned my feelings inward and made it all about me. I never lost anyone close to me. I didn't get how painful that must have been for you. I'm sorry."

Billie stared at her ex-boyfriend with wide-eyed wonder.

"Yeah pretty amazing what therapy can do for you, huh?" Donavan said with that lopsided grin she used to love.

"The situation was bit much for just about everyone who was involved. It's okay." Billie wanted to acknowledge his apology. She never thought she'd receive one, especially not from him. In a strange way, it gave her hope that maybe anything was possible.

They continued walking and finally reached the shop. "Why don't you grab a table and I'll get our coffees? You still like it black with 2 sugars?" he inquired.

"Yeah," Billie said again hating that twinge she felt, at the sign of Donavan knowing her so well. She really thought he was the one. In the beginning, he was everything she wanted, smart, funny, ambitious. There wasn't a person who saw them together who didn't think they made a perfect pair.

Donavan came back with two steaming cups in his hand. He placed her cup in front of her. "God, it's so good to see you. Is that weird to say? I'm weirding you out, aren't I?"

"No. It's nice to see you too."

Donavan took a sip of coffee but kept staring at her.

"What?" Billie asked feeling nervous.

"Nothing. I... I don't mean to stare. It's just hard to see you there, sitting in front of me, and not think what a fool I was to ever let you go. I should have begged for you to take me back but honestly; I didn't feel like I deserved you."

Billie couldn't believe what she was hearing. What he was saying? "Donavan, I..."

He put his hand over hers. "I'm sorry. I'm making you uncomfortable. I don't mean to. The last thing I ever expected was to see you again and there you were, standing in the lobby of my building. It's hard for me to think it's not fate that brought us together again."

Billie knew exactly what it was that brought her to that building, Quentin and she still needed to find him. Billie glanced at her watch and she had seen Donavan's face cloud over with anger or hurt it was hard to tell.

"You have someplace else to be?" he asked casually.

"Yes... No... I mean, possibly. I'm supposed to go over to Carlos's."

"Oh, right. Friday night poker. You know you never did invite me to join you?"

"I'm sorry. I just didn't feel right about it. We played at Carlos' house and so I thought the invite should come from him."

Donavan laughed without mirth. "Fat chance of that happening right? The guy made up his mind in the first five seconds that he hated my guts. I always wondered if you were talking bad about me."

"No, of course not," Billie denied, but the truth was she didn't have to since Donavan's actions spoke for him. Often times she pulled into the garage, to get out of her car with him still arguing with her. Carlos couldn't understand why she put up with it, but she was in love.

Donavan suddenly looked sullen. "It's alright if you did. I probably deserved it," Billie watched him trace the top of his cup with his fingertip. "Billie?" His eyes met hers.

"Hmm?" Billie nervously took a sip of her coffee.

"Do you ever think about us?"

Yes. She did, often, but never in a good way. "Of course," she admitted and Donavan brightened.

"Really? Did you ever think maybe you and me...?"

"I'll admit in the beginning I had hoped you'd come back but then you didn't so..."

Donavan reached out and took Billie's hand. "I wanted to. I so wanted to. I just didn't think you'd accept me. I needed to grow up some if that makes sense."

"Donavan I um..." Billie withdrew her hand.

Donavan pulled his own hands to his lap. "I'm being stupid, aren't I? There is no way you'd ever consider me? Or is there someone else?"

Donavan's eyes locked on hers and Billie squirmed a little. "No. I'm not with anyone. Not really? I mean I'm dating someone but ..."

"It's not serious?" Donavan asked with a hopeful look.

"I... it could be semi-serious. I'm just not sure about things yet so..."

"Throwing me into the mix would muddle everything. I get it," Donavan said looking so dejected Billie couldn't help but feel guilty.

"I'm sorry," Billie offered.

"Hey, no it's fine. I'm the one who screwed up. I'm the dumbass who let you go. I got no one to blame but myself, really."

Billie reached out her hand and Donavan smiled before he took it.

"We can still be friends though, right?" Billie offered.

"Of course. Here let me give you my new number," Donavan said and Billie took out her phone. 

"May I?" Donavan asked holding his hand out for it. She put in the passcode and then handed it to him. He put in his number and handed it back to her.

"It really was great seeing you again, Billie," Donavan stood up and leaned over, giving Billie's cheek a kiss.

"Maybe I'll see you around?" he asked, hopeful.

"Maybe?" Billie said, unsure.

"Later."

"Yeah, bye," Billie said and Donavan left.

Billie nearly jumped and dropped her phone when it suddenly rang. She half expected it to be Donavan playing a trick on her, but instead, it was Carlos.

"You coming girl? We're all waiting on you," Carlos asked.

"Start without me. I'll be there soon," Billie said.

"Alright, but don't be too long."

Billie said goodbye and hung up the phone. There was no finding Quentin tonight. She'll just have to wait until tomorrow.

It was nearly 9 pm when Billie knocked on the door and Elena answered. "Billie! You made it. The boys were missing you."

Billie laughed and it felt good after how miserable she'd been feeling all day.

"I bet. They set up out back?"

"Of course, why don't you go on out and I'll bring you some iced tea," Elena offered.

"I wanted to say hi to Isabelle first if that's okay?"

"Oh, you know what, she went to bed early tonight. It's probably best if you don't disturb her," Elena said but she seemed to have a weird vibe about her tonight.

"Everything okay?" Billie asked.

"Si. No worries. Now go. They are waiting on you," Elena said giving Billie a slight push towards the patio door.

"Okay. Okay. I'm going," Billie giggled.

She stepped out onto the back patio and there was her usual crowd, Carlos, Mitch, Carlos' neighbor Henry, but then she spied someone new, and she smiled.

"You ready to lose your money, gentlemen," Billie announced.

"Billie!" came the unified cry.

Danny from the gym stood up grinning and pulled out her seat for her.

"Thank you!" Billie said and sat in the pro-offered seat.

"You as dangerous as Carlos said you are?" Danny leaned over to ask.

"Guess you'll have to play against me to find out?" Billie said, teasingly.

"She's worse," said Henry, "I always leave with empty pockets whenever Billie plays."

"Well, then I'll have to ask you to go easy on me. I don't make that much," Danny told her.

"What do you mean you don't make much?! I pay my employees top dollar," Carlos said as he dealt. He looked highly offended.

"I didn't mean anything by it, boss. I just know if I'm to take a girl like Billie out I'm going to need every dollar I make."

"And what makes you think you got a shot at her?" Mitch asked as he looked at the hand he was dealt.

"Hey, we sparred together. We went toe to toe in the ring. She wouldn't want to hurt me again by turning me down," Danny said.

"She would if she had any sense," Carlos joked.

Billie carefully selected the cards she wished to keep and discarded those she didn't want. If only choosing boyfriends were this easy. Billie had already anted up. Carlos slid her new cards across the table. She added in her wager.

"I'll see that wager and I'll raise you 2 dollars," Danny said looking confident.

"Too rich for my blood." Henry folded. The rest threw their money in. It was time to show their cards.

"Two pairs," Danny said, Mitch and Carlos each had a pair.

"Sorry jokers," Danny said scooping up the pot.

"Not so fast there," Billie said putting her hand out to stop him as she showed him her three-of-a-kind.

"Aw, man! Really? You're going to strip me down in the first round?" Danny said with a slight pout.

"I don't deal the cards, I just show 'em," Billie said taking the money from his hands.

"See, I told you," Henry said.

"I got my eye on you," Danny said pointing to his eyes and back at her which made Billie laugh.

"I'd suggest watching your cards if you want to win," Mitch said to Danny as he put his ante in for the next game.

"I'm not afraid of this lightweight," Danny said throwing a teasing glance Billie's way.

"Lightweight, she may be but she's no fringe contender," Carlos warned.

"No, she's definitely a heavy hitter."

Billie froze when she heard that voice.

"Got room for one more," Quentin asked and Carlos pulled him up a chair directly across from Billie.

"Thanks," Quentin said taking it.

"Aw! You didn't tell me he was going to be here," Danny complained. Especially when he took note that Billie hadn't taken her eyes off Quentin since he showed up.

"Don't catch cold," Mitch taunted Danny who only sat back with his arms folded not liking how his chances with Billie now dropped to zero.

"What are you doing here?" Billie asked as Carlos dealt the cards.

"Isabelle invited me to play dolls, and Elena invited me to have dinner, so Carlos figured I mine as well stay and play cards."

"Where were you then?" Billie asked taking a quick glance at her cards. She couldn't believe he was here, sitting across from her, but she tried to put on her best poker face, not to look too eager about seeing him.

"Isabelle insisted I read her a story which turned into three," Quentin said and Billie giggled.

"She can be pretty demanding," Billie said trading in her cards and placing down her bet.

Everyone was now in and they showed their cards.

"Winner, Quentin," Carlos said, "With three of a kind."

Quentin's eyes flashed with a challenge but the only person he showed an interest in was the woman across from him.

Billie knew that look, and as the next hand was dealt Billie took her time, made her wager, and raised. Mitch, Henry, and Danny all quit out.

"This is why you go home with empty pockets," Carlos said to Henry. "You fold every hand. This is poker, not a donation fund."

Henry shrugged and the last 3 laid out their cards. Carlos could have sworn he had them this time as he threw down his 3 of a kind, but Quentin laid down his straight, grinning but that grin was wiped off of his face when Billie laid down a flush.

"I've warned you once before I play to win," Billie told Quentin as she took the pot.

"And you'd do well to remember so do I," Quentin's said with a knowing grin.

The night progressed. Henry retired early having run out of money. Mitch left because he had an early shift at work. Danny was hanging in, enjoying flirting with Billie too much to quit.

"Okay, if I win this hand you gotta go on a date with me," Danny said to Billie before he revealed his hand.

Billie pretended to seriously consider his offer. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Quentin's jaw clench. Danny waited until Quentin folded before making his wager and Quentin definitely didn't like it.

Billie smiled sweetly when she said, "Okay, let's see what you got?"

Quentin looked stunned that she was accepting Danny's offer. His whole body tensed.

"Full house, baby!" Danny said, "I am going to take you to such a fine restaurant. We are going to eat and dance and by the end of the evening I know you'll be in love with me."

"That does sound enticing," Billie agreed, enjoying the fact that Quentin looked unhappy since it meant he still wanted her. She stared right at him when she laid out her cards and said, "too bad I have a straight flush."

"Damn! K.O.'d! That was your best poker face, yet, Billie," Carlos said laughing hysterically at Danny's downfall.

"Okay, fine. I get when I'm not wanted," Danny said rising from the table, "but if things don't work out with Mr. Moneybags over there. Call me. Carlos has my number," Danny took her hand in his and kissed it.

Billie laughed taking back her hand. "You can't afford me."

"True," Danny admitted, "but you can't blame a guy for dreamin'."

Danny said goodnight, and that left three.

Carlos knew as far as the other two were concerned he was invisible. He reached out and gathered the cards.

"You really shouldn't toy with him like that?" Quentin said as Carlos took his time shuffling the deck and they anted up.

"And why is that? Danny can't possibly be interested. It's just a game for him. If he wants to play around knowing he has no chance, then what's the harm in playing along?" Billie asked.

"Oh, he's interested," Quentin said and his look became dangerous. "A man would have to be dead not to be interested in you."

"He makes a good point," Carlos said as he dealt the cards, earning him a stay out of this look from the both of them. He chuckled. "I'm just saying..." but then Carlos pretended to zip his lip and throw away the key.

"So, what would you have done if he won?" Billie said picking up her cards and pretending to examine them.

"I would have congratulated the winner and I would have walked away," Quentin said as he stared down at his own cards.

"Really? And why is that? Can't handle a little competition," Billie taunted.

"When a man is in love with a woman the last thing he wants to do is compete with someone else for her love. If she's not fighting for him, then she obviously doesn't want him."

Billie held Quentin's gaze. "Love is a very strong word, Mr. Harrison. You keep throwing it around are you certain you know what it means?"

"Very certain. Do you, Ms. Dupree?" Quentin threw back at her.

Billie laid down the cards she wished Carlos to replace. "I've heard of it. It's one of those rare words that can be both a noun and a verb. The first I've heard often enough the second version I have to say I haven't really experienced. I might have thought I had but I was wrong. How do you suppose I tell the difference between the real thing and a bluff?"

"Play your cards right, and I show you?" Quentin said, Billie could feel the heat of his gaze. His eyes never left hers as he slid his unwanted cards towards Carlos.

"Then I propose a wager, Mr. Harrison," Billie said coyly and she picked up the cards she was dealt.

"I'm listening," Quentin got his cards and smiled. He slid the entirety of his winnings towards the center of the table. "Now, you know I'm all in."

Billie looked at her hand, and then slid the contents of her winnings to the center. "Now you know I am, too."

Carlos looked at them both and folded, this was far too rich for his blood, and besides, he was far more interested in figuring out where they were going with this game they were playing.

"In fact, I not only call but raise," Billie said.

"Is that so, and what do plan to raise with, you're already all in?"

Billie looked briefly at her hand and back at Quentin. "If you win, I'll marry you without a prenuptial agreement. You get me, the company, everything."

Quentin's eyes flashed an emotion that was unreadable. "You'll marry me?"

"Yes. No more hesitation. No more questions asked. Just an ironclad guarantee," Billie said.

Quentin looked down at his cards and back up at her, assessing.

"Hey guys, this is a family-friendly game... let's not do anything rash," Carlos warned.

"And if you win?" Quentin asked.

"There is no more talk of marriage. You move in with me. We date like real people and see where this goes. No more prejudgments."

Quentin studied Billie closely trying to figure out her motive. Was she calling his bluff? If he were trying to manipulate her, he'd have to be an idiot not to take the deal. Then again was she herself bluffing? Was this just her desire to have walkaway power? To stall for time to come up with another solution?

"You know either way you end up with me?" Quentin pondered.

"Did you want an option that sets you free?" Billie asked.

"No, I don't," Quentin admitted, he looked at his hand a third time. "I fold."

"You fold?" Carlos said, stunned. "But then she wins."

"That's right. I'm not going to bet against you, Billie. I only offered to marry you to help you save your Dad's company and the offer still stands should you need it, but if you want a real shot to see if you and I work... as I said before, I'm all in."

Billie's smile was all the reward he needed as she turned over her 4 of a kind.

Carlos gathered up the cards.

"Looks like you cleaned house?" Elena said bringing out more drinks.

"So, when do I move in?" Quentin asked.

Elena stopped dead in her tracks. "Why is he talking about moving in with her?"

"Billie just won Quentin in a bet," Carlos provided.

"She what?!" Elena exclaimed.

"Tonight," Billie said in answer to Quentin's question.

"I'm all yours," Quentin told her.