Media box above: A little thank you from me for sticking with this story. It means a lot. Song for the mood: You pick. Any recommendations?

Vera

Calligraphy café, Friday evening, June 16

"Is this for me?" I stared at the beautiful teal-blue blouse that I had just unwrapped.

Saph nodded, eyeing the dress while tracing her finger on the coffee table.

"You didn't have to do this," I said, admiring the gift from my best friend.

"I saw it at a shop, and I thought of you," she replied.

"I'll wear it on my next date."

"Are you dating again?"

"You betcha!" I grinned.

"Well, I'm glad you've gotten your mojo back!" Saph exclaimed. "Is it serious?"

"No," I lied. I wanted to tell Saph about Alistair, but she and Julian had enough on their plate with their baby plans and the morning sickness she was experiencing. What was I supposed to say?

Saph, I'm sleeping with Alistair Scott, your worst enemy Saira Quinn's ex-husband. He's the father of her son, by the way.

Yeah, that'll go down well, right? I would tell her and Julian about Alistair when the timing was right, but right now, I didn't want to rock the boat-it was still fragile.

"Julian should be finished with work and joining us soon," I said, glancing around the café for a third chair.

Saph nodded, then turned to a woman at the next table. "Excuse me. I noticed you're not using the other chair. Do you mind if I take it? We've got someone joining us."

The woman stared at Saph and coolly replied, "No. The chair is taken."

"Yeah, right, taken by her Prada bag," I hissed at the woman, who ignored me.

Changing the subject, I turned to Saph. "For the love of God, don't tell Julian I'm dating again."

"Why not?"

"He may be sweet around you, but he's an ogre when it comes to my love life. Did he ever tell you that he made his own 'Ten Commandments of Dating' for me when I was in high school?"

"Oh? Do tell!"

"I'm not going to delve into the details."

"Julian cares for you, Vee. Remember Ace?"

I winced, remembering that Saph had stood in the firing line, rescuing me from the abuse, and called Jules to deal with Ace. I would have had more than a scar on my ear if it weren't for Saph.

"Thank you," I said, touching her hand. "You're the sister I never had."

"I'm glad that we met!" Saph's eyes beamed.

"Likewise!" I smiled. My eyes darted to the gluten-free jam doughnut on Saph's plate. My kale salad tasted...well, bland.

"Do you want some? Here, try a piece." Saph offered a chunk of her doughnut.

I took the piece, stuffed it in my mouth, and enjoyed the sweetness of the treat. Saph removed her scarf to adjust her blouse, revealing love bites all over her neck. Shit, those hickeys were ugly!

I raised my eyebrows at her ravaged neck and tipped, "You'd better put that scarf back on, hon."

"Is it that bad?" Saph grimaced.

"Yeah, it's bad. You should tell Jules to be more discreet with his love bites." I chuckled and shook my head.

"Did I just hear my name?" Julian's deep voice questioned.

"Hiya! You need to find a chair," I said.

Julian kissed the love of his life, then glanced at the woman with the Prada bag. "Hey, is this chair taken?" he asked.

Miss Prada turned to him, eyes wide open, and immediately removed her bag from the chair. "Take it. It's yours," she offered.

Sapphire's face crumpled with disgust. "Hey-you said it was taken a few minutes ago!"

"Oh, you must have misunderstood me," the Prada woman replied, feigning sickly sweet innocence in front of Julian.

Moments later, when Julian was in the restroom, I noticed Saph glare at Miss Prada.

"Don't get into the mud and wrestle with a pig. Trust me, you'll be the only one not enjoying the mud," I advised, stroking her arm.

"I know. You're right," she replied, peeling her stare from the woman. Saph could hold a mean grudge if you crossed her the wrong way. We were similar in that respect.

"Vee, I'm just going to chat with one of the staff-Rosie's a friend of mine. I'll be back," Saph said, getting up.

My phone buzzed with a message from Alistair.

> I've just finished work. Are you hungry?

I grinned, then replied to the message.

> I'm starving. Casa de Amor?

> Vera, I was thinking of my place. I've got a few surprises.

> Good surprises?

> Only the best for you, sweetheart.

> Ooh, are you going to play 'police officer' and handcuff me?

> You'll have to come over and find out, wicked girl.

> I'll be over in about twenty, Officer Scott.

> I've got one rule: no panties.

> I'm not wearing any panties.

> Good girl. Don't be late.

> I'm always late.

> I'll have to arrest you.

> Will you inspect my pretty pussy?

> I'll be tasting it. See you soon, naughty girl.

> Can't wait to play our wicked games, Officer Scott. xoxo

"Playing Snake on your phone?" Julian's voice boomed as his tall shadow hovered over me.

"Shit! Didn't Mom tell you it's rude to sneak up on people?" I swatted his arm lightly after putting my phone away.

"I was right, wasn't I? I bet it was the classic!" Jules showed off his village idiot grin when Saph returned.

Turning to Saph, I announced, "Hey, I've got to go. You two lovebirds, have some fun tonight!"

I got up from my seat, took Saph's gift, and swung my handbag over my shoulder. I was about to have some fun of my own.

"I'm so glad you're dating again," Saph whispered into my ear as we hugged each other farewell.

***

Eight a.m., Saturday, September 9

The months faded like autumn leaves. Alistair and I both had hectic work schedules, but we made time for each other through phone calls, text messages, and dinner dates. We occasionally met Elizabeth and John for lunch at the local yacht club when Alistair wasn't traveling. I liked his parents; they were down-to-earth people who didn't like bullshit.

"What were you like as a child?" Alistair asked, stroking my hair as my head rested on his chest in bed. I breathed in his scent as his fingers rubbed my nipple.

"I was a tomboy. I fought with Jules a lot, especially over toys. He was the perfect student, you know, the goodie two shoes who never got into trouble."

"I imagine you were both bright."

"We were different, though. While Jules got along with all the teachers, I didn't like my religion teacher. He preached holiness, yet there was something unholy about him. I couldn't pinpoint it, but I suspected something."

"Are you always suspicious of men in the clergy?"

"I'm suspicious of many people," I responded. Turning on my stomach, I asked, "You mentioned Nick Quinn before. What was he like?"

"He's not like Saira," Alistair replied. "He was earnest, dependable, and trustworthy."

"So, he was an honest man like you. Was he handsome?"

"Yes, he was attractive. He had an air of aristocracy and dominance. Yet, he was reasonable. He fell in love with a woman before he died," Alistair said, closing his eyes to remember the past. He then opened his eyes and stared at me. "Tell me, how old were you when you lost your virginity?"

"I was eighteen."

"Was it memorable?"

"No. I wasn't in love with the guy. Alistair, I love you."

"I love you too, sweetheart. Listen, is your mother comfortable about meeting me this evening?"

"She's excited. We promised Julian and Sapphire that we'd help them move furniture and unpack in their new home today. We'll meet you for dinner afterward."

"Don't be late." Alistair chuckled, stroking my hair again.

"Scotty, were you the anonymous philanthropist who gave Saph's boss the money to donate to Julian's university research project back in March? Because if you were, you're indirectly responsible for the two getting back together and becoming parents in a few months."

Alistair pursed his lips, trying to hide a smile, as he looked up at the ceiling.

"Scotty?"

"May I plead the fifth?"

"No."

I waited for Alistair to respond, but his smiling lips remained silent. I realized that he preferred to be behind the scenes when helping others.

"Well, Julian is planning to ask Saph to marry him after the baby is born," I said, breaking the silence.

"When will you tell Sapphire and Julian about us?" Alistair asked.

"Let's start with my mom first. Then we'll tell Saph and Jules."

"When, sweetheart?"

"Soon."

A/N: finally, things are starting to look good. For now...What do you think will happen?