Shaun couldn't be mad at Jimmy for showing up without warning, because she had been miserable and missed him and Josh. She would have hugged both if she had a bra on. When she returned more decent, Josh shifted his feet, looking around her embarrassing home.

She pasted on a smile. "Welcome to Seattle."

He turned to her, and his smile caused warmth to spread. For one night, he was her date. Without warning, she laughed.

Jimmy cocked his head. "What's so funny?"

"I bought a date with Josh and he flew across the country for a date."

Jimmy frowned. "Ironic, but I'm worried about Eliot and what he's up to."

Shaun waved him off. "He's saving my ex friend's job."

Josh jumped forward. "But what about Ta... her?"

Jimmy scowled. "I could take care of it." He snapped his fingers.

Shaun stepped forward. "No. I told you not to."

Shaun didn't doubt Eliot would sell his soul for the right sum. The man hadn't attempted to see his daughter since they returned. She knew and her lawyer knew, but she wanted to keep it from those who cared about her.

She focused on cracking eggs into a dish. Thinking of Eliot, the whisk sped up, and the egg sloshed over the side of the bowl. Josh appeared beside her.

"Are you okay?" He held out his hand. "Can I?"

She looked at his face. He looked serious. "You cook?"

"A little. Oliver makes waffles, I can scramble an egg or two."

"Shaun's omelets aren't scrambled eggs." Jimmy corrected.

She glared. "Well I don't have much to put in them."

Her head disappeared in the fridge. It was nearly empty, as was her bank account, and she hated to rely on her mother. Shaun needed a job yesterday. As she pulled out a small block of cheese and some wilted scallions, she felt Jimmy beside her a moment before she heard cupboards opening and closing. Shutting her eyes, she waited.

Jimmy pulled her arm. "Can we talk in private?"

She pleaded with her eyes. "It's fine, Jimmy."

"Fine. We'll discuss your lack of food in front of Josh."

She dismissed him with a wave. "I need to shop."

"For this?" He pulled out a store brand box of macaroni and cheese. "You are wasting away."

She wanted to run and hide. The man was relentless in the boardroom and acted the same as he didn't let up. He held up packages of cheap noodles.

"What about Tansy? I have more money than Midas, and you eat this crap." He held up his hand. "Don't say pride, because we're family!"

She felt ashamed and couldn't look at either man. Eliot had emptied their bank account. It wasn't much, but it would have helped feed Tansy. Her lawyer hid her anger, but Shaun sensed it. Eliot had been acting like a dumbass.

Josh stepped forward. "And friends. What's our plan for the day?"

Shaun couldn't reply. He had put his hands on her shoulders, and it took all her energy not to turn around and fall against him. He had a comforting presence, and she needed comfort.

Shaun shut her eyes, as Josh squeezed her shoulders before releasing them. "How about we take a trip to the grocery store?" She shook her head, but he whispered into her ear. "If you say no, your cousin may belt the dumbass tonight."

She let out a long sign. "Fine. Josh can come. Jimmy, you stay with Tansy." She turned to see the two men in a staring contest. "Oh for Pete's sake, let Jimmy pay, he's richer than Midas. Plus he owes me for his choice of dates." Josh smirked. "Josh, you buy me a drink tonight. These omelets won't cook themselves. Both of you go watch TV with Tansy."

The men did as she said. She focused on cooking and continued to ignore her predicament.

Jimmy stepped into her kitchen. "What happened to your savings?"

"It's gone." She put her hand up. "But my lawyer knows about it. How is it you know Courtney's sister?"

Jimmy blushed. "Skiing. We've kept in touch. I didn't know the connection until recently. She mentioned her sister and the pieces fit together."

"Eliot knows you and won't keep quiet."

"He will. Believe me. He will."

"Whatever you're planning, don't! Tansy is not a pawn."

She poured the egg in the hot pan. Eliot had taught her how to make omelets years ago. He claimed he learned from a chef, but looking back she knew he lied about a lot of his past. Still, they had once cooked together and laughed and made love spontaneously. When did it change? After Tansy? After the wedding, when he realized Shaun wasn't wealthy? He probably never loved her. How could she be so gullible? How could she trust herself not to fall for another trap? Jimmy didn't trust women. He admitted it was the reason he never had long-term relationships.

The first folded circle slid out of the pan onto a plate which she handed to Jimmy. "Eat. Don't cause trouble."

Then she repeated the task for Josh. He raved and thanked her as she made one more to be split between her and Tansy. She could shop with the credit card her mother gave her, but it would admit her defeat. When Jimmy cornered her, she laid her sword at her feet.

"Uncle Grant would be happy if you came home for good."

Shaun would be too, but her same problems would exist. Not wanting to live off her mother, she would need a job. She tilted her head towards Tansy and shook it.

Jimmy ignored her. "Tansy has your dad come to see you?"

Tansy looked at Shaun. "Daddy?"

She snipped. "Jimmy, you know the answer. Josh, if you're done we can go. Jimmy cleaned the kitchen and give me a credit card." Josh stood unsure. "Don't worry. Stella made sure he wasn't helpless."

Shopping with Josh was more fun than it should have been. He didn't mention her situation. Instead, he made her laugh as he pointed out foods he ate growing up, every one a convenience item.

"Stella would have a heart attack."

He shrugged. "We never had a Stella."

When she turned her back he filled the cart with peanut butter and joked about how Jimmy was buying. It was easy to forget he was a stranger a few months before.

"Shaun!" She turned her head to see one of Tansy's former daycare teachers. "How are you?" Her voice was laced with sympathy. "Sorry for your loss?"

Shaun nodded, determined not to think of her father. "Thanks. We stayed with my mother, but we're home now."

"Where's Tansy?"

"She's home with my cousin." Probably buying a pony online.

"That's nice. Hi, I never met Tansy's dad." She reached her hand out to Josh.

Shaun stepped forward. "He's not. He's a friend. I'm separated."

Josh smiled. "Sounds like we have a mutual friend. Tansy is a great kid."

Thankfully, she moved on. Shaun imagined rumors flying around the daycare about her. It was bad enough Eliot never dropped Tansy off or picked her up.

Josh bumped her shoulder. "Lighten up. It was no big deal."

She pushed him back. "Put the peanut butter back on the shelf."

"Yes, boss."

A smile cracked her face. The memory of his first visit to Dover flooded back.

With an overflowing cart, she hoped Tansy was safe with her cousin. She was right to be worried. When they arrived at her house, Tansy and Jimmy were playing Go Fish with poker chips.

"Hey, Shaun. Your kid is smart. I owe her a hundred."

"A hundred what?" Tansy bounced in her seat.

"Kisses." She eyed Jimmy. "You need to kiss Jimmy a hundred times."

Josh laughed. "Doesn't he owe her? Wait til I get the groceries. I'll count with you."

"Dex wants kisses too." Shaun smiled as she turned away to put the groceries away.

She felt lighter until she tried to give Jimmy his credit card back. He wouldn't take it. "Keep it. Use it for everything you need."

Defeated, she didn't argue and placed it on the counter next to her car keys. The two visitors left mid afternoon, after Josh confided he needed a nap. Jimmy's excuse was so she could get ready, but Shaun knew her cousin would spend the afternoon working.

Dressing with a child was challenging and Shaun missed Richie. She wanted to look good to show Eliot just what he discarded. She didn't consider herself beautiful, but dressed up she could turn a head or two. Most days, the shy girl who hid under baggy clothes was buried deep inside hiding and the voice of an experienced woman, mother, professional prevailed. With the thought of seeing Eliot with Courtney and having her highschool crush as her fake date, the teen quivered towards the surface. She quieted when Shaun opened the door for the real teen down the street who she had hired to watch Tansy.

Her hand shook when she heard a rap on the door. Joshua Roche stood in the open door, smiling brightly in an impeccably tailored tuxedo.

"Dex!"

Shaun gasped. "Stop! Dex is dressed up!"

Tansy listened as Josh squatted to her level. He pointed to his cheek. "I'll take a kiss."

She leaned in and kissed his cheek as his eyes met Shaun's. Their connection spread warmth through her body. His loving Tansy caused the response.

He smiled. "You ready to do this?"

"We can stay here and watch a movie."

He chuckled. "The grease from the popcorn would get in my tux. Come on."

Shaun kissed her daughter and gave last minute reminders to the babysitter before she allowed Josh to usher her out the door to the waiting car.

"Do you ride around Boston like this?"

He shrugged. "I'm not Jimmy, but I will for events at venues without parking."

Shaun didn't want to think of him and Ann in the backseat. They would have sat a lot closer than she and Josh.

He looked serious. "So what kind of date am I?"

"Kind?"

"You know the attentive kind..." Shaun never had one. "... or casual? I'm good at that."

"What? You're attentive to Ann."

He shrugged. "I still don't know how I got her to go out with me. I usually date a woman once or twice before she dumps me."

Shaun's jaw dropped. He should have women flocking over him. "But you are so nice and..." handsome.

Josh cut her off. "Women don't want nice."

"That's a huge mistake, believe me. I'd take nice, over who I ended up with in a do-over."

"For the record, he's a fool."

"An idiot." Shaun said it but didn't believe it. If she could have made him happy, or been willing to go out every night.

"Don't even think it. He's the dumbass? By the way, you look stunning. I bet his date won't compare to you."

Stunning!