Almost an hour later Devon looked at her reflection in the mirror. She had taken time with her appearance, her hair had been washed and blow-dried so that it hung in lose thick waves down her back, her makeup was minimal, and she had chosen a light yellow sleeveless dress that hugged her shape and stopped just above her knees. She had capped the outfit off with three-inch cream heels and a little cream sweater just in case.

For one moment she had second thoughts about the heels until she remembered her conversation with Josh the night before. One realization that she had come to in the wee hours, was that when she came home she reverted to who she used to be not who she was now. If she wasn't visiting her family she would have never thought twice about wearing the heels.

Devon heard a knock on her door and with one final glance at her reflection, she turned to answer it.

When she opened it, Josh stood before her in the grey suit from the night before minus a tie. The open collar gave him a more relaxed air. She couldn't help but smile a little at the thought of his tattoo.

As she had taken in Josh's appearance he had taken in hers.

"You look stunning, Devon," he said with a smile.

"Thank you." Devon blushed a little, not used to compliments.

"What's the smile for?" Josh asked as he watched her blush.

"I'm a little disappointed that you're not dressed to show off your tattoo. It would have been fun to shock the Smothers." Devon's smile grew at the thought.

"Like I shocked your sister today?" Josh raised an eyebrow in a teasing manner.

"I don't think it was your tattoo that shocked her." Devon shook her head as she joined him. Even in her heels she barely came up to his chin and she felt very feminine.

"Are you worried about my safety again?" He was still teasing her. It was like old times.

"No." At her response, a tense silence developed between them that was heavy as the words from the evening before were remembered.

"I wonder sometimes...," Josh said putting his hand at the base of her neck, resting it on Devon's shoulder as he played with a lock of her hair. He took one of her hands with his free one and brought her closer, resting it on his chest.

Devon's heartbeat accelerated as his finger brushed her neck and collar bone.

"What do you wonder?" Devon asked her voice husky, her knees a little weak.

"I wonder what would happen between us if we met today for the first time. If we didn't have our past cluttering up our present." His voice was so soft she thought she had imagined the words.

She couldn't think of a thing to say in response to his thought. It was not something she had ever considered. Then it dawned on her as she met his eyes, he didn't know anything about her in the real world and she knew even less of him. All they had were their past memories.

"We can't erase our past Josh. It's made us who we are." Devon said the words hoping they would pull her back into reality and out of the little romantic world her mind wanted to create with Josh's words.

He nodded as his gaze lowered to her lips.

"We should go." She tried to pull away but he wouldn't let her go.

"I am sorry for what I said Devon, and I didn't mean for you to take it the way that you did." She could hear the sincerity in his voice.

"Maybe it needed to be said. We're strangers, Josh, and I don't see that changing. After tomorrow we go back to our lives, and it will probably be another ten years until we see each other again." It was an olive branch.

"You're probably right, and if that's the case there is something that I want you to know." He lifted her hand that was on his chest and placed a kiss on her palm. Devon closed her eyes in self-defense.  Maybe if she didn't see him it would help her survive.

"I came for you that night ten years ago. I had wanted you for years, and I figured that it was as good a time as any to try to seduce you." He was kissing her wrist and his hand on her neck was pulling her closer.

"Then why did you stop?" Devon asked with a frown. His words thrilled her, and she opened her eyes to look at him, needing to know the answer, afraid that she already did.

"I thought two years away would change us both but it didn't." H.e took a deep breath

"I was still crying on your shoulder about Bree you mean." Devon couldn't hide the hurt in her voice.

"Yes." Josh heard it and was watching her closely.

"I meant everything I said that night. I meant it so much that I had to kiss you, but your mother's voice was like a splash of cold water. I had plans, and I realized that if what I had wanted to happen that night had happened, it would have hurt you more when I left." He wasn't pulling any punches.

"So no matter the outcome of that night you would have left and not come back." Devon's voice was a mere whisper as she felt her heart burst into a million pieces at his words.

"Yes." A single syllable that felt like another punch.

Devon pulled away from him and he let her go, watching her as she sank onto the back of the couch lost in thought.  As usual, Devon fell to a rational train of thought. Would it have been enough to only have one night with Josh?

She knew instantly that it wouldn't have been.

She stood up nodding. What was in the past was past.  He had desired her then and he might still desire her now, but he didn't love her. Thankfully he didn't know that she was in love with him so at least she had her pride left.

Looking at the clock she gave a smile. "Thank you for telling me."

He remained silent as he watched her as she pick up her sweater. "We should go before they send a search party." Standing tall she led the way out of the house and up the hill.

The terrace was set up with a buffet on one side and a long table down the center.  There were ten guests total, and Devon and Josh were the last to arrive.

"Sorry, we're late," Josh said at his most charming. "We decided to go swimming this morning."

"Yes, Bree told us." Pamela Tatum looked at her daughter, not bothering to hide her displeasure. Devon did her best to let it wash over her and pasted a smile on her face.

"Not that Devon had much choice after I threw her in the pool." Josh grinned. He must have sensed her mother's disapproval and was trying to cover for her. Some habits died hard.

"That's quite all right Josh." Pamela smiled sincerely at him. "You boys will be boys."

"Devon, Josh, what can I get you to drink?" Josh's father asked. He was manning the drink cart as usual. Josh opted for some fruit juice and Devon stuck with water. It wasn't long before Josh was pulled away by Annabelle and Bree, leaving Devon alone with his father.

"How have you been Devon?" he asked coming around the cart and putting his arm around her shoulders.

Devon had always liked James McIntire.  He was an older version of Josh and he was responsible for the man Josh had become. "I've been good."

"Are you still in California?" James appeared to really be interested and it made a nice change.

"No I moved back, I start a new job next week." He was the first one she had told.

"Tell me about it?" he asked, finding her a seat at the table and sitting next to her.

Devon had just started with the details when Jenny interrupted them. "James dear, Ford needs a refill."

James patted Devon's hand and mentioned something about catching up later before he rose to get Ford another drink. Not wanting to sit at the table alone, Devon move to the buffet and started to make herself a plate, following Hal and her father's start on the buffet. Once she had finished her plate she returned to her spot and began to eat in a leisurely fashion, watching the others around her which as a psychologist was her norm.

Hal and her father were in deep conversation about stocks and bonds, James was making drinks and had been joined by Jenny and Ford. Ford was monopolizing that conversation and James looked a little bit bored. Bree, Pamela, and Annabelle had cornered Josh and what all three were talking about was anyone's guess. Josh didn't even seem to be sure as he looked from one to the other to the other.

"Hello," said a male voice beside her. It startled her enough to make her jump and she turned to look at a man who was in jeans and a t-shirt. He was tall, blond, and very handsome. His hair was spiky and he had a well-maintained beard.

"Who are you?" Devon asked as she noted Josh's group turn to look at the new addition. The man looked at Josh and something was communicated between them before he smiled and turned back to Devon.

"I'm a friend of Josh's," he said as he turned his attention back to Devon.

"So I noticed. Why don't you go and say hi?" Devon looked at Josh again but his attention was back on the women.

"I just did." The man grinned.

"Did you come to rescue him?" Devon took a bite of her quiche and he watched her mouth as she chewed.

"Does he need rescuing?" He sounded as if he was humoring her.

"Yes, desperately, all those women over there want something from him?" If he thought she was a dumb redhead who wanted to flirt, she could play along.

He grinned again, his eyes twinkling, "Do tell."

"Well, the little one is my sister, and she's always had a crush on him, but she's just announced her engagement to that man down there."Devon nodded in Hal's direction.

"So, she's trying to figure out how to keep one and get the other?" Will was fully on board with the conversation.

"You're quick," she grinned at him before she continued. "Yes, but she's known poor Josh since she was a baby which means that Josh has to be nice, especially since our mother is standing right next to her and would like for nothing more than for her to marry him."

"But she's engaged!" he sounded shocked in a mocking way.

Devon nodded enjoying herself. She had never met this man before, and he was someone to talk to who didn't already have an opinion of her.

"But if you're also her daughter wouldn't you do?" The man looked her over, his appreciation of her evident femininity.

"No," Devon said with a dramatic sigh. "However, the one he really needs saving from," she continued quickly before he could ask why she wouldn't do, "is the cougar."

"A cougar? Where?" he whispered, looking over at the little group, noting Annabelle who had her hand on Josh's arm.

Devon and the man looked at each other and busted out laughing. "I wouldn't worry about Josh. His specialty is the cougars." He reached over and popped one of her strawberries in his mouth with a grin.

"Help yourself." She sat back and watched as he took more of her food, wondering jealously, why Josh's specialty was cougars.

Eventually, he stopped and held out his hand. "William but my friends call me Will."

"I won't say what your real friends call you," Josh said, sitting on Devon's other side.

"Devon," she introduced herself, holding out her hand which he took.

"Devon, aren't you going to introduce us to your friend?" Pamela asked, looking a little put out by the new person who was going to mess up her numbers.

Josh went to answer but Devon put a hand on his arm and stopped him.

"This is Will mother." Devon was going to keep it short and sweet.

Bree came over all smiles and sat on Will's other side. "Will, I'm Bree it's a pleasure to meet you." She turned on the charm and Hal, who was still talking to her father, was completely oblivious to the fact that she was hitting on another man.

Devon continued to eat and watched the show as it unfolded before her.

"Hello, Bree." Will turned towards her taking her hand. "I hear congratulations are in order."

Bree looked confused for a minute before she blushed in consternation. "Oh, yes, thank you. It's still so new and exciting. So, did Devon invite you?" Bree asked sweetly.

"No, I've just met her. I saw her sitting here by herself and thought it was a shame for such a beauty to be all alone, so I introduced myself." Will shot Devon a spectacular smile.

Devon felt Josh give a silent groan as she looked at all of the confused faces. Devon had a naturally playful nature and decided to go with it.

"Why thank you, Will. I'm very grateful for the company. I was actually getting a little lonely. Would you like some more fruit?" she offered, pushing her plate towards him.

"Thank you, Devon. I'm starved. Now, what were you saying about Josh needing rescuing?" Will asked as he eyed his friend, and Devon had a brief moment of guilt for sharing so much. It wasn't like her to be so forthcoming. 

"O.K., that's enough you two. Are you ready Will?" Josh said standing, putting an end to the conversation without a touch of humor to be found in his face.

"Sure am." Will gave Josh a mock salute that made Josh livid even though he hid it well.

"I'm sorry to cut my visit short, Mother," Josh moved towards her giving her a kiss. He gave his father a brief hug and then shook the other men's hands.

"Do you have to go so soon?" Bree asked as she threw herself into his arms.

"Yes, but I'll try to make it to the wedding if I can." He kissed her cheek and set her away from him giving Pamela a kiss on the cheek as well before he turned and gave Devon a charming smile. She was too stunned at his leaving to stand. "It was good to get caught-up Devon, let's not make it another ten years."

"Sure," she said forcing a smile.

"Annabelle, Ford." He nodded towards them.  "It was good to meet you both."

Devon wanted to jump up and beg him not to go yet. There was still too much to talk about, but she knew it didn't matter, they could talk until they were blue in the face and it wouldn't change anything.  They were too different from who they had been.

They all watched in silence as he and Will made their exit.

Suddenly, for Devon at least, the atmosphere grew flat as everyone got back to their brunch, and she tried to fight the feeling that the world hadn't just ended again like it had ten years before. At least then she had gotten a kiss, all she had gotten this time was an 'it was good to catch-up."