Causally looking around I spotted, what I swore was a head of strawberry blonde hair. Starring, willing the man to turn around. My prayers were answered, as if he could feel my eyes drilling holes in the back of his head, he turned around. Our eyes met and the excitement that shot through my body was just about to boil over. It was Mason! He was back! A day late but back. His enthusiasm echoed mine as we waved to each other like a couple of kids. Walking to meet halfway I threw my arms around his neck, at the same time he picked me up spinning me around.

"When did you get back? I thought you were not coming home for a couple more days? How was your trip?" I rushed out in one breath.

Mason laughed at my banter. "I missed you too," he said, kissing me on the cheek.

Taking a hold of his hand, craving his touch, I asked him, "Do you want to get some air with me?"

In response, he led the way out to the patio. Finding a spot near the rail, and went over the weeks' worth of daily routines, as we continued to hold hands.

"I missed you and I'm glad your back. A girl can get addictive to those smiles of yours you know," I teased him, but meant every word. These last few days without seeing Mason put more of a toll on me then I expected, plus it didn't help that I was trying to keep some distance between me and everyone else. Sure I seen Dmitri but that was only for a few minute here and there. I didn't even see Nickoli for lunch. Sure we talked on the phone but never in person. A part of me felt bad but the other part knew I needed some distance.

A waitress came up. "Dmitri had to take a call but he will be out soon," she informed me, handing me a beer.

"Thank you," I replied.

"Am I keeping you from anyone?" I turned back to Mason.

"Nope I'm all yours," he replied.

A feeling of grief and emptiness hit me so hard that me knees gave out. If it wasn't for Mason's quick reflexes I would have landed on my ass. The air was thick, making it hard to breath and the pain in my chest hurt. Not really painful but more a heavy uncomfortable feeling.

"Sam? What's wrong? Are you OK?" Mason sounding a bit panicked.

The feeling began to pass. "Uh...yeah, I think so. That was weird," shaking my head and standing up straighter, I added, "It felt like my chest was empty but somehow heavy at the same time," I shrugged, feeling normal again. I could always talk to Mason. I didn't worry that he would look down at me or make me feel stupid for feeling what I did. I would never admit this to anyone else but I felt more comfortable around him then I did around Mady these days. Oh don't get me wrong I could tell Mady a lot but with Mason I knew he could handle somethings better and not take them to heart as much as Mady did.

"Are you..." he began to say before I cut him off.

Looking across the street a man was walking in our direction, which should have been too far for me to recognize, but I knew who it was and that something was wrong. "Matt?" I said, in a normal voice, much too low to be heard at that distance, but at the call of his name he looked in our direction. "Matt," I called louder, needing to get to him. I didn't know why but I had to see him and now.

"I'll be right back," I said to Mason, starting to make my way through the busy patio.

"Here," Mason said, picking me up then setting me down on the other side of the rail.

"Thank you," I called out as I ran across the street to meet Matt.

Matt kept his eyes on me the whole time, quickening his pace after he noticed I was coming to meet him. Hands in his neatly pressed black slacks pockets, shoulders slumped forward in his pale pink dress shirt with sleeves rolled up. A sad depressing smile tugging at his lips and the relief in his eyes had me run faster.

Without any thought, I wrapped my arms around his waist giving him a hug. I could feel the hurt and helplessness he felt pouring out his body into mine as he squeezed tightly back.

"What's wrong Matt?" I asked softly, pulling back to see his face but not letting go.

"Lost a friend, it was her funeral today. Just kind of down," he said, shrugging his shoulders.

Pulling him back into a hug, I muffled in to his shoulder, "I'm sorry, for your loss." Knowing too well myself those were the only words that could be said if any at all.

Holding me tighter, burying his face in my neck breathing in deeply. "She was like a sister to me and the worst part is she couldn't confide in me with important pieces of her life," he sniffled.

"Oh Matt, honey." Trying to soothe him, letting him talk, cry, or squeeze me until I could no longer breathe. Feeling all his muscles stiffen I knew the instant Mason had walked up. Releasing my grip slightly I moved to the side, still keeping my arm around Matt. "Matt, this is a very good friend of mine, Mason. Mason this is Matt also a friend of mine."

They just both stood there staring at each other, not with friendly or hostility in the eyes but more of curiosity. Taking a good look at Matt then at Mason and continued back and forth like watching a tennis match. The similarities between the two were mind blowing. Thinking back, I remembered Matt looking familiar the first time I met him, but could not place where. But now looking at both of them it was right there. Same colour eyes, height, built, cheekbones, and even the shape of their lips. Mason had strawberry blonde where Matt's was blonde, beside that small difference they could pass off as brothers.

"Well shit, you two could pass off as brothers." I blurted out my thoughts.

Matt was the first one to break the silence between them, putting out his hand. "Thanks for finding her," he said to Mason. Mason taking his offered hand and nodded. Terror flashed in his eyes, turning back to me. "Oh Sam, you were there too," he started to say something else but I cut him off.

With a wave of the hand, I dismissed his worry. "Don't you dare worry about me, I'm fine." Slapping a smile on my face when a flashback hit of the clearing. "Listen, you can say no and I will understand if you just want to be alone." Tilting my head towards the bar, I asked, "Do you want to come in for a beer? It's on me," I added, hoping that might be an incentive.

Before he had a chance to answer, Dmitri's boisterous voice came from across the street. "Sam!" His tone, a demanding growl, was one I had never heard from him.

Turning around slowly, he was not hard to miss, standing on the sidewalk, nostrils flaring; face stone cold with his arms across his chest. My anger kicked in high gear; hearing the tone in his voice when he said my name, and now the way he stared at Matt. Oh I was so ready to tear off his head from his shoulders. When I got pissed, especially when it came to men and their macho shit, you could bet I would add fuel the fire.

My eyes narrowed at the man that just bellowed my name, turning back to Matt, kissing his cheek, and then doing the same to Mason. "Give me a minute, will you boys," my voice was soft but cold.

Every step I took the more furious I became, watching this man I cared about staring at my friend that just lost someone dear to him with such hatred and for calling me over like I was his pet.

Five feet away, his gaze finally turned to me. Brows pulled together, anger dissipating turning into confusion he asked, "What?"

Jabbing a finger in his chest then continued to do so with every word I spoke. "You ever call my name with that tone again I can promise you the last thing you will see is my ass walking away," I hissed, lowering my now sore finger from hitting solid stone that he called a chest, "Do. You. Understand. Me?"

Shock and respect shinned from his eyes as he said, "Yes."

Arms now crossed under my ample breast I continued, "For the second thing," lowering my voice not wanting everyone who had now stopped and stared in our direction to hear our conversation. "That is Matt, my friend who just lost a friend, the girl in the..." I couldn't finish the sentence. "I am going back over there to see if he is going to accept my invitation to buy him a beer or prefer to be alone. Do you think you have enough hospitality to meet a friend of mine, or are you just going to be a dick and spend the rest of the night doing whatever you were doing before I arrived?" Putting that last dig in might have hit below the belt, knowing he was talking to Alexis before I arrived but I was still pissed.

Hurt crossed his face for a split second. "I would like to meet your friend," he said, laying a hand on my lower back escorting us back across the street. Bending over closer to my ear he whispered, "That last comment was on the low side don't you think?"

I did feel bad for the comment but continued to walk tall. "I know and I am woman enough to say I am sorry but remember that the next time you call me like I was a misbehaved pet," I replied, holding firm to my point.

He flinched. "And I, too, am sorry for being a dick," he tried to hide his growing smile, "But I do have to say you're hot when your pissed." Sneaking in a quick kiss on my cheek.

Before I could elbow him in the ribs, he jumped back and that made it easier to hide my own smile as I shot back, "You're an ass!"

Making it back to Mason and Matt with everything looking settled I introduced them, "Dmitri this is Matt. Matt this is Dmitri."

Dmitri raised his hand first. "Nice to meet you, Matt," he said shaking his hand, "I'm truly sorry about your loss," he sounded sincere.

"Thank you," Matt replied.

"You're more than welcome to come in with Sam for a drink," he offered. Nodding to Mason only to stop, then he too did the tennis match thing between the two.

I repeated what I said earlier, "I know they could be brothers."

"You got that right," Dmitri said, looking amazed with the resemblance. Snapping out of it, he looked back to me. "Sam. Something big just came up and Jack needs me for a while," he sounded disappointed. "Would it be OK if I get a rain check for another night?" he asked with hope.

"Yes, of course. You go and I'll just head home," I said hiding my disappointment but I understood.

"What are we chop liver?" Mason asked, "Stay out with us, after all you did tell Matt you were going to buy him a beer," he reminded me.

"You guys don't mind hanging out with an old chick?" I teased, playing up the 10-year difference between us.

"Matt, can you walk Sam back over to the bar? I need to talk to Mason for a minute," Dmitri asked.

"Come on gorgeous," Matt still down but seemed a bit more at peace. Giving his bended arm to escort me back across the street.

"Sam, wait," Dmitri called. Catching up in two strides, he placed his hands on either side of my face, lowering his lips to meet mine. This was not the same brief kiss as before. Still gentle but he lingered just long enough to make my knees feel like putty, which really didn't take long at all. Pulling away very pleased with my reaction he landed another quick peck. "If I don't get home to late I'll text you, if not I'll call in the morning," then he walked away. 

Matt lightly tugged my arm bringing me back down to earth so we could continue to walk across the street.