Waking each morning, Tori thought of Jonathan. Their kisses had stirred something in her. She was physically attracted to him, but was it love? Did she even know what love was anymore? She had clung to a memory for so long it was bound to be distorted. It was more than the memory, but also the dream. She had been holding onto a dream of how her life should be. In her mind, Tommy was always supposed to be hers and they would have had a perfect life. As each new couple emerged her imagination became more defined. First there was Sage and Aidan, the best friends. Then the fairytale romance of Mia and Ted, who shared the Victorian. Most recently, Sloane and Ben who started as enemies but fell hard.

She and Tommy had just evolved into love, but when they were together they wanted to be with one another all the time. She woke wanting see Jonathan. Disappointment filled her when she looked out and saw his car missing. He was probably playing tennis.

Unfortunately, she couldn't wait for him to get home. She had too much to do before school started. Excitement for the new school year always outweighed the disappointment of summer ending. Her nephew would be in first grade, but in her partner's class. There were two classes per grade - pre-kindergarten through eighth.

Unlike on some of her earlier visits, many of her colleagues were working in their rooms. She hadn't seen her friends since the night she ran out of the club at the beginning of the summer.

Sarah, her partner, said, "Tori! Where have you been?"

Tori looked around her room, which she had spent hours getting ready. "Here. A lot."

"You haven't gone out since the weird night you left early. I told Jenna you must have a boyfriend."

Did she? She shook her head, deciding if she wasn't certain she should keep it to herself.

"I dated a guy for awhile, but he wanted to move too fast so I..."

"Dumped him. You're good at that. I found a new guy for you. I considered leaving Aaron for him. He's that hunky."

"I don't need to be fixed up."

"Right, you're waiting for your soldier to come home."

She sighed. "He came home with his wife and baby."

"What a snake?"

"No, he never promised me. I held on when I shouldn't have."

"Well, this new guy is perfect for you. He's the new middle school social studies teacher."

Tori tried not to react. "I've known Jonathan my entire life. We grew up next door to each other. In fact, he's the snake's brother."

"Jon was poking his head in classrooms and introduced himself to me."

She wanted to interrupt but exercised self-control. "He's here today?" She hoped her voice sounded calm. Sarah nodded. Tori tried to sound unenthused. "I might poke upstairs to see him before I get to work."

She heard his laugh before she saw him. As she walked closer, she heard a female voice. Danielle, the English teacher on his new middle school team, was beautiful and sexy. She had long legs and the same color hair as the wife - correction Katie.

When Jonathan looked up and saw her, he stepped back from Danielle. Danielle turned toward her.

"Oh, Tori! Have you met Jon?"

She nodded. "We've been neighbors our entire lives."

Jonathan laughed. "Not quite you forgot the time I was in Africa."

"And Nashville." She felt smug as she let the beauty know she knew him.

It didn't phase the other teacher. "I love Nashville and country music. You must too!"

Jonathan shook his head. "I'm not a big fan. Of course, I'm seven years behind in my musical taste."

"I could take you out and introduce you to some new music."

Tori wanted to trip her long legs. Jonathan laughed. She didn't find anything amusing.

He said, "Victoria has already volunteered to help integrate me back into civilization. We need to add music to our list."

She nodded, although she was unaware they had a list. Thankfully, Danielle left his room with a promise to talk to him later. Tori scowled at her back.

"Are you jealous, Victoria?"

Ignoring his question, she complained. "Every female teacher is in love with you."

His face looked serious. "Except one."

She smiled. "I believe it is your job to change that, Mr. Hayes."

"I am enjoying trying Ms. Calhoun." He lowered his voice. "I would love to work on that project more, but my mother is pestering me for a family dinner."

"A family dinner. Does that mean?"

"The ice queen? I think so."

"I'm waiting up until you get home. How long are you planning to stay today?"

"Not too long. I have a tennis game later."

She was wrong about his schedule. "Well, I had better get started."

"I'll stop by on my way out." She smiled, and he lowered his voice, so it was barely audible. "I fell asleep thinking of you."

Her belly flipped, flopped, and she felt the heat in her cheeks. He had a way of making her feel special with a few words or a look. She hadn't thought he realized what he was doing. After he confessed how he felt, those little things affected her. Even the way he called her Victoria when no one else did took on new meaning. She called him Jonathan, because he used her full name, although occasionally she forgot.

When Sarah saw her return, she said, "I thought you weren't coming back."

Tori rolled her eyes. "Danielle already has her perfectly shellac nails into him." And she amused him when she was jealous.

The jealousy powered her through her day. Perhaps it wasn't a bad thing, because it kept her from daydreaming. Her current favorite was driving to school together and Jonathan coming to her at the end of the day looking very sexy.

He was sexy with his long legs and narrow waist and broad shoulders. She imagined him shirtless in his swim shorts, but every time her daydream ended in the pool house and she'd get confused if she was thinking of him or Tommy. Of all the things they did together over the summer, they hadn't hung out at either pool.

She didn't know what to do with herself. She hadn't had dinner alone in weeks. She didn't miss Spencer. Her restlessness was because Jonathan wasn't home. He was having dinner with his family.

She was just about to take a walk over to see Sage when her phone rang. It was an unknown number from Georgia. She felt her hands shake as she answered.

"Hi Tori. It's Tom. I hope you don't mind if Sage gave me your number."

It was the same as when they were together. She couldn't talk. How long had she dreamed of a surprise call? She had answered more suspicious calls about winning vacations, warranties being expired, and credit limits hoping he was finally calling her.

"You may already know, but I wanted you to hear from me. I'm taking the job with Sloane."

"Jonathan told me."

"He didn't mention it, but we haven't talked much lately. Is he settling okay?"

Was she the reason the brothers weren't talking? She didn't want to come between them. Could she become accustomed to seeing Tommy?

"He's. He's fine. School starts next week. We're both busy getting ready."

"Right, you teach too. So I hope my being back won't upset you. We haven't decided where to live."

She panicked. "Not with Jonathan!"

"No, that wouldn't be fair to you. If we need someplace temporary, we'll stay in Weston."

"She'll like that."

"We don't know if we'll rent or buy and we'll need to think about schools and..."

"Wouldn't you send him to our school?" They had all attended the same private school. The same one where she and Jonathan worked.

"Only if you don't mind. Still, we have a lot to think about. Katie needs to decide if she's going to work, although she may go to school."

"School?" Shouldn't she be done with school?

"She's thinking of becoming a nurse practitioner or she may pick up some shifts until Paco gets older."

"I guess you should go. You have a lot to think about."

"Okay. Bye Tori."

She hung up because she hated saying goodbye to him. Talking to him was okay. She felt awkward talking about his wife. He married a nurse, who was probably kind and caring. She would have to give her a chance. Jonathan loved his sister-in-law, and if she was going to love Jonathan... Was that something she could just decide to do? How would she know if these confused feelings were love?

Looking at the clock, what she knew was she wanted Jonathan to come home. She missed him.