Maddie was invited to the monthly girls' party that coincided with poker night. They held it across the street from the game at Kristi's house. She had joined the ladies from time to time. Usually, Steve would be over on Friday nights and since the first of the year, she'd been avoiding party food and wine. Sunday she went through her closet and removed a lot of clothes that were too big. Many of which she'd recently bought. Then she tried on others and found some that fit and others she was aspiring to fit into. She felt good wearing a pair of jeans she hadn't worn in three years.

"Maddie, you look awesome," Megan said.

"I'm getting there. Slap my hand if I eat tonight." She laughed but was serious.

The conversation circled to Jack. Megan said, "Emma's starting at the daycare on Tuesday for just two days a week. Jack wants to see how it goes."

Once the conversation turned to Jack it stayed there. She was careful not to mention she's been helping Jack grieve. The times he opened up were private. Megan also kept quiet about Rory. Maddie liked having a close relationship with both Rory and Jack. Helping them gave the purpose she needed.

Eventually, she explained her break up with Steve. Megan said, "I always thought you could do better."

Kristi said, "Like Jack."

"No! That poor man will never move on."

"He will someday," Jen said.

"You can help him along," Kristi added.

"He's my friend." Maddie protested.

Megan said, "Leave Jack and Maddie alone. Poor Jack doesn't need you ladies fantasizing about him."

"Not me. I'm happy with the man I have," Jen said.

Maddie sat back and sighed when the conversation shifted to Jen's pregnancy. Eventually, the game across the street ended, and the wives went to their husbands. As Maddie set out for home, Jack fell into step beside her.

"Did you win or lose?"

"A little of both. I ended up with a small gain."

"I heard Emma's going to daycare."

"It's time. Just two days, but I'm afraid I'll miss her."

"You'll be busy working."

"True. Are you running tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"I'll join you. Good night Mads."

"Night."

They reached Jack's street. She walked home, and as she stepped inside, she turned and saw him on the corner watching her.

"You're a nice guy, Jack Harris," she said to nobody but herself. Maddie thought of the conversation and wouldn't mind being the one to help Jack move on.

After story time on Saturday, one of the divorced dads approached her. He commented about how much he and his son enjoyed it. Then he asked if she'd be interested in dinner sometime. He was nice enough and good looking, so she agreed.

Cameron offered to meet her on Monday after work at the Brew Pub up the street. He was waiting for her when she arrived. It was a good sign. They spoke about his three-year-old son, Ethan, and his divorce a year before. She like he wasn't an ex-wife basher. He told her about his work for a company she never heard of doing a job she knew nothing about. He listened attentively when she spoke. At the end of the meal, he walked her to her car and asked her out on Friday. She agreed. Then he leaned in, and she turned her head so he kissed her cheek.

"You're a sly one. I like that," he said, with a smile.

As the week went on, Maddie was looking forward to her next date. On Friday night, she took extra care to get ready. She wore a dress she hadn't fit into in a long time. She had stepped up her diet all week and ran a second time on the treadmill most nights. She felt good.

He arrived right on time and commented on her dress. It was a warm evening for early April and as Cameron was helping her into his car, Jack walked by pushing Emma. She wasn't sure why, but she felt embarrassed. Even though she ran with him almost every day, she hadn't told Jack about her date.

They had a lovely dinner at Les Bistros Français in Portland. Maddie had eaten there before, because she knew Oliver, the chef. The food was incredible, and they shared a bottle of wine. She felt good and wouldn't turn her head when he went to kiss her. She was eager to see if she would feel anything physical for Cameron.

Leaving the restaurant, he took her hand and held it as they walked to the car. Once at her house, he asked if she would invite him in. She agreed, and he followed her. As soon as the door was closed, he pulled her in his arms and kissed her. His lips captured hers and she felt a pulse through her.. She didn't know they had moved until she felt the door against her back and Cameron's hard body against her. She was definitely aroused, and she wasn't the only one as she felt his hand move to her breast. She allowed it, but when his hand went up her dress, she pushed it off her thigh.

"Come on, baby." He began moving up her thigh again.

"No. We hardly know each other."

"I bought you dinner... twice." He sounded whiny.

Was he begging? "I'm not the kind of girl who has meaningless sex." She tried to put space between them.

"Oh baby, it won't be meaningless. Feel how bad I want you." He took her hand and pressed it against his crotch. She pulled her hand away, and he squeezed her breast roughly and licked her ear. "Come on baby, come on. I know you want me too. You won't be sorry." Then he moved his hand up her thigh again and she felt his grip get stronger.

Maddie felt her adrenaline kick in and somehow moved from against the door. Firmly, she said, "I'm sorry, but no. You need to go."

He left like a puppy dog with his tail between his legs or was it sticking out inside his pants. She shut the door behind him and locked it. It was then she noticed she was shaking. She had been nervous that he would not accept her no. Could she have stopped him if he insisted? The only thing that would have saved her was the damn Spanx she squeezed herself into. There was no way those things would have come off easily. She had to dance and hop around the room just to get them on. Suddenly it was funny, especially after she heard his car spin out and he had definitely left. The kissing had been nice - perhaps more than nice for a few moments. On New Year's Day she made a resolution she wouldn't have sex without love. She most definitely wasn't having sex with a pervert who demanded it.

Looking at her phone to take her mind off her evening, she had a text from Jack.

Jack: Hot date! I thought you gave that up.

She read his text and responded even though she didn't know if he'd be awake.

Maddie: Not dating but...

Jack: Nice time?

Maddie was unsure how to answer.

Maddie: Yes until it wasn't

Jack: WHAT HAPPENED?

Maddie could see Jack's concern and replied: He had other ideas and I do not think he will ask me out again

Jack: BASTARD!

Maddie: it's rude to text in all caps

Jack: I AM YELLING

Maddie: 😀

Jack: are you okay?

Maddie: I am now. Thanks.

Jack: anytime. See you in the am.

Maddie: night

"He's such a nice guy," Maddie said to herself. Last week he waited for her to get safely home and the jerk upset him. Maddie would rather be friends with Jack than date losers. Actually, she'd rather date Jack. She shook her head as if to clear her thoughts like an etch-a-sketch because the thought of Jack pinning her against the door was anything, but unpleasant. How was she going to face her friend after those new images?

She went to sleep thinking of Jack. In the morning, he was at her door. When she opened it, he brushed her arm as he walked in. She felt her nerves respond. The tingle traveled up her arm. It felt good and alarming at the same time. Jack was her friend, and he was dealing with the loss of his wife. She had no business liking him. When she had run as far as she could, she was glad to call out, "Goodbye."

Cassie came over on Friday night to sleep over. Rory hadn't had a friend stay over in years. Jack ordered pizza and stayed away, while they watched movies. He was in his room working like he used to do in his office at the old house. The old house, she couldn't believe she had been afraid to leave it. Moving here had turned out okay. She wished the house was bigger, but maybe Jack could find a house to buy. Jack took Emma for a walk after dinner.

While he was gone Cassie talked about Cole. She really liked him, and Cole talked with them at the bus stop. Sam knew Cassie liked Cole, because he spent a lot of time rolling his eyes which Rory found funny. At first, Rory didn't know they were brothers until their Mom picked them up at the bus stop one rainy day. When Sam sat up front, Cole whined. "Mom, it's not fair, I never get the front seat anymore."

She felt kind of stupid, so she didn't mention her mistake to anyone. Brothers should like each other, but they didn't.

She and Cassie stayed up later than Rory liked, because she had to get up and watch Emma in the morning while Jack went running. He could run later, but he liked to run with Maddie. She liked that Jack and Maddie were friends, because it meant Maddie would visit. Cassie slept while Rory played with Emma. Some days she couldn't wait until her sister was older, so she could tell her about Mommy. For now, she wasn't even two and 'no' was her favorite word.

When Jack came back, he offered to take them to The Landing for breakfast. They walked up together with Jack pushing the stroller. Once inside, Rory looked around, it surprised her how many people she knew. She understood why Jack loved this place when he was growing up.

"Let's go to the beach after we eat," Cassie said, after looking up from her phone.

Jack took Emma to story time while the girls walked down to the beach.

Rory found out who Cassie was texting when they walked on the beach and the boys were waiting for them. They would always have a football, but this time Cole was empty-handed. Sam had a nice camera, and he stopped to take pictures as the four walked down the beach. When Cole and Cassie walked ahead, Rory stayed with Sam.

"You must be into photography."

"Yeah, I do. I don't think it will be my career or anything, but it's fun."

"Cool. Can I see some pictures?"

Sam held out the camera for Rory to see and scrolled through the pictures. Most of them were from the beach, but as he kept scrolling, some were of snow. Rory never thought about snow on the beach. Eventually, he came to some awesome pictures of Christmas lights.

"Wow! I like those."

"Yeah, me too. I had fun taking them." The others were far ahead, and Sam pointed to them. "He thinks he's so cool."

"Does he... like her?"

"Yup," Sam said without enthusiasm.

"So we're stuck or could we just leave them?" Rory asked as they walked back to where they started.

"We can sit for a while, but I'm not waiting around for him." Again Rory sensed the boys were not very close. Sam added, "I want to go driving with my Dad today."

"Are you sixteen?"

"Not until August."

"When is Cole fifteen?" she asked.

"He is."

"... But how if you're brothers?"

"Because we're stepbrothers. My dad and his mother got married last year."

"Is that why you don't like each other?"

"You can tell?" Rory nodded. "For me, it's because he doesn't like my dad."

"So your parents are divorced?"

Sam took a breath. "His are. Mine weren't."

He was looking right at her, and she suddenly registered what he was saying. "Did... did your mother die?"

"Yeah, like four years ago ... cancer."

The way Sam looked was familiar to Rory. "And your Dad got married. Was that hard?"

"Yeah, at first. I like Cole's mom and sister, Keira, though. I like when he's gone to his dad's every other weekend."

"Do you know about me?"

"Yeah. I heard someone talking at The Landing. How?"

"Car accident."

"Oh man, at least we got to say goodbye!"

"How did you manage to... get over it?"

"What do you mean?"

"You don't seem sad, like the way I feel." Rory felt the tears start. She quickly got up and started walking away.

"Rory, come back. I still am sometimes... just not every day."

Rory heard him, but didn't go back. She hurried home and went straight to her room. She should be glad because she found someone who understood. Instead, she just felt sad.

After a little while, Jack knocked on her door. "Hey kiddo, are you okay?"

"Fine."

"Where's Cassie?"

"Beach."

"Did you leave her alone?"

"No, she's with Cole."

"Is that why you're upset because she's with a boy? Can I open the door?"

"Okay."

He came in and sat on her bed and rubbed her back. "What upset you, kiddo?"

"I was thinking about Mom." She could tell him about Sam's mother but didn't. Jack gathered her in his arms and held her. She was done crying by then, but his embrace helped her feel better.

After a few minutes, Emma found them and climbed on the bed. "Da Dee. Me too."

They gathered her in their arms and Jack blew on her belly and she laughed.

"Dad, can I go over to Maddie's this afternoon?"

"You can call and ask her. She may be busy because she's cooking dinner for us."

"Really." Rory couldn't help, but smile.

Jack didn't care if Cassie was still with Rory, because he was taking Emma to the library. He wanted to be there in case that jerk pulled some crap on Maddie. As he watched Maddie climb into his car, he recognized him as a guy who eyed her at story time. Jack would protect her. He sounded like she was a damsel in distress, and he chastised himself. Still, he shuddered over what could have happened. He arrived early and Maddie greeted him with a smile. He followed her around as she got ready.

She turned to him. "Jack go sit. You're in my way."

Feeling foolish, he sat next to Maddie's spot. When the jerk walked in Jack made a fist and stared at him. He was too cocky for Jack's liking, and he had his lips and hands on Maddie. He barely focused on anything, but the jerk while Maddie sang and read. He intended to be right next to Maddie until the guy left.

Sure enough, the guy approached Maddie and before he reached her, Jack said, "Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?"

Maddie smiled. "I still owe you dinner at my house."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

"Okay. Great!" Jack smiled.

He was pleased with himself, as he drove home. He'd only just gotten back when Rory went flying in her room and shut her door. What set her off? Was she having trouble with her new friend? He hoped it was just because of Nicole - well not just, but it was what was familiar. Jack sadly could handle Rory missing her mother better than he could handle girl drama. He knew nothing about girl stuff, like buying bras. Oh God, sometimes he felt like he was in over his head.

Maybe not over his head, because he'd found his secret weapon - the magic elixir, Maddie. With Rory, Maddie had the ability to make everything better. "Who am I kidding?" he said aloud, as he was fixing lunch. "She does the same for me too."

"Dad, what're you saying?"

"Nothing kiddo... nothing."