Gray returned from a ten-day trip, checking out the hotel chain in the south. At least Florida was warmer than Boston in December. He felt like he was being punished and was ready to have words with Monty. He owed his friend for saving him, but Monty could say the same about him. Although they were brothers, Monty couldn't control his life. Gray closed his eyes. He had depended on him financially for years. His savings weren't enough to live off of and his resume looked bleak.

Sofia hugged him and insisted he stay for dinner. He laughed as he watched Ana walk. Her short little legs didn't seem capable of holding her up. When he sat on the floor, she ran to him and flung her arms around him. He kissed her cheeks, but she squirmed away.

"Why are you triste? Monty, our Gray is sad."

Monty looked up from the stove but said nothing. Gray let out his breath. "I might go home for the holidays."

"No! You can't. Ana will miss you." Sofia stood with her hands on her hips. "We'll miss you." He shrugged. "Go for a day or two. For Chanukah, but come home for Christmas."

"You have your party on Christmas Eve and Christmas day..."

"You'll come with us to my parents' house. You are familia."

He used to always go home, but stopped after Sofia changed their lives. He stayed in Boston, but spent most of the time alone. The thought of sitting at home, thinking of Doyle was too painful.

"I don't know." He stood and Sofia hugged him.

Monty said, "Don't force him. He has family too."

Gray frowned. "You want me to leave Boston."

Monty frowned. "I don't want you alone. When I spent Christmas alone, I almost drove over to steal a bottle from the old man. I would have recovered. You, my friend, won't."

"Why do you think I'll drink? I survived my trip to Tucson without drinking."

"Tucson? What was in Tucson?"

Gray looked at Monty. "She doesn't know?"

Monty shook his head. "It took you years to tell me."

"Now I'm moving forward and you won't let me." His voice had an edge.

"Because of all the girls in Boston, you picked the wrong one."

"You say she's wrong? But I love her."

Monty sighed. "I'm sorry. You'll only get hurt. It's my job to protect you."

"Stop! Why can't he love her? You love me?" Sofia put herself in Monty's face.

He sighed. "The Kanes are like royalty. My old man made a laughing stock out of the Whitbys. Besides, I would disown my family for you, baby."

"But I'd never ask her to disown her family for me. Maybe I'll publish my book and they'll approve of an author."

"Monty, let Gray be in love. If he fell in love with a supermarket girl, he could still get hurt."

Monty sighed, as Gray's eyes bore into him. "I promise to tell you if I want a drink and you can take the car keys and beat the shit out of me."

"You promise? I'll take you to a meeting every goddamn day."

"You make it hard for me to hate you, but I haven't liked you lately. You keep sending me away and interrupting me and Doyle." He seldom spoke her name.

"Monty, don't! I like her." Sofia frowned.

"Does anyone in her family suspect you two?"

"She hasn't said. We are both adults. I plan to invite her over. You can choose our friendship and support me. If you rat on us, then we're done."

Sofia threw her hands up. Then she pointed at Monty. "You love him. Let Doyle deal with her family. Gray's right, she is an adult." She turned to Gray. "You are familia. You stay in this house and Doyle can visit." Sighing, she added, "Entender? Understand?"

Monty nodded. Gray said, "Si."

Sofia smiled. "Good boys. Now hug."

Monty walked to Gray and embraced him. "I worry about you. I'm sorry."

"I know, but I really love her."

Monty pulled back. "You should keep a low profile since you are both witnesses for the prosecution."

"I hope that animal gets what he deserves." Gray's anger at the memory of her on the ground surfaced.

Sofia picked up Ana. "Beso Tio." She put the baby to Gray's face. She slobbered on his cheek. Then she moved to her husband. "Kiss Daddy."

Ana giggled. "Dadadadada."

Monty took her into his arms and kissed her neck. "Your Mami is a peacemaker. Kiss Mami."

"Beso bebé."

"Let's eat." Monty leaned in and kissed his wife.

Gray returned to his apartment after dinner and texted Doyle. When she didn't reply, he opened his laptop to tackle the edits his agent had sent him. The guy was as wet behind the ears as he was, but he promised he had a story. It could be a gem with the right amount of polishing. Then he laughed. "We're not talking about a rock tumbler."

The process had opened his eyes, and he would do much better on his next attempt. His phone buzzed, and he smiled at the call.

"Hey." He answered.

"Hey yourself. You're home?"

"Thankfully. Monty and I had it out."

"You what?"

"I told him you and I are adults and he promises to keep his mouth shut."

"He's just worried I'll hurt you."

Gray paused. "How do you know?"

"He told me. Gray, the last thing I want is to be responsible for you to start drinking."

"You won't. I won't. I'll fight for you until you tell me to stop."

"I'll never tell you to stop."

"Good, that's settled. You can come over anytime. No hiding from Monty and Sofia."

"Really?"

He couldn't stop smiling. "Do you want to come now?"

"I wish, but we haven't had dinner yet. My mother's meeting ran late. I was talking to my father when you texted."

"Tomorrow? I miss you."

"I always miss you. I have to go."

He sat with his phone in his hand. He loved her, but couldn't tell her. At first he feared she didn't love him. It would be harder when Monty's assumptions came true if she did. He was a realist, and although he told his friend otherwise, he was going down a dead-end path right into a ravine. When it happened, he told himself he would use women instead of booze to cope. More than likely he would have bruises and Monty's hand would hurt like hell.

Gray stayed for the holidays, but Doyle couldn't slip away until the twenty-sixth. She arrived with her own driver. "Sorry, I can't stay long. I brought presents."

He smiled. She had presents for Ana and her parents. They weren't home, so they left them upstairs where she had entered. He hated how they had to fool a driver just like him.

Wasting no time, they met heart to heart including their tattoos on their hips. Hers was gray for him and his heart had a K in the middle. He also had a small ladybug over his heart near his butterfly. He refused to collect anymore. If he couldn't have her, his heart would shut down. After a quickie because her driver was waiting, they exchanged gifts. Choosing a gift for the woman who could buy anything she wanted was hard.

She looked at the jewel encrusted ladybug pendant. "It's beautiful. Just like your tattoo."

"I know you can't wear it, but..."

She shook her head. "I can say I bought it."

"I couldn't give you a heart."

"No," she whispered.

"You are a beautiful lady."

She laughed. "You've come a long way."

"I think we both have. Thank you for my watch. I love it."

She stood. Both knew she couldn't stay. After she left from the front entrance, he instantly felt lonely.

As time rolled into January the pending trial loomed in front of them. Doyle's family ratcheted up their concern and protection. She complained, "If I think, someone is there asking me what's wrong. Even the staff is on my tail."

One day a week before the trial, she called and sounded out of breath. "I left and am going for a walk. I think I made a clean break, but I can't be gone very long."

He imagined her looking behind her to ensure she wasn't being followed. He looked at the window. "It's snowing."

"Just a little. It's beautiful."

"Where are you walking?"

"To the Common to take a few pictures."

He wondered if she was carrying her big camera although she could make magic with her iPhone. "Maybe I'll run into you." He put his coat and boots on while they talked.

The morning was beautiful. Fluffy flurries flew through the air. Some landed on his coat melting just as fast. They left behind a wet spot, but he didn't care. He pulled his knit hat down over his ears.

As he approached the oldest city park, he was about to call her when he saw her. It looked like she was taking a photo of a pigeon in the snow.

"A pigeon? Really?"

"You don't see the beauty of the smart birds."

He laughed, and they fell in step together. She sighed. "It's almost over."

"You'll do fine." He put his arm around her and pulled her close.

"I'm worried I'll be the one on trial."

"Just remember nothing you did warranted that beating." Gray winced. "I'll have to face the sonofabitch who did that to you. We both will."

"I don't want to think about it. I came out for freedom and a breath of fresh air."

"I thought it was because you missed me."

"I did but isn't it beautiful."

They had walked into the Public Garden on the path towards the duck pond. The snow stuck to the hard surfaces. It had colored the yellowish grass with a thin layer of white. Doyle held her phone to the sky and snapped. Then she spun in a circle with her arms out. "Did I ever tell you I love snow? After the trial we should go to Aspen. Do you ski?"

"Not like the rich kids. Monty made me learn in the Alps."

"You've been to so many amazing places. We should travel together." She stopped spinning and put her hands on his chest. "I want to live again. I want the entire ordeal to be over."

He frowned. Was he part of the ordeal? She brushed snow off his rosy cheek. She had a flake on her long eyelashes. "I don't mean you. You're the only good thing that came from it."

He bent over and brushed his lips against hers. It was like they were alone in the middle of the city. Anyone walking by would never notice their faces. They walked hand in hand until they drew closer to the road. Then he dropped her hand, and they naturally put some distance between themselves.

Reluctantly, they said goodbye without touching or kissing. As he walked back, the snow picked up. He felt renewed and hopeful. His smile propelled him forward.

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