"Are you ready to go?"

"Yes, but I was hoping for a hello."

"Hello." Jen smiled and kissed her like he'd been away at sea. "We have a flight to catch so don't get any ideas. Did you make arrangements for our ride?"

"Yes, but tell me again what we're supposed to accomplish."

"We'll put them together as much as possible to see where it leads."

"But it can't lead anywhere really... at least anyplace lasting. Plus, you said your brother won't go near anyone married."

"Yeah but I've never known him to talk on the phone for more than a few minutes. To Alex texting was the greatest thing invented. I'm dying to see him squirm." Tom smiled wickedly which made her wish they weren't heading out the door.

"Did you tell Alex who was picking us up?"

"I told him we arranged a ride. If he already knows, they talked tonight."

Tom smiled. Avery was glad she didn't have a brother and was suddenly glad.

Avery had flown to many cities and was used to small airports. She liked them because they were less of a hassle than big hubs. She followed Tom out, and across the street to a parking lot with a few scattered cars. Jen was standing by a standard nondescript sedan. She looked relaxed and comfortable in jeans.

Avery hugged her as she said, "Welcome to Maine!"

Quickly they were off the highway and a business district switched to residential and then rural. They turned into a neighborhood. At the end of the street, Tom pointed out the ocean. Two quick turns and Jen was pulling in the driveway.

"Here you go."

"Come in with us?"

Jen paused before she said, "Alright for a few minutes."

Avery was excited to see Alex in person. He came to the door wearing sports shorts and a tee shirt with bare feet. He was taller than Tom and as good looking, in a slightly different way.

"Welcome come in." He gave Tom a slap on the back hug, and he smiled at Avery. "Nice to meet you."

"Hi, Alex. It's nice to finally meet you too."

"Finally," Jen said.

"You know. Since you met him in March, I've been curious." She smiled, but no one commented.

Alex was busy offering Tom a beer. "Ladies."

Avery said, "Yes!" and Jen shook her head. Avery took the beer. "This place is beautiful. You need a designer. I could recommend a good one."

Everyone laughed and Alex said, "There's this guy David that I've worked with."

Jen said, "I know he's good."

Avery asked, "Jen, do you want your dress?"

She nodded, but looked uncomfortable.

Avery asked where she could unpack, and Alex told her which room. She beckoned Jen to follow her upstairs. She opened her suitcase and took two dresses out. One was Jen's and the other she hung in the closet with Alex's clothes.

"I guess this is his room."

"Yes, he said he was giving you his bed."

"Looks like a nice bed." Jen did not react.

Once they went downstairs, Jen announced she was leaving.

Hopefully, it didn't look like she ran out of Alex's house. Being in his bedroom was too intimate even without him there. The sheets wouldn't be ones he had laid on, but she felt a longing that scared her.

She had seen him three times that day, but in his home with his bare feet was different. This morning was routine, at the house was work and even while he ate his lunch was not new. However, tonight he probably stretched out watching the game. He wasn't working, because he tucked his paperwork away. This was how he looked when they spoke for hours on the phone each night.

She thought about how lucky Avery and Tom were because they ended their day together and expressed their feelings. She and Alex could never do that. She'd never walk around barefoot with him or relax together on the sofa in front of the TV.

She slept late and checked her phone, but there was no message from Avery. She went for a walk on the beach which was getting crowded. Although the summer solstice was still officially a few weeks away, this was the debut weekend of the summer season. Her father had extended hours and was staffed with his summer help. She had to weave her way around beachgoers.

While walking home, she received a text message from Avery telling her they were coming for lunch. When she walked into The Landing, it was busy with both her parents and two employees behind the counter.

"Hey Jenny, we could use more help."

She stepped behind the counter to make sandwiches and was so busy she didn't notice her friends had arrived until she heard her father call out to Alex. She looked up and saw Avery smiling at her working.

When they got to the front of the line, she went to work making four lobster rolls, one for herself.

"That's my friend Avery. They came to have lunch with me, but I want you and mom to meet her and Tom."

"Go sit with your friends Jenny. Thanks for your help."

She carried their food. Avery said, "Can you imagine what Sterling would say if he saw you working?"

Jen just gave her an annoyed look. "I made these especially for you."

Alex said, "Is that why mine tastes different?"

"It does not!"

"Kidding." He flashed his drop-dead smile at her.

She turned her attention to Avery. "What do you have planned?"

"I think maybe a walk on the beach. We had a nice morning. Alex had coffee and muffins for us when we woke up. We went up to see the view. It was beautiful."

"Did you come all the way over for coffee?"

"Only the best for my guests. You weren't around."

"I slept late. You don't have to work?" He shook his head. "Not even the crazy people?"

He laughed and told the story of his newest clients. While he was talking, her phone rang. It was Sterling.

"Jennifer. I don't know how to tell them. Austin is no help."

She could hear his brother, Austin yelling hello to her. Smiling she said, "Tell Austin I say hello. Listen, you can figure it out."

Avery ripped her phone away. "Hey Ster man up! You're a big boy! Bye." Turning to Jen, she said, "He's gone."

Both Tom and Alex were looking at them. "Sorry."

When they finished, she said to Avery, "Looks like the lunch rush is over. My parents must have gone upstairs. I want you to meet them."

"Alright, you boys coming?"

"I've never been upstairs," Alex said.

"Really!" He surprised Jen.

"Yes, really."

She and Tom admitted they saw nothing obvious between them at Alex's, except when Jen fled after being in his bedroom. At lunch, Alex looked annoyed.

They followed Jen upstairs to a small apartment. It was a humble beginning for her friend, but the minute she met Rick and Alice, she knew Jen was lucky. They were very nice and no doubt responsible for Jen's caring character.

They loved Alex and were glad to meet his brother. She watched as Alex looked around, and his eyes lingered on Jen's small bedroom. Jen watching her Dad and Alex talk. Afterwards they made eye contact.

They walked to the beach which wasn't far. Jen enjoyed walking. Alex pointed out houses along the way. Jen pointed to a little cottage, and they talked about it.

She held Tom's hand as they walked. Alex and Jen were on either side of them. The day was nice and sunny, but not too hot. Eventually they walked by the house that Alex built.

"Wow!" Tom said, "Has Hank seen this?"

Alex shook his head. Avery said, "I can't wait to see inside. It's incredible!"

Alex said, "Jen's work is what's amazing."

Jen said, "We both did our best work."

Avery said, "You two could be on one of those television programs. The builder and the designer with your looks, it would be a hit."

"I think I'll stick with Dixon Designs. Sterling would combust."

"Sterling's going to combust the minute you start dating. He'll freak."

"Until last week he wanted to pretend we weren't getting divorced," she whispered to just Avery.

"Come on, let's just have fun," Tom said.

Alex looked defeated. It wasn't her place to tell him he had no reason to be threatened by Sterling. The biggest issue he faced was distance. Would Avery leave New York to be with Tom? If things continue as they were, she would follow him to Mars.