-1If Meredith Grey could do it, so could she. Date two men at a time, that is. It had always seemed so immoral to do such a thing in her younger days. She'd been a one man kind of woman. But, then again, that was also before she had cheated on her inattentive husband. She'd changed. And to face facts, sometimes a girl just couldn't choose.

It had never been her intent to be in this situation. When she and Mark had made their agreement, she had wanted so desperately to believe that he could do it. She wanted him to prove that he was as sensitive to her needs as he'd claimed to be and that she genuinely, profoundly mattered to him. That would fulfill all of her requirements wouldn't it? Together they had passion; love they were missing.

She hadn't expected that their arrangement would cause the friction it had… and all because of a certain third person.

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"Addie, hold up." She glanced behind her to see Mark Sloan quickly heading her way. Stopping, she adjusted the coat and purse she carried in her arms. "Where are you headed now, my torturous vixen?"

She gave him a discerning look over the top of her glasses. "Home. And before you ask- alone."

He gave her a wounded look, but laughed. "How about to the bar with me? Get a few cocktails in you and you'll be a wild woman." He paused. "Just thinking about it, I can hardly wait."

She shook her heard. "Have you forgotten about our pact so quickly, Mark?"

"Never," he asserted, but began grinning slyly. "But does it count if you can't remember it happened the morning after?"

"No sex. None. And no bar. Because you and me and alcohol…," she need not finish her thought. It was obvious. Intoxication was just what she didn't need. He was tempting enough without it and she was afraid that just one drink would push her over the edge.

He smirked. "Fine, fine. But if you decide to prematurely terminate our little arrangement, I'll be in my hotel room. Alone. Well, just me and my mini bar."

She smiled tenderly at him. "Thanks, Mark. For not pushing it."

His expression sobered. "Anything for you, Addie. Anything."

After giving her a little kiss on the top of her head, he walked away, leaving her feeling emptier than the minute before. She sighed and turned around, heading in her original direction. She hadn't gotten too far before another masculine voice was calling her name.

"Dr. Montgomery!"

Swiveling, she saw her favorite intern advancing on her. "Could I talk to you?"

"What is it, Karev?" Her curiosity was piqued. They'd worked together often that day and had gotten along well. Not that that was anything new. He was habitually paired with her and they made the most of their time together. Professionally, of course. They were like a well-oiled machine and that effortlessness made work enjoyable. Maybe too enjoyable…

He moved to stand close to her. "I'm just going to spit this out. Would you like to have dinner with me?"

She looked up at him, surprised. "But I thought you weren't…"

"Interested?" He smiled. "I lied."

"Oh." She was startled. He had sounded so convincing when he'd told her that their kiss had meant nothing. However, maybe she was just too used to trivial kisses.

Sighing, she gazed into his hopeful eyes. She'd promised Mark her celibacy and a hope for commitment. But that didn't mean she couldn't enjoy the attention of another handsome male. She wouldn't be lying. She would be going home alone. Yet, there was a reverberating voice in her mind telling her that she couldn't pass up a detour along the way, if for no other reason than because he'd said he'd notice if she went missing.