Dani jerked her front door open, glaring at the person on the other side.

"It's late."

"It's nine."

"Well…the kids—"

"Are with their father. May I come in?"

She rolled her eyes and turned as Nico followed her into the kitchen.

"Look, I will be talking with TK at his appointment tomorrow. And any friend you want to refer to me can wait."

Nico said nothing.

"What?"

Nico shook his head. "I'm not here for any of that."

"Okay then…what?"

"Turning in awful early, aren't you?"

Dani gave one sardonic chuckle.

"Why does it matter?"

She stood in the open doorway, arms crossed, as Nico made his way to her cabinet, pulling out two glasses and a bottle of wine that he split between them.

They said nothing at first, just sat and sipped.

"So," Dani ventured after a few minutes. "You know about Matt and Laura?"

His intense gaze never left her eyes.

"And…Ray?"

He gave a single nod, eyes never straying. Dani sighed.

"It's just…it makes me crazy. Do you know how frustrating it is? It's like…you can fix anything, you just can't—"

"Fix yourself," he finished with her.

She smiled. "But you…you're just Mr. Fix-It, aren't you? I bet you could figure it out, if our places were reversed."

"Dani," he said softly. "I can."

She narrowed her eyes at him, not qite squinting but clearly lost.

"Meaning…"

"I could get the divorce taken care of. All neat and clean."

Dani smiled appreciatively. "I'm sure you could. But…if I don't do this the right way…it'll never really be over."

Nico shrugged, leaning back. "Suit yourself. What about Laura?"

"What about her?"

"I could get rid of her. Send her back west."

"W—no! That could…I mean, your job—and—"

"Okay. I won't."

Dani just stared, mouth slightly agape. Then she laughed.

"Although, the Hawks could find another publicist."

"And I," Dani said, confident grin in place, "Can find another boyfriend."

With a small smile, Nico agreed, "Yes. You can."

Dani nodded, still smiling. "Thanks Nico."

This time Nico was squinting slightly. "For what?"

She just smiled for a minute, then patted his hand.

"Being a friend. It's nice to know I have two."

Nico nodded, glad her outlook had seemed to improve.

"Well, you know me. Anything you need.

She grinned as she placed the glasses in the sink.