Chapter 1: Confession doesn't always equal absolution.

"It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution."

- Oscar Wilde

Staring at the door, her heart racing at a million miles an hour, Brooke Davis willed the courage to build up inside of her. As the nerves invaded her stomach, tying themselves in repeated knots that could not be untied, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, mentally preparing herself for what she was about to do.

"She's your best friend, she will understand, she's marrying your ex-boyfriend. This isn't a big deal."

She repeated these phrases over and over again in her mind, trying to clear away the cloud of confusion that currently resided there. Was she doing the right thing? Was Julian really worth it? Yes, she decided, he was, and with a new-found courage she raised her tiny hand, knocking on the door in quick succession, waiting for it to open and present her with the face of the person she was desperate to confess to.

"Come in, door's open," came the indifferent reply, and with one quick turn of the cold metal door knob, Brooke entered the room and came face to face with Peyton Sawyer, lifelong friend and current obstacle. Peyton rested on the large bed, covers rumpled by her obvious frequently changing position. A magazine lay open in front of her, its pages showing signs of having been flipped carelessly. As she looked up at Brooke, the sun kissed her blonde hair as it stretched its way through the cracks of the curtains. Brooke raised her eyebrows at Peyton, looking at her with disapproving eyes.

"You couldn't move one meter to open a lousy door, P. Sawyer?" Brooke folded her arms across her chest, waiting for the usual sarcastic response that would inevitably escape from her friend's lips.

Peyton smiled, her glassy eyes sparkling as she looked at Brooke. "Too tired. Pregnancy does that to you."

Brooke rolled her eyes at Peyton, her remark an obvious cop out for her displayed behavior. She shook her head, causing her brown, wavy locks to flow easily across her neck and rest above her shoulders.

"Oh puh-lease, Peyton, this is me you are talking to. How long are you going to milk this pregnancy thing anyway?"

Reaching over to the wooden bed chest at the end of the bed, she picked up a teal cushion, its frilled edges jiggling as she lifted it, and with a graceful, fluid movement, she sent it across the room and into her friend's pert face. Should she have felt bad that she scored a perfect bulls-eye? Doubtful.

Peyton picked up the cushion in her bony fingers, tossing it aside and returning her gaze to Brooke, her eyes throwing out a warning look as she raised one solitary finger to her thin lips.

"Shhh, Lucas is totally doing what he can to make me happy right now – including ice cream."

She holds up the sphere of ice cream, the condensation gliding over her fingers. "So don't blow the good thing I've got going here, B. Davis, or I'm going to hurt you." She held out a spoon to her friend, enticing her to come and join her as she shuffled slowly on the bed.

Brooke inspected the ice cream, and noticed the pastel green and brown flecks that she knew to be her favorite flavor. "Mint chocolate chip?" she asked, her voice seemingly convinced. "Deal."

Taking the spoon into her hand, Brooke bit her lower lip gently as she negotiated her way inside the tub. She lifted the spoon to her mouth and enjoyed the sweet taste that touched her tongue and invaded her taste buds. She smiled at Peyton as she lowered the spoon in front of her, fiddling with it nervously. Peyton watched Brooke curiously, her round eyes unrelenting as she waited for the actual reason for Brooke's visit to come to light.

"So," she said, her words long and drawn. "As much as I love this visit, what can I do for you?"

Brooke's eyes opened wide, betraying her feeling of shock as she stammered a response. "How do you…I could have just come by…" her voice trailed off, hanging in the air like a cloud above them.

Peyton looked at Brooke, her gaze penetrating through her as her eyes became alive. "Right. Except I know that face, so, spit it out. Is it Sam? Is she okay?"

A look of genuine concern clouded Peyton's face as she waited anxiously for Brooke's answer. Noticing her friends increasing anxiety, Brooke shook her head, confused at first by Peyton's assumption.

"What? Oh, no Sam's fine, great actually." Brooke cooed as she spoke of Sam, her obvious care for the girl evident in her voice as she spoke. "In fact, we're both really, really…well…great!" Her eyes darted a cross the room, searching for the courage she willed for herself before she entered the room. She didn't want it to disappear on her now.

Peyton relaxed back onto the bed, satisfied that Sam was alright. "Okay. Great. It's great you're great."

She watched Brooke's face, however, and realized something was not being said. After a few moments of heavy silence, she was relieved to finally see her friend's eyes awaken and look towards her, knowing that whatever was on her mind would come flowing out at any second.

"Great," Brooke mumbled, biting her lower lip as she often did when she felt nervous. "But there is something I wanted to talk to you about."

Nodding her head as if announcing to herself that she was right, Peyton sat up on the bed, her long, thin legs wrapped behind her as she adjusted her body to give Brooke her full attention. "Okay…should I put down the ice cream or does this have a happy ending?"

Lowering her head, Brooke bit her lip even harder, a gentle throbbing sensation taking over her bottom lip as her pointed teeth sunk in to the soft, spongy tissue. Raising her soft eyes to look at her friend, she stared her in the eye, willing herself once again to find the courage she prayed for earlier. "Well that really depends on you…"

Peyton's eyes shifted curiously to Brooke's face, tracing over her anxious eyes and quivering lips, a sure sign that her friend was struggling with whatever information she felt she needed to share. Straightening her back, Peyton sat up on the bed, her eyes trying to relay her own message of security and support as she implored Brooke to open up.

"Brooke, I'm sure whatever it is isn't as bad as you think. Look at what we've all been through this year…surely whatever you have to say isn't that bad. But you're freaking me out now, so whatever it is, tell me, and we'll sort it out."

Brooke took a deep breath, Peyton's words ringing in her ears like a bell sounding off at the end of school. The bell meant freedom, but it was merely a sign that more travel was ahead. The day was not yet over, after all. With her final resolve, Brooke muttered the only word she knew that could escape her mouth without an onslaught of nervous rambling.

"Julian."

Peyton's eyes flashed with anger, the subject an obvious sore point as she fired up immediately. "What has he done now? I warned him not to hurt you. Let me get my shoes...Man, I'm gonna pound…"

Brooke raised her hands in front of her, shaking them from side to side to indicate that Peyton was traveling down the wrong path of thinking. She tried desperately to halt the express train that was fast becoming Peyton's incorrect assumption. "No, no, no.! Peyton, just let me explain…"

Peyton rambled on, her thoughts getting away from her as the sound of Brooke's pleading voice became background music to her own tirade. "I knew he was going to do this. He's changed, yeah right, my ass he's changed." Peyton sighed, her words flowing with a hint of sadness as they fell in Brooke's ears. "I was hoping he was the same Julian that I knew before…but…shit… I knew it had something to do with me…damn. Brooke, I'm so sorry… I… I…"

Peyton's eyes opened wide, her apologetic gaze desperately looking at Brooke to offer some reprieve as she found herself unable to finish her sentence. Instead, what she finds is a resolved Brooke, her eyes watching Peyton with utter disbelief as she shuffled backwards on the bed, placing distance between them.

"Ok, stop right there. This has nothing to do with you, in a sense..." Brooke shuffled on the bed, her nerves from before slightly erased by her annoyance at Peyton's selfish assumption. Not everything was about her. Surely four years out of high school would have helped her realize that. Wishful thinking.

"I came by to tell you that Julian and I, well, we're sort of… together."

As the words escaped Brooke's lips, Peyton's body became rigid, almost preparing itself for the shock that was about to assault her system. With a calm voice, she let the question flow out of her, hoping for an answer she wanted to hear.

"How together is together? Like, he's staying late and working on my costume designs… or more than that?"

Brooke saw her friend's demanding eyes and knew there was no point in beating around the bush. Those eyes were always the calm before the storm, the calm before Peyton became disgustingly self-righteous. She suddenly felt the courage she had hoped for before, and as it engulfed her she felt in control, standing her ground as she let the truth escape her now still lips. Three simple words which sealed her fate.

"More than that."

Peyton's eyes fell as she heard the words, forcing their way into the pits of her stomach like a plague engulfing an entire city. She couldn't fathom what was being said to her, how easily the words seemed to roll off her friend's usually sharp tongue. She looked into her face and saw no remorse for what was happening here. No hint of regret for the decision she had made. She glared at Brooke, her eyes overcome with anger and resentment as she rose slowly from the bed and marched to the door. Opening it slowly but with sustained conviction, she stared at the wall in front of her, not wanting to look at the person who was now responsible for the disgustingly sick feeling that resided inside her. With a single, monotone voice, she replied "You should go now."

Brooke let out a disappointed sigh, her voice calm and smooth, pleading even, as she tried to get her friend to talk to her. "Peyton…"

Before she could finish her sentence, Peyton jumped in, her vice dripping with anger and resentment as she launched her own verbal assault.

"No, Brooke. This isn't something that I'm supposed to hear right now. It's bad enough that he's back, but to have my best friend too? And you're supposed to know better than that…Brooke, you're my friend, he's my ex. There's a line."

The hypocrisy of Peyton's statement left Brooke reeling. Unable to believe the words, her eyes flared up in anger as she stood her ground, all previous nerves completely washed away as the adrenalin began to build, her tiny fists shaking as she clenched them into balls of fury.

"And you're marrying my ex, Peyton… be reasonable. You don't want him, you want Lucas. You're having Lucas' baby! Julian and I... we're just…"

"Having fun, right?" Peyton retorted nastily, folding her arms across her chest as she continued her verbal onslaught, casting words that stung. "Brooke, sometimes you have to think about what your actions may do to others… what about Sam? What message are you sending her here?"

The mere mention of Sam's name was enough to make the petite brunette's blood boil, and she turned her body on the springy bed so that she was facing Peyton, who still huddled in the doorway, her smug face only instilling a more indomitable resolve inside of Brooke.

"I know what is and what isn't best for Sam, and there is nothing that I wouldn't do to protect her or keep her safe. Just because you have a bun in the oven does not make you the master and keeper of all things motherhood, or that you have what it takes to be a mother."

Brooke glared, her anger filling the room with an overwhelming chill. If looks could kill, Peyton would have been lifeless on the floor.

"I thought you of all people would understand that being honest with a friend is hard to do sometimes, but I'm here, and I'm being honest with you…"

Brooke stood slowly, her determined expression unyielding as she charged for the door. As she reached the doorway she turned and looked at Peyton, her wide eyes relaying the feeling of anger and disbelief that soaked her words earlier. Realizing that she would never accept them, Brooke felt she owed it to herself and to Julian to stand up to the unfair treatment being served to them by a woman who should have known better. A woman who held everyone else to a separate standard than which she held herself.

"Hypocritical whore," Brooke thought, as she neared Peyton. Unwilling to let those words be her last, she turned and unleashed another verbal assault.

"And we're not just having fun. We care about each other. You were right, Peyton, he is the old Julian, the one you used to call me on the phone and talk to me about… there is so much more to him."

Peyton's eyes flickered at the past memory of the man she knew. The man she had fallen in love with once upon a time. She pressed her lips together firmly, refusing to back down or show any emotion to indicate her conflicted heart.

The stubborn blonde was no match for the feisty brunette standing before her. She never had been.

"You know, I'm not here for absolution, and I didn't come for your permission. This is happening with or without you. So you might as well get used to it. Suck it up, Peyton, not everything is about you. Do yourself a favor and remember that before you alienate everyone who ever tried to care about you."

Eyes glared in utter discontent, the words hitting Peyton harder than she would have liked. "Bitch," she thought, yet remained silent, stubbornness taking its position front and centre.

Brooke pressed on, uttering the words that signaled the end of the confrontation.

"But if you're happy with Lucas, why do you even care?"

She stood up then, moving towards her obstacle with deliberate steps. She wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of knowing her words, her assumption, bruised her heart. With one last disappointed glare, Brooke turned and walked out of the room, leaving behind a frosty chill that saturated the room.

With a flick of her wrist Peyton closed the door quickly, the frame rattling as it made contact with the lock, sending an echoing sound through the entire room, filling the silence. She dropped herself on the bed, her feet dangling over the edge as she stared out in front of her, clasping the sturdy wooden bed frame with her hands and allowing her stretched fingers to tap nosily on the wood as she concentrated. Her mind whirled with the news from her friend, the sole confession that caused a reaction inside of her so astounding that she couldn't make sense of it herself. She glanced over at the bedside table, its angelic white covering positioned a little off center. As she reached out to adjust it, she set her eyes upon the picture sitting there of her and Lucas.

Lucas.

The thought of him invaded her mind as she rocked back and forth over the edge of the bed. Her nerves tweaked, and with her heart racing out of control, she picked up the phone beside her. Running her fingers over the bumpy keypad, she began moving them rhythmically, dialing a number and breathing out slowly to calm the raging emotions that were building within. As the call connected with a vociferous click, Peyton opened her lips and spoke, her voice determined as the words traveled to the person on the other end.

"Hey, it's me… we need to talk."

********************

Damn it.

Brooke cursed as she pulled her delicate finger to her mouth, the prick of the pin she was holding having caused the thick red substance to race to the surface. She threw the sheer, silk blouse across the room, utterly frustrated, her heart racing from her anger and annoyance.

"I hope that wasn't one of our set costumes."

Brooke glanced up with her finger in her mouth to find Julian Baker leaning against the doorway, his shoulder resting on the edge as his perfectly sculpted body stood there ever so gracefully, a cup of coffee in each hand. He smiled boldly at her, white marble sending out a hypnotic glow. It wasn't hard to see where the attraction came from. With his wavy hair, dreamy eyes and cheeky smile, not to mention the air of confidence that seemed to follow him wherever he went, Julian was definitely someone who caught Brooke's eye. Heat attracts heat. Moth to a flame. As he walked over to her, his eyes pouring over every inch of her body, he raised his eyebrows, his face a mixture of curiosity and satisfaction.

"Extra foam, just the way you like it." He slid the cup across the desk in one suave movement. "Designers block?"

Brooke shook her head 'no'. If only it were that simple.

"Thanks, but I don't think extra foam is going to fix this." Brooke sighed as she raised the cup to her lips, the warmth spreading through her body, the sensation as good as hot water on a cold body. "Hmmm, it is very sweet though." She smiled at Julian as her lips were moistened by the liquid.

Of course, he found that incredibly appealing, and he watched as she licked her lips, her sweet tongue an ever-alluring entity he wanted to devour. He leaned across the counter, signature smirk and charming eyes set to full force.

"Me or the coffee? Say me, it's better for my ego if you say me." He smiled at her then, the grin of the devil in an angel's costume.

Brooke laughed, her sweet voice filtering through the room as she looked at him. Of course he was adorable, and of course she couldn't resist. The boy made her laugh, and that was nothing to be taken lightly.

"Okay, you win. But only because this is great coffee. You could give me some sugar though."

She pointed to her perfect lips, their crimson sweetness an intoxicating invitation not to be ignored. Julian whisked behind the counter and pulled her lips onto his, her soft touch sending a chill down his spine as he tasted her.

"Hey there," he greets her properly as he pried himself, begrudgingly, off her lips. His lowered voice, displaying his obvious affection as his lips brush her smooth forehead lightly. "Wanna tell me what's really going on here?" he glances over at the discarded item of clothing, a pathetic pile of rejected material. "Sam's alright, isn't she?"

Brooke sighed, her shoulders rising as she holds her hands up in the air. "Yes, Sam's fine. Why does everyone keep asking that?"

Damn. Wrong question. Julian's faced clouded over in contemplation as he tried to piece the puzzle of Brooke's thoughts together. He walks around her slowly, finger on lip, tapping gently, willing the thought to come. Why did he have to draw a blank now? Damn stupid brain.

"Okay then, if it's not Sam and it's not me, which of course I've taken the liberty to assume since if it were me the behind-the-counter smooch wouldn't have been allowed… then…" His voice trails off as he looks at her, imploring her for an answer. He shakes his sizeable hands in front of her, the side-to-side motion begging for assistance. "A little help here?"

Brooke raised her eyes to meet his, her face an artwork of sudden nerves and uncertainty. It didn't matter, she was still beautiful.

"I told Peyton." Her body slumped as she said the words, almost as if she were letting out a trapped pocket of air, immediate release. Julian couldn't help himself, the cheekiness resurfacing, almost as if on cue. He had no pause button, and it was unfortunate at times.

"You told Peyton? What? That you're having trouble designing? That Sam is fine? That blondes don't actually have more fun?"

His voice trailed off on the last sentence, replaced by that signature smirk as he watched her, waiting for her inevitable reaction. He liked teasing her, a bad habit of his. One he never intended to break.

Smack.

Brooke's hand came crashing into Julian's chest, a clear response to his flippant remark. Try as she might, she couldn't help but smile a tad at his effort to cheer her. Again with the making her laugh. Impressive.

"No smart ass, I told her about us. I thought it was time and I wanted her to hear it from me." Like she fucking deserved it, she thought.

Julian sighed and tried to make light of the situation. From his memory of Peyton Sawyer, he knew the reaction was more than likely extreme. Forever throwing herself a pity party, pining for a man while she was supposed to be with him, his memories of her were both happy and bitter. More so leaning towards the bitter. What girl in their right mind would buy a copy of the same book over and over again by the guy who dumped her ass for not agreeing to marry him? Yeah, even though there were good times, he definitely dodged a bullet.

"How bad was it? I mean, she's happy, we're happy. Happy, happy, happy?"

Brooke expelled another gust of air as she moved towards the dejected piece of clothing she angrily discarded earlier. Picking it up she twirled the soft fabric in her hands, it's delicacy a sharp contrast to her own mood. She walked back towards the counter and placed it down, frustration beginning to creep in again.

"Actually, not happy. She kicked me out."

Julian walked steadily towards her and placed his hands on her shoulders. Her attempts to ignore his gaze were futile as he wrapped his finger sunder her chin, forcing her to look at him as he spoke. "

"Don't get me wrong, I feel your pain., but she'll get over it. I think you worry too much green eyes."

Brooke sighed. Although Julian knew Peyton, although they shared a history, it didn't compare to the Peyton that Brooke knew. Their friendship had been tumultuous at best. She had been trying for years to make her happy, forever regretting that it was her house that Peyton was at when her mother ran that fucking red light, en route to picking her up. Not to mention the high school saga that was Lucas Scott, love of their lives, or so she thought. In the end, the fight for him didn't seem as important as the fight for her self respect. Peyton saw things differently. Self respect be damned, right P. Sawyer? Peyton was unforgiving, unrelenting and undeniably selfish, and Brooke had paid for that long enough. So why did she feel bad?

"I don't think so. She was pretty mad at me… she said she trusted me to be smarter than that."

She touched his shoulder on the word 'that', indicating that it referred to him. As she attempted to re-pin the shirt Julian winces, holding his hand over his heart. Side affect of being a movie producer? You knew how to play out every scene, dramatically.

"Ouch. Remember the ego thing? That just put a big ass dent in it." He smiled at Brooke, his playful nature on fire today. He didn't like to see her fret over something he felt was so insignificant. But she was having none of it. She glared at him, annoyance filling her tone.

"Will you be serious please? I just told my best friend that I am currently dating her ex boyfriend, and she threw me out. This isn't a time for jokes."

Julian walks over to her and brushes his hand down her cheek, her skin ablaze with anger. It felt warm, inviting to touch, but his desire to relieve her fears had a stronger pull within him, and he forced her to look at him.

"Okay, jokes aside. Peyton loves you. She will get over this. I'm sorry this is hard right now, but... I'd be lying if I said I was sorry this happened, because I'm not."

He looked into her green eyes. He could get lost in them if he wasn't careful.

"Are you?"

Brooke placed her hand on his chest, feeling the perfectly sculpted muscle beneath, her bottom lip being slowly devoured by her nervous bite. She didn't want him to feel insecure, she knew what she wanted. Hell, she'd gone to great lengths today to prove just how much. Her explanation spilled out of her mouth, nervous thoughts graced with a sweet, honey voice, slightly strained with anxiety.

"I wouldn't be doing all this if I was having second thoughts about us. I'll figure this out with Peyton… she's marrying Luke, and she's having his baby…and…"

She ran out of words. Unusual for her, yet she felt her explanation wasn't complete. She wished he would understand, it was like a driving force within. He must understand.

"And she's hormonal and scary right now…" Julian chuckled, relaying her fears. Of course he was casual about it, that's what she liked most about him. The easiness of it all. She cursed at herself for over-reacting. She opted instead for the playful smack.

"And I'm hoping if I give her a few days, I can try again with her. Hormones or no hormones, she's still my friend." Why oh why do I even do this to myself?

Julian seemed to accept her plan, as he smiled warmly at her, his eyes sparkling at the thought that perhaps he may have helped a little here, the thought being more appealing than he thought possible. Next effort, lips on lips.

"Well, that sounds like a good plan, and I like good plans. In fact, I'm thinking of a great plan right now, so, since we've talked that drama out, can I have my sugar now please? Keep in mind, I have a VERY sweet tooth, so don't get all sugar-stingy on me, okay?"

He patted his lips, a smirk forming as he did so. He knew she found it cute. It had become his secret weapon.

Brooke smiles and reaches out, clutching at his shirt and wrapping her velvety fingers around it, drawing him in. Her soft lips found their target, wrapping themselves methodically around his, tasting every last particle. Sugar had never been so sweet. Soon enough, their lips began to move with haste, and he explored every last inch of her mouth, intoxicated by her suppleness. He tried to restrain himself and enjoy one kiss. His will power was no match for her taste. It crumpled as he gave in and picked her up, his arm cupping her soft backside as he placed her on top of the counter, hurried hand movements pulling at her blouse. He wanted what was underneath, and she knew it. She arched her back in one swift, perfect movement, her creamy skin calling to him as he feverishly kissed her neck, his tongue trailing up and down as he savored the sweetness of her skin. She ran her hands through his hair, pulling at the strands with wild abandon, her fingertips leaving their mark as she pulled him onto her, a soft moan escaping her lip as she felt his hand travel up her thigh.

"Well this just got a lot more complicated."

The sound of his voice rang out as Brooke and Julian jumped up and turned to face their audience. Lucas Scott wore a face of total disbelief. His ex-girlfriend and fiancé's ex-boyfriend going at it like teenagers in the middle of a store. He would have laughed had it not been so disturbing to him. As an unfamiliar feeling crept over him, Lucas waited, his eyes trained on them, waiting for someone to speak. Brooke hurriedly covered herself and regained her composure. She had wanted to tell him about Julian herself, in her own way. They did all have to work together after all. But the look on Lucas' face made her stop. She literally lost her words.

"Say something, you idiot," she urged herself, and yet the words didn't come. Speechless, first time ever. What a moment to endure it.

"Ahh, Lucas, glad you could come. But we did say coffee shop, right? In like, twenty minutes from now? You are inconveniently early as you can see." Julian smiled at Lucas as he stood in front of Brooke, a grin carved across his face.

"Asshole." Lucas thought as he glared at the smarmy producer before him.

"Actually, I came by to talk to Brooke about the designs for the movie."

Lucas began to walk towards her, a look of complete shock on his face as he mouthed the words "What are you doing?" Before he could reach her though, Julian darted out in front of him, cheesy grin personified. He put his hands up in the air, halting Lucas' advance and taking charge. Confidence was his best friend right now.

"No need for that. I've got everything sorted. In fact, the designs need to go through me anyway, so there's really no need for you to visit my designer at all. It's my job to make sure she has everything she needs, and I'm pretty sure, as of right now, she's pretty satisfied."

He winked at Lucas as he said this, his smile growing larger by the minute. Was that even possible?

Asshole.

Lucas took a step back and nodded his head, looking at Brooke for some sort of sign, movement, anything! She raised her hands in the air, looking as if she wanted to say something but couldn't. Was she trapped? What couldn't she say to him because of Julian's presence?

Asshole.

"Okay, well if you need anything, Brooke, anything at all, I'm here. You know that I'm always here." Lucas watched her, his eyes sincere, his word ringing true. Brooke moved to say something, but Julian cut in, rolling his eyes at the pathetic sandy-haired tool in front of him. Was this guy for real? Peyton pined for this?

"You're here? Awe, that's great, Luke. Thing is, you're about six years too late, so how about we get on with business, and you leave my designer alone to get back to her designs?" His words dripped with sarcasm and warning, yet the message was clear. He would not be so nice next time. He walked over and planted a kiss on Brooke's forehead, turning to smile at Lucas as he did so, his eyes daring Lucas to react.

Asshole.

"Fine, Mr. Producer, let's go." Lucas grunted as he opened the door to the store and walked out, his annoyance clear. Julian turned to face a shocked Brooke, her chest rising and falling with her uneven breathing. She looked up at him as he smiled down at her, seemingly without a care in the world. He planted a brief kiss on her lips, still able to taste her sweetness, and then winked at her.

"I like it when people finally figure out who's boss. See you later, Green Eyes."

And with that he turned and headed out the door, a lightness in his step as he followed the path that Lucas had set forth. With a deep sigh, Brooke walked back behind the counter, picking up the blouse that needed to be pinned, her third attempt today. She watched the two men head across the street and sighed, nerves sinking in as her hands began to shake. Who was she kidding? Fuck it! She threw the blouse across the room again, expelling a breath of annoyed air, frustration and confusion pushing their way to the forefront of her thoughts. She bit her bottom lip, a sure sign that she was nervous. Her final words hung in the air, her voice a low hush as they escaped her lips.

"This just got a whole lot more complicated."