The next day, Marti told everyone she was hanging out with Dimi all day and she would be back for dinner. She needed to be with her best guy friend because she missed him so much. And she knew he was going to try to talk her out of falling in love with Dennis. After watching movies and eating pizza, they decided to go to Starbucks for coffee.

"Damn, I miss you, Marti." he said after she had made a joke about being immune to coffee unless she had about ten espresso shots.

"I miss you, too. You know…I'm coming back this weekend. Dennis said I could use his jet to travel to Ontario whenever I want."

"Of course he did…" Dimi said as he rolled his eyes and Marti knew he was going to say something about her relationship with Dennis. "Marti, that just screams, 'I want a piece of your 19 year old ass.' I mean, come on…"

"Dimi, I've told you he doesn't want to fuck me. Trust me…" Marti said as she rolled her eyes before she stared at Dimi and he was staring at her with an unreadable look on his face.

"You say that like it's a bad thing he doesn't . Wait, you're in love with him, aren't you?"

"No…" Marti said as she blushed. She felt as she if was denying a crush on a guy she had in high school. Just then, Dimi gave her a look and she knew she couldn't lie anymore. "Okay…I might have thought he was really hot when I saw him at the pool yesterday. Omg, you should've seen him. I know you don't want to hear this, but I'm saying it anyway. He has this hot, older guy thing going on, like George Clooney, and he's caring and funny and…"

"And in his 50s. Marti that's a little gross. And, according to you, he doesn't want to sleep with you. How do you know for sure that he doesn't want to fuck you?"

"I don't know…maybe he does. I know this is awkward talking about this…especially with you. But…I have these feelings for him and I don't know what to do. I'll be crushed if he doesn't feel the same way. But what if he does? Dimi, we could work."

"Marti, do you hear yourself right now? I mean, seriously, he just wants to fuck you and he's buying you. He's probably seeing a woman his own age."

"He's not. He's a very lonely guy and if it wasn't for me, you wouldn't know he had daughters. I love Casey and Lizzie, but they're in Ontario and never makes the effort to visit him…or me. Well, Lizzie came one time, but Casey hasn't. She's always been selfish…ever since I've met her. And Derek is just like her."

"Okay, you are so not going to like this, but…you seem to be putting all the blame on Casey as if she forced Derek into the relationship. Look, they are both guilty. Blame them, equally." he said and Marti glared at him. "Hey, I'm just saying."

"I know…but, you don't understand. I'm closer to Derek than Casey."

"Ah…you still see Derek as your Smerek. You think he can't do wrong so you put most of the blame on Casey. Why is that?" Dimi said and Marti rolled her eyes.

"I think you've been in your psychology class too long." Marti joked and Dimi laughed. "So, you're passing the class, huh?"

"Don't dodge the subject. And, yes, I am passing. Anyway, I want to know what this Dennis MacDonald have that I don't have."

"Dimi…don't do this. You know I could never replace anyone with you. You're my first love and my first time. We just know we're better as friends. Right?"

"Yeah…" Dimi said with a sigh. He knew the truth as much as Marti did.

After hanging out with Dimi, Marti returned for dinner and was surprised to see Dennis there. She was told that they were all having dinner together before they left for Toronto. She joined her family at the table as they prepared to eat the meal Casey prepared.

"Let me just say…" George began as he stared at Dennis. "Casey is a wonderful cook. She might even be better than Nora." he said with a wink and Nora, playfully, hit his arm. "Of course I say this with the most love as possible."

"Keep talking your way out of the doghouse, George…" Nora said with a laugh as George let out a sigh. Marti thought it was cute that her parents behaved this way after so many years together. It was comforting to her that they still got along despite their constant arguing over Casey and Derek's relationship.

"You know, mom…" Casey began and Marti felt instantly annoyed at the tone of her voice and wished she would stop having that condescending tone to her voice every time she spoke. "I was looking at few recipes that would be simple and easy so you wouldn't have to worry about being a slacker mom again."

"Thanks, Casey, but I think I can handle dinner. In fact, George and I have worked out a nice little schedule of taking turns making dinner." Nora said with a smile and Derek groaned.

"Dad, please tell me you're not becoming all 'responsible' on me. You were good the way you were and look how we turned out." he said as he gestured to himself, Edwin, and Marti.

"That's not encouraging, Derek." George said and everyone laughed.

"I think you have good kids, George." Dennis said as he stared at Marti. She blushed a little, but stopped as soon as she saw the way Casey was staring at her. She looked as if she wanted to vomit. Well, Marti knew the feeling was mutual because she felt the same way when she found out about Casey and Derek.

"Thanks, you have good kids as well. Even Lizzie with her rebellious stage."

"Hey, I resent that…" Lizzie said feeling a bit defensive. "And dying my hair isn't rebelling, it's a form of expression. Oh, you should have seen the time I dyed a part of Edwin's hair pink. It was temporary, but he freaked out. It was funny."

"No, it wasn't. People kept moving away from me in my classes because they thought I was going to kill them or something. I'll get you back for that."

"Oh, yeah?" Lizzie said as she arched her eyebrow and Marti stomach turned. Not them, too…she thought. How could they follow in Derek and Casey's footsteps or much?

Dinner continued with easy conversation and laughs. Marti truly missed her family when they are like this. It was still a little tense, but everyone were pretending to get along so well for Simon's sake. She really hated leaving her brother, but she had to return to Toronto for class in the morning. She was sure she would be jet-lagged enough to sleep in early. After saying her goodbyes to her family, she left with Dennis in a taxi to the airport where they would board his jet. Simon was very happy to know she would be coming back next weekend to visit him.

"That wasn't so bad, was it, Marti?" Dennis asked and she sighed. "I know you and Casey don't get along I just can't stand for two women I care about to be angry with each other." he said with a rueful smile. "Besides, you're too smart and pretty to be so angry." he said and she smiled even bigger at his compliment.

"Thanks." she said trying to hide that she was blushing. "So, this party…is it formal?"

"No. It's a gallery show for some young artist he's sponsoring. He's around your age. It should be fun. You two might have something in common." he said and she gave him a small smile wishing that he didn't try to get her to date other guys. She wished he could know she wanted him.