I just want to say that I am sorry about the long wait for this chapter. With the horrible way the show has been going I just couldn't get into the mood to write Brucas. It's sad, but true. Anyways I decided to watch a few Brucas videos to get back in the groove. I think it worked. lol Heres the next chapter. I hope you enjoy. And thanks to everyone who reviewed. I love you all. Thanks.
Chapter Thirty Six
Mr. and Ms. Fix It
Lucas hurriedly walked up to the door. This was the last thing he wanted to be doing on his free Sunday, but he promised Brooke he would. He knew even now that he'd do anything for that girl. There was something special about her and all he wanted was to make her happy. He took one quick deep breath before knocking.
Dan descended the stairs and made his way to the door. He smiled when he saw Lucas standing there."Well if it isn't Lucas. Shouldn't you be at home right now, grounded?"he said as sternly as he could muster up.
Lucas looked at him sheepishly. He'd already forgotten that Dan was there when his mother grounded him."Uh, yeah."he said looking around."But she's at work and I really needed to talk to Nathan."
Dan nodded happily. He was happy with the fact that one of his sons was making an effort to get to know the other."Well then come on in. I'm glad you two are getting along."
Lucas let out a nervous laugh."We're not actually. That's kinda why I'm here. Brooke hates the fact that we don't get along. So I'm here to tell him we need to try for her."
Dan once again nodded."You know Lucas that's all well and good, doing it for Ms. Davis, but it won't work."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that you have to want it as well. Doing this for a girl will only go so far. She will be able to see that you don't really want it and that will only lead to problems between the two of you."
Lucas let out a sigh."I know that Dan, but Brooke knows how things are between us. She understands. She knows that I'm doing this for her. It's no secret. I mean it's more than she's hoping for. Nathan already told her that he won't even try anymore. I'm just here to try and change his mind."
"Are you really?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Are you really here to try and change his mind or are you only here to have one up on him and to look good to Brooke?"
Lucas shook his head."That's not why at all. I won't stand here and lie and say that that never crossed my mind, but that's not why. I just couldn't believe Nathan would tell her he wasn't going to try anymore."
"He was probably just speaking through anger son. Give him time."
"Well Brooke hates that we don't get along and I love her too much to let her continue to feel that way."
Dan smiled at his eldest son."So things are getting serious with you and the lovely Ms. Davis?"
Lucas smiled. He wasn't sure why, but he felt really comfortable talking with Dan about his and Brooke's relationship. This was new to him, but he liked it."Yeah, things were weird for a while. You remember what I said at the Rivercourt that night we talked about her?"Dan nodded."Well things changed and we actually got together and we're both happy."
"Good for you son. Ms. Davis is a terrific girl. I know her well and I think you are exactly what she needs."
"She's what I need too. She's different and she makes me laugh and I'm happy when I'm with her."
"That sounds good. It really does, but what I said still stands. You need to want to get along with Nathan too for this to work."
"I do want it, he just makes everything so hard. I mean one day we're fine and the next he blows up at me."
"He's going through a lot right now Lucas."
"I know that. I know what's going on with his mom, but that doesn't excuse him to act like a jerk to everyone."
"True, but at the same time I doubt you're exactly innocent in everything."
"I'm not, but still I haven't done anything wrong, not like he has."
"What is it that is going on? Why don't you two get along?"
Lucas shrugged."I don't know. You're gonna have to ask him."
"He doesn't open up to me like you do Lucas. The only way I'll ever know anything is from you."
"Well I honestly don't know. Nathan hasn't liked me from the beginning. Brooke brought me over to meet them and he was a jerk and has been ever since."
"I don't know what to say. Nathan is a very competitive person. He gets it from me. He probably thinks you're trying to take his spot on the team."
"That's stupid though. I don't want to take anything from him. I'm happy to just work along side him. He'd know that if he pulled his head out of his ass."
Dan opened his mouth to respond when he heard Nathan call out.
"What the hell are you doing here?"he shouted looking straight at Lucas.
"I need to talk to you."said Lucas taking a step toward the stairs where Nathan stood.
"Too bad. I'm busy. You can go."Nathan continued down the stairs and toward the kitchen.
"I'll leave you two alone."said Dan as he went in the direction of his office.
"Look Nathan, we seriously need to talk."
"Did you not hear me? I said I'm busy. You need to leave now."
"I'm not going anywhere until we talk. This is important to Brooke."
Nathan looked up from the refrigerator at the mention of Brooke."What about her?"
Lucas knew mentioning Brooke would get a reaction from him. He definitely had a soft spot for his best friend."She hates that we don't get along."
Nathan rolled his eyes. He was here for that."She understands Lucas. She knows I can't stand you, but she's okay with it."
"Is that what you think? Really? Because the girl that I talked to yesterday was crying and she didn't seem to understand at all. But what I can't understand is that you told her you weren't even willing to try and put everything behind us. How could you do that to her? How could you look her in the eyes and practically break her heart? She just wants her best friend and boyfriend to get along. Is that too much to ask?"
"When the boyfriend is you, then yeah, it is too much to ask. I don't like you, Lucas and I am tired of having to hide it. Brooke knows that I tried and she knows that I love her. She understands that we don't get along. She knows I would never ask her to break up with you even if I knew it would be for the best."
"She doesn't understand Nathan. She is sad that we don't get along. What hurt the most was that you said you weren't willing to try anymore."
"Is that what she said?"
"Not exactly, but her actions said it all."
"It's funny how well you think you know her. Brooke is fine."
"Fine, you keep telling yourself that, just know that I would never have told her I wasn't willing to put up with you for her. Know that she knows I'm here trying with you and know that she is gonna think of me as the better guy because you weren't even willing to try."said Lucas using the one up card, as Dan had called it. He knew there was no way that Nathan would be able to handle the fact that Brooke would think of him as the better one.
Nathan took a deep breath. He had a point. If Brooke knew Lucas was here then she'd know he was trying and the fact that he wasn't would make him look like an ass. Even though this was the last thing he wanted he had to do the same, for Brooke."Fine, whatever. I guess I can still try and be civil to you when Brooke is around. It's the least I can do for her. For some reason she likes you. Don't think this changes anything though. I still despise you and that will never change."
Lucas nodded."As long as you aren't a jerk in front of Brooke, I'm fine. She's really all that matters."
Nathan nodded."You know, it's funny how you really seem to care about her."
"I do care about her."
"You better because I swear if you hurt her one more time…"
Lucas cut him off."Don't you ever get tired of making the same threats over and over again?"
"It won't be a threat if you hurt her Lucas."
"I won't."
"Then we won't have a problem."
"Good."he watched Nathan practically stare him down. This guy really didn't like him. He let out a sigh."Look Nathan, seriously she's gonna be okay with me. I love her and I won't hurt her. I know you're her best friend and you are just looking out for her. I'm glad she has you in her life. No matter how we feel about each other, you're good for her. Thank you for doing this, for not letting her down. We can do this for her."
Nathan nodded. Lucas seemed to be genuine. If he didn't know any better he'd think that Lucas really did love Brooke, hell maybe he did. It wouldn't change anything though. There was still something about Lucas that he didn't like. He still didn't know what it was, but once he could pin point it everything would be okay. Then he'd be able to move on.
Brooke honked her horn from Haley's driveway. Haley sure was taking her sweet time getting out to the car. She honked again and within seconds Haley appeared.
"God Brooke, honk much?"she laughed.
"I wouldn't have to if you hurried your ass Tutor Girl. Now lets go."said Brooke as Haley got into the back seat.
"Don't mind her. She's just craving chocolate."
"Yeah, we're stopping to get some ice cream before we hit the mall."added Brooke happily.
"Is ice cream really necessary?"
"It is when it's that time of the month, right Brooke?"laughed Peyton.
"Didn't I already tell you to shut up today Peyt?"
Peyton turned back to Haley."Oh and she's PMSing."Brooke reached over and playfully elbowed her causing her to once again laugh."She's just angry that this means she can't have sex with Lucas all week."
"I swear to god Peyton. I'm this close to kicking your ass out of the car."said brooke as she slowed down the car for effect.
"And I'm gonna be shutting up now."said Peyton as she closed her lips for emphasis.
"So you and Lucas are okay?"asked Haley from her back seat.
Brooke smiled and momentarily took her eyes off the road to face the girl."We're better than okay. We love each other."she gushed.
Haley's eyes widened."So you two finally admitted it."she said shaking her head.
"That's what I said."said Peyton."I mean wasn't it obvious?"
"I thought you said you were shutting up."said Brooke turning back to face the front.
"Well I for one am happy for you both. It's a good thing."Haley said as she patted Brooke's shoulder.
"It really is."said Peyton.
"Yeah, I just wish everyone could be happy for me."
"He'll come around Brooke. You'll see. Nathan just needs some time. It's like he said just the other day you were complaining that Lucas was sleeping with that chick and now all of a sudden you two are dating and in love."
"But it wasn't all of a sudden though. We've practically been dating for months now and I made a mistake. I wish it wasn't held against me."
"That's not what he's doing and you know it. He honestly doesn't like him and he's never hidden that from either of us."
"I know Peyton, but it really sucks that we all can't hang out together. I mean Tutor Girl has her boy toy, you have Nate, and now I have Lucas all to myself, but yet we can't all be together because your boyfriend hates mine."
"Hey, lets be fair here. Lucas hates Nathan just as much as Nathan hates him."
"I know. They hate each other. It just really sucks and I hate it. There has to be a way we could get them talking."
"We could just force them to be together. If they love us as much as they say they do, then they'll do it."
"But I want them to want to. Lucas said he's gonna try with Nathan."
"Good, see it's half done."
"So you both are just gonna force them to be friends?"asked Haley as the car came to a halt.
"Pretty much."said Brooke as she let herself out of the car.
"I thought you said we were stopping to get ice cream?"asked Haley.
"I changed my mind. Besides there are ice cream shops here."Brooke linked her arms with both girls as they made their way into the mall.
"Please tell me we are done."pleaded Haley as the three sat down at a table in the food court.
"I think so."said Peyton."Even I don't think Brooke can shop any more."she added.
"Hey, speak for yourself. I could go on all day."said Brooke with a smile.
"Great."muttered Haley.
"But I won't. I will have mercy on you Tutor Girl."laughed Brooke.
"Why is it that you're here with us in the first place? Why aren't you with your new boyfriend?"asked Peyton.
"He's grounded. Apparently he has a mother who actually cares about him unlike us."
"Hey, my mother cares about me."piped in Haley.
Brooke turned to her and rolled her eyes."Yeah, but you're family isn't normal. You don't count."
"Thanks."said Haley sarcastically.
"So yeah, he's grounded for two weeks."
"So no Lucas for two weeks. How are you going to survive?"laughed Peyton.
"That's not what that means. It just means we have to meet at his house."
"Brooke when you're grounded it means you can't leave and you can't have company over."said Haley as if it should be obvious.
"Well then that means Lucas is gonna have to figure out a way to sneak me into his room. There is no way that I can go two weeks with out seeing him."
"You'll see him at school Brooke."
"I don't think that's what she means Haley."said Peyton with a smirk.
"Oh."said Haley getting what she mean."Seriously Brooke, you can't wait two weeks? You waited longer than that before you two started sleeping together."
"Yeah, but that was before I knew how good he was."she said with a laugh.
"You're hopeless."Haley shook her head.
"You know it."said Brooke with a smile."So enough about me and Lucas. What about you and Jake? You two good?"she watched Haley beam at the mention of her boyfriend."I take that goofy grin as a yes."
Haley nodded."Yeah, we're good."
"You two doing it yet?"asked Brooke boldly.
"Brooke!"said Peyton. Her best friend sure was something."Maybe that's personal, you ever think of that? Not everybody likes talking about their sex life."
"If it's good they shouldn't have a problem with it."she turned back to Haley."So are you?"
Haley rolled her eyes.Why was she friends with her again?"Not that it's any of your business, but no, we aren't. I don't plan on doing it either."
"Ever?"questioned Brooke.
Peyton turned to see her answer. She too wanted to know.
"No, not ever, just not until I get married. I want my husband to be my first."
Brooke stared at her.Was she serious?"Um…well how does Jake feel about that?"
"He's fine with it. It's not like it's anything knew to him. He's known how I feel for a really long time. He's sweet about it."
Brooke smiled."Well good for you. Poor Jake, but good for you."she couldn't help but crack a joke. She was trying to be serious, it just didn't come out.
"Brooke's right. If you two are okay with it then it's wonderful. Jake seems like a good guy."added Peyton.
"He is and I love him so much."
"You see, we should all be happy with our guys together."whined Brooke.
Peyton leaned over and wrapped an arm around her best friend."We will, you'll see."she decided to make sure Brooke got what she wanted. She would talk to Nathan tonight and make sure he agreed with her.
Brooke looked around the mall."Is that Jake?"she asked as she pointed in his direction.
Haley quickly got up."Yeah, it's him. I called him when you and Peyton were trying on lingere."she wrapped her arms around him as he approached.
"Hey sweetie."said Jake as he gave her a quick kiss.
"So we're allowed to call boyfriends?"asked Peyton.
"No, because mine is grounded remember? It won't be fair."she pouted.
"Well it sucks to be you."laughed Peyton as she pulled out her phone to call Nathan. She talked for few minutes before hanging up."Well Nathan is coming."Brooke rolled her eyes."And he's bringing Lucas."she smiled as Brooke looked at her.
"What?"
"Yeah, your boyfriend and mine were together so they both are coming."
"But he's grounded."
"I don't know, but he's coming. It looks like you're getting your wish sooner than we all thought."said Peyton as she watched Brooke beam."You're such a spoiled brat Brooke."
"Shut up."
"Well it's true. Name one thing that you wanted that you didn't get."
"Okay."said Brooke as she began to think. This was harder than she thought, but she was determined to think of something to prove Peyton wrong."Well…there was that time that I…"
"We're waiting Brooke."laughed Peyton.
"I swear I told you to shut up Peyton. So what if I tend to get a few things that I want. It's not like you didn't want this as well."
"I did."
"Okay then like I said shut up."
"You know if you keep saying that I'm gonna start thinking you mean it."
I do."she laughed as she hugged her annoying best friend."So what are we supposed to do once they get here? I thought you all were tired of shopping."
"We are."said Haley.
"So then what?"
Peyton shrugged."I don't know."
"Would you look at the time. I didn't know it was this late. We have something to do."said Haley as she looked at Jake.
"We do?"he asked confused.
"Yeah we do. You remember that thing."
"Umm…"he watched her give him a look."Oh, right, that thing. Yeah and we should get going right away."
"I know. Lets go."said Haley as she hurridly got up from her seat."Well you all have fun, but we have to go."said Haley with a smile.
Brooke rolled her eyes at the girl, but let the lie go."Well you two have fun. Call me later Tutor Girl."
"Will do. See ya Peyton."
"Bye Haley, Jake."
"Yeah, bye handsome."smiled Brooke. She waited until they were out of hear shot."They so were lying."
"Yep, so obvious."
"But why? Is it because Nathan and Lucas are coming here together?"
Peyton shrugged."Maybe. We don't know what to expect from those two, but then again maybe they just wanted to be alone."
"That's true. Jake is hot. I can understand her wanting to get him alone."
"Yeah, but they won't be doing that."laughed Peyton.
"I know. I couldn't believe it when she said that. She's actually gonna wait til she's married."she shook her head."It's a bit of a waste if you ask me, but good for her though. I'm proud of her for making a descion and sticking to it even when her boyfriend is so hot."
"Keep calling him hot and I'm gonna tell Haley to watch out for you. You give it up on the first date."she laughed.
"She does?"asked Lucas coming up to the two. He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Don't listen to her."said Brooke as she turned so she was facing him."I'm glad you're here gorgeous, but you're supposed to be grounded. What are you doing?"
"My mom's at work. She'll never know I left."
"Good."she said as she leaned forward and kissed him.
"You know as happy as I am for the both of you, where is Nathan?"
Brooke pulled away from Lucas and looked around. He wasn't there."Yeah, I thought you two were coming together. Please tell me you didn't kill him on the way over."
Lucas rolled his eyes."He's parking the car."
"Oh, well good. So how is it you two were together anyways?"asked Brooke.
"I told you I was going to talk to him. I didn't see any point in waiting so I went today."
"How did it go?"
"We're here, aren't we?"
"So good?"
"Good."he assured her.
She smiled at him."Thank you Lucas. It means a lot that you did this."
"Hey it takes two to make this work. Nathan had to agree."
"I know and I love him too."she wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him into a hug. He was so amazing, not wanting to take all the credit for this.
"There you are."said Peyton as Nathan walked up to her."I was beginning to think you ditched me."
"Why would I do that?"he asked as he gave her a quick kiss.
"I don't know, maybe because Lucas is here with Brooke."
Nathan looked over his shoulder and saw Brooke laughing as Lucas pulled her to him."I'm okay with it. She looks happy."
"Are you okay with Lucas?"
Nathan shrugged."I don't know yet. There is something about him Peyt. I can't put my finger on it, but it's there. It's just a feeling I have. But I know me getting along with Lucas means a lot to Brooke, I mean Lucas went to talk to me himself so it has to be a lot. I'm gonna try to get along with him for her."
"It's gonna mean a lot to Brooke Nathan."
"That's why I did it, for her."
"You're a good guy, no matter how much you pretend other wise."
Nathan rolled his eyes. He didn't see why his girlfriend was making such a big deal about he and Lucas doing this for Brroke. She was important to them. It wasn't a secret.
"There you are Natey."said Brooke as she disentangled herself from Lucas and walked over to him. She pulled him into a quick hug."What took you so long?"
Nathan gave her a look."Brooke, you know how bad the parking is on weekends. I had to park almost a mile away."
Brooke smiled at him."You're a basketball player, you can handle the excercise."
"Whatever. So what are we doing here anyways? You both know I hate this place."
Brooke rolled her eyes."We were here shopping. Inviting you was a last minute thing. We can leave. I'm done."
"Yeah, she bought practically everything here so I bet she's ready to leave."said Peyton as she pointed to Brooke's bags sitting on the floor.
"Are all those bags yours?"asked Lucas.
Brooke nodded."Yeah, but there are a few things in there for you."she smiled.
"Really?"he asked as he slowly made his way over to the bags and began to peek inside.
"And by things for you she means her new lingere."said Peyton.
Lucas shrugged."Hey, I'm not complaining. That sounds perfect to me."
Nathan rolled his eyes to himself before coughing loudly."So are we leaving or what?"
"Leaving."said Brooke as she looked over to Lucas."We could go over to the cafe."she suggested.
Lucas shook his head."We can't do that. I'm supposed to be grounded, remember?"
"Sorry. I forgot."she looked around."Anyone else have any suggestions?"
"I guess we could go back to my place."said Nathan.
Brooke turned to Lucas."What about that? You up to going to Nathan's?"
Lucas shrugged."Sure, that sounds fine. I can only stay for a little while though. I don't want my mom coming home and finding me not there."
Brooke nodded."Okay, then we'll only stay for a little while."
"So it's settled then, my house?"
"Your house."said Brooke as she grabbed Lucas' hand and pulled him with her out of the mall.
Brooke grabbed another slice of pizza."I don't even know why I'm still eating. I am so full right now."
"Good."said Lucas as he pulled her hand with the pizza toward his mouth. He took a big bite and smiled as Brooke tried to act mad.
She scoffed."That was my piece."
"Yeah, but you really didn't want it."
Brooke glared at him before smiling."You're lucky you're cute."
Nathan rolled his eyes, which earned him a playful poke in the ribs from his girlfriend.
"Be nice."she said sternly.
"I am."he turned to Lucas."Man there's a killer game about to start, wanna watch?"
Lucas nodded."Yeah, turn it on. You can never get enough basketball."
"Yeah you can."said Brooke matter of factly."Come on Peyt lets go get something to drink."she pulled her best friend with her out of the room. She wasn't really thirsty she just wanted to spy on both her best friend and boyfriend. She turned to Peyton once they reached the kitchen."Okay, we'll stay in here for a minute or two and then we'll sneek into the hallway and watch them."
"You want to spy on them?"
"You bet your ass I want to spy on them."
"Why?"
"To see if this getting along thing is an act."
"Brooke, you know this isn't going to be easy for either one of them, so if they still don't get along all the time it's okay. It won't be the end of the world. They're trying Brooke, that's a good start."
"I know Peyt, I just want them to mean it."
"They do. I talked to Nathan earlier on the way home and he's sincere about trying with Lucas."
Brooke nodded."Lucas too."
"See, so there isn't any need to eaves drop on them."
"Oh, I'm still gonna do that."she said pulling Peyton into the hallway with her."Shh."she said as they huddled together against the wall and watched the guys.
"This game is supposed to be good. The Bobcats better kick some ass."said Nathan raising the volume of the t.v.
"You know they are. It sucks that I'm gonna have to miss some of it when I go home."
"Right, you're grounded. What's that all about?"
Lucas shook his head."My mom was pissed that I didn't come home two nights in a row so she grounded me."
"Where were you those two nights?"
"At Brooke's. The first night was when I thought she was with Felix and the second night was when I took her home when she got drunk. I didn't want to leave her so I didn't. I'm grounded now, but it was worth it."
Nathan nodded."Good, not that you're grounded, but that you stayed with Brooke."
"There was no way I was going to leave her."
"You're alright."
"Thanks."said Lucas.
Brooke smiled as she watched both boys actually get along. This wasn't an act because neither of them knew she was watching.
Dan watched his sons get along from the top of the stairs. This was something he thought would take more time. He was glad to be wrong for once. Things were going smoothly. Maybe they should pick up the pace and tell the boys they were brothers. Yeah, that would be a good idea. He needed to talk to Karen about it. He turned away and made his way to the den.
Dan picked up the phone in the den and dialed the now familiar number.
"Hello."
"Hey Karen. How are you?"
Karen sighed heavily into the phone."I'm going out of my mind. Lucas isn't here. He knows he's grounded yet he's still not here. I don't know what I'm going to do with that son of ours."she said shaking her head.
Dan smiled on his end. She had just called Lucas their son. She had never spoken about him as their son. It was always her son. The fact that she was coming around openly tugged at his heart strings. This was really happening. They were doing this together.
"Don't worry about Lucas Karen."
Karen cut him off."How can I not worry about him? He is delibratly disobeying me. It's like I said before Dan. His behavior is getting out of hand."
Dan let out a laugh. She was still the same old Karen, never letting him get a word in edgewise.
"What I was trying to say is that he is here Karen."
"Lucas is with you?"she asked.
"No, not with me, but with Nathan. He came to see his brother. I know he's grounded, but I told him he could stay. He wanted to talk to Nathan and see if they could work out their differences. There was no way I could say no to him, not about wanting to fix things with his brother."
Karen nodded as if he could see her."So how are things going?"
"Good. A lot better then I thought they would. We really owe Ms. Davis for this."laughed Dan.
"Brooke?"asked Karen a little confused.
"Yes, she is the reason our boys are willing to put their diffences aside. It seems that she has made herself a very important person in both their lives."
"This is Brooke's doing?"she was still confused.
"Yes, apparently whatever Ms. Davis wants of our son's she gets. In this case I'm glad."
"Yes, I suppose I am as well."
"So, now for the reason I called."
Karen let out a small laugh."Oh, it wasn't just to talk to me?"she flirted.
Dan too let out a laugh."Well there's that reason too. You know I love talking to you."
Karen rolled her eyes."Always the charmer Dan."she said sarcastically.
"That'd be me, but seriously I called so we could discuss telling the boys."
"You think they're ready Dan? I mean you don't think it's still too soon?"
"It might still be Kar, but then again things are going good with them at the moment. I think we should tell them before things get bad between them again."
"Do you think that would happen?"
"I don't know, not with Ms. Davis between them. I just think it might be time. Lucas is getting along with both me and Nathan. I think we should tell him I'm his father."
"I don't know Dan. This isn't something we should take lightly."
"We're not Karen. We've thought of this for a long time now. We are not entering into this lightly."he let out a sigh."Okay, look I think we should tell them now, but if you aren't ready then we'll wait. I'm leaving you in charge of this Kar. You know Lucas better than I do. If you think he isn't ready, then okay."
Karen smiled into the phone. Dan was being so understanding. She hadn't seen this side of Dan in a really long time and she missed it."Okay."
"Okay?"
"Yeah, okay. We'll tell Lucas you're his father."
"Thank you Karen."
"Dan, how are we going to do it? Are we just going to have you and Nathan show up here? Won't that be a bit suspicious?"
"I was thinking of inviting you and Lucas over for dinner. We could tell them afterward."
"How would we explain you inviting me to dinner?"
"I'll say I invited others, but you were the only one who was able to attend and I didn't want to seem rude since we barley know each other so that's why it's just the four of us."
Karen let out a laugh."You seem comfortable with lies."
"Hey, I'm a car salesman."
"Yes, that you are. So when are we going to do this dinner of yours?"
"I'll get back to you on that. We'll go over our schedule, but I want it to be soon."
"Okay."
"Thanks Karen."
"For what?"
'For being okay with this."
"I have to be Dan. It's my fault things are the way they are."
"Don't say that Karen. It's both our faults."
"Yeah, and now we're going to fix it."