Susan knelt down and hugged me. "You shouldn't be out here without a coat," she said, gently. I nodded.

She took my face in her hands and said, "You broke up with him, Abby. You knew that meant he could find someone else. You've lost your claim over him." She kissed my forehead. "Now come back inside before you freeze your ass off." She paused. "Literally, Abby. You're sitting in the snow wearing only jeans. Get up."

I giggled. "Thanks, Susan," I said as she helped me up. I wiped the snow off of my butt but it was still soaking wet. "Great," I mumbled.

Luka stuck his head out the door. "Susan, Abby, I need one of you in trauma two."

"I'll go," Susan said and followed him inside.

I leaned against the wall, collecting myself before I went back to work. The doors opened again and Carter walked out, his arm around Jessica's waist.

I felt dizzy again but I steadied myself. When they reached the middle of the ambulance bay Jessica stopped walking and pulled Carter against her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. "I love you," she said. I had a very distinct feeling that this show was being put on for my benefit.

Carter smiled and kissed her again but he didn't give the expected, 'I love you too,' response. It didn't mean anything. Not really. But all of a sudden it was like a small ray of hope had broken through. Carter's eyes darted to me and I smiled confidently.

But what did I care? I had Jake. I was happy with Jake. Wasn't I?

"Hey."

I jumped. "Shit, Jake," I said, turning around. "You scared the hell outta me."

He grinned. "Sorry. How 'bout I take you out to dinner tonight to apologize?" he teased.

I rolled my eyes and smiled. "Sure," I said. "Dinner sounds good."

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

"I didn't think it'd be so crowded on a Wednesday night," Jake said. We were standing in the middle of a large crowd of people who were all waiting for tables.

"We could go to McDonalds," I joked.

"Not on your life," Jake said.

"Miller, party of two," someone called.

"That's us," Jake said. He took my head and we wove our way through the crowd.

As we reached the waitress she called out," Carter, party of two."

I turned around and, sure enough, Carter and Jessica were standing there. "If you'd all follow me," the waitress said.

She gave us two tables right next to each other. They were those stupid tables where one seat is a booth and the other is an actually chair. Jessica and I both sat on the booth. I watched Carter reach for Jessica's hand.

"You guys make a great couple," Jake said, cheerfully. My eyes started to burn. "Don't they make a great couple, Abby? I bet they'll have really cute kids."

"I need a cigarette," I said, getting up to leave. When I got outside I realized I'd been followed.

"What?" I asked, lighting my cigarette.

Carter shrugged. "Just wanted to see if you're OK."

"I'm fine," I spat. "And even if I'm not OK, it's none of your business, is it?"

Carter's face tensed. "I'm just concerned. And I understand if you're upset about Jessica and me. . ."

I laughed. "Is that what you think this about?" I smiled wryly. "I couldn't care less about you and that . . .that. . .bimbo."

Carter made no attempt to defend his fiancé. "So then, what is this about? You've been edgy all day."

"Like I said, it's none of your business." I had forgotten about my cigarette and it was already a third gone. I took a drag. "Things change, Carter. People change."

Carter grabbed it out of my mouth and threw it on the ground. "This is bullshit, Abby. You haven't changed one bit. You're still the same self- obsessed, chain-smoking, closed off, alcoholic mess you were when I left." With that, he went back inside.

Once again, review! C'mon, guys! Tell me what you think. I really wanna know. Unless it's bad. No, just kidding. Next chapter coming soon!