As Theresa walked in to the Book Café, she realized she was early. So she sat at the counter and waited. She really wasn't sure what to wear for lunch, and she didn't want Ethan to see her in the same outfit that she wore to dinner later in the evening, so she just wore her best jeans, and a peasant blouse with some sandals.

"Well, if it isn't my own personal wedding planner. What's up T-Lo?"

"Hey, Chad! I'm waiting for Ethan, he's meeting me here for lunch."

"Oh really now? Isn't that somethin'?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Well, I noticed the Bennett man starin' you down last night, but I never thought he'd move this fast. Good for him!"

"Are you saying you think he likes me, too?"

"Too? Who else has been saying it?"

"Mama said she noticed him staring at me last night."

"And what's not to stare at? You're a fine lookin' girl, Theresa. If it weren't for your best friend..."

"Okay, now I know you're full of it!"

As their laughter subsided, Ethan walked in to the café.

"Hey, what did I miss?"

"Oh, just Chad being a total flirt. Nothing out of the ordinary!"

"Chad, you've already got the most beautiful tennis player in the world to flirt with, do you really have to flirt with the most beautiful fashion designer, too?"

"Thank you Ethan!"

"Your welcome."

"All right, you got me. Yawl go on over to your table, I'll send Beth over in sec."

As they got to their table, Ethan hurried ahead to pull Theresa's chair out for her.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to woo me Mr. Bennett. First calling me beautiful and then pulling my chair out for me!"

"I'm actually just being a gentleman." Was it that obvious?

"Well, anyway, I'm glad you asked me to lunch. Now we can catch up on all that happened in the last six years! "

"Besides graduating from law school, not much has happened."

"That's not true. You work for a law firm now, which one?"

"Okay, ready for this? Smith and Wesson."

"Oh my God! The ones who can 'blast away all of your legal fees, and blow away the opposition'?" Theresa began to giggle.

"Unfortunately yes, that's them. I was really hesitant about taking the job at first. But after I did some research, I found out they are one of the most respected legal teams in our tri-state area. And their win record is amazing. Not to mention, they were talking about taking on another partner when I joined the firm."

"Really, they want to make you partner already?"

"Well, I have to win a few more cases first. But they said the liked my style in court, and that they would be looking to add another partner soon, so that when they retired, they knew the company would be in good hands."

"Ethan, that's wonderful!"

"Yeah, I'm pretty excited about it. And Dad and Grace couldn't be more proud!"

"Well, I can see why!"

Just then, Beth came over to take their order. Theresa was worried there wouldn't be a lot more to talk about after she left. But Ethan picked up on her anxiety, and started the conversation once Beth was gone.

"So, tell me about this great job you've landed here in Harmony."

"Well, you know that little boutique on Main St.?"

"Oh yeah, the really classy one? Next to the book store?"

"Yeah, but it's not so classy, actually. I hopped on the internet one night about a month or two before graduation, and started researching our area. I thought even if I couldn't get a job in Harmony, at least I could be nearby. So I found a bunch of places, and sent out a portfolio of all of the designs I have ever done in my life. That boutique was the first one that responded. The owner had to make a trip to New York, so we met for lunch, and she hired me before she came back to Harmony!"

"Wow! That's really impressive Theresa!"

"Well, she recognized my name. Apparently Sheridan goes in there quite a bit. And I think she was under the impression I was related to the Crane's somehow. But after we got to talking, and I explained Sheridan was my sister in law, I got the feeling she was really impressed by me, and not my association to anyone."

"Well, good for you Theresa! And, Pilar told me, that the day you got the job, you sat up all night designing the entire fall line they wanted?", Ethan asked with a chuckle.

"I couldn't help it!" Theresa giggled back. "I was so excited, I had all this energy, and I just sat down and started to sketch. The next thing I know the sun is coming up, but I had a whole line just waiting to be assembled! That's how I got the entire month off. The owner was so excited about the designs, she told me to take my first month back in Harmony and get to know the town and my family and friends again."

"Well, I for one, am glad she did".

"Okay guys, here's lunch!" Beth said as she came to the table with their meals.

"Oh Beth, this looks great! Thanks!"

"Thanks Beth."

After they had finished lunch, Ethan and Theresa went outside to go their separate ways.

"Theresa, thank you so much for having lunch with me. It really helped me take my mind off of the case for an hour. Now I can go back in with a clear head."

"It was my pleasure, Ethan. Thank you for asking me, and thank you for buying!"

"Well, like you said, I did ask you. So, um, before you go, I wanted to ask you, uh, after dinner tonight, would you like to..."

"Well, if it isn't Ethan Bennett!" a young blond haired woman came running up to Ethan and Theresa.

"Oh, hi Gwen." Ethan said as his face dropped from the perfect smile that was on it seconds ago.

"I've been leaving messages at your apartment for you for two days now! I was beginning to think you were avoiding me!" She put an exaggerated pout on her face.

Theresa rolled her eyes.

"Of course not, Gwen." The tone in Ethan's voice had gone from happy, to extremely annoyed, but perked up again when he introduced his lunch companion.

"Gwen, this is Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald, Theresa, Gwen Hotchkiss. I was telling you about Gwen last night at your mother's house, remember?" And Ethan gave Theresa a look, so that she would remember that Gwen was not one of his favorite people.

"Ethan, were bragging about me to your little friend here? Aren't you Luis' baby sister?"

"Yes, I am. Do you know my brother?"

"Sheridan Crane...."

"Sheridan Lopez-Fitzgerald...." Ethan corrected her.

"Whatever ...she's my best friend."

"Gwen, do you go shopping with Sheridan quite a bit?" Ethan asked.

"Of course Ethan, all the time, why do you ask?"

"Theresa was just hired by that boutique on Main St., what's it called Theresa?"

"Envy."

"Oh really!" said Gwen. "I just came from there! Maria, the owner? She and I are great friends, just showed me some designs for the fall line, there are just fabulous! So Theresa, are you going to be the cashier?" Gwen sneered.

"No actually", Theresa replied. "Those designs you just saw, are mine. I designed the entire fall line for the boutique."

Ethan watched Gwen's mouth drop, and tried his best not to laugh out loud.

"Well, Ethan, thank you so much for lunch." Theresa was purposely acting as snotty as Gwen sounded. "And I can't wait to see you for dinner. Six o'clock you said?"

"Yes, and please, don't be late", he said, picking up on what Theresa was doing, and playing off of her. "I don't think I could bear it if you were late", he said as he picked up her hand and kissed it.

"Of course not, Ethan. Good luck in court. Tell me all about it at dinner. Nice to meet you, Gwen. I look forward to seeing you in the boutique." And with that, she got in her car, and drove off.