This chapter is going to begin back at the beach, following other characters than MaDi. I hope it's not too confusing. As sometimes happens in my VM stories, it'll take more than one chapter to cover all the Valentine's Day happenings! ;)

Chapter 16: Love Isn't Easy

******Starting From Chapter 14******

"Daddy!" Lily yelled, jumping up and running to him.

Nothing warmed Duncan's heart like the sight of his daughter's face lit up with love and excitement reserved solely for him. He held out his arms to pick her up and hold her tight for a moment. Kissing her, he grinned down at her. "Have you been having a good time?" he asked her.

She nodded happily. "Yes, I flew a kite with Parker and Darrel! I got it to fly, Daddy! Mackie said it wouldn't 'cause there weren't no wind. She was wrong! It flew, Daddy!" she said excitedly. "I want my own kite, Daddy. I want it to have purple butterflies on it with a purple tail. Darrel's has a white tail. The wind isn't strong today. Parker says that maybe another day the wind will be better for us. Why can't you tell the wind to blow, Daddy? I want to fly the kite a long time!"

Duncan laughed in amusement as he listened to his daughter's recitation. He made a mental note to take her to a kite store as soon as possible. He knew he was in danger of spoiling his daughter, but he couldn't help it. She had no mother and was the center of his world.

"Sweetheart, I hate to break it to you, but not even your father can control the wind!" Logan told her.

"My daddy can do anything!" Lily said with the stubborn, mutinous look that reminded both men so much of her namesake.

"Well, I can't control the weather, baby. Only God can do that," Duncan said. He hated to think of the day when she would no longer think he could do anything.

"Then you should pray more, Daddy. Maybe God will listen to you if you ask Him nicely," Lily said wisely.

"Maybe so," Duncan said, smiling at her. He greeted his friends, his eyes automatically going to Parker first. "What are you guys doing playing in the dirt?"

"We are about to form teams to have a competition," Dick announced. "Mackie and I are going to show these amateurs how to make a real sandcastle!"

Wallace scoffed. "I have the smartest girlfriend, who almost minored in structural engineering!" Wallace bragged, winking at Mac, who took no offense. "This is in the bag!"

"Well, my wife can break into any structure with her devious mind, so this is in our bag!" Logan bragged.

Jason looked at Daisy. "What do you do?" he asked her.

"I admire you while you do all the work!" Daisy said with a smirk.

Jason laughed and kissed her. "That works for me!" he told her.

Duncan looked at Parker questioningly. "Yes, they're back together," she said, answering his unspoken question. He wasn't sure if he was happy about that or not. Jason had really hurt Daisy, and she was more his friend than Jason was.

"Parker and I are going to win, Daddy! She said she won a castle building contest when she was little!" Lily said when Duncan put her down. She grabbed his hand and pulled him down next to Parker.

"I told your kid that Parker didn't need any help then, so she should be on our team!" Logan shared.

"That's not fair! Parker needs somebody to help her, too!" Lily said, giving Logan a disappointed look. Duncan grinned. His daughter always made him so proud.

"That's right, sweetie. She does," Veronica said in approval.

Parker smiled at Duncan. "Do you want to be on our team?" she offered.

"Sure," Duncan said. His daughter beamed in approval. He knew spending time with Parker wasn't a good idea. It was hard, though, to give up an opportunity like this. The setting wasn't intimate, so there shouldn't be much danger to his heart.

However, after an hour working on their castle, talk was inevitable.

"So Kayla seemed nice," Parker said, trying to sound casual.

"Who's Kayla?" Lily asked.

"Daddy's new friend that Thea introduced me to. She plays soccer for the school like I do," Duncan carefully explained.

Parker mouthed a sorry. "It's okay. We've only went out a few times. She's nice," Duncan said.

"Do you have Valentine's plans with her?" Parker asked.

He nodded. "Yes. Her and Thea's sorority is having a dance Saturday. We're going to dinner with Thea and Wallace beforehand. Casual fun. Not too much pressure that way," Duncan said. "I'm taking Lily to the high school on Friday to Lauren's concert."

"That sounds nice," she said, looking pensive.

"What about you? Got plans with Piz?" Duncan asked, trying not to let the idea bother him. He'd moved on. Yes, he had. It'd gotten easy lying to himself.

"He was supposed to come here, but he's started this new DJ job. He's got his own show. His new partner is demanding they get their kinks worked out, so he had to cancel," she explained.

"Why don't you go there? Surprise him?" Duncan suggested.

"I don't know. He's working all weekend," she said doubtfully.

"No one works twenty-four hours," Duncan said. "I'm sure a nice dinner at home will be welcomed if you're there to cook it for him."

Parker brightened at the thought. "That's a good idea. Thanks, Duncan," she said.

Veronica couldn't help watching Duncan and Parker, much to Logan's annoyance.

"Sugar puss, you are not focusing! Thea and Wallace's sandcastle is a work of art. Even Dick's looks like an actual castle!" Logan complained.

"Sorry," Veronica said with a grin. She glanced over at Jason and Daisy's and snickered. "At least we don't have to worry about theirs." Jason was trying to make his like the White Castle fast food chain that was sprinkled across Chicagoland—try being the operative word.

"It's good to see Mr. Wonderful not be good at something," Logan said with a smirk. He watched Veronica watch Duncan and Parker. "Don't go there, Ronnie."

"Go where?" she asked innocently.

Logan rolled his eyes. "You know exactly where," he said. "Parker is with Piz, and Duncan has moved on." It used to be him that rooted for Duncan and Parker, but he had seen the pain Duncan was in the past several months. If Parker didn't want to be with the obvious better man, then she didn't deserve him.

"Has he?" Veronica asked, watching Duncan smile at Parker. Piz moved out of town yet again, and he just didn't think Parker was indifferent enough to Duncan. It was just like when she dated Piz, but she couldn't keep her mind off Logan. "I think Parker is doing her best to be a good girlfriend to Piz, but she can't help how she is still drawn to him. I was just watching."

Logan groaned. He knew there was no reasoning with Veronica when she got like this. He just hoped Duncan didn't do anything foolish because he was so over love triangles even if they weren't his own.

*****The Next Day*****

Logan was having lunch in the school cafeteria when Dick came in looking washed out. Frowning in concern, Logan waved at him to get his attention. Dick brightened when he saw Logan and headed his way.

"Dude," Dick said, sitting down with his try. He opened his can of soda and took a big gulp. "The meds I'm on seem to make me thirsty."

"How are you feeling? You look tired. Didn't you have your doctor's appointment this morning? Why didn't you call me?" Logan asked.

Dick looked at him in bemusement. "Since when did you turn into the girl in our relationship? I already have a mother and a girlfriend," Dick reminded him with a smirk.

"I thought I was always the girl in this relationship," Logan replied with a smile, unoffended. "I am in my marriage, too!"

"Been planning a V-Day trip to top last years?" Dick asked knowingly.

"Dude, I started planning that February fifteenth!" Logan said, grinning. "This is our first Valentine's as a married couple. It's gotta be epic."

"I'm just relieved I can actually service my woman again!" Dick bragged.

"Is that your way of telling me the doctor gave you a good report?" Logan asked with a snicker.

Dick high-fived him. "You know it!" he exclaimed. "He said I just have to keep my blood pressure checked. Do a log. Mac's got an app for that. No biggie. Take my meds and don't get carried away."

Logan looked incredulous. "You not get carried away? Has the doctor met you?" he asked.

"Har har!" Dick said sarcastically. "You're not going to put a damper on it. He told me we could have sex again, so I can deal with the rest!"

"A week of celibacy and you'd think you were dying," Logan said laughingly.

"What can I say? I need me some Macsexy a few times a week at least!" he said unabashedly. Then he frowned. "I need it now more than ever. Mom was a bigger bitch than normal yesterday when we got back from the beach. Talk about ruining a good day." He filled Logan in on the throw down that had occurred between Mac and his mom.

Logan winced in sympathy. "Man, that's harsh! What a time for Betina to pick to be maternal!" he said.

"Yeah, I know, right? She's out of her f***ing mind if she thinks I'm going to put up with her mothering now, especially if it means she treats Mackie like that!" Dick complained.

"Well, inconvenient mothering is better than no mothering," Logan pointed out. "Take it from me."

Dick blanched, hating the reminder that Logan's mom took a nosedive off a bridge rather than continue as his mother. "Yeah, maybe, but I can't deal with her now. I can't let her get away with treating Mac like that. It sets a bad precedence," Dick said.

Logan looked at him in surprise. "Dick, I'm impressed! I didn't know you knew that word!" Logan said with a smirk.

"Dude, Mac's taught me all kinds of word. She used that on me once with Dad and how he was acting around her," Dick said. He gave a proud, smug look and pointed to himself. "This dude can be taught!"

Dick laughed as Duncan joined them. "What did I miss?" he asked.

"Not much. Just Dick proving he can learn from his mistakes after all," Logan said with a grin. "Yes, my friends, hell has frozen over! He's been officially Mac-tamed!"

"Do tell," Duncan said, smiling as he took a bite of his burger.

"Mom's being mean to Mac. I put my foot down," Dick shared, proud.

Duncan swallowed. "That's how you know she's the one. If you're not willing to fight with your mom over them or insist your mom treat them with respect, then they're probably not the one," he said.

Logan snickered. "Is that how you knew Veronica wasn't the one? You were too chicken shit to take on your mother?" he asked.

Duncan looked sheepish but nodded. "Yeah. Not at the time. But now? Yes," Duncan said. "I loved Veronica but not enough. I never fought for her. I never fought for anything until my daughter."

"You almost fought Piss over Parker," Dick reminded him.

"Speaking of Piz," Logan said pointedly. "Veronica is getting romantic notions about you and Parker after yesterday. Please tell me that ship has sailed. You've moved on, right?" Now that he was married, he didn't want any upset in his married life. He knew Duncan's unrequited love for Parker was a potential mind field, one he would've supported before he was married—as Veronica pointed out last night. Now, however, he wanted everyone to get along and be happy. Seeing Parker break Duncan's heart again wasn't what he wanted for his best friend.

Duncan didn't respond for a minute. Then he shrugged; he couldn't lie to them. "I'm trying. Wallace and Thea set me up with one of her sorority sisters. I like her. She's on the girls' soccer team. I'll be spending Valentine's with her," Dick answered.

Logan nodded. "That's good," he said. "It's not that I don't want you to be with Parker. I just don't want you to keep getting hurt and disappointed. Even with Piz out of Neptune, they're still a couple."

Dick smirked. "Give it time," he said. He turned to Duncan. "Don't listen to Logan. Now that Piss is out of town, you should totally step up your game! Lily loves Parker. She'd be, like, the best mother ever for Lily."

That particular reminder depressed Duncan. Logan could tell and sighed. "See, I told you. Parker just upsets you," he said. "Stop, Dick. Don't go putting ideas in his head."

"You just told him you fight for the one. That's what he needs to do," Dick said.

"No, that's not at all what I said," Logan said firmly. "We're all too involved in each other's lives, Dick. He can't go mackin' on the girlfriend of my brother-in-law's best guy friend. That upsets Wallace, which would upset Veronica, which would upset me!"

"Ronnie wouldn't be upset," Dick said confidently. "She wants Parker to be with Duncan!"

Logan sighed, admitting defeat. "I got a class, so I'm not going to keep arguing about this," Logan said. He patted Duncan on the shoulder. "Make good choices!"

Duncan rolled his eyes but waved as Logan left. "So you really think I should fight more for Parker?" he asked.

"Totally, dude. Show her that you're keeping the torch. When she finally grows bored with that Piss ant, she'll turn to you," Dick said confidently.

"She told me that Piz cancelled coming to see her on Valentine's weekend. I advised her to go to him," Duncan shared.

Dick shook his head in disgust and drained his soda. "Dude, you're really stupid!" he exclaimed in disappointment. He got up, slapped him on the back. "But you're pretty and rich, so I guess we'll keep you around."

Duncan laughed as his friend took off. He thought about what Dick said. It wasn't that he didn't care enough to fight for Parker. It's that he didn't want to win her through cheating. He'd rather she want him and come to him. He wanted to be someone's first choice. Lily's mom chose him first, but he hadn't chosen her back—he wasn't ever very smart when it came to relationships. Dick wasn't completely wrong. If he had chosen Meg back, she'd probably still be alive, and they'd be married. Lily would have the mother she deserved.

*****Friday*****

Jazmin followed Eli to his car. He held the car door open for her. They were going to Neptune High to listen to Mac's sister sing.

"So tell me again why I'm going back to my high school, a place I loathe?" Eli asked as he got into the car next to her and started it up.

"Because you're a good friend," Jazmin said, smiling at him.

"How does this make me a good friend?" he asked suspiciously.

"Lauren is singing, and she's had a rough time the past few years. Getting a solo pissed off some queen bees in the school," Jazmin shared. "She needs all the support she can get."

"Well, thumbing our nose at the reigning queen is a good reason, I suppose," he said with a wink.

"So I was thinking that I'd cook dinner tomorrow night at my place," Jazmin said as they headed to the school.

Eli frowned. "Your place still has that tool in it, right?" he asked, referring to Joseph.

She sighed. "Yes, but Jason already told him that he had to make himself scarce," Jazmin said.

"How's that going? Is he bothering you?" Eli asked.

"No. I don't see him much. You probably see him more than I do," Jazmin said.

Eli looked sour as he nodded. "Yeah, that's true. Nico has him at work all the time. If he's not with Nico, he's with Jason. I hate all the damn story telling he seems to want to do," Eli complained. "Like I don't already know you all have a history with him."

"I'm sorry," Jazmin said in sympathy. "I know what a pain he can be, especially when he wants to."

"How long is he going to be around?" Eli asked as they arrived at the school.

"Probably until he gets bored," Jazmin said.

Eli parked the car and got out. He went around and opened her car door. Smiling her thanks, she took his hand, and they walked into the school together.

"That was my locker," Eli said, pointing out a locker. He was caught up in memories as he walked down the hall. "Over there was Lilly Kane's and Veronica's." Jazmin squeezed his hand. He didn't speak about Lilly much, but Jazmin knew she'd been important to him.

"There's the bathroom Logan and I got into one of our fights," Eli said, grinning at the memory. They'd been adversaries for so long until they were forced to be allies. Now they were bound together forever by the love of one woman. It was ironic when a lot of their animosity had been over love of the same woman—Lilly Kane. Like Lilly, however, Veronica wasn't a woman you could easily ignore. The tolerance Eli had developed for Logan for Veronica's sake had grown into real friendship. Taking a bullet for her had convinced Eli that Logan's love for Veronica was real.

"Isn't this hallway the one that has witnessed you, Logan, and Veronica all arrested at one point?" Jazmin teased.

Wallace came up behind them, overhearing. Thea was with him. "If these walls could talk!" he announced.

Jazmin glanced back and grinned. "You were Veronica's partner in crime," she reminded him. Wallace had loved sharing their tales when she and he had dated.

"Crime?" Thea asked, puzzled.

"Don't tell me Fennel has kept all his dark secrets from you? All the times he used his position of power in the school to help V break rules to get her man?" Eli teased.

"If you're calling office aid a position of power, we really need to have a talk," Wallace replied.

Thea smiled. "Wallace hasn't talked too much about high school—at least not about helping Veronica break rules," Thea said.

"I helped her solve crimes," Wallace boasted. "I was Watson to her Holmes. A young, black, good-looking Watson."

Eli snickered. "Young and dumb maybe," he said.

"Dumb enough to get the best of you if I recall," Wallace reminded him with a smirk.

Eli's eyes darkened at the reminder. "Not the best of me, just my boys," he clarified.

Wallace laughed as they entered the auditorium. Jazmin spotted their friends and waved. Soon they were seated, and the concert began. She tried not to laugh when Eli refused to clap for Carrie Bishop and Shelly Pomroy's sister—girls Eli had detested in high school. Her man knew how to hold onto a grudge. Fortunately, all desire to laugh went away when Lauren Sinclair took the stage. Jazmin's heart went out to the girl, who looked more than a little nervous. However, all that changed when she began to sing.

It was like she was singing directly to Jazmin. She hadn't felt beautiful in a long time. Laying her head on Eli's shoulder, she let Lauren' voice wash over her. When the song ended, Eli said to her, "Now that girl can sing!"

"She's incredible," Jazmin whispered. They stood when everyone else started to stand. Dick could be heard yelling encore.

"I wouldn't mind hearing her sing again," Eli said. Both were happy when she was allowed to sing another song.

This time, though, the song and her voice blew Jazmin away. When she got to the middle of the school, the words of the song made her cry:

It's the heart, afraid of breaking that never learns to dance
It's the dream, afraid of waking that never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken who cannot seem to give
And the soul, afraid of dying that never learns to live

Since her rape and torment from David, she'd been holding back her heart. She'd only allowed Eli to love her just so much, to get just so close. Then she'd pull back. She was afraid to take a chance. It was like a part of her soul had died when David had violated her.

As the song ended, tears were running down Jazmin's cheeks. She didn't want to be that girl. The one that was too afraid to take a chance. The one that never learned to live again. David had taken enough from her, and it was time that she reclaimed her life.

As the audience stood to their feet in appreciation of Lauren's incredible and beautiful talent, Jazmin was wiping her cheeks.

"Are you okay?" Eli asked in concern. He put his arm around her as she nodded.

"Yes. It was just so beautiful," she said, smiling at him.

"Almost as beautiful as you," he said with a wink.

"I love you," she said. She kissed him as the audience continued to clap. Eli didn't know, but she had decided that tomorrow night would be their night. She was done hiding.

******Saturday******

Lauren was trying not to freak out. Brad was coming to her house. Sure, it wasn't even five and so not a date. But still…she was a nervous wreck. It didn't help that Ryan had no clue about her crush on his best friend. Since they'd become friends, she and Ryan shared everything mostly, but she couldn't talk to him about guys. They weren't actually siblings, and it was too weird. Besides, he was insanely protective. More so than her own father really. Lauren didn't trust him not embarrass her to death by warning Brad not to hurt her. He wouldn't be able to help himself.

"Mom, do I look okay?" she asked, going into the den where her mom was reading. She had chosen a long, red body sweater over black leggings. She didn't want to be too dressy, but she still wanted to look good.

"Of course, sweetie," her mom said, smiling.

"I don't look too dressed up, do I? I mean, it's just Ryan," she said, trying to sound casual.

"Ryan and Brad," her mom said with a wink. "You've liked this boy since you first saw him in second grade."

Lauren groaned. "I was hoping you wouldn't remember!" she said. "Please don't say anything in front of Ryan. He has no idea, and I'm not sure how he'd react."

"I won't," her mom said, trying not to smile too much. It made her happy to see her daughter look forward to something so normal. "I got the movie room all set up. Snacks and drinks are ready to go. Are you sure you just want to watch TV? We have all kinds of movies."

"No, the Syfy channel is doing a marathon. The commercials give us time to talk and get snacks and stuff," Lauren said. The doorbell rang. "I'll get it." She ran to the front door. Before opening it, she smoothed down her hair and took a deep breath. Glancing in the peephole, she saw that it was Brad. Ryan wasn't with him. She pulled open the door.

"Hi," she said, giving him a shy smile. "Where's Ryan?"

"He's coming. His mom had him run an errand, so he said he'd meet me here," Brad said.

"Come on in," she said, trying to sound casual.

He handed her a single rose. "Here. This is for you. Happy Valentine's Day," he said with a wink.

She was really surprised and didn't know what to do for a moment. Then her hand reached out to take it. "Oh, wow…uh...thanks. I mean, you didn't have to do that," she said.

"Of course, I didn't," he said, grinning. "It's part of my charm!"

She laughed. "I appreciate it," she said.

"Besides, it'll help with our cover story," he said.

"Cover story?" she asked, puzzled.

"That Ryan is trying to hook us up," he said.

"Oh," she said, not sure how she felt about that. "I don't think I'm really your type." Her mouth suddenly felt dry.

"You're talented and very cute. What's not to like?" he said, flirting with her. Then he threw his arm around her shoulder like Ryan always did, and she knew he didn't mean it. "We could've been epic. Too bad Ryan's my best friend."

"Yeah, too bad," she said, trying to make light of it. "Do you want a drink? I'm thirsty. Mom put drinks in the movie room." She led him to the room, stepping out of his arm. It was a drag that she was so firmly friend-zoned. But the rose was a sweet gesture; one she would treasure.

They were getting drinks when the doorbell rang again. "That's probably Ryan," she said. "I'll be back." He nodded and grabbed the remote.

When she opened the door, Ryan grinned and handed her a box of heart shaped chocolates. "Happy V-Day!" he said, dropping a kiss on her cheek.

"Very sweet," she said, smiling. "Your mom?"

He laughed. She knew him too well. "Dad and I agreed he buys her flowers, and I buy chocolates. I bought an extra box for you," he said. "Doesn't that count?"

"It does," she said, smiling. "Brad brought me a rose."

"Smooth," he said in approval. "Let's get this party started!"

A part of her wished that she was having a romantic Valentine's with a boy who was into her, but it wasn't so bad. It was so much better than last the Valentine's that she'd spent puking and fighting for her life. Now she had a best friend who loved her enough to buy her chocolates and a body that was cancer free. Lauren had learned to treasure the good things that came because life could always throw you a curveball.

******Jazmin and Jason's******

Jazmin pulled out the lasagna to check it. It was done. Perfect. Turning down the oven to warm, she grabbed the wine glasses and set them on the table. The candles were there. Everything was ready. Smiling in satisfaction, she went to her room to change. She put on Eli's favorite dress—the blue one that hugged her waist but had a V-neck and free flowing skirt. He said it made her eyes look even bluer. She left her hair down the way he preferred. Her diamond necklace that he'd bought her for Christmas was around her neck. She rarely took it off. However, it looked especially lovely with the dress. Underneath the dress, she had on some brand-new lingerie. If tonight went the way she planned, Eli would finally get to make love to her again. It was past time. Anticipation and just a hint of nervousness filled her.

Joseph was coming into the apartment as she came out of her room. She frowned. "What are you doing here? Jason told me you knew to be gone! Eli's going to be here any minute! You have to go!" Jazmin exclaimed, her annoyance clear.

Joseph held up a hand. "Just give me five minutes! I just wanted to change. We had a busy day at the office," he said innocently.

Jazmin rolled her eyes. "Like you do any actual work," she said. She pointed to Jason's room where he kept his clothes. "Go. Change and be gone."

Her phone beeped. It was a message from Eli. Babe, call me. Frowning, she called him. "Hey, what's up? Are you on your way?" she asked.

"I wish," Eli said regretfully. "I'm sorry, Princess. I'm going to be really late."

"That's okay. I got dinner in the oven. I can keep it warm," she said.

"It could be an hour or so. I got stuck with this surveillance job," Eli complained. "I have to get a photo, and then I'm on my way to you. Eat without me. I'll have dessert with you."

"Are you sure?" she asked, disappointed.

"I'm really sorry. You know how much I love your lasagna. Save me some," Eli said. "I love you. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"I love you, too," she said. "I'll be waiting." She hung up and sighed. So much for her perfect night. Of course, the dinner wasn't that big of deal. She went over to the oven, undecided. Finally, she decided that she'd eat a salad without Eli but wait to eat the rest.

Joseph was frowning down at his phone as he came out of the bedroom. "What's wrong?" she asked as she took a bite of her salad.

"Oh, my date cancelled on me," he said with a sigh. "I guess she found a better offer." He noticed she was eating a salad. "What's up with you? Why are you eating without your boyfriend?"

"He's running really late. Got stuck doing surveillance," she answered. "Isn't that something you could've done?"

"Probably but the client wanted him. And I had plans," he said, sitting down at the table. He eyed the bottle of wine. "I don't suppose I can have a drink of that since he's not going to be here for a bit?"

She didn't see the harm and got up to grab another glass. They were chatting for about twenty minutes when Joseph's stomach growled loudly, causing her to laugh. "I'm really hungry myself," she admitted. "You go get some dinner. I'm going to get out the lasagna and have some. Eli won't care."

Joseph nodded and stood. He watched her carefully. He had a lifetime of knowing her, so he knew exactly how to play this scene. "That smells so good!" he exclaimed, walking over to the oven as she sat the hot pan on top of the stove. "It's been too long since I've had your lasagna."

"Whose fault is that?" she asked pointedly.

"I know," he said, looking sheepish. "But you've forgiven me, and I'm really hungry. Can't I have a little piece? I won't tell Eli."

Jazmin sighed, feeling torn. Finally, she nodded. "Fine, but hurry up and eat. Then leave. I don't want Eli upset. I want tonight to be good for us both. You annoy him," she said, putting it mildly.

Joseph chuckled. "He loathes the sight of me, but it's nice of you to be so tactful," he said as she gave him a small square on a saucer.

She cut a small piece for herself, figuring she'd eat more with Eli when he arrived. Ten minutes later, they were finishing up when the front door opened. She smiled to see Eli, who was carrying a bouquet of red roses.

Eli, however, was less than thrilled to see Joseph. When he realized that his girlfriend had obviously just finished eating dinner with the man, he got angry. "What the hell is this?" he asked.

Jazmin got to her feet. "You're here!" she said, smiling happily. When she noticed he was glaring at Joseph, her smile faltered. "I was waiting for you. I just had a small piece."

"Why is he here?" Eli asked coldly.

Joseph got up. "Someone needed to be here to keep Jazmin company," he said, goading him. "She made you a nice dinner, and you weren't here to appreciate it."

"Oh, so you just thought you'd take my place, is that it?" Eli asked, stepping closer to him.

Jazmin got quickly between them. "Stop! It wasn't like that!" she said, defending him. "His date canceled. We were chatting. We both got hungry. That's all."

"We had no idea when you were planning on showing up," Joseph said, a note of censure in his voice.

"You know damn well what I was doing," Eli said, his anger apparent. "You were the one who booked the job. Now I get why. I'm sure this was your plan all along."

Jazmin looked dismayed at the suggestion. "Eli, that's ridiculous! We weren't doing anything but talking," she said. "There's no conspiracy."

Eli gave a bitter laugh. "Not on your part, no," he said. He gave Joseph a knowing look. "He is looking to get close to you anyway he can."

"Jazmin and I are just friends," Joseph said easily. "I didn't mean to step on your toes."

"He knows we're just friends," Jazmin said to Joseph, getting upset.

"Well, your friend better leave or I will," Eli said, done dealing with the man. He sat the flowers down on the table.

Jazmin had too much of her mother and her grandmother in her to tolerate rude manners and looked aghast at Eli's rudeness. "Eli, there's no reason to be rude," she admonished.

"Yes, there is," Joseph said. "I'm the one crashing your dinner. I should've left an hour ago. I'm sorry."

Eli visibly relaxed when Joseph left. "That guy has a lot of nerve," he said. He frowned down at the sign of them eating. "I guess, though, you didn't mind too much."

Jazmin couldn't believe him. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" her temper finally igniting.

"Nothing," he said, not really wanting to fight with her. He felt guilty for being late, so he'd rushed to get there only to find her obviously enjoying a nice dinner with her ex.

"It's not nothing when you behave this way and look at me like that," she said in a clipped tone. "You know there's nothing going on between Joseph and me, right?"

"I trust you," he replied. "But I don't trust him. I won't ever. If that's a problem for you, then we have a problem."

Jazmin gave him a sad look. "The problem is I made you a really nice dinner. I wanted tonight to be special. I was hoping we could finally be together again and that I could let you be close to me," she confessed. "But right now, I don't feel very close to you." She walked to her bedroom and shut the door.

Eli's stomach clenched at her words, and he felt like an ass. When she went into her room and slammed the door, he knew he was one. He sat down on the kitchen chair waiting to see if she was going to come out. Ten minutes passed, and he debated what to do. Jazmin was still fragile, so he wasn't sure how to proceed. He didn't want her to think he just wanted sex from her, a conclusion she might draw if he pushed his way into her bedroom. It had to come from her. She had to be clear about what she wanted from him. Eli didn't want her to feel pressured. When another ten minutes passed without a sound from her, he got up and left.

Jazmin was curled up on the bed still in her dress. She was waiting for Eli to come in and apologize. After ten minutes, she'd gotten on the bed and laid down. When she heard the front door shut, she sat up in dismay. He'd left. He'd left without even saying goodbye. The shock of that froze up the tears she'd been battling. What had happened?

******Thea's Sorority House******

Wallace was slow dancing with Thea; something the two didn't get to do very often. "Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?" Wallace whispered to her.

Thea smiled at him and nodded. God, he was so sweet. How had she lived without him before? All she'd had before him were her books, the next school project, an occasional sorority function. Now her life was so full. Full of him. He wasn't intimidated by her intelligence but proud. He didn't resent her studies but studied with her or watched a game while she studied.

"Did I tell you that sometimes I wake up at night and can't believe you're real? I can't believe there's a man like you out there. Even though my parents are in love, I didn't know or understand what it meant to be loved by a man," she said. "If this ended tomorrow, you've changed me for all time. I'll never be the same. I am so much better having known you."

Wallace was caught off guard by her words. Sometimes, he was afraid that she'd grow bored with him because he wasn't her equal. Not in any way. Then she'd turn around and say something like this, and he'd fall even more in love with her. "This will never end," he vowed. "I'm going to love you until my last breath." He kissed her, trying to let her know with his lips how precious she was to him.

Duncan was dancing nearby with Kayla. The sight of Wallace and Thea filled him with envy. The way they looked at one another—like there was no one else in the room—made him long for so much more.

"Don't they just make you sick?" Kayla said, watching them. "Can they be more in love?"

Duncan chuckled. "Yeah," he said. The song ended. "Can you tell me where the bathroom is?" She did. He walked to the bathroom, standing in the line. The music wasn't as loud as most Greek parties. The ladies were trying and mostly succeeding in promoting a romantic atmosphere. Candlelight illuminated the rooms, casting a soft, romantic glow over the couples. There was a room for games and drinking for those not so coupled. Duncan was trying to get into the mood. Kayla looked hot, and he found her attractive. She was down to earth and smart. However, she wasn't looking to be as serious as their friends. She just wanted someone to relax and have fun with. Duncan knew she was exactly the kind of girl he needed right now.

However, he couldn't get Dick's words out of his mind. Unable to resist, he pulled out his cell and got on Facebook. The happy posting he read from Parker, though, cemented things for him.

Having a romantic time with the love of my life.

The words pierced him hard, filling him with pain. He took care of his business with the words flashing in his head. When he made it back to Kayla, he knew he had to make a change. It was time to really move on.

He flashed Kayla a smile. "So I was thinking we could go someplace a little more private?" he suggested.

Kayla smiled. He was very cute and athletic. However, she had sensed a hesitancy about him, so she hadn't figured the night would amount to much. She decided to test him. "Do I get to see you naked?" she asked with a wink.

Duncan's mouth opened in surprise at her bluntness. When she grinned at him, he laughed. "Well, you can. Or we could play a game of cards," he suggested.

Kayla grabbed his hand. "I have the best deck of cards upstairs in my room. Come on, I'll show you!" she said, a twinkle of fun in her eyes.

Smiling, Duncan went with her, more than a little determined to erase Parker Lee from his mind.

*****Chapter End****