Phyllis stood in the front hallway, as Billy stormed over to the couch to face Kyle and Rachel.
"What are you doing here?" Billy repeated.
"Nice way to greet someone," Kyle said.
Waiving a finger at Kyle, Billy said, "You stay out of this." Focusing back on Rachel, Billy said, "I asked you a question."
Standing up, Kyle said, "Hey, take it easy."
"That's a good idea," Phyllis said, stepping into the room, "Why don't we all take it easy."
"You're getting on my last nerve," Billy said, to Kyle.
"Right back at you," Kyle said.
Rachel stood up as Billy stepped closer to her.
"Back off, Billy," Kyle said. Noticing the way Billy was glaring at Rachel and how nervous it was making her, Kyle stepped in between them. "Back off," Kyle repeated.
"Or what?" Billy taunted.
"Or I'll make you," Kyle said.
Billy laughed and said, "Oh you will?" Losing his laugh he continued, "I'd like to see you try."
Surprising Billy, Kyle shoved him backwards. Billy returned a shove to Kyle as Phyllis rushed over. "Stop it! Stop it both of you ," she said, "This isn't going to solve anything."
"She's not supposed to be here!" Billy yelled.
"I was invited to stay," Rachel said.
"Invited?" Billy said, enraged, "By who? Kyle, did you bring her here?"
"Ashley made the offer for me to stay here," Rachel said.
"Well, Ashley did not check with me about it," Billy said, "So you are going to have to make other arrangements."
"You moved back in here?" Rachel said.
"Yes, we did," Billy said, gesturing to himself and Phyllis.
"I didn't know," Rachel said, "I thought you and Victoria were still…"
"We are not still…" Billy said, "So get you stuff and get out."
"Billy…" Phyllis soothed.
"She's not going anywhere," Kyle said.
"Oh yes she is," Billy said.
"Kyle, I appreciate you standing up for me, but maybe it's best if I go," Rachel said.
"No," Kyle said, "He doesn't have the right to bully you out of here."
"I have every right," Billy said, "She tried to kill me."
Kyle looked from Billy to Rachel.
"She didn't tell you that part did she?" Billy said, "How she slashed me with a knife, more than once. I've got the scars to prove it. Then she nearly choked Victoria to death."
"Why do you have to keep bringing it up?" Rachel said, "I know what I did and I've paid for it. I've apologized what more do you want from me!"
"I don't want anything from you," Billy said, "It's time for you to go."
"Not happening," Kyle said, "Ashley wants her here, Jack and Traci don't mind if she stays and I am okay with her staying. So you are out voted. If you don't like it, you leave."
"It's a big house," Phyllis said, "And it's only temporary remember? I'm sure we can all stay out of each other's way and coexist."
"You can't be serious," Billy said, "You expect me to turn my back with her around?"
"I have no interest in doing anything to you, Billy," Rachel said, "I have no interest in you at all."
Billy was quiet for a moment. He looked at Phyllis who nodded. "Fine," he said, "But let me tell you something. You make one mistake, one misstep and I will personally make sure you end up back where you came from. Understood?"
"I would really appreciate if you would not speak to her that way," Kyle said.
"Why do you care so much?" Billy said, "You hardly know her."
"I know enough to know she's my friend," Kyle said.
"Yeah…." Billy said, "She was my friend at one time too. Look how that turned out."
"Why don't we turn in?" Phyllis said. Billy hesitated, so Phyllis prompted him, "Come on."
Billy followed Phyllis to the stairs, saying, "You're making a mistake if you put your trust in her."
Kyle looked back at Rachel, who was visibly shaken.
Walking over to her, Kyle said, "Are you okay?"
Wiping a few escaped tears away, Rachel said, "Why does he have to be so mean?"
"Because that's the way he is," Kyle said, "He doesn't know how to deal."
"He's right," Rachel said, "I did a horrible thing. Nothing I do is ever going to make it right. He hates me and he's not going to stop until he makes everyone else hate me too."
"He can't change the way I feel," Kyle said, trying to offer her a smile.
"Why are you so nice to me?" Rachel said, "You know what I did and who I did it to."
"I believe in second chances," Kyle said, "I'm in your corner. That's not going to change."
Kyle offered her a hug, her tears coming out as she accepted. "Okay," Kyle said, rubbing her back in an effort to soothe her.
Kyle was in the living room the next morning, when Billy came down the stairs. "Sleep well?" Kyle said.
"Hardly," Billy said.
"I want to talk to you," Kyle said, "About what happened yesterday."
"Don't start with me," Billy said.
"You weren't just angry with Rachel," Kyle said, "You were flat out mean to her."
"I was?" Billy said. Untucking his shirt, he lifted it up to reveal a scar. "She was mean to me too," Billy said.
"Are you satisfied that you made her cry?" Kyle said.
Tucking his shirt back in, Billy said, "That's too bad. What about Victoria and the way she cried, her mother and my mother, they all cried."
Jack came down the stairs, immediately picking up on the tension. "What's going on here?" he said.
"Billy, has an issue with our houseguest," Kyle said.
"Jack, how could you and Ashley let that woman into our house?" Billy said.
"She needed a place to stay," Jack said, "You know she and her sister were always like family."
"And you know what she did to me," Billy said.
"I was hoping that was in the past," Jack said, "I'm sorry if this is difficult for you, but she has paid the price for what she did."
"That's what I've been trying to tell him," Kyle said.
"So you don't have a problem with her staying here," Jack said.
"Not at all," Kyle said, "The only one who has a problem is Billy."
"You only want her here because you're attracted to her," Billy said, "Which, as I said before, is a big mistake."
Rachel came down the staircase, stopping halfway when she saw the three of them in the living room.
"All we are asking you to do is try," Jack was saying.
Rachel was about to go back upstairs when Kyle caught sight of her. "Good morning," Kyle cheerfully said, with a smile.
"See, what did I tell you," Billy muttered to Jack.
"Good morning," Rachel said, as she entered the living room.
"How did you sleep?" Kyle said.
"That was the most comfortable bed, I've been in for ages," Rachel said, "Although, I didn't get much sleep."
"What do you say we go into the other room for breakfast," Jack said.
"I've lost my appetite," Billy said, "I'm going to the office."
As Billy left, Jack said, "Then I guess it's just the three of us."
"Actually, I have to go too," Kyle said, "I have an early meeting. Can I drop you at the coffeehouse on the way?"
"I hate to pass up an offer to be in that car again, but my shift doesn't start until later today," Rachel said, "Thanks anyway."
"Well, if you want a ride, I can pick you up after your shift," Kyle said, "Maybe we can go out together?"
"Another date?" Rachel said.
"I like the sound of that," Kyle said.
"Me too," Rachel smiled.
Kyle returned her smile as he said, "I'll see you later then."
"Dad," he said in acknowledgement, as he headed for the door.
"Kyle," Jack said, in return.
As Kyle shut the door behind him, Jack noticed Rachel was smiling and seemed excited.
"You and Kyle seem to be getting along well," Jack said.
"You have a very handsome son," Rachel said.
"Not to pry," Jack said, "But did I hear something about a date?"
"Okay, I like Kyle," Rachel said, "Quite a bit. I like spending time with him and I think he likes spending time with me."
"Oh, I think he does too," Jack smiled.
Phyllis came down the stairs to find only Rachel in the living room. Looking around she said, "Where is everyone?"
"They all left for work," Rachel said.
"I didn't think Billy had to be in early today," Phyllis said.
"I think the offices at Jabot were more appealing than being here," Rachel said, "Because at the office, he doesn't have to deal with me."
"He is having a hard time with the new living situation," Phyllis said.
"If you're going to try to get to me to leave, for Billy's sake, you can forget it," Rachel said.
"I wasn't going to do that," Phyllis said, "I just wish there was a way you two could work this out."
"I thought you would be on Billy's side," Rachel said.
"I am always on Billy's side," Phyllis said, "But I don't like to see him so upset. All he talked about last night was the way you attacked him and he's concerned that it could happen again. Not only to him but to someone else."
"There's no need for him to worry," Rachel said, "I have no desire to hurt him again."
"I'm glad to hear you say that," Phyllis said.
"Except when I say it to Billy, he doesn't believe me," Rachel said.
"He was not expecting to see you," Phyllis said, "He certainly was not expecting to share his home with you. He's feeling overwhelmed. After we went upstairs last night he got a little emotional about all this."
"He's not the only one," Rachel said, "I get that this is hard for him, it's hard for me too. Billy was really angry yesterday. At least Kyle defended me, but it still wasn't easy to hear Billy rant at me."
"Yes, Kyle was very protective of you," Phyllis said.
"I think he's going to be a good friend," Rachel said.
"A friend," Phyllis said, "It may be none of my business, but when Billy and I came home last night, I got the feeling that we interrupted something between you and Kyle."
"You're right," Rachel said, ""It's none of your business."
"Let me give you some advice," Phyllis said.
"You want to give me advice," Rachel said, "This ought to be fun."
"Kyle Abbott is very…determined to get ahead in life," Phyllis said, "And what Kyle wants, Kyle gets. It doesn't matter to him who he has to step on or how dirty he has to play to get it. If things don't go his way he throws a tantrum. He retaliates until he gets what he wants."
"Nothing wrong with being ambitious," Rachel said.
"Rachel, I'm sure things seem exciting now and you may start this wonderful romantic relationship. But be careful, he's a snake and if you cross him he will bite, " Phyllis said.
"Nobody likes to be double crossed," Rachel said, "Everyone reacts differently."
"Woman to woman, just some advice to tread cautiously with this one," Phyllis said, "He's also charming and smooth and if he can sweep you off your feet if he wants to. Don't give too much of your heart away to him just yet."
Rachel didn't answer, so Phyllis said, "But he's already swept you off your feet. You're falling for him."
"We have a date tonight," Rachel said.
"So, break it," Phyllis said.
"I will not," Rachel said, defensively.
"It's up to you if take my advice," Phyllis said, grabbing her purse, "Don't say I didn't warn you if what I've said comes true."
As Phyllis opened the front door, she looked back and said, "And for the record, Billy, doesn't hate you."
Phyllis left Rachel standing in the living room, pondering everything she'd been told.
Rachel hummed to herself as she prepared a customer's order of coffee at Crimson Lights. Turing to face the counter she set it down and with a smile she said, "There you go."
Rachel continued to hum as she worked, until she realized Tessa was watching her.
"Don't stop on my account," Tessa said.
Rachel smiled and said, "Sorry, did I get too carried away?"
"Not at all," Tessa said, "However, what's with this fantastic mood you're in?"
"I feel good," Rachel said.
"No, something's going on," Tessa said, "And you're holding out on me."
"It's nothing," Rachel said.
"Rachel, I'm your friend right?" Tessa said, "So tell me."
"Okay," Rachel said, "I have a date tonight…with Kyle."
"Kyle Abbott?" Tessa smiled, "A date?"
"Don't make such big deal," Rachel said.
"He asked you out on your first date together," Tessa said, "It is a big deal."
"It's not our first date," Rachel said.
"What?" Tessa said, "So you have been holding out on me. When was this other date?"
"It wasn't really a date," Rachel said, "It was just pizza and we called it a date…for fun."
"Whose idea was it to go out for pizza?" Tessa said.
"Kyle made the offer," Rachel said.
"I hate to break it to you," Tessa said, "But that sounds like a real date to me. Also, you're blushing. Are you falling for him?"
"You don't give up do you?" Rachel said.
"You are falling for him," Tessa said excited, "This is so great."
Rachel smiled as her phone beeped.
"That could be lover boy calling," Tessa said.
"Would you stop?" Rachel said, checking her text message.
Noticing Rachel's smile as she looked at her phone, Tessa knew she was right about who it was. Rachel simply put her phone away without saying anything.
"Oh come on," Tessa said, "What was that about? He didn't cancel on you did he? Because if he did, he and I are going to have a serious talk. I mean, I will make him understand that you don't do that, that you…"
"Tessa," Rachel said, "Kyle didn't cancel on me. He just wanted to let me know he made reservations at the club for dinner and he's going to pick me up here, after my shift."
"Oh," Tessa said, "Sorry, I get carried away sometimes."
"It's okay…" Rachel trailed off and lost her smile, "Oh,no."
"What?" Tessa said.
"The club, is it a fancy place?" Rachel said, "I mean do people dress up?"
"I guess," Tessa said, "If it's a dinner date, usually."
"I can't do this, I can't go," Rachel said.
"What do you mean you can't go?" Tessa said.
"I don't have anything to wear to a place like that and I don't have time to go get anything. Not that I could afford it anyway," Rachel fretted, "I'm going to have to call him back and cancel."
"Don't you dare," Tessa said, "A solution is bound to present itself."
They were both quiet until Tessa exclaimed, "A-ha! I have an idea."
Rachel continued to serve customers and wipe tables, while anxiety was building up over her date with Kyle.
"Tessa, you said you had this great idea," Rachel said, walking behind the front counter, "Would you like to share it with me?"
"Actually the solution to your problem is arriving right now," Tessa said, nodding to Mariah as she entered the coffeehouse.
With her arms full of dressing bags, Mariah approached the front counter and said, "I have three different dresses for you, I'm pretty sure they're the right size, any of them will look great on you. I've got purse accessories that match, some jewelry and I brought some make-up so you can touch up."
"What is all this?" Rachel said.
"Dresses from wardrobe at my set, for your date tonight," Mariah said, "Tessa called and said you were panicking about having nothing to wear."
"This was your terrific idea?" Rachel said.
"Just trying to help," Tessa said.
"This is great, thank you," Rachel said.
"So, Kyle asked you on a date," Mariah said.
"Yes, he did," Rachel said, slightly blushing, "I'm looking forward to it."
"She's got it pretty bad for him," Tessa said.
Mariah smiled as Rachel said, "Did I say that?"
"You didn't have to," Tessa and Mariah said together.
"It's not a bad thing to like him," Mariah said, "You could do much worse than Kyle."
"He is really handsome," Rachel said, "He's charming and fun to be with. I'm so nervous about tonight."
"Kyle is the one who is going to be nervous when he sees you in one of these dresses," Mariah said, "Therefore, go and try them on." Holding up a dress bag, Mariah said, "Try this one first, it's my personal favourite."
As Rachel was in the back office, getting ready for her date, Mariah said, "I'm a little surprised that Kyle asked Rachel out on a date."
"I hope he likes her as much as she likes him," Tessa said, "I think they're a good match, don't you?"
"It's not that," Mariah said, "I just thought that he was dating someone else. What was her name…Lola?"
"I guess it didn't work out with her," Tessa said.
Summer entered the coffeehouse and approached the front counter. Leaning against the counter she said, "I need a mocha coffee and I'll take two of those fruit pastries as well."
Tessa and Mariah exchanged glances, knowing that Kyle was going to arrive any minute to meet Rachel.
"I assume that's to go?" Tessa said.
"Yes," Summer said, "Today, please."
"Bad day?" Mariah said.
"Don't make it worse," Summer said.
"I wouldn't dream of it," Mariah said.
Rushing to get the order, Tessa popped it onto the counter in front of Summer. "There you go," she said.
"Maybe I should pay?" Summer said.
"Right," Tessa said, ringing in the order.
Summer made her payment, as Tessa and Mariah saw Kyle enter through the patio.
"I'm just going to go and check on things in the back," Tessa said.
"Excuse me," Mariah said, rushing to the patio to intercept Kyle. Stepping into his path, she said, "Hi."
"Hi," Kyle said.
"You know, you look really nice," Mariah said.
"Thanks," Kyle said. He gestured his need to get past her.
"Don't go in there," Mariah said.
"Why not?" Kyle said.
"Kyle?" Summer said, approaching him.
Wincing, Mariah said, "That's why." Kyle nodded.
"Summer," Kyle said.
Summer looked him up and down, before she said, "Wow, you look really handsome."
"Thank you," Kyle said.
"Hot date?" Summer said.
"I do," Kyle said.
"Dressed up like that you must be taking Lola somewhere really nice," Summer said.
"Actually…" Mariah started.
Kyle cut her off saying, "Actually, it's none of your business."
"Fine," Summer said, "If you'll excuse me, I wouldn't want to intrude." She walked away in a huff.
"Sorry, I tried to spare you," Mariah said.
"I'm here to meet Rachel," Kyle said.
"I know, I heard all about your date," Mariah said, "It's nice to know you came to your senses."
"Excuse me?" Kyle said.
"You asked the right woman on a date," Mariah said.
"As opposed to what?" Kyle said.
"Okay, I probably shouldn't tell you this," Mariah said.
"Then maybe don't tell me," Kyle said.
"Rachel really likes you," Mariah said, "Really a lot."
"I really like her," Kyle said, "Really a lot."
"She's been excited about your date all day," Mariah said.
"Has she?" Kyle smiled, "I plan to take her out for a nice evening."
Motioning for him to come closer, Kyle leaned in as Mariah said, "You and I both know you don't do just nice evenings."
"Unforgettably romantic?" Kyle said.
"Much better," Mariah said. Spotting Rachel, emerging from the back office, Mariah said, "She chose the favourite."
"What?" Kyle said.
"I believe you date is ready," Mariah said, guiding him to the entrance way from the patio.
Across the room, Tessa said, "Well, there he is. Now, just a deep breath and no need for nerves."
"Do you see how incredibly handsome he looks right now?" Rachel said, "How can I not be nervous?"
"She looks really beautiful," Mariah said.
"Yes, she does," Kyle said, not able to take his eyes off Rachel.
"You're not nervous are you?" Mariah said.
"Don't be ridiculous," Kyle said, unconvincingly.
Giving Kyle a little shove, Mariah said, "Go get her Romeo."
Mariah watched as Tessa, did a last minute touch up to Rachel's hair. Taking her hands, Tessa smiled and said, "You're a vision." When she saw Kyle coming she quickly scooted around the other side of the counter.
"Hi there," Kyle said, "You look amazingly beautiful."
"Thank you," Rachel smiled, "You look very handsome yourself."
Offering her his arm, Kyle said, "Shall we?"
Rachel linked arms with Kyle, glancing at Tessa who gave her an encouraging smile as they left the coffeehouse.
Summer entered the Athletic club, stopping when she saw someone at the bar. Approaching her, Summer said, "Lola?"
Realizing it was Summer, Lola sighed, rubbing her forehead with one hand. "What do you want Summer?"
Sitting next to her, Summer said, "I'm surprised to see you here."
"You know, I'm not in the mood, I have a raging headache," Lola said.
"Is that what you told Kyle?" Summer said.
"What are you talking about?" Lola said.
"Didn't you two have a date tonight?" Summer said.
"Not tonight," Lola said, "We don't go out every night."
"I just saw him at the coffeehouse," Summer said, "All dressed up for a date. I assumed he was meeting you there."
"I think he was meeting someone else," Lola said, staring past Summer.
Summer turned to follow her gaze, to see Kyle entering the club with his date on his arm.
"Who is that?" Lola said.
"Rachel," Summer distastefully said. She grabbed Lola's arm and led her a distance away where they couldn't be seen.
Kyle and Rachel were led to a table. As Kyle pulled out her chair for her, he said, "I hope this table is okay."
"It's perfect," Rachel said.
Summer and Lola watched as the waiter offered wine which the couple accepted.
"A toast?" Kyle said. Rachel smiled as Kyle said, "To a beautiful date and a romantic evening."
Summer rolled her eyes as they clinked glasses.
Looking at the menu's Kyle said, "What do you think?"
"It all looks so good, it's going to be hard to decide," Rachel said, "Some of it looks expensive."
"Don't worry about that just order whatever you want," Kyle said, "Maybe later we could dance."
"I'll think about it," Rachel teased. Kyle put his hands up in surrender.
Summer and Lola watched as someone approached Kyle and Rachel's table. "What is this?" Summer said.
"Excuse me?" a voice said beside Rachel and Kyle.
Rachel looked up surprised to see who she did. "Victoria," Rachel said.
"I hate to break up this date you appear to be having," Victoria said, "But you're going to have to leave."
"Excuse me?" Kyle said.
"I'm having dinner with my parents over there," Victoria said, "I'm just giving you fair warning to leave."
"Who do you think you are?" Kyle said, "We're having a date, no reason it should be any of your concern."
"It's very much my concern," Victoria said.
"How do you figure that?" Kyle said.
"She has a restraining order against me," Rachel said.
"Oh come on," Kyle said, "We're having dinner, we won't bother you."
"You can leave or I can call the police," Victoria said. "I don't think I have to tell you what will happen if I do that."
"Kyle, let's just go," Rachel said, pushing back her chair.
Kyle gave a heavy sigh as he stood up. Taking Rachel's hand, he passed by Victoria. "Thanks very much," he snapped.
Summer's mouth dropped open and Lola smiled as she watched Kyle and Rachel's date ruined.
"I guess he'll think twice about asking her out again," Summer said.
"If he ever does," Lola said, with a satisfied smile.