"You seem to have high expectations for this evening," Summer said.
"Even though you and I are speaking to each other again, I feel like there's distance between us," Fen said, "I would like for us to be comfortable with one another, like we used to be."
"After everything that has happened, do you think that's possible?" Summer said.
"I hope so," Fen said, "You and I have a lifelong connection and we used to talk to each other about anything. We were best friends."
"I miss that too," Summer said, "I guess we messed it up."
"What do you mean?" Fen said.
"I've been thinking that we never should have been together romantically," Summer said.
"You don't mean that," Fen said, "We had an amazing life together."
"Yes, but because our romance didn't work out, we are not as close as we used to be," Summer said, "I don't like it, but that's the way it is."
"Things don't have to be this way," Fen said, "I believe we can get our friendship back on track."
"Maybe you're right," Summer said, "We have been getting too deep into our feelings and that is putting up barriers."
"So, why don't we just sit back and enjoy each other's company," Fen said.
"Agreed," Summer said, "Let's start with some menu selections."
"With all these dishes, it's not an easy choice," Fen said.
"We should get an appetizer," Summer said, "Remember we had those cheese nachos before?"
"What about the four cheese spinach dip?" Fen said, "You always said that was one of you favorites."
When Fen didn't get an answer he looked up at Summer, who was staring past him, with panic in her eyes.
"Summer?" Fen said. Fen turned to follow her gaze, however all he saw was other patrons.
Fen touched her hand, startling her. "Summer, what is going on with you?" Fen said, "Are you not feeling well?"
"Traci Abbott is over there," Summer said. Fen began to turn his head, when Summer said, "No, don't look!"
"Why not?" Fen said.
"I don't want her to see me," Summer said, "What if she already has?"
"I don't get it," Fen said, "What is so bad about Traci being here?"
"If she sees me, with you, she might tell Kyle," Summer said.
Fen frowned in confusion, before saying, "Wait, didn't you tell Kyle you were having dinner with me?"
Summer shifted uncomfortably, as she said, "Not exactly."
"What did you tell him?" Fen said.
"A little white lie," Summer said, "I told him I was having dinner with my Mom."
As Paul and Traci, settled in at their table, Traci said, "I am so glad you suggested coming here tonight. This will be a nice change of pace."
"I am happy you accepted," Paul said.
"I have to admit," Traci started, "Phyllis told me about your separation from Christine. My understanding is your marriage is over."
"Unfortunately, that is true," Paul said, "We tried to save our relationship, but in the end we both agreed it was best to walk away."
"I am sorry to hear that," Traci said, "I know firsthand how hard it is when a marriage ends."
"It helps to have the company of a good friend," Paul smiled.
"I am happy to oblige," Traci said.
"I hope you brought your appetite," Paul said, looking at the menu, "They have some very enticing items to choose from."
"They certainly do," Traci said, scanning the menu. Traci glanced up when something caught her eye. "Oh…" she said.
"Did you find something you would like?" Paul said.
"I wasn't commenting on the menu," Traci said, "I noticed someone across the room."
"Is a friend of yours here?" Paul said.
"Summer Newman is over there," Traci said.
Looking in the direction of the other couple, Paul said, "She's with Fen."
"Yes, it's very curious," Traci said.
"Maybe it's a romance rekindling," Paul said.
"I hope not," Traci said.
"Why's that?" Paul said.
"My nephew and Summer recently became engaged," Traci said.
"Kyle?" Paul said, "That's wonderful."
"It's disconcerting to see my nephew's future wife, with her ex-fiancé," Traci said.
"Could be two friends having dinner," Paul said.
"I am not so sure about that," Traci said. Traci watched Fen making Summer laugh, he was clearly flirting with her. Focusing back on Paul, Traci said, "I'm sorry. Look at me, letting my imagination get the best of me. I would like to continue focusing on our evening. Where were we?"
"We were deciding what to order for dinner," Paul said.
"Yes," Traci said, searching the menu, "Let's see."
"That was so good," Summer said, setting her napkin down, with a satisfied smile.
"Are you ready to order dessert?" Fen said.
"I don't think I have any room," Summer said.
"Not even for cheesecake?" Fen said, "With strawberry drizzle?"
"Stop it," Summer laughed.
"We need to work off our main course," Fen said, "I know a good way to do that."
"How?" Summer said.
Standing up and holding out his hand, Fen said, "Dance with me?"
Summer looked up at him and smiling she took his hand. Fen led her to the dance floor and stood holding her close.
Swaying to the music, they looked into each other's eyes, before merging in closer, over each other's shoulder. Comfortable in Fen's arms, Summer let her feelings for him surface, momentarily closing her eyes in contentment.
Fen had longed to hold Summer close. He was reminded of the graceful way she moved, her intoxicating smell and the warmth of her breath on his neck.
Once the music paused, Fen took Summer's hand and led her back to their table.
"I think I'm ready for dessert," Summer said, eager to extend her time with Fen.
"Me too," Fen said, "But first, I need to ask you something."
"What kind of dessert?" Summer said.
"No," Fen said, "Did you really lie to Kyle, about where you were going tonight?"
"I'm not proud of it, but yes I did," Summer said.
"Why weren't you honest with him?" Fen said.
"You remember how he acted when you came by the house at Christmas," Summer said.
"You think he would have given you a hard time?" Fen said.
"I know he would have," Summer said, "I didn't want to deal with the hassle."
"Summer, I know I said, I wasn't going to bring this up," Fen said, "But I feel like I have to say this."
"Go ahead," Summer said.
"If you have to lie to Kyle about having dinner with a friend, because otherwise he will have a fit," Fen said, "That doesn't speak very well for Kyle or your relationship with him."
"It's better this way," Summer said.
"Are you ashamed to be seen with me?" Fen said.
"No, of course not," Summer said, "This isn't about you."
"Then why didn't you say anything to him?" Fen said.
"I don't understand it," Summer said, "My fiancé is so threatened by my relationship with you."
"Does he think I am trying to steal you away from him?" Fen said.
"I don't know," Summer said, "I've tried to reassure him and get him to talk about this, but he just glosses over it or changes the subject or kisses me."
"This is a big issue in your relationship," Fen said, "It sounds like Kyle doesn't trust you the way he should."
"He tells me he does," Summer said, "He has a jealous streak though."
"Of me?" Fen said.
"Of what you and I had," Summer said.
"Do you mean, he's trying to live up to what we had?" Fen said.
"I'm not sure I understand," Summer said.
"It sounds like Kyle thinks you and I had a more secure relationship, than he does with you," Fen said.
"I don't think that's it," Summer said.
"Kyle is not treating you right," Fen said, "He is not giving you the love and respect that you deserve." Fen took her hand and said, "I would never treat you that way."
"I know you wouldn't," Summer said, with tears coming to her eyes "Fen," she whimpered, "I feel like I'm losing Kyle, and I don't know what to do."
"I know you don't want to hear this," Fen said, "Maybe it's time to walk away."
"I don't want to hurt him," Summer said.
"Sounds to me like you are the one who is hurting," Fen said, "If he loves you, as much as you say he does, he won't want that to continue."
"That was delightful," Traci smiled across at Paul, "I don't usually give in to dessert like this, but once in a while it's worth it."
"And this was one of those times," Paul said.
"It was," Traci said, "I want to thank you. I've had a lovely evening."
"It's not over yet, is it?" Paul said.
"Do you have something else in mind?" Traci said.
"As a matter of fact, I have an idea," Paul said, "How about you and me, take a twirl on the dance floor."
"I would like that very much," Traci said.
Paul took Traci by the hand and as she moved in close with him, Traci noticed Summer and the tears on her face.
"Do you want me to take you home?" Fen said.
Summer shook her head. "I would rather stay here with you," she said.
"You mean, instead of…" Fen trailed off, "Sorry."
"I'm sorry, to be such a downer," Summer said.
"You?" Fen said, "Never." Summer smiled through her tears.
"There's something I want to say and I will never forgive myself if I don't," Fen said, "If there's any possibility, some way, some alternate universe, that you and I could be together again, I would want that. I do want that."
Summers temperament softened, as she looked at Fen. "All I want, is to be with you, for always," Fen continued, "I will never stop loving you. However, if that's not what you want and you are committed to Abbott, then I will respect that. I will back off and concede to be friends."
Reaching across and taking his hand, Summer said, "You are always so sweet to me."
"I can be a sweeter friend," Fen said. Summer looked at him quizzically, prompting Fen to continue, "Because I am about to order cheesecake."
Summer softly laughed as she said, "With strawberry drizzle?"
"That goes without saying," Fen said.
Their eyes met as they shared a smile.
Kyle paced the living room, checking his watch, "Where are you Summer?" he muttered to himself, "And who are you with? Or do I already know."
Kyle paused and then heading for the door he stopped himself. "No, you are not going to go look for her," he told himself, "She will come home with a decent explanation."
On cue, the front door opened and Summer stepped inside.
"There you are," Kyle said, "I was beginning to get worried."
"You didn't have to be concerned," Summer said, "I'm fine."
"Time flies when you having fun," Kyle said.
"You're right," Summer said.
"So, did you and your Mom have a good time?" Kyle said.
"What?" Summer said.
"Your Mom," Kyle said, "That's who you said you were meeting for dinner."
"Right," Summer said, "Yeah, we had fun."
"I'm glad to hear that," Kyle said, "Must have been hard for you though."
"What do you mean?" Summer said.
"You couldn't have had much fun with you Mom, because you weren't with her," Kyle said. Summer was at a loss for words, so Kyle continued, "You Mom showed up here, shortly after you left. When, I mentioned meeting you for dinner, she didn't know anything about it. So, Summer, would you like tell me what really went on tonight and why you felt the need to lie to me?"
Summer paced back and forth in front of Kyle.
"You flat out lied to me," Kyle said, "Don't you have anything to say for yourself?"
Summer faced him and pressing her hands together, she said, "I'm sorry, I wasn't honest with you. I told you I was with my Mom, because I thought it would upset you, to know I was meeting Fen."
"Meeting him for what?" Kyle said.
"We had dinner," Summer said, "Please don't speak to me in such a suspicious tone."
"What do you expect?" Kyle said, "I was worried sick. I didn't know where you were, who you were with, or for how long. Then I realized that you lied to me, on purpose and I couldn't figure out why."
"I'll tell you why," Summer said, "Every time I mention Fen's name you go into jealous mode."
"Maybe, because a snake in the grass," Kyle said.
"No, this isn't your dislike of him," Summer said, "It's that you dislike him spending time with me."
"So, you would rather be with Baldwin?" Kyle said.
"When you act like this, yes I would," Summer said. Kyle stared at Summer and she could see the hurt in his eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that," Summer apologized.
"I think maybe you did," Kyle said.
"Stop putting words in my mouth!" Summer said.
"You're the one who said them!" Kyle said, "I planned a romantic evening for us, but you blew me off, for Baldwin?"
"That's because, I had already made plans with him!" Summer said.
"Let's not forget you lied to me about it," Kyle said.
"What is going on in here?" a voice said. Kyle and Summer, were startled by the sight of Traci walking through the front door.
"I could hear you both yelling outside," Traci said.
Kyle drew sigh, before he said, "I'm sorry, Aunt Traci."
"Kyle and I are having a disagreement," Summer said.
"I don't know what this is about, but could you please discuss this calmly," Traci said, "It would be a much more productive way to resolve things. Now, I am going to go upstairs and leave you two alone."
After Traci retreated, Kyle and Summer stood silent, until Summer said, "She's right you know."
"I don't want to fight with you," Kyle said.
"We do need to talk," Summer said, "Do you think we can do that?"
Kyle took her hand and led Summer to the couch, where he sat with her. "Who wants to go first? he said.
"Kyle, I feel like you are threatened by my friendship with Fen," Summer began, "Why is that? Are you afraid he's going to steal me away? Do you think I could be swayed that easily?"
"I know, I haven't been supportive of your relationship with Baldwin," Kyle said, "Maybe, subconsciously I am afraid of history repeating itself."
"I would never cheat on you with anyone," Summer said.
"I know," Kyle said.
"Something is not right between us," Summer said, "You must feel it too."
"We have been drifting apart," Kyle said, "But we can fix it. Let's do our romantic evening tomorrow."
"Kyle, romance isn't going to solve things," Summer said.
"It could bring us closer," Kyle said.
"For how long?" Summer said.
"Okay, things are strained between us, but it's just a rough patch," Kyle said, "We can get through this."
"Maybe, this was a mistake," Summer said.
"You're right, we should talk about this later," Kyle said, "After a good night's sleep, we will have clearer heads to talk."
"I didn't mean the argument was a mistake," Summer said, "I meant…us."
"You don't honestly believe that," Kyle said.
"I had just broken up with my fiancé," Summer said, "And you were right there asking me to be with you."
"It was what we both wanted," Kyle said.
Summer nodded. "I know that's what I said. I had been on an emotional roller coaster and there you were being so sweet to me. I latched on to you, but it was too fast."
"Are you saying I was your rebound?" Kyle said, "A distraction?"
"I don't think that," Summer said. She sighed and continued, "Maybe you were."
Kyle paused, before saying, "I refuse to believe what we have isn't real."
"Of course it is," Summer said, "Things are not the way they should be."
"Relationships take work," Kyle said.
"It shouldn't be this hard to love you!" Summer blurted out.
"You…you're saying you don't love me?" Kyle said.
"I didn't say that," Summer said.
"Sure sounded like it," Kyle said.
"I love you," Summer said, "Just not the way I should. I can't do this anymore."
"I understand your upset," Kyle said, "Don't breakup with me because of one disagreement."
"I have felt this way for sometime," Summer said.
"Then why didn't you talk to me sooner?" Kyle said.
"I have been dreading this conversation," Summer said, "I didn't want to hurt you."
"Hearing you say that you want to walk away, hurts pretty good," Kyle said, "How much of this is him? What did Baldwin say to you?"
"This isn't about anyone else," Summer said, "I feel like we've lost our trust and are just going through the motions and things can't continue like this."
"I can't you believe you feel this way," Kyle said.
"I'm sorry," Summer said, taking off her engagement ring and holding it out to him.
"Summer, what are you doing?" Kyle said.
"I can't go through with it," Summer said, her tears beginning to fall.
"What about Diana?" Kyle said, "She loves you. We were building a family together."
"I love that sweet little girl too," Summer said, "But she is not mine. She should not be the reason we stay together."
"Okay," Kyle panicked, "We have issues. We can work them out. Go to counselling, get away together, whatever it takes. I'm not giving up on us."
"We weren't meant to be," Summer said.
"I will never believe that," Kyle said, "Summer, I love you. Please don't walk away from us."
Summer leaned in, pulling Kyle into a kiss. Kyle held her close as Summer whispered, "I can't."
Taking a few steps away, Summer put her engagement ring on the coffee table and walked towards the door.
"Summer, please don't leave," Kyle pleaded.
With her back to him, Summer paused, as tears spilled down her cheeks. Without looking back, she walked out the door. As she pulled it closed behind her, she heard the pain in Kyle's voice as he called, "Summer?"
Opening her front door, Rachel was surprised by her visitor. "Kyle?" Rachel said, "I wasn't expecting you this late." Detecting the sorrow in his eyes she said, "What's wrong?"
"You said if I ever needed an ear," Kyle said, "I think I will take you up on that."
Looking at him with concern Rachel reached out her hand, to which Kyle accepted.
Shutting off his tablet, Fen tossed it aside. Standing up with a sigh, he decided to get some sleep. He had taken a few steps toward the bedroom, when he was distracted by a knock on the apartment door.
Assuming it was another tenant or the landlord, Fen approached the door with a grumble. "I'm not making any noise," he said, under his breath, "What is it this time?"
Fen opened the door, taken by surprise to see Summer. She flew at him in a flurry of tears, Fen reciprocating, as he put his arms around her.
"Hey, it's okay," Fen soothed.
Holding Fen tight, Summer sobbed on his shoulder.