A few hours before…

Lee and Rosie sat at Rosie's dining room table enjoying a lovely dinner of roasted chicken, new potatoes and the best Brussel sprouts Lee had even tasted. Rosie had offered to cook a nice home cooked meal for him and he offered to bring dessert. He brought his famous chocolate mousse topped with strawberries.

They had just began dessert, enjoying flowing conversation when Lee made a direct statement.

"Rosie, I think you've been lying to me."

"What? Lee Coulter, I know we don't know each other that well yet but… you take that back!"

Lee let out a deep belly laugh. "Hear me out, Rosie. You're a pretty amazing cook."

"Well… thank you."

"You're welcome. So tell me, why is it you're taking a cooking class?"

"Oh, that…" She blushed with embarrassment.

"I feel like there's a story here," Lee laughed.

"There is. But it's not a very interesting one."

"I'd still like to hear it." His smile was so warm and genuine as he took her hand from across the table. She couldn't help but melt.

"Let's just say, I've met my fair share of men that aren't top shelf material."

"Ah, I see."

She took her napkin from her lap, wiping her mouth careful so not smudge her lipstick. "Let's also say, I've had my fair share of bad luck with men."

"Is that so?"

"It's true. I'm not one for the whole bar or club scene and there are a total of 3 single men at my church within my age bracket right now."

"And let me guess, the odds just aren't in your favor?" he teased.

"No," she laughed, "Then I saw an ad for a cooking class and thought, maybe I'll find a nice man there."

"Generally men who take cooking classes do so with their significant others."

"That's exactly what Jack said! And normally I would agree, but…"

"But I was there?"

"Correct!" she smiled. "So tell me Lee Coulter, how did a man like you who can make a dessert like this, end up in a cooking class at the learning center?

"Now that is an interesting story…" he rubbed his chin. "I lost a bet."

Rosie laughed her loud infectious laugh that Lee was quickly falling in love with. "What kind of bet?"

"I bet a rookie on the force I could out do him on the annual fitness review," he sighed. Rosie burst out laughing again. "How was I supposed to know he was captain for his college track team? It was so embarrassing! Though at least there was a bright side to it all."

"Which was?" Rosie flirted, thinking she must be the bright side.

"Well there two bright sides actually. But I think my favorite one is meeting you." He raised her hand to his lips giving her a tender kiss. "I'm really happy tonight, Rosie. You're someone truly special."

"Aw Lee, I feel the same way about you. What was the second?"

Lee gave a weak smile. "It was the first thing that seemed to make Beth truly laugh in months."

"Aw, that's sweet. You two are very close, huh?"

"Yeah, but I was even closer to her fiancé. He was my partner after all. She shut down when he died. Honestly I thought she blamed me at first. Lord knows I did."

"Lee, how would it have been your fault?"

"I was there too. I know now I couldn't have stopped it but it took time to realize that."

Rosie thought back to their double date. "You know I think her and Jack made a cute couple."

"They did!" Lee's smile returned. "Oh! That reminds me. Elizabeth finally found a house!

"That's wonderful! Where?"

"Do you know that house that's for sale next to Jack?"

"NO! Really?"

"Yup!"

A few hours later after Lee and Rosie said their goodbyes, Rosie ran to her cell to call Jack. When he didn't answer the first time, she called again and again until he finally answered.

"Jack! Jack! Oh this is so exciting! Can you believe it?"

"Rosie… are you okay?"

"More than okay!"

"Okay. Then I won't feel bad about doing this…" he took a deep breath before raising his voice a bit. "Rosemary Elaine Laveaux! Do you know what time it is?"

"Oh Jack, relax it's only… oh dear. It's 1:30."

"Yes, yes it is. Now, what is so important that you felt the need to call me now?"

"Well, I was having dinner with Lee tonight. He's absolutely amazing, Jack. I'm crazy about him!"

"Good, you deserve to be happy. Now can I go back to sleep?"

"Don't you having something to tell me?" she sang.

"Other than the fact that I'm lying here thinking of ways to get back at you for this?"

"Oh, Jack," she laughed. "You're so silly. I meant about a pretty brunette who just so happened to put an offer in on the house a stone's throw from you?"

"Oh," Jack smiled. "That. Yeah I think she'll like it there."

"And you'll really like having her there too, huh?"

"Rosie…"

"Alright! I'll let you go back to sleep. Goodnight!"

"Goodnight. And hey, Rosie?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm happy for you. Lee seems like a good one."

"Thanks Jack, I'm really happy," she giggled. "This could be the real thing."

"For you Rosie, I hope it is."

The next morning….

Elizabeth sat at her desk, staring at her phone, tapping her fingers on her desk. She had been debating with herself over and over whether to accept Jack's invitation to dinner. On one hand, they were becoming friends and friends ate dinner at each other's houses, didn't they? On the other hand, she didn't think she was ready for more than a friendship and what if after dinner, she started feeling things? Things she had only ever felt for Trevor?

Yes, Jack Thornton was very attractive and his dimples made her want to melt but her heart still yearned for Trevor. He was…. She sighed. "I guess that's everyone's point," she muttered. He was her fiancé. He was gone now. There was nothing that could bring him back. There was also nothing wrong with being friends with a potential neighbor.

She picked up her phone and pulled up her contacts. When she found his name, she texted him.

"I'd love to have dinner with you on Sunday. What should I bring?"

"Ready, Thatcher?" Lee asked as he walked by her desk.

"Yes." She stood, placed her hat on her head, and walked out the door.

By the time the day was over, she had rethought and changed her mind at least a dozen times. When she grabbed her phone from her desk, she noticed a blinking light indicating she had a text.

She smiled as she read the text. "Just yourself. 6pm. It will be nice to see you."

"What are you smiling at, Thatcher?"

She slid her phone in her pocket and turned to Lee. "Nothing. See you tomorrow."

"Beth? It's good to see you smile again."

"I smile, Lee."

"Not much and this seems different. I'm just glad is all."

She looked at her friend and then impulsively hugged him. "Thanks, Lee."

Sunday was two days away. She needed to find something new to wear that wasn't ten years old and didn't have Philadelphia PD on it.

She took out her phone and dialed Julie. She waited as the phone rang and rang.

"Beth? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Why would something be wrong?"

"You don't call much and usually you're upset when you do."

"I need your help."

"What kind of help?"

"Can you meet me at the mall?"

"You're going shopping? You, Officer Thatcher?"

"You know what? Nevermind. I can go myself." Elizabeth was already nervous about her friendship with Jack and now her sister's teasing or disapproval was more than she wanted to deal with.

"Beth, I'm sorry. I'll meet you, of course. Cascades Mall?"

"Yeah. An hour?"

She drove her SUV to the mall and walked inside, surprised to see Julie waiting for her.

"Hey," Julie greeted. "Let's get something to eat before we shop."

They headed to the pizzeria that was in the middle of the mall. She hadn't had good pizza in awhile.

"Do you want to share, or just get our own?" Julie asked.

"I'm not sure. We can share."

"Do you want barbecue chicken and bacon? That sounds amazing."

"Yeah. I'll get a salad too."

After they ordered, Julie noticed Elizabeth staring at her hands. "Beth? What's up with you? You seem lost or something."

"I put an offer in on a house on the east side. I hope I get it."

"You're moving?"

"I have to. It's too hard to live where I am now. Too many memories."

"Why the sudden need to shop?"

"Because my only dress is ten years old and I own one pair of jeans and yoga pants and my uniform."

"What's the real reason?" They may not have chatted in awhile but Julie could still read her. She knew her sister better than almost anyone.

"I'm going to dinner at a friend's house."

"A male friend?"

"Yes."

"That's great, Beth." Julie saw the tears forming.

"Is it? I feel so scared one minute and then ready to see what happens, the next. I don't know if I should do this, Julie."

"Yes, you should." She touched her arm and smiled. "You are such a kind, wonderful person, Beth. Trevor was so in love with you and he would never want you to put your life on hold missing him. He would want you to love again."

"I told Jack, that's his name, that I just want to be friends."

"Ok, that's a good start. Just keep yourself open to bigger possibilities, ok?"

Later as they wandered around different stores, Elizabeth had another thought. "Julie? I need to find something kid friendly."

"Kid friendly?"

"Jack has a foster son, five years old. He's afraid of police officers and he's had a rough life. I want him to know that he can trust me."

"I'm not sure what kind of outfit says that but you could bring him a gift. What does he like?"

"I don't know him at all. He's so shy. I did see him reading a book on their deck."

"So we'll go to a bookstore."

"Do you think I should ask Jack first?"

"Maybe."

Elizabeth pulled out her phone and called Jack, her heart beating fast.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Jack."

"Elizabeth, how are you tonight?"

"Fine. I just wanted to ask you something."

"Ok."

"What does Hunter like to read? I want to bring him something on Sunday."

"You don't need to do that."

"I would like to, if it's ok with you. I want him to know he can trust me, even though I'm a cop."

"He likes Batman and right now he's on a dog kick. Wouldn't be entirely surprised if he asked for one soon."

"Ok. Thank you."

"Elizabeth? Are you ok?"

"I'm getting there."

"If you ever need to talk, you can call me, anytime. We've both lost someone."

"Thank you, Jack."

"See you Sunday?"

"Yeah. I'll be there."

Julie had watched Elizabeth the whole conversation. Her face showed how much she liked this guy Jack.

"Beth, I found the perfect thing to wear to dinner."

She held up a ankle length black slip dress with a cobalt blue sweater to wear over it. "I don't know." Not only were dresses not something she wore much but she would be showing a lot more skin than she was used to.

Julie grabbed her hand and pulled her into the dressing room. "Try it on, Beth."

Elizabeth took her time in the changing room and walked out ten minutes later. "Julie? This isn't me."

"It can be you. Did you look in the mirror?"

"I don't need to."

"Yes, you do." She turned her and then pulled her hair put of the tight bun for her to see the full effect.

"Oh." Much to her dismay, she burst into tears. "I'm not ready for this. I can't do this. I need Trevor back."

Julie enveloped her in a hug and rubbed her back. "Beth, listen to me. You can do this. I saw you when you were talking to Jack on the phone. You are starting to be happy again. As much as you say you can't do this, you already are. You put an offer in on a house, next to Jack. You came here and made an effort to buy something for yourself and Jack's little boy. You want this, you're just fighting the memories. Let go a little more, Beth." She turned her around and smiled. "You are beautiful. This dress is perfect for you."

"I need shoes," she blurted as she smiled through her tears, knowing Julie was right. "I can't wear tennis shoes with this."

"Very true. I think strappy sandals." Elizabeth looked at her like she was crazy and Julie laughed. "We'll get you some nail polish too. I'm guessing your toes need some attention."

Another hour later, Elizabeth was content with her purchases as they left the mall, including the gift for Hunter. Now she needed to get through until Sunday without talking herself out of the dinner again.