Mark is making sure all of his things in the hotel are packed and is preparing to check out. He is meeting Kerri and Elizabeth at the apartment with the U-Haul. Catherine was coming over at some point as well.

Mark was both excited and nervous to have Catherine meet Kerri. Kerri has been one of Mark's best friends for quite some time. They went to the same school together and played sports together. Kerri is a year younger than Mark, but they had a lot of mutual friends in school. They always knew each other and were friends but they didn't get close until Mark's sophomore year in college. Kerri had this on and off again relationship with a woman they went to high school with named Madison (Maddie). Mark and Kerri were able to bond over this when he had a relationship in college very similar with a woman named Andie. Since then they were each other's relationship therapists, and they also shared an interest in sending each other songs that reminded them of the relationships they had.

It made Mark nervous because he has not had the best luck in relationships and if Catherine found this out she may not even want to take a shot at what they could have. Mark hasn't been in a relationship in quite a few years because of the bad relationships he's had. In fact, the past 3 women he liked before Catherine he never told them because they were friends and he didn't feel like it was worth the risk.

Mark's train of thought was broken as he heard Life After Lisa by Bowling For Soup playing on his phone, that's Kerri's ringtone. Mark answers his phone, "Hey Kerri. Are you guys almost here? I'm on my way down to check out."

Kerri responds, "Yeah we're close, Elizabeth says we're about 30 minutes away pending traffic of course."

Mark laughs, "I'm glad Elizabeth has been driving because with you driving you guys probably would have ended up in South Dakota."

Kerri yells, "Shut up! You know you love road trips with me!"

Mark says, "Ha! I end up on most of your trips whether I'm with you or not. Let's not forgot all of the times I have gotten phone calls from you asking me where you were!"

Kerri laughs, "So tell me more about this hottie Catherine."

Mark is silent.

Kerri speaks up, "Mark, honey, I'm sure this one will work out. From what you told me she seems like a wonderful mature person. I know it's been a while since you were in a relationship and all of your fears are coming back but for once enjoy yourself and see what could happen."

Mark let's out a sigh.

Kerri turns on her mother tone, "Look don't give me that sigh of disbelief! I'm turning the advice around of what you used to tell me when I was still hung up on Maddie. If it weren't for your advice, I probably wouldn't have been with the most wonderful woman in the world for the past 10 years."

Mark responds, "Yeah I guess you are right. You know it's just hard sometimes. All of the negative scenarios run through my head when I think about any kind of a future. By the way when are we writing our relationship book again so we can retire?"

Kerri laughs, "I don't know but we need to get on that. By the way Elizabeth and I are flying out in a week we decided to take some time off and check out the sites while we are here. Are you sure you want to pay for our tickets still?"

Mark says, "Yes, you guys have done so much for me with bringing my stuff out in the U-Haul. Hey, I'm going to head down and check out. I just need to stop by the rental office and grab the key and then we can start unloading. Text me if you get there and don't see me and I'll give you an ETA, I need to let Catherine know she can head over whenever she'd like as well."

Kerri says, "Ok see you soon!"

Mark hangs up and heads downstairs to check out. A few moments later he is loading up his Jeep and is heading to the rental office at the complex. He sent Cath a text right as he was checking out to let her know he was on his way to the apartment.

Over at Catherine's …

Catherine has been debating since Mark left last night if she should call Greg to help move furniture since she knows he has the day off as well. But given the circumstances between her and Mark she doesn't know if it is the best idea. She decided to call Mark. "Hey, it's Catherine."

Mark says, "Hey what's up? Are you on your way over?"

Catherine responds, "Not quite. Look Greg has the day off should I ask him to come and give you some extra muscle help with the furniture? I've been debating it since last night, but didn't know if we should or not with our thing we have going on. I know you said Kerri and Elizabeth know, I'm thinking if you tell them not to mention us being together Greg will be none the wiser."

Mark says, "You're right that might not be a bad idea. You call Greg and I will handle Kerri and Elizabeth. See you soon."

Catherine hangs up the phone and dials Greg. "Hey Greg it's Catherine have anything going on today?"

Greg responds, "Not at the moment. Why? What's up?"

Catherine says, "Mark is moving into his apartment today and I'm going over to help and was wondering if you could come and be some extra muscle? He has two of his friends, Kerri and Elizabeth, that drove a U-Haul of his stuff from Ohio and I imagine they are pretty beat so I figure the more people the easier it will be."

Greg says, "Sure I can do that. I'm going to shower but text me the address and I will be there as soon as I can."

Catherine says, "Thanks Greggo you're the best!"

Several hours later at Mark's …

Most everything was moved into the apartment and unpacked, minus a few boxes that Mark said he would get to later. Mark turned on the radio and every one was relaxing and enjoying beer and pizza.

About 10pm Greg stands up and says, "Thanks for the pizza, beer, and the fun times but I have to head out. Kerri and Elizabeth it was nice to meet you both. Mark and Cath I will see you guys at work."

Right after Greg left Kerri and Elizabeth mention that they should go check into a hotel. Mark says, "No you two have done so much please stay in the guest room. Besides you guys worked so hard setting it up you should enjoy it!"

Kerri looks at Mark, "You are the best! It was great meeting you Catherine but I think Elizabeth and I are going to turn in."

Elizabeth says, "Yeah it was a pleasure I would love to chat more but we are just exhausted from the trip."

Mark says, "Good night thanks again I love you guys."

Catherine says, "It was great meeting you both, good night."

Kerri and Elizabeth walk into the guest room closing the door behind them leaving Catherine and Mark alone.

Mark looks at Catherine, "So do you think Greg suspects anything?"

Catherine shakes her head, "Nah I think we did a pretty decent job of hiding it. Although I did enjoy our make out session in the bedroom."

Mark with a big smile says, "What can I say it just felt right!"

Catherine snuggles up to Mark on the couch. "So Elizabeth is a patrol officer in Dayton correct?"

Mark responds, "Yeah, I think she's studying for her detective test soon. At least I'm pretty sure that's what Kerri told me."

Catherine looks up at Mark, "And Kerri is a school psychologist?"

Mark kisses Catherine's forehead, "You got it."

Catherine lays her head on Mark's chest, "I like this it feels so safe."

Mark grabs Catherine and holds her even tighter to him. "Would you like to stay over? I know you said you wanted to take it slow, but we can just sleep and continue this cuddling in the other room of course."

Catherine looks up at Mark, "I think I'd like that."

Mark gets off the couch taking Catherine's hand and they disappear into the bedroom.