The next morning, I awoke to find myself alone in bed. I had come upstairs to straighten our room after Derek left then fallen asleep while waiting on him to return. This was not an unusual occurrence, but something else was different. I did not hear the shower running in Derek's bathroom, nor did I smell his cologne or aftershave. I couldn't smell coffee brewing in the kitchen or hear the CD player in the den. I got up, the house suddenly seemed to be much colder, and put on my red velvet robe. Venturing into the kitchen, I flipped on the coffee maker. I turned to get my cup, and in place of Derek's cup, there was a note.

"I couldn't sleep here knowing I had been betrayed in my own home. By the time you get this, I will be in Seattle," the note, written in Derek's bold handwriting, read.

I sank onto the terracotta tile and began to cry. I wanted my husband to want me, to fight for me, but instead he put a continent between us. I cried until I could no longer breathe, then I curled up into fetal position on the floor, hoping it was all a nightmare. Just as I was gearing up to let loose more tears, my cell phone rang.

"Addison Sh-Shepherd," I spoke into the phone as professionally as I could, but my voice still cracked.

"Addie, are you okay?" Mark's voice came over the line.

"I don't want to talk to you."

"Addison, can I come see you?"

"NO! I want to be with Derek!" I sobbed.

"Addie, he left you, but I'm still here. I want to be with you."

"Why?"

"Why do I want to be with you?"

"Uh-huh," I sniffled.

"Because every time you smile, it reminds me of how I felt the first time I fell in love. When I see you smile, I fall in love all over again."

"You what?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"I love you, Addie. I've been in love with you since the three of us were lab partners in Gross Anatomy, but Derek was…is…my best friend. I let him have the girl because I knew he was so infatuated with you that he couldn't sleep. He would get so clumsy when you were around."

"So you were the one who pushed him to ask me out?"

"Yep. I wanted to see my only brother happy."

"Oh, Mark! I love him so much!" the tears began to fall again.

"I know you do. Shh. It will all be okay. Shh."

"But, but he left! He flew to Seattle!"

"Can I come over? He doesn't want to be with you, but I do."

Sighing, I realized Mark was right. Pompous jackass that he was, he was right. There was no use fighting a battle I had already lost. My husband didn't want to be with me, hadn't wanted me in a very long time. Why should I resist someone who does?

"Sure, you can come over."

"I'll see you in a few minutes."

After I hung up, I scurried around the house, straightening things that were out of place. I collected the clothes that Derek had scattered from the bedroom to the front hall and onto the porch. Then I jumped in the shower. I was just pulling my robe back around me when I heard the doorbell. I took one last look around to make sure nothing was out of place, checked my reflection in the mirror, and went downstairs to answer the door.

"Hi," Mark greeted me with roses and a kiss.

"Mark…" I began.

"No, no. You don't get to feel guilty. He's gone."

"Thank-you for the flowers and for…do you really love me?"

"Yes, I do. I've loved you for the last ten years. Do you know how hard it is to want to be happy for someone and want to break his arm at the same time? Because that's how I've felt for a long time. Now, are you going to invite me in or am I just going to stand here and hold these roses?"

"Oh, sorry. Here, let me take those. I'll put them in some water."

"So, do you want to try the dating thing or just pick up where we left off?" Mark asked as I filled a vase with water.

"Well, we already know each other."

"How about we start from yesterday then?"

"Okay." I smiled as Mark placed a hand on the curve in my back.

"You taste like strawberry champagne and vanilla," Mark whispered against my neck.

"You remind me of the candy I wasn't allowed to eat as a little kid, but that my sister and I would sneak a taste of as soon as mom left us with a baby-sitter."

"I guess it kind of fits, then doesn't it."

"Mmmhmm."

Mark picked me up, sat me on the countertop, and put his body between my legs. It was then that I realized I was still naked underneath the robe. Suddenly shy, I tried to push my legs back together, but Mark wouldn't let me.

"I don't have anything on under the robe. I didn't have time to get dressed."

"Well that just makes things a whole lot easier then."

"Mark…"

"You said we could pick up, but if you're not ready yet, that's okay."

"No, I'm ready. It's just…Well, Derek and I never did things like this."

"Like what?"

"Have sex on countertops in the kitchen."

"Is sex on the countertop not okay? We can move this to the dining room table if that will make you more comfortable."

"Mark!" I giggled as he slipped his hands into my robe.

"Here, I'll make things a little more even between us," Mark pulled his shirt over his head and flung it onto the refrigerator, then he unzipped his jeans and kicked them onto the breakfast table. "Do you feel better now that we're both half dressed?"

"I feel like I'm in a position to take advantage," I whispered into his ear as I ran my fingers up the middle of his back.

"Feel free to take advantage all you want," he said, pulling my hips into his.