It was late Friday afternoon and Cassandra was out of sorts. One week and her whole world had been turned upside down. All because of one little mistake on the Internet. If she'd only explained to 'Jacob' that she'd sent the wrong photo, they'd have laughed about it at the time. And she and 'Jacob' would have realized there was just no attraction there. And she'd be free to see where her attraction to his friend went.

But instead she'd lied. And she was having a really hard time keeping 'Flynn' at arm's length. He'd asked her out a couple of times this week and she'd made some excuse each time. However, she'd not been able to keep the genuine regret out of her voice. And so she knew he was encouraged.

Adding to the complications, an hour ago Eve had popped by her desk with the news that 'Flynn', 'Jacob' and Ezekiel had gotten their apartment. In Cassandra's building.

Of course, it was in her building. She should have known actually. She was pretty sure after Eve told her the number that it had been the one used by the last temporary exhibit crew.

So now 'Flynn' was her neighbor. Perfect. Now it was going to be even more difficult and awkward when the truth came out.

She wished sometimes she was more like Eve. Eve seemed to be having no trouble being romanced by 'Jacob'. Oh Eve kept saying she really wished she could tell the truth. But she wasn't letting that stop her from having a good time. And Cassandra was beginning to suspect that Eve had slept with 'Jacob' or if not was very close to doing so.

And while that should have broken her heart, it just filled her with rage and frustration. She was angry at both of them for having a good time at her expense.

She could hear Eve's words in her head all of the time. Why not give 'Flynn' a nice memory? That's all Eve was doing with 'Jacob'. He'd have a lovely memory of his time in Chicago before he moved on. Why not just live in the moment too? Even if he hated her later, he'd at least leave her with a memory.

She'd never done something like this before. She'd carefully planned out everything in her life from where she'd gone to college to where she'd ended up working, where she lived, what she ate every day, what she wore, where she went. Whom she dated.

Which, of course, was why she didn't date that often. And even the online relationship with 'Jacob' hadn't been part of her plan.

'Flynn' certainly wasn't a part of any plan at all. And she had no idea what to do.

Except here she was in her kitchen making sandwiches. She doubted the boys had had any time to go shopping. And who knew how the kitchen was set up for them in the first place. They shouldn't exist solely on take out, even though 'Flynn' had mentioned his assistant practically lived on pizza.

It was the right neighborly thing to do. 'Jacob' had meant something to her, so even though they had no future, she could thank him for all those nights with dinner tonight.

"Seriously? You're both goin' out?" Jacob asked.

"I have a date with the charming Cassandra," Flynn said adjusting his tie in the hallway mirror.

"Again? That's every damn night this week. "

Flynn stopped and looked at him. "This was your idea. And you don't even seem to care for her. But if you want . . . ."

Jacob sighed. "No, I really don't . . . .look I'm just frustrated, alright? I don't care if you go out with Cassandra specifically."

Flynn nodded. "You haven't been seeing Eve?"

Jacob shook his head. "She's been busy. I'd say she was blowing me off but she always looks so sad about it. Don't know what's up with her. But I suppose this time of year. . . . And honestly I feel so guilty lyin' to her. And why you don't feel guilty is beyond me."

"But I do . . . ."

Ezekiel groaned, running a hand through his hair and grabbing his coat. "Okay, I've had enough of the Very Special Episode here. I'm going clubbing with this very lovely young bird I met in the gift shop and her friends. See ya. Don't wait up."

"Ah youth," Flynn sighed as Jones shut the door.

"Yeah, says the guy who is going on a hot date with my . . .well whatever she was."

"Stone . . . ." Flynn stared at him. "I like Cassandra but if this is going to keep bothering you. . ."

"It's not . . .I just hate lyin' to those girls. Too much of my past, you know?"

"I do know," Flynn took a deep breath. "Do you want to tell them?"

Jacob looked pained. "I can't. I can't ruin her Christmas. I owe her at least a memory. So go, go have a good time. "

Flynn nodded. "Why don't you try calling Eve? Find some happiness while you can Jacob. Life's way too short."

Jacob shrugged. Flynn looked a little sad as he left, putting his hand briefly on Jacob's shoulder. But Jacob could hear Flynn whistling in the hallway as the door shut behind him.

Jacob thought about calling 'Eve' but decided against it. He looked around the apartment. It had been furnished simply but enough to meet their needs. There was a stocked kitchen, but sadly no food in it save for what little snacks had been in their hotel rooms. So some soda, bottled water, beer and a leftover pizza in the refrigerator and some chips, pretzels and a box of cereal in the pantry.

He sighed. He didn't feel like finding a grocery store this time of night. He really didn't want to continue living off of restaurant food forever. Maybe he'd ask 'Eve' tomorrow if she could give him directions to a decent store. And he was going to have to figure out getting another rental car if Flynn was going to be taking theirs every night. He groaned. There was a stack of takeout menus on the table that the service had left. He'd probably just go through that in a bit.

He instead flopped on the sofa and started flipping through the channels. He'd just settled on a cooking competition show when the doorbell rang.

Odd. Probably the wrong apartment.

He answered the door anyway to find 'Eve' standing there with a tray in her hands.

"Hi!" she said brightly. "I brought you boys dinner."

Jacob grinned. She was so sweet. "Well, it's just me tonight, but I am so glad to see food. Wanna come in?"

'Eve''s smile seemed to falter for just a second but then she nodded and came in.

Just great, Cassandra thought. No buffer with the others. But there's no harm in feeding him, is there? Or being friends.

"They left you all alone?"

'Flynn' looked a little annoyed. "Jones is out clubbing and Jacob's out with Cassandra. Again." His tone sounded bitter.

"Are you okay?"

"Oh, no it's nothing." 'Flynn' said. "Just feeling a bit abandoned. But I'm real glad to see you. And food that might not be takeout."

"It's simple, sandwiches and salad. But I figured you wouldn't have gone shopping yet."

"Nope. I was gonna ask you tomorrow to recommend somewhere. I like to cook. But of course, my roommates keep taking the car."

Cassandra's mouth moved faster than her brain. "I could take you tomorrow and you can cook for me." She blushed realizing what she'd done. But 'Flynn's face lit up and she couldn't take it back.

"Wanna stay and eat with me? I mean unless you had plans."

She knew she should have said no. But she couldn't. And so she smiled and said, "I can stay."

Dinner turned into watching a Christmas movie on tv. Which mostly ended up not getting watched as they started talking.

Jacob was sure that it was getting quite late but he really didn't want 'Eve' to go. Her conversation was as lovely as her laughter was. She was bright and passionate and utterly adorable. Everything that he'd hoped to find in 'Cassandra' but ultimately didn't.

They'd come to a lull in the conversation but neither of them was uncomfortable. They let the silence set over them and Jacob found himself watching her. She smoothed her skirt and shifted to a more comfortable position on the couch. That position brought her even closer to him. His arm had already been draped over the back of the couch and he wouldn't have to do much to curl his arm around her. She noticed his watching her and met his eyes. She licked her lips, possibly a nervous habit, but it had made him want to kiss her the other night in the car. Now tonight there was no one to honk at them, no public to see. And 'Eve' shifted closer, as if drawn in by whatever magic spell had fallen over them both.

The arm on the back of the couch went around her shoulders and she smiled and shifted even closer, turning so that she could return his embrace, her arm going around his shoulders. No mistaking this at all.

And she was smiling when their lips met.

'Eve' was sweeter than candy, better than whiskey. The rest of the world disappeared, all there was was 'Eve' and her kisses.

It could have been minutes, it could have been hours, Jacob was pretty sure he could have spent decades getting lost in 'Eve' but suddenly there was a noise. It broke the spell and 'Eve' jumped away from him.

Flynn was standing there, a bit red and quite a bit mussed from his own adventures.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I can umm, I'll just go into my room. Carry on."

'Eve' seemed to turn much redder than he would have expected and she almost looked pained when she looked at Flynn.

"Sweetheart? You okay?" He asked gently when Flynn had fled the room.

"I . . .um. . .it's late . . .I should probably go."

"Eve . . . ."

"No, it's um just late. I'll call about um shopping."

And 'Eve' was scurrying out the door before Jacob could even try to stop her.

Safely inside her own apartment, Cassandra was taking deep breaths to calm herself. She'd done exactly what she hadn't wanted to do. And yet, as the evening went on, moving into his arms and kissing him had seemed the most natural thing in the world.

He was an amazing kisser. She could have stayed in his arms, kissing him until New Year's. From the way he was kissing her and the slightly kiss drunk expression on his face when 'Jacob' had come in, 'Flynn' had felt the same way.

She shouldn't have left him. It was just 'Jacob's arrival that had reminded her that she was conning 'Flynn'. Well, omitting an important detail at least. That kiss was as real as things got.

She wanted to kiss him again. She wanted to go back downstairs, ring the bell and kiss him until he didn't care what her name really was.

Damn 'Jacob' and his bad timing.

She wiped angry tears from her face and realized that she could hear her phone chiming.

Several worried text messages from 'Flynn'. And one from Eve that she was choosing to ignore right now.

She took a deep breath. She was in so deep with 'Flynn'. She shouldn't do this to him. But she couldn't stay away. Not after this.

Live a little Cassandra Cillian. Have one memory of the time that you threw caution to the wind. And maybe he'll forgive you at the end.

She scrolled to the end of the messages.

I'm okay. It was having an audience. I suddenly felt like my dad came in. I feel silly.

Seconds later an emoji of a smile came back through. I get that. So you're okay? Because I don't regret kissing you.

I'm okay. And no regrets here either. But it is late and I had a long day. Is 10am okay? You could come up, I mentioned we're neighbors but I'm in 210. But not tonight. Tomorrow morning.

You're no fun Eve. ;) Alright tomorrow, 10. Night Eve.

Night Flynn.