Disclaimer: I don't own 'em…

"Is this seat taken?" I smiled as I approached my former lover. She wore a little black dress like no one else could and tonight was no exception. Her hair fell around her face in soft, golden curls and her makeup was flawless.

To say that she was shocked to see me was an understatement. Her eyes immediately began to scan the room, obviously looking for someone else. "Sara, what are you doing here?"

I set my jaw and shook my head, feeling like the back half of a donkey. "You didn't know she invited me, did you?"

I waited for her to answer, but when she didn't, I took note of the nervous look on her face and followed her line of sight. Coming toward us was McDreamy's much taller, thicker twin. He was dressed in jeans, a button down shirt and a sport jacket. She immediately rose to her feet and let him pull her into a hug.

"I'm sorry I'm running a little late," he said in a slight Irish brogue as he planted a lingering kiss on the top of her head, all the while keeping his eyes trained on me.

I was an intruder—an unexpected and unsolicited guest. I smiled and did a slight nod of my head before extending my hand, "I'm Sara Sidle. Catherine and I work together."

He barely pulled away from Catherine, while grasping my hand firmly and pulling me toward him, "I know who you are. I'm Finnegan McConnel. My friends call me Finn, but you can call me Finnegan."

No sooner had he dropped my hand than he grasped Catherine's upper arm and steered her toward a pair of seats closer to the stage. He looked back over his shoulder at me twice to make sure I didn't follow. I guess that was his way of putting me in my place.

I sat at the rear of the auditorium, far away from Catherine and her new boyfriend. The last thing I wanted to do was give him another excuse to manhandle her.

Lindsey was magnificent. I know I might be biased, but she was by far the best Juliet I had seen in a play. As soon as the play was over, my phone vibrated on my hip. I had a message from Lindsey.

Come backstage. I want to see you!

I groaned and closed my eyes, tossing my head back. I knew that Catherine would be backstage with Finnegan and the last thing I wanted to do was bump into them considering the icy welcome I had received from her and the glares I had received from him. Reluctantly, I hit reply and sent a message back to her.

Sorry, kiddo. Don't think your mom or assface would appreciate me being back there. Pizza one night this week? You did good. I'm proud of you. Call me!

XXX

"You shouldn't have come last night. Lindsey should have never invited you. You're not her parent," Catherine glared at me as she blocked my exit from the locker room.

Her words stung. Actually, they cut deeply. But I think they were intended to, so she didn't miss her mark.

I bit my lip, a bad habit of mine, to keep from saying anything. When I had ended things, the one thing she had asked was that I not forget how much I meant to Lindsey and to make time for her when I could. I thought I was doing that. It was, after all, Lindsey who had invited me and had even had a ticket reserved for me. The moment I realized that Catherine didn't know I was coming, I should have left. The look on her face had clearly conveyed I wasn't welcome—despite her daughter's wishes.

She moved to let me out the door and as I passed through it she said, "One more thing, Sidle. No pizza later this week with her. Finn doesn't think it's such a good idea for you to spend time with Lindsey unsupervised."

I spun around, now on the verge of tears from sheer anger. "Finn doesn't think it's a good idea? How long have you known this guy? You're letting him make decisions about Lindsey for you? And what does that mean—that it's not such a good idea for me to spend time with Lindsey unsupervised?"

She crossed her arms over her chest defensively and looked as if she was choosing her words carefully, mulling over exactly what she wanted to say and how best to say it.

"It's just that with you being," she shrugged her shoulders and tilted her head to the side, "what you are, he's worried that Lindsey will think it's okay. He's just looking out for her."

I grabbed her wrist and pushed her sleeve up, revealing a bruise on her arm. I snorted and looked from it up to her eyes, just as she jerked her arm from my grasp. "That's great that he's looking out for her. But who's looking out for you?"

She looked away from me to keep me from seeing the tears I knew were filling her eyes. Her voice cracked when she said, "Just let it go, Sar. Please?"

Shaking my head, I turned left the locker room. As I was heading back to my apartment, I hit the second number on my speed dial. It only rang once before a familiar voice picked up.

"Brass."

"Hey, Jim. It's Sara. I need a favor."