Jacob was spending more time in front of the computer than even James these days. He was on every second he could to wait for any contact from Chloe, but none ever came. A week passed without getting any contact from her or her brothers.

Even Eli was starting to worry things might not work out. Not that he doubted Chloe's feelings for his brother, but doubting her resolve to actually act on them. Like Jacob, she was always thinking of herself last. If her brothers were determined to keep them separated, she might allow them. Add to that the distractions of work, the entertainment of New York, and maybe an attraction to this Daniel Griffin, and the outlook was not hopeful.

Finally, after much writing from Jacob's side, an email arrived from Carter. It said that they were definitely settling into New York, and Chloe could not get out of her contract at least until winter. He apologized for not writing more, but said they were all very busy these days, such was the fast-paced world of New Yorkers. He went into unusual amount of detail over how much happier they all were these days, how great it was spending times with their friends, and especially how close Chloe was getting with Daniel. He described his wonderful family, his connections, his intelligence, good-looks, and humour.

Jacob showed it to Eli. He sat and read, than thought about it quite a while, before he said,

"Just don't forget – no matter how many wonderful qualities he has, that doesn't take away any of yours."

"Me? What do I have to offer anyone?"

"Jacob, you're so hard to deal with sometimes. You defend everyone in the world against my sarcasm, but I try to say something good about you, and you won't believe it. There are not a lot of people in the world I love, and even fewer who I respect. Every day I lose more and more hope in humanity. I see the way people act, and I can't help but wonder if what we're all lacking is moral values or common intelligence. And that's what this is. Either Chloe is not worth your time, or she's an idiot to be acting the way she is. And just look at Chase. It makes no sense at all to me how someone can use a person they have no affection for."

Eli sighed, then went on. "Maybe I'm the stupid, who knows? I spend all my time looking at other people's flaws. It doesn't make me happy, but I can't let my conscience rest as easily as other people, I guess. Maybe Chase had a point. Maybe we shouldn't aim too high. Maybe we should be mercenary with our hearts, look for love wherever we can find it, and then hold on with all our strength." With a faint smile his mind raced with thoughts of Genesis Williams.

"Who knows?" said Jacob. "And maybe I should have been the same. Maybe I should have been braver, more assertive, made a real move, let Chloe know how I really felt. But I feel like that's all over now. But what I'm feeling won't last long, I'm sure. After a while I'll forget all about her, and we'll go on like we never knew her. Sure, I'll always have my memories. I'll remember her as a great, sweet woman I once met, and that'll be it. I won't let myself get bitter over this. She never led me on, never lied to me. I guess I just projected my own feelings on to someone who just saw me as a friend. It's my own fault."

At times like these, Eli wished guys were allowed to hug each other.

Thankfully, something came along to help get their minds off these troubles. Their aunt and uncle from the U.S. were coming to visit them. (Mr. Bennett, was born in America, which was why he went to school there and how he knew Lillian Collins father.) Isabella, Mr. Bennett's sister, was married to Benjamin Garcia, and all the Bennett boys loved them. Their aunt and uncle were much younger than their parents, had no children, and were fairly successful in business, so they had a lot of money. This meant when they were young, they would always bring them great gifts, and they loved to use their money most of all for travelling.

Jacob tried to stay cheerful through the visit, but it was no use. Anyone could see he was not himself. One day, when Uncle Benjamin was alone with Eli, he said,

"Your brother Michael explained to me what happened with Jacob and that girl. It's too bad. Sounds like he really liked her. But these things happen. A young woman falls for a guy so easily for a few weeks, and then when chance happens to take her away, she forgets all about it for whatever else comes up."

"Except it wasn't chance. She's being manipulated by her family. Trust me, Chloe would not just forget about Jacob."

"Well, it's hard to tell exactly how serious a twenty-something is with their emotions, I have to say. They can know someone a few weeks and say they're in love, and then end up hating them just as soon."

"But it was serious. You should have seen them. From the moment they met they were inseparable. They spent hours and hours just talking to each other, ignoring everyone else. They met up almost every day. They knew each other better than some people do after knowing each other for months, years even!"

"Poor Jacob. Something like this isn't easy to get over. I mean, I'm sure if it happened to someone like you, Eli, you'd be able to laugh about it after a few days, but not Jacob. You know what might help? A change of scenery. Get him away from the places that remind him of her. I know traveling somewhere new always helps me feel better. I think I'm going to ask him if he wants to come back with us when we leave. Stay with us the rest of the summer in our house in Queens."

"That sounds great!" said Eli.

"But," said Benjamin, "I do worry if he'll go thinking it will bring him closer to Chloe. New York is an enormous city, remember, and we live in completely different area. With all the millions of people, it's next to impossible he'll run into her there, unless she plans on meeting him."

"Oh, she won't. I'm sure her friends will make sure of that."

"Good. Because I want to help him get over her, not raise his hopes."

Eli assured him that should not be a problem, but inside he was not as convinced. It was possible they could see each other in New York, and if they did, maybe that would be enough to remind Chloe of her love.

Jacob seemed thrilled with the idea, and confirmed once he had time to "straighten it out" with his boss. He too did not wish to run into Chloe if it could be avoided, but thought that as long as he could see him alone, he could always meet up with Carter.

Their week with the Garcias was wonderful, and Eli had more reason to like his Uncle, when he saw how much he liked Genesis. Eli invited her over a few times during their stay, and Benjamin found out that she was from the same neighbourhood of Long Island that he had grew up in. The two talked fondly of the area, and Benjamin found her charming and sweet. He could see how much Eli liked her, but he did feel the need to warn his nephew not to get too attached to someone he hardly knew.