"Mom, I'm going to the beach with Stephanie and Chelsea," Jeannie shouted as she ran out the door. Kim could hear the girls' laughter through the screen and then the sound of a car pulling away on the gravel drive.

A month had passed since Jeannie first arrived and her mood had improved markedly, a change Kim attributed to her friendship with her cousins. Jeannie loved hanging out with Chelsea and Stephanie and her good mood spilled over into her relationship with Shane. Though she still didn't seek out his company, Jeannie was less belligerent and occasionally even friendly when Shane was around.

Kim enjoyed their time together as a family but avoided being alone with Shane, ever since the night she made that last-minute excuse about going to a movie with Hope. She felt Shane wanted more from her, at least more than she was willing to give.

Kim had to admit that living in this house, with Shane so close by, stirred up some old feelings she had thought long buried. But those feelings came with painful memories and a broken heart, one that Kim feared was not totally healed and she had no desire to reopen old wounds.

Shane had crushed her heart and shattered her trust. Sometimes, closing her eyes, Kim could still feel the pain of his not loving her. That he had turned to her sister, her best friend, made it an even more crushing blow. The man she had loved so much, who had promised to love her forever, had turned on her. Kim had realized that if she stayed in Salem, she would never feel whole again so she fled to L.A. It had taken her a long time to pull herself together, but Los Angeles had been a new beginning and then Phillip entered her life.

Kim had thought marrying Phillip was a step in the right direction. He was so caring and doting, just what she needed after losing Shane. He brought romance back into her life and made her feel desirable again. If only she could have been madly in love with him. It would have made things so much easier. As much as she hated to admit it, Kim did always look forward to seeing Shane when he visited, just as Phillip had accused her. She was not a good enough actress to hide her true feelings, at least not good enough to fool a seasoned Hollywood-type like Phillip. Kim couldn't give Phillip the one thing he wanted, her complete heart. So her second attempt at marriage ended, and badly too.

But Kim liked who she was now – strong and independent. She was a survivor. It had taken more than fifteen years, two ex-husbands and a lot of painful memories to get here but Kim was determined never to be vulnerable and weak again. If that meant she had to keep Shane at arms length, then that's what she would do.

She knew she couldn't, no wouldn't expose herself to such heartache again. She would accept friendship but was determined to put up walls to anything more. No, it was best to keep their distance, Kim was certain of that.

"How are things at the Donovan household?" Hope said brightly to Shane who was sitting alone at the table. Since Jeannie had come into town, many of their nights were marked by dinners at various Brady homes. It seemed to be one reunion after another and although Shane would have preferred more time alone with his family, Kim was always eager to attend these events. Shane wasn't sure if it was eagerness to be with family or another way for Kim to avoid him. Tonight the dinner was at John and Marlena's.

"Let's see. My daughter has gone from loathing me to tolerating me so I think that's an improvement. And Kimberly is one minute my friend full of assurances and the next minute avoiding me."

Hope smiled and said in a mocking tone, "Poor Shane."

"I can take Jeannie's disposition. But Kim, it's like she's putting up walls between us."

"You know what they say, a woman scorned …"

"I did not scorn Kimberly," Shane said firmly.

Hope looked at Shane and chose her words carefully. "I wasn't around when you and Kim broke up but from what Bo tells me, it was a pretty nasty scene."

Shane closed his eyes as if he could block out the memory. "Are you telling me to give up?"

"No, give space. All of us know you and Kim belong together but let Kim be the one to figure out the place she belongs is at your side." Hope squeezed his hand for reassurance.

Shane looked at her hopefully. "You sound so sure."

"I am," Hope said as she passed a copy of Kim's latest book across the table to him. "I know this dedication wasn't written to Phillip," she added before stepping away.

Thumbing through the first few pages, Shane's eyes stopped at the short tribute:

To my soul mate.

When someone believes in you

You can start believing in yourself.

Shane looked across the room and saw Kim talking with John and Marlena. Suddenly she broke out in a laugh, the uncontrollable high pitched squeal that always embarrassed her but Shane loved and used to tease her about. Oh, he knew so much about her, all her silly traits and habits. He was not about to give up on her, on them. That much he was certain of.

Just at that moment, Kim looked over at Shane and bestowed upon him one of her breathtaking smiles that totally lit up her face. It was like a beacon calling to him and he couldn't resist going to her. "What's everyone talking about over here?"

"We're trying to convince Kim to attend the Dr. Tom Horton Memorial Benefit this Saturday," John said.

Jeannie overheard the conversation and rushed over. "Oh Mom, let's go. Chelsea and Stephanie will be going."

Kim hesitated and looked at Shane expecting help. "I don't know. I really didn't bring anything formal. And I leave the very next day for a meeting in New York."

"We can go shopping together. And it will be a great send-off. Please," Jeannie pleaded.

Shane winked at Jeannie and said in collaboration, "I don't think there's any excuse not to go."

Jeannie looked away, happy to be winning the argument but not thrilled that Shane was her accomplice.

Kim threw her hands up in defeat. "Fine, let's go. But you're going shopping with me tomorrow young lady."

Jeannie smiled at her victory, excited to be attending a dance with Stephanie, Chelsea and some of the boys she had met in Salem. Shane was smiling too; thrilled at the prospect of attending a dinner and dance with Kim, the very same reason Kim was now nervous.