***A month later***

Jennifer was now living in New York again, and working at the Times. She had sold her Explorer, and shipped her Corvette and her boxes back to New York.

She and Jonathan hadn't spoken since she had moved out.

It was rough living in the city again, and not having Caroline to talk to, but she was managing. She and Julie were communicating about the kids, and she had invited them to Portland for Savannah's birthday in May.

She called Max and gave him her contact information, in case Jonathan asked for it.

"Only give it to him if he remembers, Max".

"You got it, Miss Edwards. And for the record, the house ain't the same without you".

"Thanks, Max, I appreciate it".

She hung up and got back to work. She was doing an article on a Fortune 500 company, that was harboring a dark secret-their CEO was being accused of gender discrimination. However, as Jennifer was discovering, it was much deeper than that-there were now allegations that the CEO had murdered his wife and kids from his first marriage. Jennifer was determined to keep digging.

She was at her desk one day, when some flowers arrived.

Her heart dropped, as she immediately thought of Jonathan. These flowers were a little different though. It was a bouquet of daisies, carnations, and sunflowers. Not a single rose in the bunch. She dug for the card and opened it.

"Glad to see you back at work. Care to have dinner one night? Greg, from Sales".

She thought about it for a moment. Greg Scolari was very handsome-he was tall, about 6'2, built like a football player, and had deep green eyes, and light brown hair.

Part of her wanted to say yes, as she hadn't had a date in so long. The other part was scared, because of her past and the heartbreak from losing Jonathan.

She ultimately decided to accept his invitation, and called him.

"Greg, hi. It's Jennifer. Thank you for the flowers".

"You're welcome. Do you want to have dinner with me sometime?"

"Yes, I'd like that."

"Perfect. How about tomorrow night, at 7? Kelly's".

"Sounds great, see you then".

She hung up, and for the first time in a month, she had a smile on her face.

***Jonathan***

Jonathan was at the office, about to leave. He had a date tonight, his first date since his surgery. Her name was Morgan, and she was the best friend of the wife of one of his executives.

He was at his desk when the phone rang.

"Hello, this is Jonathan Hart".

"Jonathan, hi. It's Julie Luckett."
"Hi, how can I help you?"

"Well, Savanna's birthday is in a few weeks, and I wanted to invite you guys to come up for her party. She's been asking about you and Jennifer, and if you two were coming".

"Well, when is it?"

"May 20th".

"I'm sure I can make that. I'm going to transfer you to my secretary, and she will take all the details from you, ok?"

"Ok, thanks Jonathan".

He transferred her to Deanne, and then gathered his things together so he could go meet Morgan.

All he knew about her was that she was 28, blonde, and was a waitress.

They had agreed that he would meet her at The Bistro, at 7.

He walked in and found her right away. She had already snagged them a table.

"Hi, I'm Jonathan".

"Hi, like I'm Morgan, ok?"

"Ok". She was pretty, but not all glamorously made up. She had on a red dress, and a black cardigan sweater, and some red high heels.

"Like I already ordered us drinks, because, like, I was soo thirsty".

"Thank you".

"So, what's it like to own your own company, and like, be your own boss?"

"Well, it's ok, I guess. A little busy at times, but I would rather work for myself than work for someone else".

He took a sip of his water.

"What do you do for a living?"

"I'm like a waitress, ok? It's a lot of like, hours, but it's also a lot of like, tips".

She was hot, so she took her sweater off. He noticed that her arms were covered in full sleeve tattoos, depicting various creatures and nature scenes.

She pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one up.

Just then, Jonathan looked up and saw Susan Kendall.

He waved her over.

"Jonathan, hi! How are you feeling?"

"Just fine. Still haven't gotten any memories back, of the 6 months before I woke up in the hospital, but I'm fine. Susan, this is Morgan, my date. Morgan, this is Dr. Susan Kendall".

"Hi, nice to meet you".

"Likewise".

Their waitress came by the table.

"Ma'am, the smoking section is out on the patio".

"Ok".

She stood up. "Be right back".

After she was safely away from the table, Susan sat down and looked at Jonathan.

"Who is that?"

"Her name is Morgan. She's the best friend of someone in my office".

"Jonathan, forgive me for prying. But what happened between you and Jennifer? She was perfectly lovely, and she loved you so much".

"Susan, I have no memories of my relationship with her at all. And it wasn't fair for her to plan a wedding with me when I'm not feeling what I'm supposed to feel for someone I'm engaged to".

"I understand that. But couldn't you and Jennifer try to start over or something? She was so classy and engaging, and mannerly. This girl looks like she belongs in a biker gang".

"Yeah, I know. Look, I don't know what's going to happen with me and Jennifer. I haven't spoken to her since we ended things. But I knew as soon as I walked in that Morgan and I aren't going to work out".

"Well, I'm glad you realize that".

"Do you really think I ended things with Jennifer too hastily?"

"I can't answer that for you. All I can tell you is she loved you so much. I sat with her while you were in surgery, and it was evident that she was so scared of losing you, and losing the love of her life. And she said to me, that she just lost her best friend, she didn't want to lose you too".

"I respect that. I just feel that she deserves more than what I can give her right now".

Morgan came back to the table then, and sat down and dug something out of her purse.

She opened her compact and put in her septum piercing.

"So, Morgan, how much do you know about Jonathan?"

"Just, like, that he owns his own company, and likes to take women to fancy dinners".

"I see. Well, let me fill you in on something. He had a pretty serious health scare about a month ago, and he's not back to his regular self. I would know, I'm his doctor. So, take it easy on him, ok?"

"Like, sure, whatever".

"Morgan, I'm getting a bit of a headache, and I think I need to go lie down. Thank you for meeting me here, I'm sorry to have to cut our date short."

He put some cash on the table and told her to order whatever she wanted, on him.

"Like, call me again sometime, ok?"

"Ok. Have a nice night".

He and Susan got up and left the restaurant and walked out to his car.

"Thank you for saving me back there, I appreciate it".

"Anytime. Look I don't want to meddle, but call Jennifer, ok?"

"Did she ask you to intervene?"

"No, she didn't. Swear it. She and I haven't seen each other or spoken to each other since you were in the hospital".

"I see."

"Is she still in Los Angeles? I would love to have lunch with her if she is".

"I don't know. I haven't spoken to her since she moved out of my house. I can have someone at the office track her down".

"Well, good luck, Jonathan".

"Thanks".

He got in the car and drove home, feeling more out of place in his life than he had in a while.

***Jennifer***

Jennifer left work early, and went home to get ready for her date with Greg.

She chose a light blue scoop neck dress with cap sleeves, and paired it with beige kitten heels.

She was at the restaurant about 5 minutes early, and gave the hostess his name.

"He hasn't checked in yet, but you are welcome to look around".

She walked through the restaurant and didn't see him.

She was standing by the hostess stand when he came in at 7:05.

"Hi, sorry, my cab driver was giving me a hassle".

"It's ok. I haven't been here long".

They were seated right away and he pulled out her chair for her. He was a perfect gentleman in each and every way.

Throughout the evening, they laughed, talked, danced, and really got to know each other and had a perfectly wonderful time.

He insisted on walking her to her door at the end of the evening, and unlocked it for her.

"Thank you, for a very wonderful night, Greg".

"You are most welcome. I hope that you will let me take you out again".

"Yeah, I think I might".

She stared into his eyes for a bit, and then he leaned forward and gave her a very sweet kiss.

"Goodnight, Jennifer".

"Goodnight, Greg".

She went inside and locked the door behind her, and got ready for bed. As she fell asleep that night, she dreamed that she and Caroline were having lunch somewhere. All Caroline kept saying to her was "no", over and over.

***A few weeks later***

Jennifer was in her apartment, packing a suitcase. She and Greg had been on several dates, and were getting pretty serious. He was always bringing her flowers, or trinkets, or taking her somewhere amazing and creative. At this point, they were spending more time together than apart, and Jennifer surprised herself by wanting to be wherever he was. She hadn't ever gotten this close to someone so fast.

"Do you really have to go?"

"Yes, I have to go. She means a lot to me, Greg. And she's lost so much".

"I understand that. But I was going to surprise you with tickets to the opera this weekend.".

"Look, I promise we will go when I get back. Why don't you come with me? I just know that once you meet Savanna and Luke and McKenna, you will realize how special they are and why we are so close".

"Ok, you've got a deal".

"Thank you, sweetie".

She leaned forward and kissed him, and then finished packing while he booked a ticket.

As luck would have it, he managed to find two first class tickets, so he upgraded her ticket to first class so they could sit together.

"When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow at 4. We should be there by 11, New York time."

She threw her arms around his neck.

"Just in time for a late dinner somewhere".

"Do I need to make us hotel reservations?"

"I already did. We have a room at the Hilton".

He kissed her a few times, and then she sat down on the bed to sort out Savanna's present.

"What did you get her?"

"Well, she loves Barbie. So, I got her a couple Barbie dolls and accessories for them, and I also got her some outfits, and some new pajamas, and she loves to color, so I got her some new coloring books and colored pencils".

She put all of it into a suitcase and packed a large gift bag and some tissue paper with it.

After she was done, she put her bags by the door and came back to the bed.

"Sweetie, are you staying here with me tonight?"

"Has your position on being intimate changed?"

"Not entirely".

"What entirely?"

"Well, I told you I wasn't ready, and I'm not. But I'm closer".

"Well, then my position is the same. When you are ready, I'll stay".

She nodded.

She walked him to the door and kissed him a few times.

"Pick you up tomorrow at 2. Good night".

"I'll be ready, goodnight".

***The next day***

Greg arrived to pick Jennifer up, and was upset that she wasn't ready.

"Jennifer, I told you we had to go at 2. It's 2:05, we are going to miss the plane."

"Greg, I'm going as fast as I can. I'm trying to find my keys".

She kept looking, and ignored him getting more and more upset, until she found them under a pillow on the couch.

"Ok, found them. We can go now".

He took her luggage to his car, as she locked up her apartment.

She had on some mint colored skinny jeans, black strappy sandals, and a black tank top and thin black cardigan.

"Jennifer, we are flying first class, didn't you know that?"

"Yes, I'm aware".

"Well your outfit says otherwise".

"Want me to go change?"

"No, we don't have time for that, you will be the one that's embarrassed, not me".

They headed to the airport in silence. After they had checked in, she stopped in a bookstore at the airport and bought a new novel and a bottle of water.

She came and sat next to him at the gate. He reached over and took her water bottle and opened it and drank some.

"Please, help yourself".

"Thanks, love".

They got to board first, and she took the seat by the window on their row.

After they got up in the air, he leaned over.

"I'm sorry I was a little hard on you about your outfit, you look absolutely gorgeous".

He kissed her cheek.

They had a nice flight, and landed right on time.

They caught a cab to their hotel, and checked in.

As they walked to the elevator, she grabbed his arm.

"Sweetie, do you want to go somewhere for dinner, or just do room service?"

"Let's just do room service, love. I'm beat".

"Fine with me".

They settled into their room and she changed into a nightgown and robe.

He changed into a pair of sweat shorts and a t-shirt.

They settled on the bed and ordered some room service.

"I want the 8 oz. sirloin, medium, and a salad with vinaigrette dressing."

"You want both a steak and a salad? Are you sure your waistline can handle that?"

"Yes, I'm sure".

He placed their order, while she turned on the tv to find something to watch.

He wanted to watch sports but she wanted to watch a movie.

She finally let him choose, while she read.

The room service order arrived, and they set it up at the table in the room, and had a lovely dinner.

"What's the plan for tomorrow?"

"Well, we are supposed to be at their house at 1, and I imagine that Savanna will want us to stay for dinner after the party".

"I see. And what about Sunday?"

"Sunday, we fly home".

After they finished their dinner, Greg pushed the room service cart out to the hallway, and Jennifer got out her work bag, and started working.

"Are you really planning on working tonight?"

"Not for very long, but I do need to organize some of this".

"Can't you do that later, so we can spend time together?"

"I suppose so".

She put it away and came and joined on him on the bed. He found them a movie to watch, and she snuggled up to him. About 20 minutes later, the hotel phone rang. He reached over and answered it, and then a couple minutes later, he made a phone call. He was on the phone for about 40 minutes.

When he hung up, Jennifer looked at him.

"I thought we weren't going to work".

"Well, this is different. My work makes money. Your work is just something for people to read".

She didn't say anything to him, she just climbed under the covers and went to sleep.

***Saturday***

Greg and Jennifer woke up and got ready and were going to go out for breakfast.

She had on a plum colored top, and some black skinny pants, and black flats.

She had curled her hair, and put on the sparkly earrings and necklace that Savanna loved.

"Let's go, love. I'm starved".

"Ok, I'm ready".

She took the present with her and they walked down to the elevator.

"Did you bring my jacket with you? I'm a little chilly".

"No, I didn't".

"Jennifer, I expect you to think ahead. I was trying to get us out the door, I need you to think about things and anticipate whether or not I will need my jacket or want it".

"Greg, it's your jacket. If you want it, you should have brought it".

"I wasn't thinking about it because I was expecting you to".

He pushed the button for their floor again, and as the door opened, he turned to her.

"And what on earth have you done to your hair?"

Jennifer sighed.

He went and got his jacket and came back to the elevator, which she was holding for him.

She pushed the button for him and took a step to the right.

They got off the elevator and made their way to the lobby where he called for a cab.

They went for brunch at a cute little restaurant, called Stone Street Café. Jennifer hadn't said much to him since his outburst in the elevator.

He pulled her chair out for her, and then sat down next to her.

She was looking at the menu.

"What looks good?"

"French toast with sliced fruit".

She didn't even look at him.

He leaned over and kissed the side of her face.

"I'm sorry for my outburst in the elevator. You know I don't mean the things I say, I just get worked up".

"I don't want to argue with you. But I'm telling you, when we get back to New York, we are going to have a long talk".

"Love, you know I don't do talks. Let's just forget about it, ok?"

Before Jennifer could respond, the waitress came and took their order.

"I would like a mimosa, and the French toast with sliced fruit, please. And a side of bacon".

Greg ordered the steak and egg platter, with a side of sausage, and a Bloody Mary.

She tried making small talk with him, but he was more interested in watching the TV in the restaurant than talking to her.

Jennifer decided to just focus on Savanna and Luke and McKenna today, and she would deal with Greg later.