Tony and Kathleen arrive back at her apartment after an exhausting and exhilarating day of furniture shopping. Exhausting for him and exhilarating for her. Before today Tony had never realized how many different styles of chairs, couches, lamps, and paint samples there were. It was all so much to take in. Kathleen on the other hand had had a great day. It had been so much fun picking out furniture with Tony. Even though they hadn't made any final decisions just being with him was enough. She had been worried about their relationship for a while now. It had all started the night he had taken her out to dinner. He had been so preoccupied and had acted so bizarre that she finally had had enough. So she had confronted him only to find out that Angela was there as well on a date. When it occurred to her that he had only taken her there so that he could spy on this woman whom he claimed was only his boss and friend she had become humiliated and furious. She had stalked from the restaurant her temper flaring. But after a while she had calmed down and had called him at home and after a long talk their relationship got back on track well except for that one thing.

Angela. That thing that always was between them. She just didn't understand their relationship. They were employer and employee and that should be it. Right? But it always seemed to be more than that and quite frankly every time she thought about it it made her uneasy. He was always talking about her. How many times had he bragged about Angela winning some big advertising account? How many times had he talked about something cute or funny Angela said or did or had done in the past? The worst part of it all was that she was afraid to tell him that she was sick and tired of hearing about Angela, Angela, Angela! But she knew that she couldn't. Tony had always been very protective of Angela and their friendship. She had to do something. She had to get his mind off of Angela and on to her. After much thought she came up with the perfect plan. All she had to hope for now is that the plan would work.

The first part of the plan had worked like a charm. She had invited Tony to meet her Father whom she hoped would give Tony his "my biological clock is ticking" speech. She had pretended to be upset with her Dad when Tony had told her about it. But secretly she was pleased. And the speech Tony had given her about children and children's children? It made her giddy every time she thought about it. She was reeling him in. She did hate herself for having to be so manipulative but hey all's fair in love and war. The second part had worked pretty well too. They had spent the entire day furniture shopping. She kept on imagining how the furniture they had picked out would look in their place. That was the next part of her plan. She was going to convince Tony to move in with her. The sooner she got him away from Angela and that house the better everything would be.

"Wasn't today a great day?"

"Yeah, it was okay."

"Tony, can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Do you ever think about the future?"

"Oh sure. I think Sam getting married and having kids. I think about where I'll be teaching after I graduate."

"No, I mean our future."

"Ours?"

"Yeah, I mean we have been going out for a while now and I was just thinking that you should move in here with me."

"Move in?!" Tony's voice squeaked. Clearing his throat he tried again. "Move in? But I already have a home."

"Tony, that's Angela's home. It isn't yours."

"But, I've lived there for almost 7 years."

"Tony you are the housekeeper there. You are going to college to become a teacher. Do you really think you are going to live in Angela's house the rest of your life?"

"Well ummm..."

"And what if Angela gets married? Hmmm? Do you really think that her new husband would want you living with them?"

A cold shudder went through Tony at the thought.

"I mean come on Tony. You said yourself that Sam is practically moved out and Jonathon will be in a few years. Does Angela really need you to be a 24 hour a day 7 day a week housekeeper?"

"Well, no I guess not." Tony said sadly.

"Well then move in with me. You can still be Angela's housekeeper until you graduate and get a teaching job. Come on what do you say?"

"I'll think about it."

"That sounds good to me." she said and place her head on his shoulder her face lighting up with a big smile.

Tony on the other hand wasn't smiling.

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"Angela, are you okay?"

"What?"

"You seem preoccupied."

"Oh Andy I'm so sorry."

"That's okay. But what is the matter?"

Angela looked at this man. This nice man who treated her so well. But all she could think about was Tony. The man who had broken her heart. But also the man who still had and would always have her heart. Andy with all his amazing and generous qualities would never have her heart. She couldn't keep leading him on. Even though things probably would never progress with Tony and her she couldn't keep letting Andy think that they had any sort of a future together.

"Ummm Andy? We need to talk."

So what is it?"

"Andy, you know how wonderful I think you are but."

"Angela?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you ending things?"

"Yeah, I am."

"Did I do something? Did I say something?'

"No, no." she assured him. "I'm just..."

"You're just not into this relationship."

"No, I'm not. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Actually I've always felt like you've been holding back."

Angela nodded.

"And I guess I'd rather have us end things now as friends."

"Me too."

They both stood up and hugged each other goodbye.

"Good bye Angela. I wish you well."

"Same to you Andy."

He threw some money on the table to cover the bill and with one last look at her left the diner.

Angela watched him leave and sighing heavily gathered up her coat and purse and left as well.