A/N: I only own the OC.

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Dexter POV

I sighed as I looked over the beach. I didn't see anyone, and I knew that Jodi was drunk. She was upset and drunk. I know that I should have told her I had been divorced, but it never came up. I was happy... I thought she was as well.

I walked back in to the party as my Dad pulled me to talk to someone else. I glanced over and Dave had the same expression. We were both worried about Jodi.

Jodi POV

I was sitting in a courtyard with a fountain. A few other people from the party were so it didn't look like I was completely out of place. I had drank too much and found way too much out tonight. I was upset because I had met his ex-wife and had things told to me that I wish Dexter would have eventually told me or I had found out with time. I wished he had been the one to tell me about his ex-wife... but no, he had chosen not to mention that.

"Jodi?" A voice said and I looked up to see Mr. Lumis. He handed me a flute and sat down next to me... I didn't want to see him, but I am glad that I hadn't started crying yet.

"Thank you." I said and he clinked our glasses.

"Why are you out here?" He asked me... fuck, time to think fast.

"I don't really know anyone and I know that Dexter needs to network so I came out here because it's peaceful." I said and he gave a chuckle.

"I am glad you found each other again. He has been in love with you since you were little. He thought you were his world when you were growing up." He said and I attempted a smile, but I'm sure it looked sad.

"Yeah. I remember him as my first friend." I admitted to him and he chuckled.

"I was surprised when he married Christi... he had been so in love with you. He hated his mother for moving him away from you. He didn't understand why he could only visit on weekends until your Mother passed." He said. I forced myself to nod... everyone was telling me Dexter loved me... except Dexter. I just wanted the truth.

"Well, I'm sure you know he loves you. He always talks about you, and looks happier now. I suppose I should thank you for that. He is even considering taking over the winery to be in St Augustine full time." He said and I nodded. He hadn't mentioned it.

"He isn't so angry anymore. He actually wants to be around family again. He isn't out all hours of the night with whatever whore he picked up and seems more responsible. Thank you." He said and I nodded.

"I have to get back to the party. I'm glad you are with him." He said and I nodded.

I sat there a little longer and realized that I had no idea why I was here. Dexter was beginning to seem like a stranger to me. I only knew a shadow of him. I stood up and walked back inside... I didn't belong here. I was walking toward the lobby to get a taxi when someone caught my elbow. I looked up to see Dexter's blue eyes looking back at me.

"I got us a room." He said and I shook my head.

"Please, Jodi." He said and I sighed as he took my arm to lead me. I found my feet following him as we got into the elevator. I wrapped my arms around myself as he lead me to a beautiful suite. The room had roses everywhere and the balcony doors were open to hear the ocean.

I walked to the balcony and saw lightning in the distance... I felt like that was fitting since a storm was raging in my emotions.

"Please talk to me." He said softly and I turned to look at him.

"I wish you had talked to me. I feel like I have learned about a whole other Dexter tonight. I met your ex-wife who I didn't know existed, your father told me about your late nights out, and I just wanted you to tell me these things. I was up front with you about Dave... and you couldn't even mention you had an ex-wife?" I asked him.

"Jodi, I..." he said and I held up my hand to stop him.

"Don't... because I don't know which Dexter I'm talking to... the Dominating one, the man whore, or the one whom everyone has told me that is in love with me, but couldn't even open up to me?" I asked him. He sighed and ran his hands over his face.

"Jodi... I love you. I always have... I have watched my parents as I grew up and I knew that wasn't love. I got married because I thought it was what I should do, and that was a disaster because you were always on my mind. I always wanted you, but I don't know how to express it. I... want you to be happy and loved... and I guess I tried hiding the bad parts from you so that you would be happy." He said and I sighed.

"Dexter, the good and the bad parts make the relationship. I don't feel like I know you at all." I said and he pursed his lips. I walked over and kissed his cheek. I walked toward the door.

"No, please don't... let's talk about this." He said as I heard the panic in his voice. I sighed as I put my hand on the door.

"Dexter, I wanted you to talk this whole time." I said as I walked out without looking back. I went to the elevator and part of me wanted nothing more than for him to come after me. I got into the elevator, and he didn't.

I made it to the lobby and called for a taxi. I got home around 1am and immediately burst into tears as I sunk down the front door. The one person I wanted to comfort me was also the last person I wanted to see. I cried myself to sleep that night and felt like I would be doing that for many nights ahead.