That next morning, after they had admitted their feelings for one another, but had decided to just stay friends, TIm was unsure of exactly what he was supposed to do since he was basically living in Lucy's backyard. Thankful that his back wasn't hurting, Tim decided to just go with their normal routine. He stopped by Genny's to see her before she had to go to work and to pick up his suitcase. She jokingly gave him a hard time about living at Lucy's and how they were skipping a few steps in their relationship. Tim didn't tell his sister about his and Lucy's conversation and decision not to pursue anything.

The rest of the days continued in very much the same routine. Tim would hang out with his sister and his nephew in the late afternoons and evenings and Tim would work around Lucy's house during the daytime, sometimes seeing her and sometimes not.

It turned out that being friends was harder than either Lucy or Tim imagined it would be. After their initial awkwardness from admitting their feelings had quickly worn off, their natural chemistry became so obvious to them. They could talk about anything and, even though they didn't always agree on some things, they respected each other's opinions. They flirted without meaning to and somehow found reasons to touch each other in the most innocuous ways. Their hands would brush or they'd bump into each other in the hallway. He would put his hand on her shoulder or she would touch his arm to get his attention. They didn't talk about how much they were doing, but it was obvious that they both craved that touch.

Another few days later on one particularly chilly Saturday afternoon, Tim, Lucy, Genny, and dozens of other people found themselves back on the cold bleachers watching a Little League game. Tyler was in the outfield and Alex was playing second base. As Lucy had promised coach Chuck, Alex was a good player. Genny sat between Lucy and Tim and couldn't help but notice how the two of them would eye each other when they thought no one was looking.

As the batter on the other team hit a ball into the outfield, Genny, Lucy, and Tim all jumped to their feet.

"Catch it!" Tim yelled.

"Eye on the ball!" Genny shouted.

"You got it!" Lucy exclaimed.

Tyler caught the ball, which caused everyone to cheer, and the inning was over.

"I'm going to see if there's any hot coffee left at the snack bar," Genny said, rubbing her cold hands together. "Anyone want anything?"

"I'll take something warm," Tim said.

"I'll come with you," Lucy offered.

A warm drink sounded perfect and Lucy had to admit that she didn't want to be sitting next to Tim alone. Things had become strange between them since they admitted they had feelings for each other.

Climbing down off the bleachers, Lucy and Genny passed a small table next to the dugout where the orange and watermelon slices sat that Lucy had brought. It was so cold that none of the kids were really touching the fruit. Going to stand in line at the concession stand, Genny turned to Lucy.

"What is going on with you and my brother?"

"What? What do you mean?" Lucy replied.

"The chemistry between you two is obvious."

"We're just friends."

"Well that's a shame because you two look like you were made for each other."

"It's…complicated," Lucy muttered.

They approached the concession stand. The woman running the stand said she was out of coffee, but she did have plenty of hot chocolate. Genny ordered three. Lucy took two of the full cups as the woman handed them to her and she turned to head back to the bleachers. That's when Lucy spotted Ashley talking to Tim. She was in a bright pink North Face jacket that of course hugged her curves in all of the right places. Lucy looked down at her own worn out sweatshirt and Jeans she was wearing. As Genny paid for the hot chocolates, Lucy watched as Ashley touched Tim's hand and laughed at something he said. Lucy had this sudden image of pushing Ashley down the bleachers. She shook the thought from her head. Ashley had every right to talk to Tim. After all, Lucy and Tim were just friends.

"Come on, our team is up to bat," Genny said.

Hurrying back to their seats, Genny made a point of stepping over Tim so that Lucy would have to sit next to him. Ashley was still there and was slightly perturbed that she had to move a little so everyone could take their seats. Lucy handed one of the hot chocolates she was holding to Tim and he thanked her.

"Hey Genny," Ashley said.

"Hi Ashley," Genny replied politely.

"It's nice to see you again…Lola," Ashley said, turning to Lucy with a fake smile.

"It's Lucy," Tim said before Lucy could say anything.

"Right, of course. Sorry. I was just reminding Tim about the school's carnival fundraiser tomorrow. We could really use all of the help we can get setting up."

"We'll all be there to help," Genny said. "Just like we signed up to do during the last PTO meeting."

"Well, I just wanted to double check. Despite how cold it is today, the weather is looking perfect for tomorrow. I guess that's New England for you. So I guess I'll see you tomorrow around 9:00?" Ashley said, looking straight at Tim.

"I'll be there," he stated.

"Great. And don't forget the offer still stands that if you want to go out sometime, I'm available."

"I haven't forgotten," Tim said.

"Perfect. See you tomorrow!"

As Ashley strode away, she bumped into Lucy's arm, causing her hot chocolate to spill on her sweatshirt. Ashley didn't stop to apologize.

"I'll get some napkins," Genny offered, standing and walking away.

Lucy looked down at the stain on her shirt. She could feel the wetness soaking through the fabric. A wind blew and she shivered.

"It's too cold for you to be in a wet sweatshirt," Tim said. "Here."

He quickly pulled his sweatshirt over his head and offered it to Lucy.

"No, it's fine. I'll be fine."

"You'll freeze."

"And so will you," Lucy replied. "You're not used to this New England weather. You've got thin LA blood."

"My blood is just fine, thank you. And I've got a spare jacket in my truck."

"Of course you do," Lucy said.

"A cop's gotta be prepared."

"Thanks," Lucy said, taking Tim's sweatshirt. She took hers off and immediately put his on. It was a little big, but it smelled like him. She took a moment to close her eyes and let the scent intoxicate her.

"It looks better on you anyway," Tim said with a smile. There was that flirtiness again. Lucy smiled.

"Thank you," she repeated. "Really."

"You're welcome."

They stared into each other's eyes and that familiar pull of wanting to kiss the other person came to both of them.

"Go Alex!" Genny shouted as she climbed back up the bleachers with napkins in her hand.

Lucy tore her gaze away from Tim and focused on her son. He was up to bat. He gave a little wave back at Lucy before heading to home plate. Lucy clapped her hands.

"You got this, Alex!" She shouted, trying to keep her cheeks from turning pink. She was supposed to be watching her son play baseball, not flirting with the very attractive man who just entered her life. Friends, Lucy reminded herself. They were just supposed to be friends.

At 9:00 the next day, Lucy pulled into the parking lot of the school with Alex in the backseat. Even though he had grumbled about going to school on a Saturday, he got excited when he found out most of his classmates would be there. Lucy noticed that Tim's truck was already in the parking lot as was Genny's minivan. Dozens of other parents and teachers were milling around. The school was on a large piece of property including a big field where the students normally had recess and outdoor phys-ed class. The goal, Lucy had learned from Genny, was to transform the field into a small carnival with a few traditional carnival games, a bouncy house or two, a makeshift dance floor with a DJ playing kid-friendly music, carnival food like corn dogs, cotton candy, and popcorn, and the plan was even a few small rides that were rented from a traveling amusement park company. Tickets would be sold to raise money for the school's library. All in all it was a good cause and Lucy was happy to help.

As Lucy got out of the car with Alex in toe, Ashley got out of her pristine looking van. She was dressed in skinny jeans and a V-neck black, silky shirt, looking more like she was going to a club than working on putting together a kid's carnival. Lucy looked down at her ripped jeans and old t-shirt that had brown stains from when she stained the pergola on it. Much like she had the day before, she wished she had put a little more thought into her outfit. But then Lucy berated herself. That wasn't who she was. She was practical and certainly didn't need to dress up to set up a kid's carnival just to impress a guy. A guy she was only supposed to be friend with anyway.

"Thank you everyone for coming!" Ashley exclaimed, ushering everyone to gather in a large circle. "We'll have some parent volunteers watching over the kiddos at the craft table while the rest of us have assigned projects to work on. Let's make this year's carnival the best one yet!"

"Gag me," Genny said, coming up behind Lucy. "She is way too chipper."

Lucy stifled a laugh. "How long have you known her?"

"Since I had her daughter, Cora, in kindergarten. She's actually a very sweet and bright little girl, but her mother is a serious handful."

As Ashley started passing out assignments to the adults, Tim walked over to where Genny and Lucy stood.

"Hey," he said.

"Hey yourself," Lucy replied.

Genny looked from Tim to Lucy. They were both staring at each other, clearly mesmerized by each other's presence.

"I'm going to go get the kids settled at the kid's table," Genny announced, gathering both Alex and Tyler and leading them over to some tables set up in a grassy area.

"How was your meeting with Chip?" Lucy asked.

"It was good. We went over the curriculum for the gun safety class. It's all easy enough stuff. My first class is on Monday."

"And how do you feel about that?"

Tim nodded. "Good. Like you said, it'll be nice to dip my toe back in. And I even talked to Grey."

"Your Sergeant back in LA?"

"Yeah. He thinks it's a good first step too."

"I'm glad you're being open about it," Lucy said.

"I think I have you to thank for that."

Their conversation was interrupted when Ashley strode over to them. Lucy couldn't help but notice that she stood very close to Tim.

"Tim, thanks for coming," Ashley said with a big smile. "You'll be working with me on painting the backdrop for the pin the claw on the crab game and the mermaid photo booth." She turned to Lucy, her smile dissipating. "And you will be working with Ben and Tom on putting out trash barrels and setting up tents and putting down the dancefloor. Do you like to dance, Tim?"

"Trash?" Lucy murmured under her breath.

"I can do all that," Tim offered. He glanced over at the two men Ben and Tom that Ashley had pointed to. They were both moderately attractive, thirty-something year old men. From where he was standing, Tim could see that one was wearing a wedding ring. He couldn't see the other man's hand. Tim didn't much like the idea that she'd be spending the day with them. "Sounds like heavy lifting."

"I'm more than capable of doing some heavy lifting," Lucy remarked.

"I know you are," Tim told her. "I just…"

"Well, if Lucy is fine doing it, then it's settled," Ashley interrupted. "Now, come along, we have a lot of painting to do! I've got the paint cans in my van if you'll follow me." Ashley began walking away towards her vehicle.

"If you need help…" Tim began to say to Lucy.

"I got it," she assured him.

"I know, but the offer still stands."

"Thanks," Lucy said. "I better go find some garbage cans to wrangle. Have fun painting with Ashley."

Tim wanted to say something in response, but couldn't think of anything. He would have much rather been putting up tents and trash cans with Lucy than spending the next few hours painting with Ashley.

"Hey!" Tim called out to her. Lucy turned to look at him. He wanted to ask her to be his date to the carnival, but then he wondered if that was weird. Was it kosher to take a date to a school's fundraiser? "Will I see you tonight? At the carnival?"

"If you're lucky," Lucy replied with a smile before turning to continue walking away.

"Hey Chen," Tim called out again. When Lucy turned this time she had a smirk on her face. He had never called her that before and she kind of liked it. "Save me a dance."

Lucy didn't respond. Instead, she just walked away, dreaming about what it would be like to be in his arms.