I was rereading Dying to Retire by Donald Bain and remembered this scene and this one shot was born. Then it turned into a two shot because my fingers became long winded.

Jessica couldn't recall a time when she was so irritated. She and Seth, along with Mort and Maureen Metzger, had traveled to Florida to attend the funeral of a former Cabot Cover, Portia Shelby. Funerals were never pleasant, especially when it was unexpectant, but it was hot and sunny in Florida and they left near blizzard conditions in Maine.

Mort and Maureen rented a condo for the short stay and Seth and Jessica were offered a two bedroom condo but Seth declined. Jessica was a little hurt because Seth didn't usually turn down the option of saving money and this was a considerable savings. It would have been nice to have some time alone with each other. She didn't mind being on her own though.

She heard Mort whisper to Seth that he must be planning to woo the merry widows in town. The women outnumbered the men eight to one. Twenty to one if you were looking for a man that drove, was active, and single. Jessica pretended she hadn't heard.

Mort and Maureen invited them to continue on to Key West after the funeral. It would be nice to spend a few more days in the warmth.

But currently she and Seth were at a coffee shop and one of Portia's neighbors had come up to their table. Seth, being a gentleman, naturally rose and offered her a seat. The woman, Monica Kotansky, was flirting with Seth and making it obvious she was ignoring Jessica. She didn't even glimpse at her. Seth didn't notice as the woman continued to flatter him and act coquettishly. She invited him to come over and spend the evening with her.

Jessica didn't believe she even needed to be present. She listened to the obvious moves Monica was making on Seth. Was Seth sucking in his stomach? He was! She decided to enter the conversation.

"Mrs. Kotansky, how long have you lived here?"

The other woman took her eyes off Seth for a second. "Oh, please call me Monica and I'll call you Seth," she smiled at him and Jessica knew the woman was no longer interested in speaking to her, if she ever was.

Jessica didn't bother trying again. She rolled her eyes when Monica and Seth began discussing meeting at six am at the gym. The gym! Neither noticed when she pushed her chair back and left.

Seth whistled as he walked back to the condominiums. Jessica must have decided to do more shopping but he would meet up with her later for dinner. He smiled and greeted everyone that waved or said hello. People were so friendly in Florida. He received several compliments on his attire and one woman was so amazed at his hair that she asked if she could take a picture.

He took a shower as soon as he entered his condo. People must shower three times a day with the heat and humidity. After dressing he called Jessica's condo.

"Jess, Mort and Maureen say they will be dining out so it will be just the two of us. We were invited to have dinner at Lois Dunphy's condo. She's just three doors down from you."

"What time?" she asked.

"She said sevenish and to dress casually," replied Seth.

Jessica sat in front of the vanity mirror applying her makeup. She was making an effort to impress Seth. "Is this what I'm turning into? An insecure woman hoping Seth will notice me?" she murmured to herself. She picked up a cotton square and began removing her makeup. Seth has seen her from casual to dressed to impressed.

She put on a pantsuit that she knew flattered her figure. She wasn't even sure she would bring it but she was happy she did. The blue brought out her eyes. She would leave the jacket since she wouldn't be leaving the building. She slipped her feet into sandals, looking over her pedicure. She and Seth didn't have an understanding. They were each other's dates to events in Cabot Cove but one of them always asked the other. There wasn't any taking a person for granted between them. She shouldn't have assumed that Seth was hers this trip. He was making it plainly clear that she wasn't.

She answered Seth's knock promptly at seven.

"Don't you look lovely," complimented Seth. He held out his elbow for her to take.

"Thank you, Seth," she smiled. She didn't bring up what happened earlier. Even if she wanted they arrived at Lois Dunphy's door in exactly sixteen steps.

"Oh, Seth dear, come in." The woman Jessica assumed was Lois invited them inside. "You must be his friend, Jessica."

Jessica smiled at her but didn't get a chance to speak before another woman appeared at her shoulder.

"Seth, this is my neighbor Marsha, she'll be joining us." They walked further into the home and Jessica saw the table was set for six. She sighed in relief. At least she would have someone to talk to at dinner.

Only she didn't. Four women fawned all over Seth. Giving him second and third helpings, complimenting his strength, his sense of humor, his wealth of information. Seth was at the opposite end of the table from her and the two women beside her never looked her way. Was everyone around here man-hungry?

She looked at Seth, trying to do it objectively. He was single, he was a doctor, he looked healthy, he was a good catch. But he was hers. At least in her mind. Maybe she ought to have said something before coming. Dinner was finally over and coffee and dessert would be served in the living room. Jessica decided she had had enough and went over to the hostess.

She expressed gratitude for the invitation and made her excuses. Seth was being hand fed a fork of key lime pie and didn't notice she left. She could have said something to him but what did it matter?

The funeral the next day was properly somber with the repast following where the mood lightened.

"Mrs. F, Maureen and I are heading south tomorrow. Will you and the doc be joining us?" Mort was hoping Maureen was almost ready to leave.

"I haven't spoken to Seth but I'll be heading down as well. Maybe we'll meet up before I head home." Jessica looked around and saw Maureen in the kitchen speaking with a couple of ladies. She didn't see Seth.

"I'm going to slip to my condo and pack my things."

"If you need a lift, we'll be heading out around ten in the morning. We'll pick up the car at nine."

"That sounds good. Thanks, Mort." She patted his shoulder before walking away.

She had been able to reach her publisher, Vaughn, to let him know she would be in his neck of the woods. He immediately insisted she join him and his wife, Olga at their winter home in the Keys. Knowing how lavishly her friends lived, Jessica jumped at the chance to stay in a place that probably had air conditioning.

Seth called her just as she was crawling into bed.

"Jess, you are hard to keep track of today,"

"Hmmm," she remarked. "I'm getting into bed, Seth."

"Well, you can talk and lie in bed at the same time, woman."

Jessica didn't bother silencing her yawn. "It's been a long day and I have another long day tomorrow."

"That's why I'm calling. My friend, Truman Buckley, has a house and invited us to stay with him."

"Tell him, it was kind of him to include me but I've made other plans."

"Other plans? What plans?"

"I'm staying with Vaughn and Olga, also Buckley. I wonder if there is a relationship somewhere, probably not." She laughed lightly. She knew Seth's back was going up.

"I told you I was going to stay at Truman's," argued Seth.

"Yes, you did but at no time did you tell me I was included. What was I supposed to think?"

"Well, of course there's room for you. I think you'll like him."

"I'll call you when I'm down there and we can make plans," she said. "I'm not planning to do more than lying out in the sun and seeing if I can get a light tan."

"You don't tan, Jess." he chortled.

"True, but I've never tried in the Keys before. Mort says they're leaving at ten so I'm going to call it a night."

"You aren't riding down with me?" he complained.

"I didn't know you were driving down. Seth, you haven't included me in any of your plans. How was I supposed to know? I can't read your mind."

Seth grumbled under his breath. "Well, I don't want to drive alone."

Jessica sighed. "I'll let Mort know I'm riding with you and we'll leave around ten. Are there any other plans you'd like to mention or am I safe to keep the rest of mine?"

"What other plans have you made?"

"We can talk on the drive down. Have a goodnight, Seth." She waited for his goodnight and hung up the phone.

She and Seth had breakfast with Mort and Maureen who insisted they both drive down with them and Seth could pick up a rental in the Keys if he needed one. Jessica liked to go with the flow but she didn't like not having plans in place. Several women came down to see them off. Actually, to see Seth off since they didn't speak to anyone but him. Both Monica and Lois were eager to kiss him goodbye. Seth looked at Jessica self consciously and allowed them to kiss his cheeks.

Mort and Maureen chattered constantly so Jessica didn't have to say much. She loved the scenery they passed. Even at ten in the morning they had to run the air conditioning in the car. She thought of her hair ruefully. The humidity was wreaking havoc on it and even with hairspray her curls were wilting. She didn't bother with much makeup. A little mascara and lipstick was enough.

They stopped at a diner for lunch. They were only an hour from their destination. Seth would be dropped off first, then Jessica. They made plans to meet Friday evening for dinner. Jessica decided to ask Vaughn and Olga if they wanted to join them and Seth would ask Truman and anyone else he wanted.

"I hope I get to see you more than just Friday evening," Seth said to Jessica while Maureen and Mort went to the restroom.

"I'd like that, Seth." She smiled at him. "Like I said, I'm going to take it easy. I don't plan on disrupting Vaughn and Olga's life."

The Metzgers returned and they left the table.

Truman Buckley was an interesting character. Seth told them he was an uptight Bostonian physician, mostly retired, but very knowledgeable. What they got was a laid back, T-shirt and shorts wearing, graying hippie that insisted on giving them the tour of his home. There were plenty of bedrooms although it appeared only two people lived there. He invited everyone to spend the night or a week but Jessica begged off with other plans and so did the Metzgers.

It felt a little strange driving off and leaving Seth behind but soon they arrived at her destination. The large home was seated back from the road. The aqua colored house sported large windows and Jessica smiled when she saw the golf cart parked in the car port. Vaughn loved the sport, Olga, not so much. She could see the beach behind the house and smiled wider.

"Vaughn!" She gave her publisher and friend a big hug. She introduced him to Mort and Maureen.

"Olga went to buy dinner for us."

"You don't have a cook," joked Mort. He smiled broadly then looked sheepish when Vaughn answered.

"It's her night off." Vaughn winked at Jessica. "Just kidding."

Mort and Maureen left and Vaughn carried Jessica's suitcase into the house.

"So, Seth is at a friend's place, you're here, and the Metzgers are at a hotel?"

"Yes, Seth and I came down for a funeral and Mort invited us to tag along for a few days. As you know there's a lot of snow back home so it didn't take any persuasion."

Jessica went into the bedroom to unpack and freshen up. She changed into a white sundress and white sandals and came out just as Olga arrived home. She greeted her dear friend and exclaimed over the simple beauty of the home. Wide open spaces with comfortable furniture and hardwood floors. It was light and airy although she was assured air conditioned when it got too hot.

"Vaughn, Seth's friend down here is named Truman Buckley, formerly from Boston. Is there any relation to you?"

"Hmmm, I do know our family has a branch in Massachusetts as well as Connecticut. I'll have to call up one of my cousins that keeps up with things like that."

Jessica spent two days lying on the beach, wading into the water, taking long walks, and generally relaxing. She was the perfect houseguest. She was quiet, neat, and outside of breakfast and dinner with her hosts she amused herself each day. She shopped locally and loved the boutiques. She found a fabulous dress for Friday night and hoped Seth appreciated it.

It was a halter top dress with very little back although she was adequately covered up top. The dress was made for dancing with its swirling skirt and split on one side. Paired with medium heeled sandals and her jewelry, she looked good and she knew it. She threw on some makeup and set her hair so the curls framed her face a little more than usual. She didn't plan to carry a purse, not even to touch up her hair or face.

Olga outshined her, as only a gorgeous six foot former model could, but her friend arched an eyebrow at her and asked her if she was expecting someone.

Jessica laughed and told her if Mr. Right walked in the door, she would let her know.

They were dining at a restaurant famous for jazz and other music and a lively Friday evening crowd that filled the dance floor. Mort and Maureen had already arrived and introductions were made as Olga hadn't met them yet.

She didn't know if it was intuition or just coincidence but she knew the moment Seth walked through the door. She felt a tingle up her spine. Truman followed behind Seth and an unknown woman with tight pants and a top that made Jessica pray nothing would fall out if she bent over.

Seth stared at her for a moment before speaking. She looked at him confused but he was already introducing Truman and the woman, Norma Laskey, to everyone. Vaughn and Olga, Mort and Maureen were on one side of the table. Seth escorted Norma to a seat and sat beside her while Truman sat beside Jessica. She greeted him pleasantly, all the while she had a sickly feeling in her stomach. Norma was Seth's date?

As soon as their order was placed, Vaughn and Olga got up to dance so the others followed along. Truman was an excellent dancer and Jessica was enjoying herself. Mort was shuffling his feet, hoping he didn't look too pitiful while Maureen was dancing enthusiastically. Jessica turned to look toward Seth. Norma's chest was plastered to Seth, who looked a little uncomfortable. Good.

She danced with Vaughn once before returning to Truman. He regaled her with stories of experiments he was doing. She listened enthralled. A plot idea was niggling her brain so she took care to listen to everything he said.

They returned to their seats as their salads were waiting. Drinks were ordered. She was sticking to white wine like Olga and Maureen but Vaughn and Truman were drinking bourbon. Seth was drinking vodka and Mort was drinking beer. Multiple conversations were going on at the same time but Jessica managed to hear it all. She was interested in what Seth was telling Norma but tried not to be obvious about it. Their entrees arrived by the time they finished their salads so it was a while before they hit the dance floor again.

It may have been her imagination but Seth seemed to be ignoring her. He didn't ask her to dance and didn't speak in her direction. This wouldn't do. Before dessert was served she stood and asked Seth to dance. He couldn't turn her down without a very good excuse so he got up and led her to the dance floor.

"What's going on, Seth?" she asked, speaking directly in his ear.

"What do you mean, Jess?"

"You've ignored me all evening. Have I done something wrong?"

"Of course not. It's all in your head." He gave a weak chuckle.

Jessica pulled back so she could look into his eyes. "Are you trying to tell me something?"

"No, not at all," he stuttered.

She pierced him with her eyes. "I see."

The music stopped and they returned to the table. Dessert had arrived and Jessica enjoyed a piece of key lime pie and an espresso. It was late when they left and Jessica was grateful to ride home with Vaughn and Olga. She said a general goodbye to everyone and Truman assisted her into the car.

At two am Jessica was writing at the desk in her room. Truman had given her an idea for a book and she couldn't help but jot down notes while they were fresh in her head. A soft knock on her door sounded and she called for them to enter.

"Jessica? Is everything alright? I saw the light beneath your door." Olga looked at her with concern. Both women were in robes.

"Oh yes, I'm sorry if I disturbed you. Truman gave me an idea and I'm writing notes."

Olga laughed lightly. "I should have known." She turned to speak to Vaughn who had come up behind her. "She's making notes on her new novel."

Vaughn eagerly pushed the door open wider. "Really, Jessica? I thought you were going to start in May."

"When the inspiration strikes, what will you have me do?" she laughed.

"Do you think you could turn it into the series we were discussing? If we could get two books out for Christmas it would be a blockbuster."

"Now Vaughn, she's on vacation. Leave her be."

"Actually," decided Jessica, "I'm thinking of extending my vacation, maybe going to the Caribbean and spending a few weeks getting inspired."

"Jessica, you can stay here. Olga and I are leaving next week anyway and the house will be empty.

"Oh, I couldn't impose…"

"It's no imposition at all, Jessica. Just tell me what you need. A computer? Paper? There's a library in town. I can get you an assistant, if you'd like." Vaughn was eager to make his best selling author comfortable.

"What about your friends, Jessica?" asked Olga.

"We didn't have any plans to meet up again, not down here. I'll let Mort know I won't be going back to Cabot Cove with them. I closed up my house for the most part, at least enough that I can stay away for five or six weeks."

They spent a few minutes discussing a few details before they decided to say goodnight.

Jessica called Mort the next day to tell him she would be returning home later. She also called Seth but Truman told her he was out. She had a feeling Seth was there pantomiming to Truman that he was out so she just left a generic "she would make her own way home, she was extending her stay" message.

Seth was enjoying himself in Florida. So many women going out of their way to compliment him and ply him with savory treats. Several let him know they weren't adverse to a little activity between the sheets either. Down in Key West Norma was especially attentive. Sure, she was flashy but a lot of fun. If he felt disquieted by his behavior toward Jessica he was able to justify his actions. Afterall, she spent lots of time with men trying to gain her attention. Maybe she would understand what he went through. He had to bury the niggling feeling that she never ignored him no matter who was around.

He was surprised that she decided to stay longer. Was she having that much fun? Were Vaughn and Olga throwing parties? He knew Jessica had wealthy friends and they were probably flying or sailing to the islands nearby. Didn't she understand how it made him feel? He couldn't do any of those things for her. No, he would do better to find someone that would dote on him. Only no one seemed to have the qualities Jessica did.

We are not in a relationship, thought Seth. Lately, they seemed to be teetering on the edge of something and while it was exciting, it also worried him. He couldn't offer much and even now she was enjoying life, traveling around, doing whatever rich people do with their time. For the past few months he had been suspicious that she was making far more money than he imagined at first. The Broadway play and the movies probably brought her several hundred thousand dollars, maybe a million or more.

She didn't spend lavishly at home but who knew what she did when she was gallivanting about the world? Who was he kidding? Jessica was perfect. He only wanted her to see that he could be desirable as well, that women could look at him as a love interest without having money. It was a foolish idea. Now he was going home alone and probably wouldn't be able to have any time with her once she returned. With a heavy sigh he decided to take a long walk on the beach.

Jessica worked feverishly for the next few weeks. Vaughn sent down a wonderful assistant that was more than capable of filling her requests with ease. She took a long walk each morning and evening just to clear her head but she was extremely satisfied with her newest novel. It was the first time she ever tried writing two books at once. She was up to the challenge however. It was only as she feared the books would be too long that she had an idea. She had wanted to include more of a story for one of the characters who would be in both books. Was it possible she could make three books?

With renewed energy she burned the midnight oil. Her contract only called for two books this year but they could count the third book as one for next year. If she was lucky, she could take the entire summer off and the first part of Autumn.

She admitted to herself that she was working so hard so she wouldn't think. Men could be so frustrating. A thought popped into her head. Seth was trying to tell her he didn't want a relationship with her, and probably not with anyone. Those weren't the kind of women he was attracted to. She knew it instinctively. He didn't want to hurt her feelings or damage their friendship. She sighed. Oh well, they would just be friends.