~~8~~

The updated schedule that Tobin acquired from Reg was laid out for review on the computer monitors. The superstructures for the buildings were set to be constructed offsite and would be delivered when they reached the necessary stage. Rick's company was primarily working on the lower levels of the commercial sections of the planned city center. There would be two eight level office buildings whose contract was awarded to another construction team. But Rick's team would also erect a five-story office space in which his company would take one level for their official headquarters. It meant this town was his home base going forward. Grimes Construction had finally achieved the level he dreamed of.

Now that arrangements were properly laid out, Rick didn't have a reason to be irritated. The crew wasn't on edge, and he was able to relax in his office. But when it was quiet, he couldn't keep his mind from drifting to… her. The wrong woman for him to be thinking about. Therefore, he attempted to busy himself with the hiring of new workers while he waited to meet the head of the firm coming on for the interior design elements.

And right on time there was a knock at the door and in walked the man he expected.

"Glenn Rhee?" Rick rose and walked over to greet the man with a hearty handshake.

"Rick Grimes. It's good to meet you."

"Likewise. I was just going over some of the planning. I look forward to seeing your ideas for internal design."

Glenn removed his laptop from his messenger bag once they walked to sit around the desk. He pulled up the files equally eager to present them.

"I've got a few mockups for you to go over. I will email them to you and Reg also because I know you both will want to have a more in-depth review with your team. But I wanted to show you the initial vision now. Rest assured they can all be altered depending on the needs of each individual business."

"Well, that's the thing. We don't know exactly who will lease each piece of the property. I liked your minimalist approach. That would allow them to expand on their own designs if need be. If they decide to use our two companies to further develop interiors, well we can write that into their contracts."

"That sounds like a great idea. I can assume you will be attending the Upcoming Developments Event."

Rick scratched the back of his neck and sighed. "I hate those things. I usually send Reg or Morgan because unfortunately for me, those gatherings are a necessary part of business."

"Networking. It's pretty essential to our lines of work." Glenn chuckled. "Councilman Ridge is hosting, right? Aren't you dating his daughter?"

"He is and I am."

"Hmm…"

Rick had been taking in the layouts on the laptop, but he did just catch the end expression on the man's face. He tried to discern the look but didn't have enough time before Glenn went on.

"There are usually interested business owners present and we can converse with them. Offer our services before others get a chance to move in."

"There are set plans for a large restaurant and a few smaller fast-food venues. They want this to have a modern feel with a few nation brands to pull business in from neighboring counties. A couple of properties will be designated for small businesses to keep the mom and pop, small town feel. Thinking the others will be boutiques and salons."

Rick smirked to himself about how things always seemed to remind him of Michonne.

"An undertaking like this will put us on the map in Georgia."

"That's our hope."

The men took a few more glances at the drafts before Glenn tittered making Rick look at him quizzically.

"Oh, I almost forgot. I think our sons are friends."

Rick's brow furrowed in confusion.

"My son's Hershel."

Realization found Rick and they both chuckled at the coincidence. "He's a great boy. I actually got to spend a little time with him when I went to help with the backyard camping."

"So, you've met Michonne?"

Rick chortled to himself. Boy, had he met her. "Yeah."

"Good. Once your kids become best friends, it creates a parent circle. My ex-wife Maggie and I became close with Michonne that way." Glenn grimaced then muttered. "Used to be cool with her husband too."

Rick knew he shouldn't pry but his interest was piqued. He could get mostly unbiased information all while the informant was none the wiser. "Used to be?"

"Yeah… I don't know if it's my place to say but-"

"It'll stay between you and I."

Glenn was clearly still unsure whether he should divulge any information. "Have you met him?"

"I can't say that we've been introduced. But yes, I've seen him." Rick purposely made an unimpressed face to further persuade.

"Michonne is awesome and so is Andre. But what Mike, her husband did. Running around on her and she still gave him chances to shape up. I mean, I even spoke to him once about it. Can you believe he thought because he went out of town it wouldn't get back to her." Glenn groaned in disbelief.

Rick tried to keep his rising temper from displaying as he glared into the distance, allowing Glenn to provide him with more knowledge.

"Maggie and I were having problems also. And you know he invited me to come hang out with him once in Atlanta. Man, I had to excuse myself from that quick. But what can you do?"

Rick breathed and shook his head in disbelief. "I kind of figured it had to be something like that when he didn't show to set up the camping equipment."

"Oh, so that's how you ended up spending some time over there." Glenn gulped, obviously feeling sadness for Michonne and Andre.

"Maggie and I didn't work out, but we get along great now co-parenting."

"My ex-wife Lori and I are getting there now. It took us a long time to step away from our bullshit to focus solely on Carl. She's with the man she wanted to be with for some time. I don't hold any grudges either. Her being happy helps her be a better parent."

"That's a healthy way to look at it. And just think, you're doing the same thing with Jessie." Rick smiled as much as he could manage before Glenn spoke again.

"Well, we both know from experience that there's a vulnerable state you're in right before deciding to call a marriage quits. Even right after."

"Yeah."

Rick couldn't help but wonder if Michonne was in such a place. Because how could she not be. He never wanted to take advantage of someone in that state. It gave him further pause than should've been necessary to calm his longing for her. But he wouldn't abandon her either when she needed support. When Andre needed support. He'd just have to find some balance, he decided while continuing to listen to Glenn talking about his life.

"But I think I'm in the right place to start dating myself. Do you or Jessie have any friends you could set me up with?"

Rick chuckled and scratched his neck. "I think all the women working here are attached or unavailable. That just leaves the moms you've seen down at the school."

"Yeah, a little too close to home for me." The men chuckled but Rick knew his laughter was for a different reason.

"Who knows who you might meet at this event." he offered, and Glenn smiled optimistically.

"You're right. I'll keep an eye out. And honestly, I hope it works out for Michonne. Andre the most."

"Me too." Rick wholeheartedly agreed.

"Sorry, I got us sidetracked. Let's get back to work."

"It's fine but lets."

"You really gave us a fright the other day Carl. When Ron and Sam weren't sure where you went, I really started to worry. I was so relieved when your dad let me know he'd found you."

Rick smiled at his girlfriend, pleased that she was attempting to bridge the gap with his boy. He had to admit he was thrown off by her initial reaction to Carl going missing. He too hadn't forged a great relationship with her sons either. He hadn't discerned how to break through and form the connections. Outings to the park, movies and even the beach hadn't been enough when what they were obviously missing was their father.

Ron was, to put it nicely, difficult and Sam reticent. Therefore, Rick couldn't fully blame Jessie for also struggling to connect with Carl. Especially when he wasn't very open to the idea either.

But blending two families was difficult. It was always going to have its challenges. Personalities mixing would present some hiccups along the way. Past life experiences countered as well as the structures. Mending the fractures to open their hearts would take time.

It's why when Jessie suggested they share a meal at the dining room table, he agreed. It was a great idea. The more time they spent in familial mode, the easier it would get. It wasn't going to come easy, he tried to convince himself. But there was a nagging reminder he was desperately pushing away. His and Carl's recent time spent in the ice cream shop countered the notion.

After a few bites of food from her plate, Jessie continued to try and engage with Carl. "Whatever could've possessed you to get on the bus?"

But the boy went on picking at his food, trying to find an appetizing bite. He didn't want to engage and chose to shrug as response.

Jessie grinned pressing on through the awkwardness. "Well, why didn't you just come home with Sam and Ron? You know you are always welcome here."

Rick instantly grew tense at his girlfriend's line of questioning towards his son. He finished swallowing his bite, about to intervene but was too late. Carl had decided to finally open his mouth, and not for the meal before him.

"But this isn't my home."

The congenial smile dropped from Jessie's face, and she pivoted to Rick figuring he'd chime in. But he opened then closed his mouth because what could he say. His son was correct. He took a scoop of instant mashed potatoes into his mouth to evade the accusatory look being thrown at him.

He knew he was taking the weak way out. Not knowing what to say that wouldn't invalidate his son's feelings. If his child didn't feel welcome it was something Jessie needed to ask herself how to rectify. Rick had been thinking up additional ways to connect with her sons as well. And just then one of them snickered. Ron laughed as though this conversation was the most hilarious thing he'd heard.

"Ron. Stop." His mother chided him.

"What? It's funny because I told him the same thing."

Rick's fork dropped to his plate with a clang. Now, it was his turn to stare at Jessie, waiting for her response. He wanted to see how she'd handle these issues when he wasn't around. In his presence was as good an indication as any.

"Ron, that wasn't very nice. And I spoke to you about this before. Carl is welcome here. Apologize to him right this instant."

"For what? It's true." Ron sulked defiantly crossing his arms over his chest.

"It's not true. And if you continue to be rude you wouldn't be able to play Roblox for the rest of the week!" Ron's eyes squinted from resentment at his mother's threat, but he still refused to apologize.

"I'm sorry. My brother is mean to me too Carl." Sam sympathized, pushing around his green peas dolefully.

Carl managed to smile at the younger boy who he was starting to realize wasn't that bad. He had to deal with Ron his whole life and that made him sad for the kid. He'd dealt with bullies before himself. He could only imagine what it would be like if the bully was your own older sibling.

"Thanks for letting me sleep in your room tonight."

"No problem." Sam smiled genuinely.

"Wouldn't have to share my little brother's room if you were at your own house." Ron muttered under his breath.

"Ron! Go to your room!" Jessie shouted as she jumped to stand. In shock that he'd doubled down after her warning, knowing how much he loved that game.

But Carl had had enough. He was behaving for his father's benefit, but Ron had pushed him too far tonight. "I didn't even want to come here! I'd rather be anywhere else. I wish I was at Andre's house. At least there I'd be eating good food…"

Jessie blanched from the indirect insult to her cuisine. Rick's eyes shot open wide, and he tried to cut his son off. "Carl!"

But the boy charged on. "… because his mom can cook. And she's cool! My dad likes her too because she fixed his hair after you went and messed it up."

The table sat in stunned silence except of course Jessie who still stood flabbergasted. One could hear a pin drop for several seconds even though it felt like hours. Rick could only hear the blood rushing with the pulse in his eardrums. He pinched the bridge of his nose trying to grasp how much of a clusterfuck this turned out to be. He didn't even know where to begin.

Once again, his son wasn't lying but he still couldn't believe he'd gone off the rails. Let alone ratting him out in the one fail swoop. Rick knew it wasn't his child's job to keep his little white lie. Especially when he didn't know it was one. He realized there'd be hell to pay from the daggers Jessie was throwing at him.

"Well, I think dinner is done." Rick mumbled, still avoiding Jessie's biting eyes before she finally said something.

"Boys, go get ready for bed." She instructed and they all rose to stand.

Rick stopped his son's retreat. "Carl, stay I want to talk to you first."

"Then I guess I'll clean the table." Jessie grumbled and started to scrap the plates and her sons ran off.

"I'll be back to help you." Rick assured her before walking Carl to the living room for privacy.

The father and son sat on opposite ends of the three-seater sofa leaving each equally frustrated. Rick took a moment to gather his thoughts not wanting to come off angry regarding his son's honest views. And after a deep breath Rick began.

"I know you are trying to make this work. It's difficult for anyone, let alone a ten-year-old boy."

Carl pouted. "I wanted to stay home."

"Now, you know I couldn't very well leave you in the house all alone. I spoke to Jessie about the rooming situation. Sam was kind of excited to have you over."

"Yeah, I guess that's better than Ron's room. And Sam's talking to me when I see him at school. He wasn't being mean on purpose. He's just shy."

"I'm glad you two are getting along better. But what you said to Jessie, there are ways to get your point across without intentionally hurting someone's feelings."

"But Dad-"

"Carl, you were bullied. You know it's not right. It's not how you were raised."

"Okay." The boy dropped his head. "I'll go apologize to Ms. Jessie. I mean it's not her fault she can't cook or cut-"

His sentence stopped short when his father frowned at him. "Sorry."

"Tell you what, we only spend tonight here. Go home tomorrow."

Carl contemplated the offer. "What about next time?"

"I think after tonight you kids will need some time to cool off. You already have to see each other at school five days a week."

"I don't have to see Ron that much. And I'm making more friends every day. Andre and Hershel are my best friends still, so it's cool. I don't feel lonely anymore."

"I'm glad buddy." Rick's eyes welled up from the proclamation. He moved to embrace his son in a fierce hug, kissing the top of his head.

This family blending was chaotic but at least his decision to move here was helping his son for the most part. Carl was hugging him back tightly then switched to struggling free, making him chuckle.

"I guess I'll go say sorry now. Then I can get ready for bed."

But the father remembered something and whispered. "Did you get enough to eat?"

Carl leaned in conspiratorially and grinned. "Sam hides cookies in his room."

The Grimes boys tried to muffle their laughter. "I love you son."

"I love you too Dad."

A tension loomed over the couple even after clearing the table and loading the dishwasher. Rick was surprised that Jessie hadn't ripped into him right then and there. But she composed herself for the cleaning. Thus, he knew she was going to hold on to it for later in the privacy of her bedroom.

It was awkward in the kitchen. Not just the energy, but the ways in which they navigated around one another in the space. They found themselves apologizing after trying to move in the same direction and blocking the other, continually. And no matter how many times Rick had been there, he still couldn't figure out where everything was stored.

Now, he'd showered, dressed in a pajama set and climbed into bed to lay there restlessly. He wished he could've fallen asleep before Jessie returned from her bath but alas his eyes remained open. Rick had half a mind to pack Carl up and depart for home to avoid the fallout. But he remained for a few reasons. It was late. He'd already promised to stay and didn't want to disappoint Jessie any more than she already was. And lastly, it felt like his usual modus operandi, annoyance. He was trying to keep away from his previous pitfalls in relationships, so he remained.

Consequently, he laid there until Jessie eventually walked back into her bedroom. She was still wrapped in a cotton towel while drying her hair with another one. At her dresser, she retrieved a nightgown, removing her towel to put it on. Then she put her damp hair into a loose ponytail. She began to busy herself around the room and Rick was at his wits end. He wanted to get this over with and sat upright.

"Are we going to talk about what happened or pretend everything's normal?"

"I'm trying here, Rick."

"Trying to do what exactly?"

"I'm trying too not be furious. Because I'm working stuff out in my mind."

"Look what Carl said-"

"It's not only about what Carl said. There are other things."

"Stuff? Thangs?" he was perplexed as to what else she could be referring to. Then Jessie came to stand at the foot of the bed, her body rigid.

"A friend told me she saw you sitting in the ice cream parlor with a black woman. And you told me the barbershop was on the Southside. Then add what Carl said to that. Was that her?"

Rick swallowed hard at the unexpected details his girlfriend knew. The events in the parlor were on repeat since they occurred. But now it was recalled in the opposite manner, trying to think what he'd need to say. How had it looked to someone from the outside. Shit. The older woman approached them because she thought they were a family. That he and Michonne were a couple. He could only hope that what Jessie's friend conveyed didn't contain the flirtatious moments. But they couldn't have because Jessie would've confronted him by now, certainly.

"I mean, were you even searching for Carl?" Jessie interrupted his thoughts, and he swiftly went from guilt to anger.

"Of course, I was looking for my son. You think I'd lie about something like that."

"I don't know Rick. It just feels like you willfully allowed me to believe your barber was a man."

"I never said that. I'm not responsible for your assumptions."

"Then why didn't you just tell me?"

"I didn't know I had to tell you. Should I tell you about everyone that I interact with?"

Jessie frowned at him. "You know what I mean."

"Oh, so only women."

"Of course not."

"Because you know I employ Francine but there's also Tara. And I've had meetings with Jacqui from the City Planner's Office-"

"Do you know how embarrassed I was. I had to discount the weird interaction to my friend."

"Oh, this is about what other people think. Everything with you is about what other people think." Rick huffed in exasperation.

"Don't try to turn this around on me."

Rick exhaled deeply because she was correct. And she didn't even know the half of it.

"I told you that when I was running late, Carl's friend told him to get on the bus with him. Well, his friend's mother took them to the ice cream parlor to wait for me to come pick Carl up."

"Oh, okay." Jessie visibly relaxed and took a seat on the end of the bed. Rick could see her computing the new information he'd provided her. "That means it was her house that Carl slept over at."

"It was. Look, I was surprised to find out my new barber was the mother of my son's best friend."

Jessie grinned with satisfaction as she moved under the comforter on her side of the bed, next to Rick. "I figure that threw you for a loop."

"Yeah." Rick breathed happily as this conversation seemed to be dying down. The crisis was averted.

"My friend said she's pretty."

Rick didn't know what to say so he decided no response was best as he made himself comfy for sleep. But once he settled, he noticed Jessie was still looking at him expecting some sort of response. And when she didn't get one, she blanched.

"Do you think she is?"

He was flustered because 'pretty' didn't even come close to cutting it as to how appealing he thought Michonne was. His lack of answer garnered him a gasp while she sat up straight to peer down at him.

"You're attracted to her?"

"Since we've been seeing each other, do you think I've not seen an attractive woman?"

Dodging as best he could because his pull towards Michonne hadn't amounted to more than his misplaced attempt at a kiss. A kiss that was rightfully rejected. And at the parlor, he'd been the one to stop any further slip ups. He was moving in the right direction to tamp this lure down.

"I'm- I'm a little uncomfortable with this." Jessie confessed but Rick moaned from exhaustion.

"Why? Are you jealous?"

"Certainly not." she indignantly replied.

"Okay, then that's the end of this." Rick sighed dramatically. "Can I get some rest now?"

Jessie squinted her eyes at him before flipping over to turn the switch for her bedside lamp off. She tossed and turned, fluffing her pillows while Rick impatiently waited for her to settle so he could close his eyes. His initial thoughts were of how much of a waste of time this conversation had been until she muttered something.

"This is it. This is what life looks like now."

Rick had heard this declaration from her before. It was after her divorce had gone through. Relief was her initial reaction then she began to fall into despair at how her marriage devolved into dissolution. At that point, they hadn't crossed the line in their friendship. But he felt obligated to help her, just the way she had when he was befuddled in the courthouse on their first meeting. Comforting her beyond the feelings of having a continued life full of melancholy prompted them to try for more.

Rick considered Jessie's current perspective and how he really wasn't being fair to her at all. His adjustment from pseudo long distance to living nearer already presented its challenges, especially with the kids having contrasting temperaments. He figured it was the reason Jessie asked him to halt the process for a while before calling him months later to tell him she was then ready.

Once he and Carl arrived, there was a cheerfulness that they were moving in the right direction. The route he and Jessie had spoken about so many times before. They each shared the desire for a return to normalcy. But there was a sense of disconnect that came on shortly after arrival. It hadn't been there when they traveled back and forth to see one another. He couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Maybe their existing gap is what allowed him to get so lost in his fascination for Michonne. Secretly lusting after another woman had to be something Jessie could sense. Maybe not the entirety of it, but probably the diversion of his energies. He could only play it off as adjusting to life here and work endeavors for so long. He hadn't been behaving like a man in a relationship. Perhaps he needed to get to the bottom of their detachment to amend it.

Rick took a deep breath and hesitantly rolled towards Jessie.

"I'm sorry."

She turned her head towards him but didn't utter a word.

"I've been focused on so many things trying to establish myself here. I've lost sight of what drew me here initially. What drew us together."

Jessie rotated her body to face him, her eyes eager in the darkness. "We found each other while going through messy divorces. At the courthouse no less."

They both faintly snickered at the shared memory.

"We did." Rick exhaled and she reached over to caress his bearded cheek.

"You didn't know what you were doing. You had so much paperwork in your hands that you didn't even need."

"Well, you and my lawyer helped with that."

"I had unfortunately become a pro by then. Filing then withdrawing numerous times before it finally stuck." Jessie chortled at her prior wavering then she locked eyes with Rick to convey her desires.

"I don't want trauma to be the only thing we have."

Rick nodded his head in agreement then she leaned in to kiss his lips softly. His eyes closed when Jessie applied another smooch. His mind instantly racing back to the recent, urgent cravings he'd experienced.

In the doorway.

In the booth.

His lips reacting now for those previous aspirations. For a few moments, he was caught in the imprints of his mind. But he knew this was very wrong. Using Jessie because he wanted to kiss someone else so badly wasn't right.

The same way he'd been halted in that doorway, Rick stopped now. He efficiently pulled away hoping not to arouse suspicion or cause disappointment. Taking a deep calming breath and pretending the eyes before him didn't question his abrupt retraction. He attempted to provide some comfort by caressing her blonde tendrils back away from her face. But Jessie audibly sighed with confusion on her face then flipped over. Her back to him before drawing the covers up high.

Rick turned to lay on his back staring at the ceiling in the dark watching the shadows of light dance across the room. He feared closing his eyes for what he knew it would conjure back up. This outside yearning was so out of character for him. He'd never been tempted to step out on Lori even when their marriage was clearly headed for its demise. Cheating wasn't his style. He'd try to work things out. Or all else fail, ignore and avoid.

Besides what else could he do? Michonne had made it plain that she had no intentions of entertaining any of his ill-conceived advances. Therefore, the not quite claims of fidelity he'd evaded having to make to his girlfriend were- mostly true.

Michonne was a married woman, trying to work through her own process. He had to acknowledge and absorb that truth. It would prompt him to move past it. She could only be his barber. And maybe not even if he couldn't get a hold of himself. Because the idea of not seeing her again made his chest ache. So, he swiftly cast that notion aside.

He'd do what she needed and that was to be a supportive and dependable friend if she'd have him. For himself, he'd stand firm in his convictions and refocus his energy where it was due to be. Because that could be the missing link to getting his relationship on track. It wasn't going to be a bed of roses all the time and tonight was just one of those instances.

In the meantime, Rick hoped there weren't any more surprise run ins. Preparing for when he would encounter Michonne was the only mechanism for resistance he determined. And there wasn't any cause for them to be alone together. It wouldn't be an issue. But still he repeated to himself, "Don't be alone with her, don't be alone with her.", before drifting off to sleep.