With a smile on his face, he rolled onto his back. Sweat glistened on his chest as he sighed. “That was great,” he said as he stared up at the ceiling.

“It was good,” Julia Taylor responded as she sat up, “but it can’t happen again.”

Gage Matthews turned onto his side and glanced at Julia. “Why not?” He questioned as he reached over and encircled a lock of her brown hair around his finger. “Didn’t you like it?” He questioned.

“Yes,” Julia replied after a moment’s hesitation, “but I’m with Jesse,” she explained, trying to find the right words to say to explain her confusion. “I can’t . . .”

“Don’t worry,” Jesse replied as he sat up next to her, “he won’t find out.”

“He’d better not,” Julia remarked. “He’s my boyfriend . . . he’s one of your best friends . . . we just betrayed him,” she explained.

Gage stared at her for a moment in silence. “I fucked up,” he sighed as he turned away from her and started to get up from the bed.

“No,” Julia said as she reached out and grabbed his hand, causing him to stop. “We both did this,” she continued. “We both messed up, but we can’t do it again,” she explained. “I love Jesse . . .”

“I know,” Gage responded. “What was I thinking?”

“We weren’t thinking,” Julia responded as she let go of his hand and shook her head. “It just . . . happened.”

“It shouldn’t have,” Gage said as he stood up from her bed and searched for his clothes. “This never should have happened. It was stupid. I should have stopped.”

“We can’t change what happened,” Julia admitted. “but we can’t do it again.”

“You’re right,” Gage said with a nod. “You’re my friend’s girlfriend, this can’t happen again. It’s just that . . . no, never mind,” Gage said as he reached down and grabbed his underwear from off of the floor.

“No,” Julia said as she leaned forward. “What were you saying?” She questioned.

“Nothing,” Gage said as he stepped into his underwear and pulled them up. “Just forget about it.”

“Gage,” Julia said as she stared at his face, beckoning him to tell her what was on his mind.

“It’s just that I see the two of you. You look so much in love . . . and it makes me jealous,” he explained.

Julia nodded. “It makes you think about her,” she said softly, “the girl you were in love with back home, right?”

Gage sighed and sat down on the chair beside the bed. “You’re the only person I’ve ever told that story to,” Gage admitted.

“It’s okay,” Julia said as she stood up from the bed and wrapped the blanket around her. “I know how much you loved her.”

“But she didn’t love me,” Gage responded, “and you don’t love me either, not the way that you love Jesse. I guess I just wanted to experience that, you know? Just once, I wanted to love someone and have them love me back. I see that with you and Jesse and I just figured . . .”

“You just figured that if you could had sex with me, I would love you in the same way that I love Jesse,” Julia explained.

“Something like that,” Gage said as he glanced into her eyes. “But it doesn’t work that way.”

“No,” Julia said softly as she shook her head, “it doesn’t.”

“It was selfish, I’m sorry,” Gage whispered.

“Don’t be sorry,” Julia said to him, “and don’t apologize. I had my own selfish reasons for doing what we did,” she explained.

“So why did you do it?” Gage questioned.

“It’s going to sound stupid,” Julia said as she sat down on the edge of the bed, “but I did it to make sure that what I have with Jesse is real.”

“I don’t get it, you had sex with me to prove that you’re in love with Jesse?”

Julia nodded. “Things have never been easy for me,” she explained. “I’ve had to fight for a lot of things in my life. This is the first time that I haven’t had to fight for anything . . . Jesse and I, we just fit together perfectly.”

“And you’re not used to that,” Gage said, “I know how that feels.”

“It’s more than that,” Julia admitted. “It feels like a dream . . . like at any minute I’m going to wake up and be left with nothing. I needed to make sure that I wasn’t fooling myself into believing that I have something with Jesse that doesn’t really exist.”

“So you used me?” Gage said.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize,” Gage said, “I think we both used each other.” He paused for a moment. “So . . . did it work for you?” He questioned.

Julia smiled and nodded her head. “I realize now that he’s the only man that I love,” she explained as she glanced at Gage. “I’m sorry that it didn’t work for you,” she said honestly.

“It’s okay,” Gage responded. “When it does finally happen for me, it’s going to be great.”

“It’s going to be amazing,” Julia assured him as she stood up from the bed.

They heard the front door open and paused with shock.

“Julia?” They heard Jesse Martinez call out.

“It’s Jesse,” Julia whispered as she glanced at Gage, fear registering on both their faces.

Jesse Martinez glanced around the apartment. “Julia?” He called out again as he headed for the bedroom. He pushed the door open and peered inside. “What’s going on?” He questioned as his eyes fell on Julia Taylor.

“What’s going on?” Cayden King questioned as he stepped out of the bedroom and into the living room and stared at Jesse and Mason sitting at his computer desk. “What are you guys doing, looking at porn?” He questioned as he crossed the room toward them.

“We were,” Mason Weber responded, “but now we’re Googling ourselves,” he added as he glanced over his shoulder.

“Fine, just don’t get any Google on my computer,” Cayden chided as he glanced down at the screen.

“Stupid ass,” Mason smiled. “Jesse found some sites with newspaper clippings about some of his art shows,” Mason explained. “We couldn’t find anything about me, though. I guess I’m not Google-worthy.”

“Who else should we Google?” Jesse questioned.

“Google me,” Cayden said.

“Is that a proposition,” Mason questioned with a smile as he grabbed his crotch. “Where do you want all my Google?” He laughed.

“Gross!” Cayden said as he whacked him on the arm. “Keep that up and I’m going to start thinking you’re gay too,” he explained.

Mason paused for a second, then glanced at the computer screen. “Let’s look at tits again,” he chuckled, reaffirming his heterosexuality as Jesse began to type Cayden’s name in the Google search box.

“Hmm, what’s this?” Jesse said as he clicked on the only link that popped up. “Oh my God!” He laughed as a picture of Cayden in the eighth grade popped onto the screen.

“Close that!” Cayden said as he reached over Jesse to close the screen. Jesse pushed his hands away and laughed.

“Aw, look how cute you look,” Jesse teased. “What’s this picture about?” He questioned.

“I was in the chess club,” Cayden groaned. “I won a tournament.”

“You were such a nerd!” Jesse noted. “Oh my God, is that a pocket protector?”

“Close the page, seriously,” Cayden begged as he heard a knock at the door. When he opened the door, Kathryn Hayes smiled at him. “Hey Kathryn,” he said as he stepped aside and invited her in.

“Hey, is Jesse here?” She questioned as she glanced around, then spotted him by the computer.

“He’s here,” Cayden responded, “and he’s being mean to me,” he added.

Kathryn stepped over to the guys at the computer and her eyes widened. “Cayden, is that you?” She questioned, slightly surprised.

“I told you to close the window,” he said to Jesse. “Google someone else. Google Kathryn!” He said as he closed the door.

“Don’t you dare,” Kathryn spoke up. “I don’t want to see any bad pictures of me,” she added.

“Thanks a lot,” Cayden grumbled as he turned toward the computer. “I know, let’s Google Szymon Skubisz,” he said.

“Here we go again,” Mason said.

“What?” Cayden questioned.

“This fascination you have with the guy is unhealthy. You’re practically stalking him.”

“I am not,” Cayden said. “It just so happens that he has feelings for me,” Cayden explained.

“We know this,” Jesse responded. “You tell us every chance you get.”

“Well . . . so what?” Cayden questioned, unable to think of anything else to say. “Google him,” he said.

“I’m not Googling that asshole,” Jesse said as he shook his head.

“Fine, I’ll Google him when I get back,” Cayden said. “I have to go to class now anyway, and Mason needs to get to work,” he said as he glanced at his friend, ”or else he’s going to get fired for constantly being late.”

“They can’t fire me,” Mason responded. “Everyone who works in that department is ugly, I make the place look better,” he explained.

“Whatever,” Cayden said as he grabbed his bag. “Jesse,” he said. “When you’re done, lock the door behind you,” he said as he opened the door and stepped into the hall. “Mason,” he said to his friend.

Mason Weber seemed more interested in the internet than in going to work. “Mason!” Cayden yelled as he walked over to him and grabbed him by the arm, dragging him out of the apartment. who didn’t seem to have any intention of moving. “Let’s go. Didn’t you hear me calling you?”

“Didn’t you hear me calling you?” Jesse Martinez questioned as he stepped into the bedroom and saw Julia Taylor pulling on a pair of pants. “I can’t believe this,” he said as he looked at the messy bed, “you lazy bum, you’ve been sleeping all day.” Turning toward Julia, he smiled and shook his head.

Julia smiled. “I was tired,” she responded.

“That’s okay,” Jesse said as he stepped forward and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “I forgive you.”

Nervously, Julia pulled away and glanced at her closet. “So what’s up?” She questioned as she glanced back at Jesse quickly.

“What’s up?” Jesse questioned. “Did you forget? We’re supposed to meet Devon at the pizza place this morning.” He glanced down at his watch. “Oh man, we’re going to be late. She hates to wait, you know.”

“That’s right!” Julia remembered. “I completely forgot. She’s going to be pissed,” she said as she crossed over to her dresser and fished around a drawer for socks.

“She’ll get over it,” Jesse said with a shrug. “Hmm,” he said as he watched her run around in a bra and jeans. “You look hot.” He stepped up behind her and encircled his arms around her waist. “I’m thinking we can make her wait a little longer,” he whispered into her ear.

“No,” Julia said as she pulled away from him. “We promised her that we’d meet her. She only has a half hour lunch break.”

“Okay,” Jesse groaned. “Hey, you should wear that black shirt,” he said as he stepped toward her closet. “You know, the one with the low neck line. I love that shirt.” He said with a smile as he reached for the door handle to the closet.

“No!” Julia nearly screamed, causing Jesse to jump slightly and turn toward her. “I have it right here,” Julia said as she motioned to the shirt lying on top of her dresser.

“Nice,” Jesse said with a smile as he walked over and sat on the bed.

Julia watched him as he sat on the bed where she and Gage had just had sex. She felt a chill run down her spine and she glanced at the closet again before pulling the shirt over her head and putting it on. She found her shoes beside the bed and slipped them on as well.

“Let’s go,” she said.

“Oh, now we’re in a hurry,” Jesse said, sounded both sarcastic and playful at the same time. “Fine, but you have to apologize to Devon for making us late,” he explained as he stood up from the bed and crossed over to the door.

“She can’t get mad at me,” Julia responded as she followed him out of the room, taking one last glance at the closet. “I’m her best friend.”

As they approached the front door, Jesse turned around. “Are you sure you don’t wanna blow her off and do something more fun?” He questioned as he pulled her into another embrace.

Feeling uncomfortable in his arms after what she had just done, Julia managed a smile and pulled away from Jesse. “We’ll have plenty of time for that later, but we have to go and meet Devon right now.”

“Well fine,” Jesse said as he opened the front door. “I hope Devon appreciates our friendship, because we’re giving up sex just to go have coffee with her.”

“She knows,” Julia said as she rolled her eyes and smiled. “And if she doesn’t, then we’ll just do it right there in the pizza place for all to see.”

“That’s actually kind of hot,” Jesse teased as Julia locked the door and they started down the hall for the elevator. Julia had to fight him off again as they waited for the elevator. When the doors opened, a very happy looking Mrs. Mulberry stepped out and shook her head at the two of them.

“Good morning Mrs. Mulberry,” Julia said as she pushed Jesse off of her.

“Good morning, Dear,” Mrs. Mulberry responded as she stepped closer toward Julia so that only she could hear what was said next. “Lucky girl,” she whispered. “If I had a bull like that, I’d ride it all day long,” she said with a chuckle.

“Mrs. Mulberry,” Julia said as a mixture of shock and amusement crossed her face. She tried not to laugh, but a smile broke through as the old woman sauntered down the hall toward her apartment.

Stepping onto the elevator, Julia couldn’t help but laugh. “What did she say?” Jesse questioned.

“You don’t want to know,” Julia responded as the doors closed.

Jesse paused for a moment. “What’s that smell?” He questioned.

“What smell?” Julia asked, getting slightly nervous as she watched Jesse sniffing. “Did someone pee in the elevator again?”

“No . . . it’s smells like . . . it smells like Gage’s after shave. He uses that strong musky stuff. He must have just been in the elevator. God, it reeks in here.”

She glanced over at Jesse. “We’re going to smell like Gage now,” she said, hoping that Jesse wouldn’t realize that the reason the scent was so strong was because it was all over her.

“He needs to tone it down on the after shave. You can smell him from ten blocks away. Sometimes I just don’t understand that guy. I mean, he’s my friend and all, but he puts so much work into trying to impress people. He should just be himself. I think people would like him better if he stopped all the games.”

“He sure is something, isn’t he?"

“He sure is something, isn’t he?” Dominick Perrotti said as he stepped up beside Elijah Montessori and glanced across the room at Cayden King. “He’s has the hottest ass I’ve ever seem. I’m gonna love it when it’s sitting on my lap,” he smiled.

Elijah turned toward Dominick and shook his head. “You’re an idiot,” he said as he rolled his eyes.

“What?” Dominick questioned. “You think you’re going to get it first? Do you honestly think you’re going to win our little bet here?”

“You’re not his type,” Elijah explained. “He’ll never fall for you. He likes men that have principles and integrity.”

“Then he’s obviously not going to fall for you either,” Dominick retorted.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Elijah countered.

“You’re not exactly known as Mr. Integrity,” Dominick explained. “How many innocent little freshman did you bang this semester alone? Were you being honest with all of them when you told them that you really liked them? I don’t think so,” Dominick said as he shook his head. “You only wanted one thing, and when they gave it to you, you tossed them like yesterday’s trash.”

“So what’s you’re point?” Elijah inquired.

“My point is, don’t think you’re going to win this bet because you’re the better man. You and me, we’re the same. We want just one thing, and we don’t stop until we get it.”

“I don’t think so,” Elijah said as he shook his head and reached for his backpack. “Not this time. Cayden’s better than you and me. He doesn’t deserve this. This bet was stupid. I’m backing out of it right now,” he explained.

“Fine, that’s just one less thing I’ll have to worry about. I’ll have his sweet little ass in no time.”

“Dominick, stay away from him. I’m warning you,” Elijah said as he stepped away and exited the student lounge.

“I’m shaking in my boots,” Dominick whispered to himself as he turned to glance at Cayden again. With a smile, he started in Cayden’s direction.

“Cayden,” he said as he approached him.

Cayden glanced up from his books and smiled. “Oh, hey Dominick, what’s up?”

“Not much,” Dominick said as he took a chair beside Cayden. “What are you doing?”

“Studying,” Cayden responded as he motioned to his books. “Gotta prepare for finals. I swear, this semester just flew by.”

“That’s a good thing,” Dominick explained. “I hate it when semesters drag on forever. So listen, I was wondering if maybe you’d like to go out with me some time.”

Staring at Dominick, Cayden paused for a moment and smiled. “I don’t think so,” Cayden responded.

“Why not?” Dominick questioned. “Am I ugly?”

“No,” Cayden said with a laugh as he shook his head. “You’re definitely not ugly.”

“So you think I’m cute. Then what’s the problem? I’m single. You’re single. Let’s go out.”

“Wait a second, how do you know that I’m single?” Cayden questioned.

“Elijah told me,” Dominick responded.

“I’ll have to remember to thank him for that,” Cayden said as he shook his head.

“Don’t blame him,” Dominick explained. “I asked him about you.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m tired of games. That’s all these other guys want to do. They treat people like they’re just a piece of meat. They say all the right things to get you interested and when they get want they want, they drop you and never call you again. I don’t want a guy like that,” Dominick explained. “I want someone honest, someone with integrity . . . someone like you.”

“How do you know that I’m not like all of those other guys?” Cayden questioned.

“Because I watch you,” Dominick answered. “I see the way you are and the way that you treat people. I don’t think you’re capable of deceiving anyone,” he explained. “You’re better than that.”

Cayden’s cheeks flushed red with embarrassment at Dominick’s accolades, and he glanced down. “You make me out to be some kind of saint or something,” he laughed.

“No, I’m just being honest. Any guy would be crazy not to tell you these things, and anyone who doesn’t is an asshole. I was standing over there on the other side of the room just looking at you and trying to work up the courage to come over here and ask you out. I almost didn’t, but then I realized that if I didn’t do something, I could lose my chance and finding someone really great. So what do you say? Come out with me,” Dominick begged.

With a smile on his face, Cayden shook his head. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great offer, but . . . I think I already found my someone great. He’s been there all along. I just didn’t know it at the time,” he said as he reached for his books and began shoving them into his bag.

“He’s a lucky guy,” Dominick said.

“I’m the lucky one,” Cayden said with a smile. “I understand now that he’s the man I want to be with.”

“I understand now that he’s the man I want to be with,” Julia Taylor said softly.

“Are you fucking serious?” Devon James asked.

“Lower your voice,” Julia said as she glanced around the pizza shop, slightly embarrassed.

Devon leaned forward and whispered. “Are you fucking serious? Gage?”

“I know,” Julia said as she shook her head. “It was stupid. I know that.”

“You’re damned right it was stupid,” Devon whispered. “What the fuck were you thinking, you stupid bitch?” Sighing, she shook her head. “You know you can’t tell Jesse, right?” Devon questioned.

“I know,” Julia answered.

“It would kill him.”

“He can’t find out,” Julia whispered. “Promise me that you won’t tell him,” Julia begged.

Devon glanced at her for a minute. “Bitch, you’re my best friend,” she said, “I’m not saying dick, but that’s some pretty fucked up shit,” she added as she leaned back in her chair and glanced down at her slice of pizza.

Julia sighed. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“You have a strange way of dealing with your problems, Girl. You should have gone to a shrink instead,” she explained.

“Look at it this way,” Julia whispered as she shrugged her shoulder, “I saved a bunch of money and didn’t have to sit in someone’s office on an uncomfortable couch.”

“And it was probably a more enjoyable experience,” Devon responded with a smile, “except it was Gage and that’s fucking disgusting.”

“He was a perfect gentlemen,” Julia admitted.

“A gentleman? We are talking about the same person right? I just want to make sure.”

“You don’t know him the way I do,” Julia explained.

“Thank God for that,” Devon retorted.

“Shut up,” Julia said as she reached over and smacked Devon on the arm. “Seriously. Gage talks a lot of crap and tries to get people to believe that he’s this big hotshot, but the truth is he’s a really nice person. He’s gentle and caring.”

“And he’s addicted to weed and God knows what else.”

“So he has problems,” Julia admitted, “but don’t we all? You know,” she said with a smile. “I think you and Gage would make a good couple.”

“Okay,” Devon said as she sat forward. “So far I’ve been sitting here holding back my vomit after hearing all of this, but the idea of me and Gage ever hooking up just might actually make me throw up.”

“I’m just saying that you should think about it,” Julia said.

“I don’t want your sloppy seconds, bitch,” Devon said as she shook her head and laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Jesse Martinez asked as he approached the table and sat down beside Julia.

“Nothing,” Devon responded, “just girl talk.”

“You were talking about me, weren’t you?” Jesse inquired. “Sharing dirty little secrets, right?”

“Something like that,” Devon said as she glanced over at Julia.

“Who was that on the phone?” Julia questioned in an effort to change the conversation.

“Oh,” Jesse responded as he slipped his cell phone into his pocket. “I’m sorry about that, but I had to take that call. It was that lady from the art gallery that I was telling you about. She sold one of my paintings.”

“That’s great!” Julia exclaimed.

“Oh shit,” Devon added, “you go boy.”

Jesse Martinez smiled. “Life is great, isn’t it? I met the woman of my dreams,” he said as he gave Julia gentle hug, “I have great friends and someone just bought one of my paintings. Who could ask for anything more?”

“Well, since you’re such an accomplished artist, you can pay for my lunch,” Devon smiled as she stood up from the table. “I have to get back to the store.”

“Oh, already?” Julia groaned.

“Well, you dumb asses were late,” Devon replied as she stepped over toward Jesse and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Congratulations, sweetie,” she said.

“Thank you,” Jesse beamed.

Leaning over, she gave Julia a kiss on the cheek as well. “Call me later,” she said as she pulled away. “I have some things that I want to talk to you about, okay?”

Julia nodded in response.

“You guys can have this,” Devon said as she reached down and pushed her slice of pizza toward them. “I don’t know why I got two slices, I don’t even have time to eat two slices. What was I thinking?” She questioned as she shook her head and walked away.

“What was I thinking?” Cayden King asked himself as he stood outside of the building. “This is stupid, I should just go.” He turned and started walking down the street the way that he came, but then he stopped and cursed at himself. “You have to do this,” Cayden said. “Dominick was right, if you don’t do it, you’ll miss your chance.”

Gathering his courage, Cayden turned around and glanced at the building again. He breathed in deeply and walked toward the stairs. It seemed as if he were climbing a mountain and when he reached the top of the stairs, all he really wanted to do was turn around and run back down them, but he forced himself to reach up and ring the doorbell of Szymon Skubisz’ home.

He waited. The seconds felt like minutes and the minutes felt like an eternity, but then the door opened and Cayden smiled. His smile, however, turned into an expression of confusion at the sight of a tall slender black woman at the door.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I must have gotten the wrong address,” Cayden apologized. “I was looking for Szymon Skubisz.”

“You don’t have the wrong address,” the woman responded.

“Oh, I don’t?” Cayden inquired.

“No,” the woman said as she shook her head. “Szymon stepped out to run some errands,” the woman explained. ”You’re Casey, right?”

“Cayden,” he corrected.

“That’s right, Cayden,” the woman said as she extended her hand. “I’m Andrea Darling. Come inside,” she said as she motioned for him to enter. “Szymon should be back at any minute and I know he’d be disappointed if I wasn’t at least hospitable to one of his friends,” she added with a smile.

Cayden nodded and stepped inside.

“Would you like something to drink?” Andrea questioned. “There’s coffee, iced tea, soda, juice boxes,” she added with a smile.

“Iced tea would be fine,” Cayden said.

“Okay,” Andrea said, “well come sit down, Szymon just called and said that he’s on his way.” She lead him to the living room and Cayden smiled as he took a seat on the couch.

“Wow,” he said, “he has a beautiful place.”

“I hope so,” Andrea said as she stepped out of the room and into the kitchen, “I decorated it.”

“Oh, that’s cool,” Cayden said as he glanced around and spotted a young boy with a toy badge and a bright red toy gun in the corner of the room. The boy glanced at him and smiled. Cayden smiled back. “Hello,” Cayden said, “what’s you’re name?”

“Sammy,” the boy responded.

“I’m Cayden,” he said softly. “What are you doing there, Sammy?” He asked.

“I’m playing cops and robbers,” Sammy answered.

“Oh, cops and robbers? I used to play cops and robbers,” Cayden admitted. “I always caught the bad guys.”

“Me too,” Sammy admitted. “I’m going to be a cop, just like my dad,” he affirmed.

Cayden paused for a moment as Andrea entered the room with a glass of iced tea. He glanced from Sammy to Andrea. “He’s . . . Szymon’s son?” Cayden questioned.

“Of course,” Andrea replied. “Little Samuel Skubisz,” she said as she handed Cayden his glass and sat down on the adjacent couch. “He wants to be just like his father when he grows up, isn’t that right, Sammy?”

“I’m gonna be a cop just like my dad,” Sammy explained.

“I’m so sorry,” Cayden said as he set his glass down on the coaster on the coffee table and stood up. “You’re obviously babysitting, I shouldn’t be here.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Andrea replied, “I’m not babysitting, Sammy’s my son,” she explained.

“Sammy’s your son?” Cayden questioned as he glanced at the small boy.

“Mommy,” Sammy said as he crossed over toward Andrea, “when is Daddy coming home?”

Andrea reached out and gave her son a hug. “Daddy will be home any minute now,” she said as she glanced at Cayden.

“You live here?” Cayden questioned. “With Szymon? And your son . . . that you had together?” Cayden asked as he tried to make sense of what was going on.

“Of course I do,” Andrea responded. “Szymon and I are married. He didn’t tell you?”

“You guys are married?” Cayden gasped. “I’m sorry,” he said as he shook his head, “I have to go.”

“I have to go,” Julia Taylor said as she jumped around in the hallway while Jesse fumbled with the keys to the door. “I’m gonna pee on myself,” she exclaimed.

“Okay, okay,” Jesse said as he unlocked the door and pushed it open. “There you go.”

“Thank you!” Julia said as she ran past him and headed for the bathroom. Jesse smiled and shook his head as he stepped into the apartment and tossed the keys on the table.

“Knock, knock,” Kathryn Hayes said as she appeared in the doorway. “I just spoke to Devon on the phone. I think she’s calling every number in her phone. She told me that you sold a painting,” Kathryn smiled.

“I did,” Jesse responded.

“Congratulations,” Kathryn said as he stepped forward and gave him a hug.

Jesse laughed. “Thanks,” he said as they pulled away, “but it’s just one painting, and it wasn’t for much.”

“That doesn’t matter,” Kathryn replied. “The point is that someone bought one of your paintings,” she said as she saw Julia step into the living room. “I just heard the news about Jesse’s painting,” Kathryn said to her.

“Isn’t it great?” Julia questioned.

“It’s awesome. We should celebrate,” Kathryn smiled.

“That’s a great idea,” Julia agreed. “Let’s go out and celebrate tonight,” she said as she turned to Jesse.

“Sounds good to me,” Jesse concluded.

“Great,” Julia said with a smile. “I’m calling Devon,” she said as she walked toward the phone. “She knows all the good spots.”

“And I’ll ask Gage if he wants to come,” Kathryn said.

Julia hesitated for a moment and glanced at Jesse. “The more the merrier,” she said, forcing a smile as she picked up the phone and began to dial Devon’s number at work.

Kathryn smiled at Jesse. “I always knew you had it in you,” she said. “Now the rest of the world will no it too. Before you know it, everyone’s going to be fighting tooth and nail to get a painting by Jesse Martinez.

“Let’s not go that far,” Jesse responded.

“Why not? You have something to be happy about. So be happy. Enjoy it,” she explained.

Jesse nodded and smiled. “I will,” he promised.

Julia hung up the phone and turned toward Jesse and Kathryn. “Devon said she knows just the place where we can go tonight.”

“Good,” Jesse said. He turned and gave Julia a kiss on the cheek. “I have to go down to the gallery to get my check,” he said. “I’ll be back in a little while.”

“Okay,” Julia said with a nod.

“See ya later, Kathryn,” Jesse said.

“I’ll buy you a drink,” Kathryn replied as he left. Turning toward Julia, she took a step forward. “I didn’t want to say anything in front of Jesse,” Kathryn said, “because I know he’s friends with Gage and all, but I wanted to let you know that I saw Gage leaving your apartment earlier. I thought you guys were here, but you just got back, so I think he was in your apartment alone,” she said.

Julia paused as panic started to set in. She stared at Kathryn for a moment. “You saw Gage leaving my apartment?” She asked.

“Yes,” Kathryn nodded. “I was just coming back from the store and I saw him walk out of your apartment. When he saw me, he kind of froze, then mumbled something and went back to his apartment. You actually trust him to be alone in your apartment?” Kathryn questioned.

“Of course I do,” Julia answered. “He’s my friend, why wouldn’t I trust him?”

“Because he’s a drug addict and sometimes they steal for their habit.”

Julia laughed. “Gage would never steal from me,” she responded.

“I hope not,” Kathryn commented.

“Don’t worry about it,” Julia said to her, “but thank you for looking out for me.”

“No problem,” Kathryn responded. “So call me later so we can meet up before going out, okay?” She questioned as she headed for the door.

“Sure thing,” Julia said as she saw her friend out and closed the door. With a sigh, Julia Taylor leaned against the wall and shook her head. “Oh my God,” she groaned as she realized that the consequences of her actions would haunt her every day of her life.

She realized in order to keep the secret, she would have to tell more secrets. She would have to pretend like nothing had ever happened between her and Gage Matthews. As she leaned against he wall, Julia Taylor shook her head. “This is crazy,” she whispered.

“This is crazy,” Cayden King said to himself as he stepped out of Szymon’s home. He found himself running down the stairs to the sidewalk. His mind was filled with all sorts of thoughts, but none of them made any sense to him.

He could deal with the fact that Szymon had a son, but he wasn’t sure if he was ready to deal with the fact that Szymon was married . . . and to a woman, no less. He shook his head as he tried to deny what had just happened.

“No,” he said to himself. “This is just a big mistake. Szymon’s not married. He can’t be. He practically told me that he’s in love with me. He wouldn’t say that if he was married.” He continued to shake his head, as if the very act would undo everything he’d just witnessed.

“I have to get out of here,” he told himself as he turned and started up the street.

“Cayden?” He heard someone call out and he paused and glanced up. When his eyes met Szymon Skubisz’s, he froze.

“Szymon,” he said softly.

Szymon held a bag of groceries in one hand and his keys in the other, but the expression on his face said it all. He was surprised. “What are you doing here?” He questioned.

“I came to see you,” Cayden admitted.

“You came to see me?” Szymon repeated. “How did you know where I lived?”

“I Googled you,” Cayden responded.

“Cayden . . . you shouldn’t have come here,” Szymon started to say.

“Don’t worry about it,” Cayden responded as he started to walk past Szymon, “I’m actually just leaving,” he explained.

“Cayden, wait,” Szymon said as he stepped directly into Cayden’s path. “Let me explain,” he said softly as he stared into Cayden’s eyes.

“I don’t need an explanation,” Cayden responded as he averted his gaze. He didn’t want to look into Szymon’s eyes because he didn’t want the other man to see the pain that he was feeling. He tried to step past Szymon again, but the man blocked his way.

“Cayden, please . . .” Szymon said as he reached forward and tried to grab his arm.

Cayden King took a step back and worked up the courage to stare into Szymon Skubisz’s eyes. A single tear ran down his cheek as he managed a smile. “I met your wife and son,” Cayden said softly as he began to back away from Szymon. “You have a beautiful family,” he said as he turned and walked up the street.