Obviously, Tom stayed with Alex because he and Avery could sleep together. Tom knew that Mom wouldn't like that even though their mother was no fool. She'd been trying to see Alex's house for a few weeks, but he was always busy. He was either overworked, or he was lying and she was determined to find out which.

Kate arrived with an agenda beyond seeing Alex's million dollar home. She wanted to find out more about Tom and Avery's relationship and she wanted to figure out what was going on with Alex. She still thought the whole business with the designer was strange.

Alex's house impressed her, especially the widow's walk. It was an overcast day, and the view was still great.

"I guess the buyers saw it as a clean slate. What were you thinking with boring off-white walls?"

"It doesn't matter by the time Jen is done the inside will be unrecognizable," Avery said proudly.

"Jen, your friend is the designer for this house!"

Alex said, "The new owners hired her. They're friends of the owner of the house you saw on the beach. When I met them they said they were looking. That was why I listed this house."

"But what about Jen, she's from New York?" She noticed Alex looking at Avery as if communicating with her.

Avery said, "They wanted the same designer that did Sydney's house. Jen agreed to take on the project. She has some gorgeous plans."

"She's seen Alex's house?" Kate asked, surprised.

"I let her measure and take pictures so she could start as soon as we close. It was not a big deal, sellers allow things like that all the time."

"So she flew up from New York just to take some pictures of your house?"

Alex was making her uneasy as she watched him walk around with her baby. It was strange that her brother loved babies.

"Kate that's what designers do. Even though this isn't a big job, not compared to The Point house, she had to get her pictures and measurements."

"Why didn't she come this weekend and get the measurements since Avery was coming?"

"She's visiting her parents this weekend," Avery said.

"Oh, where are they?"

Avery looked at Alex again and before Kate could ask what was going on, Tommy spoke up. "For goodness' sake, Kate, why the interrogation. Her parents live in Maine. She's in Maine visiting her parents."

"She's from Maine?"

Avery said, "Yes, but she's lived in New York since college. She's been back and forth more with Sydney's house than she ever was in the ten years since she started working. Her parents are thrilled with that."

"One last question, where in Maine?"

Alex said, "I got this one. She's from The Point. You claim to be so observant, but somehow you missed the fact that Megan and Jen are close friends."

"Wow! So you're working with her and then Tom meets her good friend, and she's from the one place Alex loves... small world."

"Except I knew who she was, and that she was working with Alex when I saw her and Avery that night. I knew she was married, but her gorgeous friend turned out not to be."

"What's with her husband and her divorce?" Kate was growing more curious.

Avery said, "I am not about to talk behind my best friend's back. Sorry, Kate."

Alex said, "We need to leave soon."

"To The Point where Jen is staying with her parents... definitely a small world."

Tom looked at Alex and said, "I wish Matt came, but even he can't control his nosy wife."

"So Tommy, just how serious are you and Avery?"

"Serious enough that I've sublet my apartment. There. You happy? That's news."

Kate didn't know why her questions bothered them so much. Alex seemed relaxed and happy, which only confirmed her suspicion he was dating someone. Whoever she was, Kate hoped he finally found someone he could fall in love with.

His sister was like a tornado that blew through. During her interrogation, he whispered to Josh, good luck when you're a teenager buddy. Your dad and I will try to save you. How did he and Tom ever survive growing up with her? She found out more about Jen than he would have liked. Avery and Tom weren't doing him any favors, and he wondered if they were purposely telling her things. Avery mentioned Jen in the first place and then Tom announced she was from Maine.

Now he had to have dinner with Rick and Alice and pretend he didn't love their daughter. He loved her, but he had no plans to tell her until she was free. Why he felt he should wait was crazy. He should have waited to sleep with her, but he was powerless. Holding Josh reconfirmed his intentions that Jen would be the mother of his children.

Alice outdid herself. She made a meal that was better suited for a cold winter night, but she said, "Young people just don't eat right."

Jen sat next to Alex with the other couple across and their hosts on the ends of the table. He and Jen had their legs linked, but no one was the wiser. The meal was delicious.

He said, "These mashed potatoes are delicious, Alice."

"Jen made them for me," she said proudly.

As Alice said which items Jen made, it impressed him. She had told him she had wanted to cook for him and she did. Her mother didn't know the significance of this meal.

Rick said, "Carl Blake is still around. He's trying to arrange for his mother in Arizona."

"Poor Lorraine," Alice said.

"Yes, I reminded him I have a very interested friend. He said he didn't have time to deal with it."

"I'll be disappointed if this falls through."

Alex wanted that house, and he wanted to make it a home for Jen with her designs. He had dreams that rested on the Blake house.

After dinner the four walked to The Beach House. They took Sandpiper, the street that the Blake house was on. Mr. Blake was watering some flowers. Jen walked over to him.

"Hi Mr. Blake. I'm sorry about your mother. I'm Jen, Rick's daughter. He's told me what a difficult time it's been for you."

"Thank you. Your father's a good man. Goodness, I remember when you were a little girl. He must be proud of you."

"He is. Thank you. I know you told my dad you're thinking of selling."

"I am, but it seems daunting."

"It doesn't have to be. This is my friend Alex. He wants a house on The Point. He will take it in any condition."

Mr. Blake took the hand that Alex offered and shook it. He said, "I don't know a fair price."

Alex, amazed by Jen's magic, was stunned, but spoke up. "Not much has sold recently, but I can get details on recent sales for you. I'm happy to pay a fair price. I'm selling my house at the end of the month, so I'm ready to buy. If you're certain, you're ready to sell."

"I need to. My wife and kids have no interest in Maine."

"I can come by anytime that's convenient with the information."

They agreed that Alex would stop by late tomorrow morning. He called Marcy. "Who's your best customer?"

"You are."

"I need a favor. I need recent sales for properties comparable to an out-of-date cottage on The Point. Similar to the first one I bought. Can you email them to me by tomorrow morning?"

"What do I get?"

"Besides a big fat commission on the Higgins house. You get every other house I buy or sell. You know this is for me. I'm not selling it."

"Okay. I'll help you out."

"Thanks. I love you!"

He was so happy he wanted to pick Jen up and swing her around. Instead, he smiled at her. "You did it."

"Should I be jealous?"

"No, because when you meet her, you'll love her too."

The Beach House was crowded like Memorial Day and Alex didn't mind that Jen was crushed into him. He wanted to talk to her about his excitement over the cottage and Kate, but would have to wait until they were alone.

After it was dark, Alex told Tom they were going for a walk on the beach. Tom said, "I know what you're going to do. We'll stay."

"You'd be surprised if you knew what I want to do." Alex wanted to talk to Jen. As much as he wanted to kiss her, he wanted to talk to her more.

Alex whispered to Jen to come with him. She followed him and walked a few steps behind him down the beach away from people. When he got to a dark deserted spot he sat down and Jen sat next to him.

"I can't believe tonight is all because of you." He took her hand.

"I just talked to the poor man."

"You knew what you were doing the whole time and you say he handles all the sales."

"Actually, I sell all the time. I sell visions."

"Well, you're wonderful! This evening almost made me forget Kate's visit. Once she found out you are working on my house, she was full of questions. She knows you're from here. Luckily she doesn't know we were having dinner with your parents."

"It'll be alright. If she figures it out, you'll deal with her. Her bark seems worse than her bite. You can't stop smiling can you?"

"No, I feel like I'm about to get everything I ever wanted..."

"The house?"

"Yes." He kissed her.

"What else?"

"You in my arms." He kissed her again. "I wish I had you in my bed though."

They walked back to find the others. They were ready to leave, so they walked Jen home together and wished her goodnight.

Instead of emailing the information, Marcy insisted on meeting Alex.

"Meet me at The Landing. I'll buy you coffee and a muffin."

When he arrived, Jen had her coffee and her Times. She knew he was coming. He stood next to her table, and they spoke about his meeting.

"I missed you," he whispered.

She smiled, but then he realized it wasn't for him. Peter, Megan, and their gang walked in. Abbie was running around.

"Look at her go. Amazing she has changed so much in the four months I've known her,"

Alex moved away from Jen and started a conversation with Sophie. He was hearing all about her summer when Marcy arrived. "Hey, Sophie. My friend is here."

They took a table and went over the information that she had prepared. She gave him a range that she thought was fair. He thanked her, and she said she'd like to hang out and see how it went. "I can do the paperwork for you as a thank you."

Alex always teased that he had paid for her daughters' college. He had over the past eight years. He glanced at Jen as he walked out, but she was busy with their friends.