After Alex left, Jen cleaned up the kitchen. When her phone rang, she thought it might be him, but it was Sterling.

"Darling, we heard from a magazine. They want to see more pictures of your work, specifically beach properties."

"We have the house I just finished and some from The Hamptons."

"You need to work on a response. If you were here, you could come in and work with Lexi." He whined.

"Sterling, I'll be home on Sunday night. Make the arrangements so I can come in on Monday after my appointments. I finished two proposals today and started ordering for the Doyle project. I've been busy."

"Darling, we're all busy."

There was a knock at her door and she couldn't imagine who it was. She looked out and saw Megan.

"Listen, Sterling, I've gotta go. My friend is at the door." She didn't lie.

Megan knocked again. "I know you're in there. Alex doesn't have a rental car."

Jen opened the door and stood aside to let her in. She said nothing, because what could she say. Megan walked in with a bottle of wine in her hand and looked around.

"Nice. Did you help with the colors?"

Jen answered and finally said, "I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?"

"For lying... for..."

"So you and Alex are what? Friends?"

"You could say that."

"Jen, it's me. We used to share everything. Well, until you got married, and I got unmarried, but I'm still one of your best friends. You can tell me anything and you can trust me. So how long have you two been friends?"

"We talked a lot when we were doing the Thompson house. We tried. We really did, but we couldn't. We've been spending weekends together since June."

"But you were shopping two nights ago."

"I've been working. I designed the house that Alex just sold for the new owners. It's done, but I stayed and worked from here the rest of the week. I was on the phone with Sterling when you knocked."

"Why the secrecy?"

"Because I'm not divorced yet."

"You almost are. Right?"

"Yes, but technically I'm not yet."

"So no one knows?"

"Just Avery and Tom. No one can know." She pleaded.

"Don't worry. I figured it out, but Peter was clueless. He was worried about you, but I thought why wouldn't she want anyone to know she was here. I have thought too often that you and Alex are a good match."

"You have. Really?"

"Yes. Do you love him?" Megan asked.

"We haven't used words like that."

"You do, don't you! Oh, this is so exciting! Oh, my God! All that talk last month about Alex. Were you already sleeping with him?" Jen looked at her feet. "You were! If Peter wasn't so perfect, I'd be jealous."

"Peter won't tell anyone will he?"

"No, we know about keeping private things private. Peter never told anyone my secrets even when we were not getting along. He also has told me you had a talk, but he refused to tell me what it was about. I'm guessing it wasn't about Alex, because he came home with milk and yogurt and news about you in the store."

"Why was he shopping so late?" Jen opened the wine and poured two glasses.

"He worked late. He was on his way home. So how did you get together? Was it romantic?"

"It's a long story, but he came to New York to sweep me off my feet. He struggled with his feelings because... because his father had an affair and that's why his parents got divorced."

"But that's what happened to you. You and Alex just found each other too soon."

It relieved Jen her friend knew. Even though Avery knew, she was too busy lately to talk. Avery and Tom were acting strange, but Megan was definitely on team Alex.

"I still don't understand how you let Peter go?"

Megan smiled. "Never get so angry that you become stupid. I was stupid and stubborn and thankfully Peter never gave up on me."

"You, two weren't completely estranged before you got back together."

"Why do you say that?" Megan asked.

"Well, you must have spent some time together nine months before Abbie was born. "

"That's a story that requires far more than one bottle of wine and Pete's permission." Changing the subject, she asked, "When will you be single again?"

"Hopefully sometime this fall. Do you have a nanny cam because when we were babysitting?"

"No, but what did you do in my house?"

"We just kissed."

The two friends talked until Jen had a text from Alex that he was on his way.

"Game's over," Jen said.

"Okay, I'll go, but I want you to tell Alex I'm happy for him." She hugged Jen and whispered, "For both of you."

Jen was antsy, pacing the floor waiting for Alex. She knew she could trust Megan, her oldest friend, but she hoped that Alex wouldn't freak out. She remembered his tendency to retreat. She hoped he was beyond that now.

She met him at the door "I'm sorry... It's all my fault, but Megan knows."

He looked at her and said, "What happened?"

"She showed up with a bottle of wine and said, 'I know you're in there'. So I had to let her in. She told me to tell you she's happy for you. Did Peter say anything to you?"

"When I was going, he gave me a man-hug and slapped me on the back."

"He must have known when Megan didn't come back she found me. I'm glad they know. I'm tired of pretending with everyone."

"They know about secrets." Alex agreed.

"You're not angry?" she asked nervously.

"No, someone was bound to find out and if I had to choose, it would be them."

"I have other news. I was on the phone with Sterling when she knocked. We have a magazine asking for more photographs. We may get published!"

"You may. You and Sterling may be Dixon Designs, but the designs are all yours."

She smiled, because a few minutes ago, she was worried he would retreat, but instead he was bolstering her up. She desperately wanted to tell him how much she loved him, but was afraid. She knew he cared for her. She could tell he was serious. They were designing his house together.

The weekend went by much too quickly and after being with Alex for over a week it was difficult to say goodbye. Back in her apartment she unpacked, prepared for the next day, got ready for bed, and called Alex. They talked until she couldn't stay awake.

"I miss you already."

"Me too."

She jumped right into work, but again the city was so loud and brutally hot after being in Maine. She let Lexi know she was coming in after her appointments. Lexi assured her she was the only one in the office.

They had spent close to an hour deciding on photographs. Lexi had left for the day and Jen was getting some work done. Since she was, there she may as well make use of the space. She heard them before she saw them. She was making copies at the machine when they walked in together. They were in the midst of a conversation that abruptly stopped when they saw her.

Trevor spoke first. "I just came for a file. I'll get it and leave."

"Jennifer darling, look at you."

"What?" she asked, confused.

"You're simply radiant!" Sterling responded.

"Sterling, I'm not radiant. I'm irate because you knew I would be here, and you brought him. What game are you playing?"

"Jennifer, I'm sorry. I didn't know. I never want to upset you." Trevor said, as if he meant his words.

"Trevor, you stole my husband and then worked with me every day making a fool of me. You know he was screwing both of us at the same time." She was angry.

"Jennifer, there's no need to get ugly," Sterling said.

"Oh right! Let's pretend things are just fine and we all get along. So Trevor, how's the work coming on the Grant apartment?"

"If you really want to know I'd love your opinion on a few things, but that's true for every project. I liked working with you."

She just stared at him not sure how to respond when her phone rang. It was Alex, and she suddenly felt the urge to cry. She answered and said, "Hello, I'm at my office."

Alex said, "And you're not alone?"

"Definitely not."

"Sterling?"

"Yes, and..."

"Oh no, honey! I'm right here. Remember, as hard as it is, you have me now."

"Yes, you're right. Okay thanks for telling me." She hung up.

"Jennifer are you alright," Sterling asked, and she nodded. "Who was that?"

"Oh, it was just the guy who did my work last week. He said that he took care of everything." She lied or did she? Alex just took care of her by reminding her she had a much better man than Sterling ever was or would be.

"Sterling, we should go so she can work. Goodbye Jennifer," Trevor said.

"Darling let me know when you're coming in again."

"Let me know when you're going to stop calling me darling!" She hollered, and she thought she heard Trevor laugh.

She left right behind them, but texted Alex first to let him know she would call him soon. Once home she called, and he answered immediately, "Oh baby, are you okay?"

She realized that he called her honey and baby for the first time. "I'm okay it was all an emotional blur. Sorry about that craziness when you called, but you grounded me. So now, I'm honey and baby!"

"Do you mind? They just came out."

"Never call me darling. Sterling always did and still does and it makes me cringe."

"Good to know. Do you want to talk about it?"

"No... yes, I keep thinking they shouldn't bother me now that I... have you." She almost said love.

"They humiliated you. They shattered your illusion for your life. We can't change your past... only our future."

"Our future?"

"Yes, the life we build together. The memories we share. Hopefully, your first time seeing them was the worst and each time will get easier."

She heard his words, and her heart exploded. She was sure he loved her too. Was he afraid to say it like she was?

"You really know how to make me feel better. How was your day?"

"Busy. Interesting. Tasty."

"Okay start with tasty."

"I ate your delicious leftovers for dinner. It's nice having real meals."

"I'm glad. How about interesting?"

"Our mutual friend accosted me when I was having lunch."

"What did she say?"

"She hugged me and told me I better treat you right to which I replied that I intended to."

"I can see her doing that, but you better figure out how you'll let Sophie down gently."

"Oh no, you have to share me with my girl." He laughed. "How was your day before you were ambushed?"

She told him about her day and they talked until Jen said she had work to do. They said goodnight, and after she hung up, Jen whispered, I love you.