The next couple weeks were almost idyllic as far as Marissa was concerned. Most of her off time was spent with Aaron. They worked on both houses together in the evenings and took the dogs to the dog park most days. They ate their meals together, either ordering in or taking turns fixing something quick and tasty. They finished her third bedroom and moved on to the second bedroom.

At his house, they removed the wallpaper and started stripping the beautiful old hardwood floors. They seemed like a dream team, working together harmoniously, their ideas for his home coming together in a perfect blend.

But it was more than a good working relationship. It was a partnership, a bond built on trust and familiarity. She felt so in tune with Aaron that it was like she had known him forever and they had always been partners.

Not that they never argued. They did. Aaron fought to paint his kitchen blue, his favorite color but Marissa wanted to see it done in sunny yellow. Another time he felt they should expand the closet in her second bedroom and she didn’t think it was necessary. But somehow the disputes all seemed to end peacefully and resolved with a compromise worked out between them.

A couple of times they visited his parents and they went to another cookout at the senior McCall’s. Aaron fit right in and Marissa’s parents were beaming by the end of the afternoon. They even went on a double date with Chloe and Marcus, enjoying a concert under the stars.

Marissa had agreed to become the sales manager at work which required more of her time but the monetary increase was worth the extra work. She talked to Dr. Cooper a couple more times, starting to narrow in on a time when he could see the house with her.

That thought sent a wave of apprehension flowing through her. She had never been dependent on someone else for fulfillment. She’d always been independent, ready to stand on her own two feet. The idea of actually needing someone else was foreign to her. Oh, sure, she needed her family, but that was different. They’d always been there and they always would be. But to allow someone else that status in her life frightened her. What if he pulled a Dominic? What if he left her? Honestly, the thought scared the hell out of her. Maybe she should get out now before it was too late?

No. That would be the coward’s way out. She wasn’t so frightened she wasn’t willing to try…was she? She’d never thought of herself as unwilling to take risks. But had she ever taken such a large risk? After all, this time it was her heart at stake.

She was still arguing with herself when she arrived home from work to an empty house except for Larry who looked even more mournful than usual, his eyes drooping sorrowfully.

“Well, what’s wrong with you, boy?” She reached down and rubbed his long, velvety ears. “ ” Is it because you’ve been alone all day? I know, you’ve gotten used to Aaron being around, hanging out with you in the afternoon. But he has to work on his house, too, you know. Besides, he said he had a meeting he had to take today.”

Larry tilted his head and gazed at her with a questioning look on his face. “Oh, so you’re becoming addicted to him, too, huh? Well, suck it up, buddy. We’re in the same boat.”

Marissa headed upstairs to change clothes, Larry following in her footsteps. She hung the navy suit she’d worn in the walk-in closet she’d created. Now that this house was near completion, she felt a sense of pride. It was a great feeling to take something old and run down and make it alive and desirable again. She had definitely done that with this house. She was almost ready to put this place on the market and hopefully realize a healthy profit. Aaron had been spending some extra time helping her finish the place up. When they finished with hers she’d help him with his.

Marissa finished slipping into jeans and a T-shirt then headed downstairs to feed Larry and grab some iced tea. She was just pouring kibble into Larry's bowl when her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID. Unknown. Hmm, oh well, you never kn o e w.

“Hello. This is Marissa McCall.” She waited several seconds before repeating herself. “Hello?”

For another moment there was silence then she heard a deep, muffled voice, sounding as if the phone was covered with a cloth.

“Do you know who your boyfriend’s with?” The voice asked.

“What? Who is this? ”

“I said do you know who your boyfriend’s with.”

“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, buddy, but you need to tell me who you are.” She was angry now, gripping the phone so tightly her knuckles were white. “I’m hanging up, asshole. Don’t call back.”

She clicked her phone off, her breath coming in great, heaving gulps. What the hell? Who the hell was that?

She didn’t understand. The only male that could be considered her boyfriend was Aaron but very few people actually knew they were a couple. Just his family, her family, and Chloe really. She hadn’t even mentioned him to anyone at work.

She fought to calm down, drawing in deep breaths. When at last she felt more relaxed she decided it had just been a prank and tried to shove it out of her mind. Despite that, the memory kept creeping into her thoughts.

She finally decided to take Larry for a walk and try to get over her unease. Even as she and Larry walked along the trail, however, she kept wondering who the caller was and why he’d asked about Aaron. Aaron was meeting someone on business…wasn’t he?

Larry sniffed along the sidewalk, leaving his mark all along the way. He hadn’t yet found the perfect spot to do his dirty business when she headed towards home. It was starting to get dark and she still felt tense.

Marissa knew her mouth was hanging open as she watched him pull into traffic. That didn’t look like a business meeting to her. Not unless it was monkey business.

A cold wave of anger flooded through her. Aaron was seeing another woman. There was no other explanation. Damn it! After all the lectures she’d given herself about players. And she still got played!

And then she thought of the phone call. What had he said? Do you know who your boyfriend’s with?

Well, she did now. Now she just wanted to know who the hell else did.