* * *

Regina hadn't seen Brian in four years, and every time she saw him she remembered when they first met. It was the first happy memory she'd ever had in her life. One that she would always treasure.

She was five, and her parents had hired a new maid called Alessandra. Alessandra came to live with them, and she brought along her son, Brian.

Brian, then eight years old, had captured Regina's heart right from the word go. She'd love his wild, curly, black hair, his striking Italian features, and those sea green eyes that looked like her mother's emeralds. It was love at first sight, and she'd never believed any different. She'd done everything with him from that point. Everything.

But, he wasn't enough for her parents. How could he be? He was the maid's son. They were livid when they found out that she was involved with him. Livid, enraged, and there was no way they were going to allow their daughter to marry someone like Brian.

Definitely not when they'd already chosen Benjamin Vanderville, son of one of the wealthiest families in America who had substantial control over the oil industry. Her father saw her as his foot in the door to increase his wealth. She was his sure ticket to save his faltering status after his investment business went into liquidation.

So, her parents took away her choice and her one chance of happiness. They forbade her to have anything to do with Brian and forced her to marry Ben. Back then she followed orders, anything to make her parents happy. Anything, even if it meant sacrificing the love of her life and her heart.

As she looked up at Brian, his wild curls now speckled with gray and those same green eyes that captivated her, she knew she'd always love him.

Thank God he always stayed in the background and never left her. Over the years he made an appearance whenever he could. Brian still came to see her, as if he hung on to the memory of the love they once had. He'd never married either, and it felt like he'd just never moved on. During the last four years she missed him terribly, and when she didn't hear from him she thought that was it. He'd finally given up and left.

Their meetings always started like this. Him standing there waiting for her to make the first move, and when she tried it was always the same response.

She'd open her mouth to speak, but instead of words, she'd just break down as the tears flowed from her like a never-ending river.

And, like always, she'd fall into his embrace as he pulled her within the warmth of his arms.

Each time they met and she cried it got worse. But this time it was as if she would never stop. Regina felt so weak her knees buckled. Brian caught her and helped her to sit on the lounger. He then sat beside her so she could rest within the safety of his arms while he stroked her hair.

"What did he do this time?" Brian asked. This was where their conversation would begin.

"Too much," Regina managed. Where did she even begin? With the crazy person who was in her room last night drawing her as she slept? With Runway? With Penelope? Or, should she tell him about all the other women Ben had been with since the last time Brian visited?

"Tell me everything." His voice seeped into her heart and filled her soul like a balm.

Strength came from somewhere, and she was able to tell him everything. Absolutely everything with full details. Details of how she felt, details of all the facts, and details of her fears and worries.

When she was finished, she straightened so she could turn to face him. Now she could see the sternness in his expression.

"Regina, this is madness; you have to leave him, you have to leave here."

"Once this is all over I'm filing for divorce." She nodded. That divorce was long overdue. So long overdue. She was so happy a few weeks ago when she realized that everything was finally coming together and she could leave Ben.

Fear had always stalled her. Fear of what he might do to her, but she wasn't afraid of him anymore. Unknown to her, she didn't realize that Fashion Week was her ticket out. All these years she knew it would take money to overpower Ben if she left him. Serious money, status, and friends in high places. Securing the contract to host this year's Fashion Week did all of that for her and brought in an influx of unimaginable revenue.

But this psycho who was watching them and messing with her head had changed the game. Her association with Ben had put a target on her back, and her children. That scared her worse than when she just had Ben and his evil ways to worry about.

"Regina, someone was in your room last night. Someone has been watching you, Taylor, and Wade, and sending these notes. You have to leave now," he begged.

She wished she could.

For her, leaving wouldn't mean getting out of the house and going somewhere she felt safe. Leaving meant going with Brian. Going wherever he took her and catching up on the life they should have had.

But she couldn't do that. She had to stay to protect Taylor and Wade. Whoever was sending them the notes didn't need to send everyone a note. Just the relevant people. They started with Ben, and she guessed they knew she found out about it so included her too.

What a disaster. What a damn disaster.

"Wade is looking into the security system," she managed against the quiver in her voice.

Brian looked uneasy and troubled. "Regina, I have stood by for far too long, watching. Watching you place yourself in one disastrous situation after another. I can't do it anymore."

"I know, and I don't blame you if you stop. I don't blame you if you move on." She would never blame him for anything.

She'd never met anyone like him. He was the kind of man you dreamed of, with a heart filled with the purest love. He'd waited all these years for her, without hope or a promise.

Brian had taken it upon himself to watch over her, like an angel.

"You know I can't do that. And that isn't what I meant." He held her gaze.

"Why did you stay away so long?" She had to ask.

He looked down at the pattern on the lounge chair then back to her. "I was around. You just didn't see me." Her heart warmed at the declaration.

"I'm always around, Regina. It's just hard sometimes to see you like this. A broken version of the woman I've loved my whole life." His eyes filled with a sadness that tugged on her heart. She'd put him through too much, and he deserved better.

Brian was one of those men who would always be true. She would never have to worry about lies or deceit with him. He would always be true. True to her.

He reached out and touched her cheek. "Nothing will stop me from coming, and definitely not when I know you aren't safe."

"Brian," she whispered his name as he cupped her face and she rested her head against his hand. Only he got to see her in this weakened state. "Thank you. You have been my everything. And I have been nothing for you."

He shook his head. "I love you." It was always so easy for him to say, and just as easy for her too.

"I love you too, but I don't deserve you."

"It's never been about who deserves whom, or what. We just got… I don't know. We just haven't had our time yet."

"How can you say that after all these years?" They weren't getting any younger. Life had gone by, and there were so many changes. What time did they have?

"I just told you. Regina, I love you. I always have, from the first time I saw you. You are my everything, and I won't give up, bellezza."

Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. As she looked at him, she wondered how life could have been so cruel to her. She could have been so happy with him. She would have had a better life where she would have felt loved every day, and she would have loved him too.

She loved her kids to no end, and Runway had become her life. But this man would have given everything he had to make her happy. He'd walk through hell and back to save her.

Instead, she'd ended up with Ben, that beast of a man that had ruined her. That beast of a man that had been vile and despicable in every way. She cursed the day that she met him.

But…she was afraid she'd become hardly much different from Ben because she'd kept a terrible secret from Brian that killed her every day. It worked its way into her and darkened her heart from the lies she'd told to keep it. It was fear that made her keep it from him.

As she looked at him and saw the love in his eyes, and felt the everlasting energy from his feelings for her, she didn't think she could keep it any longer.

He should know.

"Brian I have to tell you something."

He shook his head. "No. Not today." His response surprised her. She didn't expect him to say that. Brian gazed deeply into her eyes and gave her that look she'd grown accustomed to. It told her that there was a chance he already knew her secret, she wouldn't know how. And if he knew then she would feel very ashamed that she hadn't told him herself.

"I have to tell you. It's very important."

"It is. It is extremely important, and a treasure to me, but you cannot tell me today." His eyes never left hers and bored into her, displaying the wealth of his seriousness.

A chill ran down her spine. He did know. But how?

How would he know that he was Taylor's real father?

"I'm so sorry," she breathed, breaking down again.

"There isn't anything I don't know, Regina. I may not have been around, but I know everything." A wealth of sadness filled his eyes that made her feel worse than she already did. "It was hard watching Taylor grow up not knowing me. But I understand."

Her hands shook and a bout of grief washed over her that she couldn't endure. Regina didn't just mess up her own life by marrying Ben, she messed up Brian's too, and she hoped that one day she could fix things. She didn't know where she'd begin, but she hoped that she could make up for everything.

"Please." Brian stroked her cheek. "Don't feel bad. I do understand and I want you to tell me properly, in a happier time. Then we can celebrate as we should have."

"God. Brian, how can you be so nice to me? I'm just as despicable as Ben."

"Don't say such things." He smiled. "I know you were only doing what you thought was best. Right now, we need to think about how we can manage this situation." He took both her hands into his. "I've been thinking of moving back to LA."

Regina pulled in a sharp breath. "Really?"

"No more lurking in the shadows. I need to be here for you. When you file for divorce things will definitely get ugly. I'll come and get you the minute you serve him the papers."

"Thank you." She couldn't wait. She drew in a steady breath and felt a small bubble of hope seep into her. It felt good to have hope. Hope was something she hadn't felt in a long time.

"Please come with me now, though, for safety's sake. Just for the weekend, until Wade checks out the security. Ben isn't here. You have the perfect excuse, and you shouldn't be alone."

Regina was already nodding agreement before he could finish. She could leave her life for the weekend. She could step away from the disaster that her life was for a day and a half and gain new strength from the love of her life.

"Okay." She reached out to touch his face when he released her, then she moved forward and kissed him. He kissed her too, filling her with more hope.

* * *

* * *

Wade didn't know where Chloe was, but he'd wait, and when she came home he planned to take her back to his place where he could keep her safe.

He'd been waiting at her house now for over an hour. No one else was here, and when he arrived the door was still unlocked and all the windows open.

It was the perfect house to burgle. It was beyond him, and he didn't understand how three women could live here together and not one nor the other could think about their safety.

Taylor was the worst one of the three. She had all her jewels on display on these stupid stands that looked like miniature mannequins. She also had things like her laptop and reading devices laid out on her bed. What infuriated Wade further was the wad of money he saw rolled up on her dressing table just waiting for someone to take. There must have been a couple of hundred dollars in there.

Sure, they may live in a nice area, but so did his parents and look what happened to them. The more he thought about what happened to his mother the more freaked out he got and he wished Chloe would come back. The longer he waited, the more he worried, and what was worse was she wasn't answering his calls.

What if something happened to her? What if when he left last night someone had taken her?

He tried to calm his mind and not think the worst. To distract himself he used the time to pack Chloe's suitcase. When she got back, he literally planned to just grab her and go. He'd then set up security here, too, for Taylor and Kelly.

Just as it started to turn dark, the front door opened and Chloe came in. But she wasn't alone. Wesley was with her.

Wade knew they were apparently just friends, but it didn't stop the resentful feeling that loomed over him every time he saw Wesley.

"I'll get started on the popcorn while you set up the films," Wesley said as they came in. He wore an orange T-shirt that made the freckles on his nose stand out even more.

Chloe was about to answer him but her words faded when she saw Wade. Her eyes looked red and swollen, worse than last night, and her skin that usually looked so golden and vibrant was now blotchy.

He did that to her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked with a shaken voice. "And with my suitcase?" Her brows lowered in confusion.

"You have to come with me," Wade replied.

"What?" She pressed down on her lips and her cheeks reddened. "Wade, please tell me my suitcase isn't packed."

"Yes, it is. Come on, let's go." He'd explain later. He didn't know what he'd say because he didn't want to alarm her, but he'd tell her something. His mother was worried about Taylor freaking out, but in comparison to Taylor, Chloe was worse. She'd fall apart with worry and fear.

Wesley stepped back looking from Wade to Chloe. "I'm gonna allow you guys to sort this out."

"No Wes. I need you, stay with me."

Wade never thought he'd live to see the day when he got jealous of Wesley. But just hearing his Chloe say those words, hearing her say she needed him, enraged Wade.

He wanted Chloe to need him. Wade was supposed to be the one who stayed with her, not damn Wesley.

"Alright then," Wes replied with caution.

"Wade, you're welcome of course to come here and see Taylor. And you may wait for her in the living room. But please don't ever go into my room again, or through my things." She looked at him as if the last few weeks hadn't happened. That spark that usually flickered for him had left her eyes. That spark and the excitement to see him were gone. "Come on, Wes."

She made a move to go, but Wade caught her arm. "Something is going on, Chloe. Come with me. You guys have this house on display for anyone to walk in. You have the windows open, and you might as well open the door too."

"Let go of me. I don't know what your problem is." She shook her arm free of his grasp.

"It's not safe for you to be here by yourself."

"I'm with Wes. I'm not by myself. He'll stay as long as I need him to."

"He's not staying the night," Wade retorted. Her eyes blazed and her mouth dropped.

"You can't tell me what to do, or who I can see."

"So that's it? You're seeing Wesley?" He was losing his cool again. Just like last night. Except that, unlike last night, he was fueled by fear for her safety and jealousy over Wesley.

"What? Jealous?" She bore into him with her gaze and folded her arms under her breasts.

"Yes, congratulations. I'm jealous, now let's go."

Wesley started to laugh. When Wade shot a piercing glare over at him, he tried to compose himself and stop but seemed to struggle.

"I'm not going anywhere with you Wade. I think we said enough to each other last night. Now if you aren't here to see Taylor, please leave."

He couldn't believe it. Here he was showing her that he cared about her and she was throwing him out.

She turned to Wesley and said, "You coming?"

Wesley at least looked uncomfortable as he walked past.

Wade turned and watched them go into the kitchen. He pulled in a breath to calm himself, to calm his overactive brain that wanted to do nothing more than grab Chloe and go so he could protect her. He stood there for a few seconds before he left. Once again with a heavy heart.

* * *

* * *

Monday morning finally made its appearance.

She made it. Chloe made it to through the insane weekend with all its pain and distress. Now it was Monday and the day that she'd been waiting for for the last month. It was amazing what could happen in a month. Amazing what could happen from one week to the next. It felt like it was only yesterday that she'd submitted the application for the job she'd wanted all her life. Then Wade came back and turned her life upside down and inside out with their whirlwind romance that was always destined for destruction.

She broke down the minute he left on Saturday. It was good Wes was there because she didn't know how she could have managed.

Chloe considered herself to be a well-rounded, intelligent woman who thought she knew a thing or two about people in general. Wade was, however, a mystery to her. She'd known him for a long time—a very long time—and yet she didn't understand him. She didn't understand how he could tell her that he didn't want her love one minute, and then the next he was acting like he cared about her. Packing her things and telling her to come with him because he thought she wasn't safe.

It was very confusing for her and unfair to her heart. Her stupid heart that still longed for him, had rejoiced at the sight of him.

Her heart would have led her straight into his arms if she didn't take a firm stand.

It was too much for her, and she didn't know what to do. It took great strength to separate the events of the weekend from her mind and to focus.

She was still trying to focus and maintain the balance she achieved as she sat behind her desk in the closet. The office was full as everyone was basically waiting to see Regina. She kept her eyes on her computer and went over the designs from the show that she wanted to be featured in the magazine.

She'd opted for simplicity today, so pulled her hair back in a ponytail and wore a black business dress. Chloe looked professional and like all was well in her life. All she had to do was carry on the pretense for a few more hours. She'd get through her meeting with Regina and take it from there.

Thankfully she was first. Regina wanted to see Chloe at ten a.m. It was nine thirty now.

"Here, have this." Lisa came up to her with a steaming mug of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and marshmallows. Chloe looked up at her and offered a smile. It was good that they could be so amicable in a time like this, when they were basically being pitted against each other for this job.

"Thank you." Chloe took the cup when Lisa placed it on her desk.

"You look really nervous," Lisa said, shaking her head. She rolled up the sleeves of her cerise blouse. The color was vibrant against her glowing dark brown skin. She'd worn the same coloring in her eye makeup and outlined her large chestnut brown eyes with a smoky black liner flicking the ends up at the corner for effect.

With her pixie cut hair that enunciated her heart-shaped face and chic clothes, Lisa looked every bit the part of creative director.

"I am," Chloe confessed.

"You shouldn't be," Lisa assured her. "The show was sensational. Trust me when I say you got the job. Of course, I want the job for myself, but Chloe, I'd be lying if I said I could do the things you do."

That made her feel really good, and Chloe respected her for being so honest and open with her. Lisa was amazing at her job, and often times Chloe didn't think she could compare.

"Thank you. That means a lot to me." Chloe felt her eyes fill with tears. "I think you deserve the job too. Lisa, your work is amazing."

"Thanks, but I seriously believe you got this." Lisa lowered her voice and looked over at Bridgette with her Morticia Adams black hair and gothic makeup. "I just hope that our luck doesn't turn over and Bridgette gets it." She laughed.

Bridgette was horrible to everyone. Chloe felt for sure that if she had magical powers she'd transform them all into toads, or worse, blow them all up.

"Me too." Chloe grimaced and started drinking her chocolate.

"I don't think she will." Lisa smiled. "But I think you will." Lisa raised her brows.

"Thanks Lisa. I believe in you too."

"I know, that's why it'll be a pleasure to be part of your team." Lisa laughed again and sauntered away.

Chloe watched her, feeling grateful for the boost. It helped a lot in light of the inner turmoil that boiled within her. She finished the hot chocolate and closed the file on her computer. She then made her way to Regina's office.

Wes caught up to her when she was halfway there.

"Hey there," he said with a smile. "Thought I'd walk you to the principal's office."

She chuckled at that. "Thanks Wes."

He stuck both his hands in his pockets as he walked beside her. "How are you feeling?"

"Like the time when we crashed my dad's car in the lake, but not as bad as the time when we set the frogs free from the school lab."

Wes started to laugh. She did too. Laughing eased her nerves.

"Okay, but you don't have to feel as bad as either of those times."

"You think I have a shot at this?"

"Yes." He nodded. "You always did, and I shouldn't have filled your head with nonsense about Wade. Has there been any sign of him?" He lowered his glasses and stared at her.

She shook her head and thought back to the whole upsetting incident. She remembered how panicked and upset Wade looked, but she couldn't allow herself to think about that. He told her he didn't want her love or respect. It hurt to no end to hear him say that, and she didn't think she'd ever forget.

"I think he got the message."

Wes sighed. "Chloe, do you seriously want him to leave you alone?"

That was a good question and one she didn't want to think about now. However, maybe it was best to get this off her chest so she could feel less tortured going in to see Regina.

They stopped on the mezzanine and stood by the balcony. She had a few minutes she could spare.

"Wade's not serious about me, Wes."

"He looked pretty serious to me."

Chloe looked at Wes quickly, surprised by his comment.

"Chloe, I can't stand the guy, but I'm a fair person. For some reason, he was worried for your safety. That's serious enough."

"Wes, he told me he didn't want my love or respect. Do you know how bad I felt when he said that?" It destroyed her.

"Chloe, answer me honestly. Do you love him?"

The question threw her off balance completely and she was surprised at Wes for asking.

However, as she searched his eyes she found the comfort she always felt, and the understanding she always needed. She knew that she could be real with Wes no matter how absurd a situation was, or how she felt. He was the friend she could always talk to and tell the truth to. She could reveal her deepest feelings to him, and he would never judge her.

Did she love Wade?

Chloe didn’t know if she should be worried that she didn’t have to think about the answer to that question.

"Yes," she confessed. It sounded strange to admit something that her brain refused to accept, but as she said it her heart warmed and expanded just like it did the other day when she was with Wade.

"Oh you poor, poor girl." Wes rested his hand on her shoulder and smiled.

"Wesley." Now was not the time to joke. "I love him, but it doesn't matter anymore."

Wes shook his head. "No Chloe, it matters now more than ever, because you love him." He emphasized every word. "So maybe don't close your heart to him just yet," he added.

She found herself momentarily stunned.

"Now go, get your new job."

"Thanks."

"Anytime." He gave her shoulder a pat then walked back the way they came.

Chloe pulled in a deep breath to clear her head. She needed to focus again. With another breath, she proceeded to Regina's office.

Her nerves spiked when Regina told her to come in after she knocked on the door. She did her best to stop her knees from wobbling as she walked in, but it proved to be a struggle.

On a normal day, she would have relished the thought of coming in here. She'd always loved the way Regina decorated her office, with that cutting-edge style of glossy black and white cosmopolitan furniture that resonated success and inspired creativity.

When Chloe was little, she used to get more excited about a trip to Regina's office than opening her presents at Christmas. That excitement stayed with her throughout the years and fueled her drive to do well.

Usually when she'd come in here she'd practically skip into the room, but today she could barely walk, and by the time she reached Regina's desk she was shaking and her palms dripped with sweat.

Regina smiled at her, giving her that warmth she desperately needed now. It helped somewhat, and she tried to focus on that smile.

"Chloe, dear." Regina got up, walked around, and gave Chloe a hug. "Are you okay?" she asked.

Chloe hoped the dark circles under her eyes hadn't seeped through her makeup. "I'm okay," she replied quickly and smiled to add to the illusion that she was fine.

"Let's sit here." Regina put her arm around her and ushered her over to the chaise lounge. While Chloe sat, Regina opened the windows above to let in the fresh smell of baked bread from the bakery across the street.

The smile returned to her face when she sat next to Chloe. "My dear, I simply must start by saying how proud I was of you on Friday. I was in awe at the hard work you put in to make the show a success. We now have a multitude of requests for all sorts of things and the press is all over us." Regina looked so excited as she spoke. The sparkle in her eyes calmed Chloe a bit more, and she thought that this was a good start.

"I'm really happy the show went well."

"Sweet girl, you should be more than proud. You are going to go places in this business. That is why I feel like I should apologize to you."

"What for?" Chloe straightened up wondering what that meant. Did Regina feel like she had to apologize because she didn't get the job? Is that what she meant?

Chloe felt her heartbeat speed up, and her throat immediately went dry.

"There is a lot of talent in the creative team. A lot, and you all work hard. I couldn't be more impressed with all of you. I know I have a good team." Regina's eyes brightened.

Chloe's heart sank. This was her being let down gently. The tips of her fingers began to tingle, and the backs of her eyes stung.

"They all give a hundred and ten percent," Chloe said, trying to distract from her discomfort, which was beginning to show as she fidgeted with her nails and shuffled in the chair. When the thought hit her that she'd been unsuccessful, her chest caved in. She thought about her plans to leave for Europe, and it saddened her to no end. She'd be leaving her friends, her life, a place she loved to work at. And Wade.

Somehow, no matter what, she always managed to think about Wade.

Suddenly the worry over everything boiled into one colossal burden on her shoulders, and she could no longer carry on the pretense that all was well with her.

Her hand flew up to her mouth to hold her tears in, but it was useless.

"Chloe, my darling girl, what's wrong?" Regina asked putting her arm around her. Concern filled her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to cry." If Regina's arm wasn't around her, she would have run out of the office.

"What's the matter? Tell me."

"I know you have to pick who you want, but I just wanted this job so much." Chloe dared not look her in the eye. "I wanted it so bad. I’ve wanted it all my life."

Regina rubbed her shoulder. "That would be exactly why I chose you."

Chloe turned to face her, looking at the woman she admired so much.

"You…picked me? I got the job?" Chloe's heart jumped to her throat.

Regina smiled. "Yes. I picked you, and I apologize for the stress that I clearly caused you. I have a great team, Chloe, who give a hundred and ten percent. But you give me your soul, and there is no measurement of that. The job was always yours. I just wanted you to feel the accomplishment of getting it amongst a host of other talented people."

Her words gripped her and Chloe could see the depth of Regina's respect and appreciation for her.

"Thank you. You have no idea what this means to me."

"I think I do. Chloe, I've been friends with your mother for a very long time. We are as close as you are with Taylor. I have loved you like my own, and I have always seen how gifted you are. If I simply gave you what you wanted you'd have no sense of achievement. You'd have no drive to work hard and push yourself to the limit of your talents. It would be easy to you. I wanted you to know that you worked hard, earned what you worked for. Do you feel that now?"

Chloe hung on to her words, clinging on to every last syllable expressed by the woman she'd admired and revered all her life. "Yes."

The feeling was so real she could almost touch it. Chloe thought back to the years she'd spent at Runway and all that she'd been through. All the work she'd put in to prove herself, all the effort she'd made to show she was the best and that she deserved to be creative director.

The feeling that washed over her as she realized that she was the creative director was indescribable. It was powerful, and it filled her with an energy she'd never felt before.

"Good." Regina nodded. "Always remember that feeling, and allow it to guide you. Remember that you can do anything you put your mind to."

"Thank you," she breathed, giving her a hug.

"You are more than welcome," Regina replied and smiled once she'd released her. "There's more though."

"More?" Chloe returned the smile. "I don't know what could be better than that."

"How about being in charge of Fashion Week, with me overseeing, and helping me to implement the amazing portfolio design you put together."

"Oh God," she gasped. Chloe couldn't believe it. She was completely enthralled. Her. She was in charge of Fashion Week.

"Regina. Me?"

Regina nodded. "Yes. I was thoroughly impressed. So that means you're going to be crazy busy."

"I will do anything and everything." She was so excited she couldn't contain herself.

"Great, I'm happy to hear that. Also…" There was a flicker of mischief in her vibrant green eyes. "That would mean giving me a heads up before you run off with Wade Vanderville, and for heaven sakes, you'd need to be careful on that dreadful motorcycle. Your mother would have my head if anything happened to you."

Chloe felt her face flush red in an instant. She opened her mouth to explain, but no words came out. Regina simply laughed at her reaction.

"I'm so sorry." She couldn't have felt more embarrassed.

"It's okay. I was young once. Just give me a heads up, we're about to get seriously busy and I need you."

"Of course, and it's fine we're…" She was about to say that she wouldn't be going off with Wade anymore, but something tugged at her heart as she thought about what that would mean. She thought about her talk with Wes and stopped herself. "I promise I won't let you down," she decided to say instead.

"I know you won't. Now come, I'd like to take my new creative director to breakfast. We can get some of those little iced buns they do in the bakery."

"We're going now?" Chloe smiled.

"No time like the present."

This was what she needed, some good news. It would help her later when she had to deal with everything else.