The day started off at a regular pace but quickly picked up as more volunteers made their way in and out. Selena had returned along with Claudia, but Desiree was somewhere underneath Julian. Octavia couldn’t blame her, there was no other place she’d rather be than underneath Jonathon. Damn those Rose men, she thought and wondered if Samiyah, Desiree, and Claudia had gone through the same type of jealousy she felt when thinking of Jonathon and Mia.

This morning when Jonathon called Octavia wasn’t so thrilled to find out he was still at Mia’s, but she didn’t reveal that frustration, instead, choosing to be the understanding friend. Octavia rolled her eyes. It was lame, and she couldn’t help but feel possessive. Nevertheless, their repartee had been pleasant the full few minutes she spoke with him. Steven had also returned; it didn’t surprise Octavia, especially after their conversation last night. The moment he walked through the door, they’d spotted each other, and Octavia offered him a warm smile.

“Good morning,” Steven said.

“More like, good afternoon, don’t you think?” Octavia reverted to the time. “It’s after twelve.”

“I would’ve been here on time if someone would’ve let me come over last night.”

Octavia pursed her lips. “In your dreams,” she said, laughing.

“Probably, but I’m willing to stick around and test out that theory.”

Octavia rolled her eyes then walked away. Steven was happy to be on the other end of her smile and not the scowl he’d gotten yesterday when he’d shown up at her residence. He went straight to the phones where he’d planted himself in a chair for most of the day. Claudia, Selena, and Adam were in steady rotation and the day ran smoother than Friday. For the remainder of the evening, Octavia moved the roses that had been left in her room that week to different areas of the house. The bloom on the beautiful red flowers were humongous, and you wouldn’t have known they’d sat in her room all week.

Every time she strolled out with another bouquet, the girls would look at her with raised brows.

“Must be Jonathon’s doing,” Selena said, sliding up to stand next to Claudia.

“She isn’t dating anyone else, is she?” Claudia asked.

“I think Jonathon is the only one, but when this guy came in yesterday, they were all googly eyes at each other, so I’m not sure,” Selena said.

The ladies turned to check out Steven from head to toe.

“He aight,” Selena said. “He’s no Jonathon though.”

“That’s for damn sure,” Claudia said.

They watched Octavia disappear into her bedroom and come out with another bouquet. She passed through the living room and glanced Steven’s way. He threw a wink in her direction, and she tried to hold back a smile as she sat the roses on a table.

“I don’t know,” Claudia said. They both glanced at one another then went back to their duties.

The day turned into night. Before long, it was 9 p.m., and the phones were off.

“Would you like some company tonight?” Steven asked Octavia as she stood by the front door and watched Adam make it to his car.

“I think I’m good tonight,” she said.

“Are you sure?”

Octavia laughed. “Yes, I am.”

“If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

“I do.”

Steven reached out and touched her chin then left. He was acting completely different from the way he did months ago. But it was too bad. Although Octavia could see Steven as a possible friend, there could never be more between them. Jonathon was all she wanted and thinking of him now, Octavia pulled her cell out and dialed his number.

“Hey love, I was just thinking about you,” he answered.

Chills ran down her spine, causing Octavia to shudder. “Were you?”

“Yes.”

“Can you come over?”

“Jonathon, can you help me in the shower?” Mia’s voice rang out in the background.

Octavia’s whole world froze. Her mind went blank before she came back. “You’re still over Mia’s?” she said, unable to hide the frustration she felt.

“For the time being,” Jonathon said with an exhale. He turned to speak over his shoulder. “If you give me a minute, I’ll help you to the door. You can manage with the crutches the rest of the way, right?”

“Yeah,” Mia said.

Octavia took in a deep breath. “I’ll let you get to it then,” she said, disconnecting the call.

“Everything all right?” Selena said, sliding in front of Octavia.

“Yeah, why do you ask?”

“Because for a minute there, you look like you’d seen a ghost.”

Octavia plastered on a phony smile. “I’m good. Are you leaving for the night?”

“Yeah, Imma get on out of here.”

“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow then?”

“I’ll be here around one tomorrow. A girl has got to get her beauty rest at some point, right?”

“Yeah, I forgot you have ten thousand things to do as your nightly ritual.”

“As long as you know it.”

They laughed, and Selena left. Octavia closed her door and went straight to the bathroom for a shower. She wanted to soak in the tub, but ironically Octavia craved to escape reality for the dream world. Thinking about Jonathon at Mia’s the entire weekend made her sick, and she’d gotten her wish, diving right into dreamland when her face hit the pillow.

Sunday afternoon was pleasantly quiet, with a few volunteers coming in here and there. Octavia had to wonder if all the volunteers from Friday and Saturday would return for the last day of the search with the low volume of traffic coming through. But for now, she would just be grateful the house wasn’t full because at any given moment it could be. Octavia stood in the kitchen at the sink, rinsing off potatoes she would cut up and turn into seasoned baked potato wedges.

It would be a fun snack for anyone who came by and hopefully the tasty treat would help brighten their day.

“Excuse me.”

Octavia shut the faucet off and turned to look at Steven. “How can I help you?” she said, grabbing a hand towel to dry her fingers.

“Do you mind if I use your bathroom?”

“There’s one in the hallway right outside the door.”

“I know, it’s occupied. I was hoping I could use the one in your bedroom.”

Octavia opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

“If not, it’s okay. No pressure.”

Octavia smirked. “Sure, why not.” She tossed the hand towel down on the counter and strolled from the kitchen. Behind her, Steven admired her ass in the denim jeans and the sway of her hips. He took a chance by stepping close to her. When Octavia felt a sudden brush, she turned quickly and stepped to the side to peer at him.

“Excuse you, sir, you’re all in my personal space.” She folded her arms.

“I’m sorry,” he raised his arms, “but it is your fault.”

Octavia cocked her head to the side. “How is it my fault?”

A rueful smile crossed his face. “Because your sexy ass walk hypnotized me.”

Octavia pursed her lips. “Maybe you should wait until the bathroom in the hallway is vacant.”

“All right, I’m sorry, I promise to run in and out.” He put prayer hands together, and Octavia rolled her eyes.

“Go, before I change my mind.”

“Gracias,” he said, moving past her to enter her room.

Octavia watched him walk into the bathroom before leaving her spot and going back to the kitchen. She strolled straight through to check on Selena who was listening to her iPod and lounging around waiting for volunteers. Adam sat at the hotline taking down information from a caller. Octavia returned to the kitchen and went to the bowl of potatoes she’d rinsed off. She grabbed a few more from an open bag and went back to the sink and turned on the faucet. Her thoughts traveled to Jonathon and the fact that she hadn’t heard from him. Octavia made it her mission not to interrupt Jonathon while he took care of his friend and whatever else he needed to do. She would be lying to herself if she said she didn’t care. She did, but there was nothing she could do about it.

When a warm hard body leaned into her and strong arms circled her waist, Octavia jumped and turned full circle with a reprimand on her tongue.

“What are you do— Jonathon,” she said, surprised. The smell of his cologne floated around her, and her body heated immediately.

“Yeah,” he drawled. “Who else were you expecting?”

Octavia opened her mouth to speak when he leaned in and placed a soft, succulent, soul snatching kiss on her lips.

“Mmmm,” Octavia moaned into his mouth, slipping her arms around Jonathon’s neck. Her vagina thumped, and her panties were instantly drenched.

Sturdy hands fell down her side, caressing her back, waist, hips, and ass as Jonathon drew Octavia so close the friction between them would undoubtedly cause a fire. “I’ve missed you so much,” he said into her mouth.

“Mmmm,” was all Octavia could manage to get out at the moment. Her arms tightened, and she found herself trying to climb the length of him. Lifting Octavia by her bottom, the two indulged in the heat of their mouths, and the refreshment of being together again. Octavia hadn’t realized just how much she’d longed for Jonathon until this moment. But it had taken everything in him to continue helping Mia when all he wanted to do was get to Octavia. His hands explored her curvy bottom as he pulled his mouth from her to kiss down her face.

“You taste so sweet, just like I remember,” he said.

Octavia giggled, torched by his soft lips and warm breath.

“You think I can take you out to lunch?” he asked. “This place looks pretty deserted.”

“I would love to, but as soon as I leave…”

Jonathon groaned and sat Octavia back down on her feet. He produced a bouquet of pink lilies from behind her back. Octavia’s eyes stretched, and she gasped.

“Where did these come from?” She squealed.

“I’ve had them the whole time, you were just too busy trying to get in my junk to notice them,” he teased.

Octavia laughed and swatted him in the arm. “These are beautiful, Jonathon.” Her heart warmed, and she reached out to caress his face. Heavy footsteps trekked down the hall and when Steven passed the open doorway, Jonathon and he locked eyes. Steven threw his head back in a nod, oblivious to the disdain that Jonathon had for him. Jonathon’s smile turned into a scowl as his brows knocked together and his blood boiled for reasons that were not good for anyone in his way. His head snapped back to Octavia.

“What the hell is he doing here?” he barked as Steven disappeared into the living room.

Placing a hand on his arm to calm him, Octavia responded, “He’s a volunteer with the search party.”

“Here, in this house?”

“Yeah. I asked Officer Davis if he could spare other volunteers because I knew it would be a busy weekend. Steven was who he sent.”

“So, he’s been here all weekend?”

“Yeah.”

Jonathon turned to head toward the living room, and Octavia quickly stopped him, reaching out to grab his arm. He looked back at her.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“To kick him out,” Jonathon said, stating the obvious.

 “Did you hear what I just said? He’s been helping all weekend, and we needed extra hands. Why kick him out?”

Jonathon turned to face her. “I’m here now, so you don’t need him.”

“We still do. If this place kicks into gear anything like yesterday, we’ll wish we had Desiree and Claudia back, too.”

Just then, Steven entered the kitchen. He was just about three inches shorter than Jonathon, and although Steven had a solid build, it didn’t come close to matching Jonathon’s powerful frame. At the menacing look on Jonathon’s face, Steven turned to Octavia.

“Are you okay?”

Jonathon’s brows crushed together even tighter. “She’s fine,” Jonathon barked. “I can’t say the same for you, the longer you stand in our faces.”

Steven stood tall and turned his focus from Octavia to Jonathon. “Oh yeah,” Steven said.

“Don’t,” Octavia said.

Steven turned back to her. “Don’t what? Yo’ boy here just threatened me.” Steven snapped his fingers. “I remember you, you are the best friend, right?” Steven rubbed his jaw, skeptical. “Right… is this the guy I’m about to steal you from?” Steven turned back just in time to see Jonathon drop his fleece to the floor. With an iron fist, Jonathon sent a right hook crashing into Steven’s nose.

“Oh my God!” Octavia screamed as Steven went flying across the room. In two strides, Jonathon was standing over Steven, reaching down to drag him back to his feet by his collar.

“I want you on your toes, sucka, so you can catch this fade one on one. I don’t want you to say I snuck you, or didn’t fight fair. More than that, when you look at your bitch ass in the mirror, I want you to feel the shame of getting beat for trying to come on to another man’s woman.” Jonathon shoved Steven against the island and took a step back, raising his fists.

“No!” Octavia said. “Are you crazy!” She pulled and tugged at Jonathon just as Selena and Adam ran into the room.

“Let’s go,” Jonathon said. “Let’s take this outside. It’s about time I put these hands on you after the way you mistreated my girl.”

“Jonathon, stop it!” Octavia yelled.

Steven rubbed his jaw and glared at Jonathon. “Looks like you’re the only one mad, dawg. Your girl and I talked it over the other night. We’re good.” Steven glanced at Octavia. “We’re good, ain’t we, baby?”

Jonathon lurched forward, laying a three-hit combo on Steven’s face. It was as if Steven wanted to be brutally attacked. Octavia was almost too afraid to try and stop Jonathon with the volatile beat down he bestowed as his fist connected with Steven’s face over and over. Making her feet move, Octavia, with the help of Selena and Adam, lunged for Jonathon, pulling him off Steven.

“What are trying to do, kill him?” Octavia shouted.

Jonathon turned his frustration toward her. “What is he talking about?” he roared.

Octavia drew back, and her thoughts flew catastrophically. “I couldn’t sleep, and I needed to get my mind off my dreams,” she fumbled for an excuse.

“So, you called him over?!” Jonathon reeled.

“I called you first,” Octavia snapped, “but you were with Mia!”

With his voice high, Jonathon yelled, “I told you if you needed me,” he lowered his tone and stepped closer to her, “that I would leave, didn’t I?”

“So, you would’ve left Mia, although she needed you because there wasn’t another person in the world she could’ve called?” Octavia said with a snazzy snap.

Jonathon grit his teeth. “That’s how it is, huh?” He brooded, his jaw set tight and his voice in a steely draw.

“You’re overreacting,” Octavia said.

“I’m overreacting?” Jonathon yelled.

“Yes, you are. Steven being here is no different than you being at Mia’s place!”

Jonathon couldn’t believe his ears. “You mean besides the fact that he’s a womanizing piece of shit who wants to be with you?” he continued to yell.

Octavia leaned into her hip. “I find it hard to believe that Mia hasn’t come on to you in any way. Can you stand there and say she hasn’t?”

Jonathon bit down on his teeth again, and Octavia could see his jaw clench. Reaching down to the floor, Jonathon swept his jacket up. “Fine, if you want to play this game, O, I’ll leave you to play it by yourself.” He moved around her and left the kitchen.

Octavia’s heart sank.

“Should we call the police?” Adam asked.

“No,” Selena said, “we’ve got a first aid kit.” She turned to Octavia. “Honey, are you going to let him leave like that?”

Octavia let out a deep breath. “Shit,” she said, moving around the others and stepping over Steven who was still rocking back and forth on the floor, holding his bloody nose. Octavia ran out the door to try and catch Jonathon, but the only thing she saw was the dust from his tires peeling off down the street.

“Shit,” she said again. Her jealousy had gotten the better of her, and it was the second time she’d snapped at him when all he was trying to do was reason with her. Octavia hoped for her sake this wouldn’t be the last time she saw him.