Adam

Why had it concerned him when he couldn't reach Lana? She was surrounded by people, who were in everyone else's business. Ryan knew more about her than Adam did and Ryan was becoming a pain in his ass. He called to discuss a trade and Ryan asked if he had spoken to Lana.

"Yeah, I know she was sick."

"Oh right, she had a tough week especially after her run-in with her ex."

"What ex? What run in?"

"Just the guy she was with for a while, her mother told him he could park in the driveway and it pissed Lana off. Her mother drives her crazy."

"I know she's always frustrated with her mother. The guy didn't touch her did he?"

"Touch her? You mean hurt her? No. She told him off good. I think the whole street heard."

Adam was asking if the guy had touched her as in come on to her, because he wouldn't want another guy on the scene. He knew deep down he was a hypocrite, but Amanda wasn't exclusive with him, so he wanted Lana to be.

He called her on Friday night. "Ryan told me you had a fight with your ex. How long did you date the guy?"

"A long time."

"But it's over now?"

Lana

"Oh yeah, it's been over for a while. I hate him."

She didn't tell him Erik was her ex-husband. She should have told the truth, but she couldn't get into it. She wouldn't have told Ryan the whole story if it weren't for the damn tequila. One shot and she was loose lips. The other problem was underneath all her angry, she didn't hate Erik as much as she should. She just hadn't figured out a way to forgive him, but she would never share it with anyone. Some thoughts were best kept protected.

"Good, because I don't want any competition."

Lana felt a tingle run from her heart. Adam wanted her for himself, and she felt the same about him. Long distance was not ideal, but she trusted he wasn't out with girls during the week. She liked how he worked and thought about coming to see her on the weekend. Her mind had already raced ahead to the fall. Would anything change when summer was over? She waitressed on weekend nights and couldn't afford to give it up. Long distance was definitely not ideal.

When Adam came for her on Saturday, the cottage was empty. With all the concern about leaving Will for the summer, more weeks than not, only their father came on Wednesdays to play golf. Their mother kept finding a reason to stay home. Maybe she was ready for a break from parenting, the way she nagged all the time must be exhausting. She made Lana and Will exhausted.

Adam greeted her with a kiss which made her knees weak. She pressed into him and just when she thought he might take things up a notch, he pulled away.

"Let's get some dinner."

Lana was growing frustrated. At dinner, Adam asked, "So tell me about this guy. You're over him?"

"Oh my God, you're jealous! You have no reason to be. It would be like me being jealous, because you work and never call or answer my calls every Thursday night. I trust you and have no reason to be jealous. Don't you trust me?"

"I do. I'm sorry. I guess it surprised me when Ryan knew about him before me. Maybe he's the one I should be jealous about."

Lana laughed. "Ryan and I are just friends. We couldn't be more incompatible relationship wise and Ryan knows it."

If she was a different girl, she might want to jump into bed with Ryan, because he would be an incredible lover, but that was all. Adam was the one she wanted to go to bed with. She was beginning to wonder if it would ever happen.

Ryan

When Ryan flew out of Portland, he had mixed emotions about going back home. He missed the familiarity of his condo but didn't miss his office. He liked the casualness of the cottage and ending his day with a swim, meat on the grill, and pass on the beach with Will.

He had responsibilities beyond his job which included a board meeting he couldn't miss. He sat on the board of a local charity which supported the poor and homeless. The major item of the agenda was the charity auction, held every October.

Isobel had volunteered to help organize the event. Although Ryan appreciated her willingness to help, he wasn't looking forward to seeing her. His time away had helped, as he was prepared to be friendly yet distance.

His mind wandered to Lana and the circumstances of her divorce. Isobel's deception was nothing in comparison. He lost money and dignity. Lana lost a husband and dreams for the future. The stakes were always higher with marriage.

When he walked into the office, Allie jumped up and hugged him. "I missed you!"

It wasn't inappropriate, because she was engaged to a great guy. "You've been doing a great job."

"Look at you! You look so tan and healthy."

"I didn't know I was unhealthy." His tailored pants fit differently, which had to be from running every day.

Cam appeared and took one look at Ryan. "Man, look at you. I'm jealous. You're living my life."

"What you're offering me your wife."

Cam laughed. "You couldn't handle my wife."

"You got that right!"

Allie interrupting their bantering. "Ryan, Don's on the line."

He was unprepared. "What did the Nat's do last night?"

"They were off."

He went to his office and settled into his chair which he liked. His morning flew by and just before noon, an extremely pregnant Heidi appeared. He should have known she would check up on him.

"Wow! Allie wasn't exaggerating. You look great. You must have every woman on The Point in lust with you."

Ryan laughed. "Only Kristi, but that's because I made her margaritas."

Heidi laughed. "It sounds like Kristi, but I bet she's ogling you too. I'm so jealous."

"You're getting your reward. Look at you!"

"How's Lana? She says you're being nice to her."

"Trying, but I'm stuck with Adam every weekend."

"So are they serious? She's not saying."

"I'm not sure. They see each other Saturday night and for a few hours on Sunday."

"She didn't tell me they were spending the night together!" Heidi glowed like she had juicy gossip.

"No, no! I mean they'll meet up and go to the beach."

"Oh, okay."

Ryan thought she sounded disappointed. It surprised him when drunk Lana admitted she hadn't slept with him. Ryan suspected it was because of the jailbait but wasn't certain.

"You know she complains every chance she gets that I'm a poor substitute for you."

"Of course, she likes me better" Heidi was smug. "You two couldn't be more opposite if you tried. I hope Adam is right for her."

Looking at his watch, he stood up. "I have go to my meeting. You're looking great, by the way."

Ryan took a deep breath before he entered the boardroom. He considered the other board members friends and was prepared for comments and teasing.

"Ryan, you look like you've been on vacation."

"Not me! I haven't taken a day all summer." He defended himself.

The meeting was underway when Isobel breezed in. It was the first time he'd seen her in months. He prepared himself for a pang in his heart, but there was none. Apparently, the time away had helped.

They decided on the menu and other details. They had hired the same orchestra, as the previous year. Each member was responsible for soliciting items for the silent auction. Ryan was behind but had clients who he could count on to make donations. He'd focus on it next week after he went back to Maine.

Isobel spoke up. "We need something more... like a show."

"A show?" Rita Baker who was Ryan's favorite person on the board, questioned her. She had recently turned sixty, but didn't look it and didn't hide it. Given the chance, she'd probably adopt him.

"Yes, if everyone finds one performer, amateur, of course, we could add to the entertainment."

"I like it!" said Russell Walters. "My daughter is a concert pianist."

"Perfect!" Isobel turned to him. "Ryan?"

"Oh um, I'll have to think about it. Can I hire someone?"

"We'd prefer donations," the chairman said.

He had dated a dancer once, but he didn't think she'd be willing to do him any favors. He knew someone who sang beautifully, but she would never perform on stage again. Dread crept in as he thought, this may not be so easy.

At the end of the meeting, Isobel lingered while Ryan was collected his notes.

She approached him. "Did you go on vacation? You're so tanned."

"I've been getting outside and running." His answer was purposely vague.

"Well, you look good. Do you want to go get a drink?"

Rita overheard. "Ryan honey, hold on to your wallet."

She was teasing, but he felt his face heat up. Luckily, they were the only three left in the room.

"A drink?" Isobel asked again.

Rita stood in the doorway. "I'll leave you two. Ryan, it was nice seeing you. Isobel, thank you for all your work. It hasn't gone unnoticed."

Ryan watched Rita leave and turned to Isobel. "Why did you get involved with this?"

She looked as if he were accusing her of a crime. The irony almost caused Ryan to smile. She placed her hand on his arm. "It's a good cause. I have been volunteering for years."

Ryan felt nothing when she touched him. He took a deep breath and released it slowly. "Why did you feel the need to flaunt what you did? You and Everett both have enjoyed talking about me to anyone who will listen. You know I could have reported you to the police. I'm certain I still could."

Her eyes got wide at his threat, but then she sighed. "I was angry with you."

"Me! I was the only one who has the right to be angry."

"You just dropped me. You didn't let me apologize or explain. I thought you cared, but it hurt when you didn't."

"You stole from me and you wanted me to what forgive you? You made a fool out of me and have cost me business as you slandered me around town."

"And today is the first day you even accused me of all this. You discarded me and ignored me."

"If you took my money because you wanted my attention, then you were severely misguided. I would have given you all the attention you sought. I thought..."

"What did you think, Ryan?"

"I thought I loved you, but I know now I was wrong. I would appreciate if you and Everett stop talking about me or I will be forced to do something you'll regret."

"Are you threatening me?"

"No, I am giving you fair warning. I respect my clients, so I never bad mouthed Everett even when I thought he treated you horribly. You knew I was on your side and to see you and him go against me. Well..."

"Can I change your mind about that drink? Maybe we can rekindle those feelings you had for me."

"No Isobel, if I learned anything today it's 'had' is the perfect word. I had feelings for you, but I don't anymore."

She looked hurt, and he didn't want her to feel bad, because he wasn't really the bastard people thought he was.

He sighed. "I'm not sure there is any more to say. Thanks for your efforts."

"Work on getting donations."

He didn't respond as he walked out of the room. It wasn't all bad since it brought him to The Point. He and Jack had a long way to go, but for the first time, Ryan was trying.