Ryan

Will came over after his shift. "Hey man, can I crash here?"

Ryan nodded. "Yeah, I heard the whole story."

"Where's Lan?"

"She went for a walk on the beach. Do you want to go throw the ball before I start up the grill?"

"Dope. Yeah!"

Ryan had learned dope was good and had nothing to do with drugs. He was feeling pretty dope after hanging around with teenagers all summer. The beach wasn't empty, but there was enough open space to play. It didn't surprise him when Cassie showed up to watch. Perhaps he should get to the bottom of what was going on with Will and the girl. She definitely liked him which was great, except she was in the pool last week with her boyfriend.

Lana came back from her walk and sat and watched. She relaxed as the afternoon went on. He secretly liked the company. Being alone during the week was fine, because he worked but the weekends got lonely. He would grill chicken and throw together a salad. Will would need more than that, but he could fill up on bread. They were used to sharing meals, so it really wasn't unusual.

When they walked back to the cottage, he saw the ex standing in the window of the Drake cottage. Will was saying something funny and Lana was laughing. Her laugh filled the air and Ryan hoped the her ex felt left out, because he deserved it.

"Sweetheart, I could get used to this," Kelly said, as she kissed his cheek. He had just had dinner with his parents. If he was honest, he enjoyed seeing more of them. He never planned to live so far from home. He went to Georgetown and then his first job was in DC and he stayed. Would he think his mother was meddling like Lana's mother if he lived closer? He didn't think so because Nora was in a league of her own.

He had enjoyed providing a refuge for both Will and Lana. They were fun and didn't get in his way when he was working. Just that morning, Lana appeared with a cup of coffee for him. It was his second, but he occasionally had more than one. When she brought it in to him, he was having his daily chat with Don. She snickered and when he eventually hung up, he told her about his favorite client.

"So you talk to him every day?"

"Yes, he's lonely and it's part of my job."

"Does he have children?"

"Yes, but I'm sure they've grown weary of him. Can you imagine growing up with a man who can talk for hours?"

"My dad loves to talk to people, but he always does more listening than talking."

"I know he had me talking about ETFs for a half hour one morning."

"E what? Nevermind. I didn't know you talked to my father!"

"Yup, stood in the street for a long time. I really like him."

"Everyone does."

Driving back across the causeway, he felt a little sad it was Will's last night with him. Lana was working at Oliver's restaurant and Will had planned to meet his friends on the beach. He didn't think Dr. Drake would like him much after he stole his son for three days.

His cottage was quiet, but the door to the guest room door was closed. He was certain he heard a giggle. This moment reminded him why he never wanted to be a parent. On one hand, Will wasn't doing anything he wouldn't have done at his age. He remembered sneaking girls into their cottage occasionally when his parents were out and Jack was on the beach chasing after Maddie like a love sick puppy dog. His problem was the girl had a boyfriend who was not Will.

He said nothing when Adam was seeing Lana and the other girl. Thankfully, he was only with Lana now. He ignored the fact Dougie was married when he was naked in the pool, but Will was not a client or a jerk like Doug. He couldn't keep his mouth shut any longer.

So like a coward, he began making noises as he grabbed a beer and turned the game on loud. He wanted the teenagers to know he was home. Sure enough, they came out rather quickly, looking embarrassed.

He clicked off the game. "Sit down both of you." Then he turned to Cassie. "Are you still going out with that other kid, what's his name?"

"Cole." She nodded.

"So where's Cole when you're doing whatever you were doing in there?"

"He's at his dad's house."

"Listen, I'm sure you're a nice girl, but this isn't right. If you like Will then end it with Cole. If you can't end it with Cole, then Will, you need to leave her alone. You are just as guilty by knowingly seeing her like this."

Cassie looked down and mumbled. "It's just for the summer..."

"It doesn't matter. It's not fair and not right."

He listened to himself sounding righteous. He was a hypocrite, but someone had to teach these kids right from wrong. Adam and Doug were adults and had been responsible for their own actions.

After Cassie left, he turned to Will. "I hope you were at least safe."

Will turned bright red and stammered. "We didn't."

Ryan thought your sister did it in the same room just a few nights ago, instead he reminded him. "Remember Lana empties the trash so don't leave something you don't want her to see."

He felt like he was running the Hotel Shangri La and everyone was getting some, except for him.

Lana

Lana had done a good job of avoiding Erik's parents, but not entirely. She found she couldn't get up early enough. Every morning she ran into Peggy who had trouble sleeping and "woke with the birds".

The first morning she was full of concern. "Lana dear, tell me how you are really doing."

Lana had really liked Peggy and didn't want to fall into a trap by trusting her, so she answered her just before fleeing out the door. "Fine. I always wanted to be divorced by twenty-six."

The second morning, Peggy was waiting. "So tell me, I hear you have a boyfriend."

She stared at her not sure what to say. Part of her wanted to say the sex was awesome better than with her son. "I've been dating... just like Erik, but he started much sooner than me." Under her breath she clarified. "When he was still my husband."

When she arrived home late after her shift and some time at the bar, she was confident everyone would be asleep. As she quietly let herself in, she heard a whisper coming from the sofa. She heard. "Lan. Hey Lan."

Erik was there with a blanket and pillow. It seemed as if he was a houseguest. Damn her mother.

"What are you doing here?"

"I took a couple days off and Nora insisted I stay. I was at the beach most of the day, but I couldn't find you."

She had done some shopping for a high-end client and visited with Mari before hiding in the pool until it was time to get ready for work.

"You can't be here this is my home. I know it's my parent's cottage, but it's where I live."

"Come on, I just want to talk to you. Will you walk down to the beach with me?"

"It's after midnight."

"I know. Do you hate me so much you can't even go for a walk with me?"

She sighed. "I don't hate at least not all the time."

She kicked off her sensible work shoes and slid into a pair of flip-flops and grabbed a sweatshirt. When she went to the door, he followed and in the streetlight's glow she saw him and almost forgot. She had been with him for so long. It was like stepping back in time.

They walked in silence and finally she spoke. "Where is your girlfriend... the one with the kid?"

"It didn't last. If you want to know why, it was your fault."

"My fault?" He was unbelievable.

"Yeah well, I didn't like how she talked to you and when I said something to her, she asked if you were lying. If I was a cheater and I hesitated, so she knew."

"So you told her I was a bitch, but you never told her why. That's rich!"

"So is the guy who came out of Heidi's house your new boyfriend, because he looked a little old for you."

"What? No, that was just Ryan. Cam's business partner. He's friends with my boyfriend, but my boyfriend is actually older than Ryan."

"Seriously, why are you with some old guy?"

"Because he respects me and is stable and makes me happy."

"I wish I could make you happy."

"Don't!" She hissed. She didn't need to hear all his regrets.

"I'll always love you." He snaked his arm around her and pulled her in.

She could smell him and it was so familiar. How was it he still smelled the same? She didn't fight him and let his embrace cocooned her. It was comforting and her head was swimming. She was afraid if he tried to kiss her, she would let him. How could she feel anything for him? She was with Adam and she enjoyed being with him. True, she was not in love with him, but she liked him.

She stepped back. "No, you hurt me."

"If you didn't have your new guy?"

"I might fall for your trap, but it would be wrong. You ruined us the minute you broke your vows to me. We made promises and I can never trust you. We were together a long time, so it's hard to stop feeling, but without trust it means nothing."

"Can't we be friends? Can't we get along without all the anger?"

"I don't know. I don't want to be angry either."

"Is that a yes?" He looked hopeful.

"It's a maybe." Lana turned and started walking back in the direction of the cottage.

"I suppose there's no chance of you sharing your bed, the couch is uncomfortable."

"You have got to be kidding me! Why don't you just drive home? It isn't like it's too late. I just drove from Portland."

She saw him smile. "I was kidding. I mean I would love it, but I'm not stupid."

Lana shook her head, she wasn't so certain.

So we have Lana talking to Erik and Ryan dealing with cheating teens. I know I've commented to a few of you. I hope Ryan's belief regarding Adam and the jailbait is clear at this point. Let me know what you think.