"Mom?" Chloe stepped into the house and closed the door. A very chubby yellow cat ran over to her and began to run against her legs. "Hi, Andy." Chloe kneeled down and rubbed the cat.

"Hi, sweetie." Valerie Morgan walked into the living room carrying a water jug. "I was just watering the plants in the kitchen."

"Hi, Mom. I got the morning paper for you out of your box."

"Thanks, sweetie. Would you like some coffee?"

"Sure." Chloe joined her mother at the kitchen table.

"So what are your plans for today?"

"Well, I have to meet with one of my suppliers later this afternoon."

"Where's that at?"

"New York. Jax is going with me."

"Oh really?"

"Mmm-hmm." Chloe nodded. "I told him I could use the company."

"I would have thought that he would have something planned with Brenda."

"Oh, Mom, you don't know, do you?"

"Know what?"

"Well, when Jax got home from his trip yesterday, the penthouse was completely empty. Brenda moved out, she left him."

"Oh, dear. Chloe, how is he?"

"Not good. He called me last night and I came over. He was really upset about it, Mom."

"I guess so. I had a feeling this would happen."

"Me too. But he loved her, you know, and I guess he just couldn't see what we could about her. But I think I cheered him up. I took him to the fair last night."

"You have fun?"

"It was a blast."

"So he's going to go with you to New York today?"

"Yeah. I figured it could be something to get his mind off of Brenda, and he said he would like an excuse to get out of the penthouse."

"Well that's good. He doesn't need to let this Brenda mess get him down."

"Jax will be fine. Maybe not today, but eventually. I'm sure of it."

"You ready to fly shotgun?"

"Yep. Jax, I really appreciate you coming along and offering to take me."

"No problem." Jax smiled.

"Jax."

"Yeah?"

"You know you can't hide your feelings from me behind that smile. I've known you since fourth grade."

"I know."

"Jax, I know you may not want to talk about it, but if you do, I'm here to listen."

"It's just, well, it was strange when I woke up this morning. She wasn't there beside me, and at first, I thought I was still away on business, but then I remembered that I was in my own bed."

Chloe didn't know what to say, so she simply touched his arm.

"You know, if we don't leave now, you're going to be late for this meeting." Jax said, changing the subject.

"Jax, I'm Chloe Morgan. I'm always late. It's expected."

Jax laughed. "Well then let's shock them today and get there on time."

Chloe smiled. "Alright."

"I am so sorry. I didn't think that meeting would take so long!"

"No that's okay." Jax said.

"I'm really glad you came though! You know how to help a girl negotiate a deal!"

"Well I'm a corporate raider, I know these things." Jax grinned. "You hungry?"

"I'm famished!"

"Great, there's a hot dog stand."

"I love Central Park!" Chloe said.

Jax and Chloe found a bench and ate their hot dogs. Afterwards, they talked for a while, but not about Brenda. The evening was so perfect. No need to ruin it.

"Does it feel like October to you?" Chloe asked. "I mean, it certainly looks like October. I can see the leaves are changing. But it's unusually warm tonight! And it was chilly the night before!"

"That is weird, isn't it?"

"Yes, very. Why are we talking about the weather?"

"I don't know, you brought it up." Jax laughed.

"So I did."

At that moment, a saxophone player came and started playing some romantic tunes. Jax stood up. "May I have this dance?"

"I was wondering when you were going to ask me." Chloe took Jax's hand and they danced to the sound of the music, in Central Park, and under a beautiful moon.

When a man selling roses asked Jax if he wanted a flower for the lady, Chloe was surprised when he bought the whole bouquet for her.

"Jax, oh that is so sweet. Thank you."

"No, thank you, Chloe. You're my best friend. You're the one I can always count on. You'll never leave me."

"Never." Chloe whispered and gave Jax a hug as they continued to sway to the music.

To be continued…