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Continued...

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Scene: The Residence of Rick and Kayla Preston.

The guests enter the dining room in an awkward filing order before Kayla ushers Terrence to sit down next to where Liz takes her seat. Valerie instantly takes a spot across from Terrence, which causes Liz to smile with amusement. Valerie certainly doesn't seem to be hiding her attraction for Terrence too well.

A surprised Liz is taken back when Kayla decides to take a seat across from her, rather than cowering over at the head of the table near Terrence. Perhaps it's a tactic to keep Rick from sitting in such a position, but at any rate, it would mean that Liz and Kayla would be forced to lock eyes for the entirety of the meal. Rick only imagines how interesting this rendezvous can actually get.

"Kayla, I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart," Liz abruptly breaks the silence. "It's really nice to have us all over like this."

"Oh, it's not a problem at all. Trust me, it's my absolute pleasure." Kayla smiles in response to Liz's obvious sarcasm.

Liz returns her smile, "Well, it certainly speaks of your character."

Kayla takes the bowl of mixed greens and slams it on the table right in front of Liz. Rick's eyes grow wide with astonishment along with the others. Rick eagerly awaits if Liz will respond, although she has her own plan of attack ready to execute.

She takes her right hand and rests it directly above Terrence's as the two make eye contact and smile. Liz then looks directly at Rick, "Looks wonderful. I always love a tossed salad."

"And I love to make them," Terrence blurts out, trying to amuse the table, "Hell, I love putting those different nuts right in them."

Liz shakes her head and looks back at Terrence with a smile. She begins to caress his hand as Kayla's frustration mounts. "Terrence, I'm so glad this all worked out. I had been thinking of you a lot...it's certainly good to see you again. You look well."

Terrence's excitement is subdued for a moment as he realizes that Liz is simply playing matters up to stab at Kayla. If only her sentiments were legitimate, he thinks. "Great to see you as well, looking fine as ever if I must say."

Valerie's eyes grow wide with jealousy as she looks back at the two. She had been under the impression that the two were just friends and that she could make her move, but perhaps she had been quite wrong with her theory on the matter. At any rate, she believes a little competition never hurt anyone and joins in to stake her claim.

"Terrence, I have to say, your eyes are absolutely gorgeous. I've never seen light eyes pop out at much as yours." Valerie smiles in his direction.

"Thank you Valerie," Terrence begins to feel bashful with all of the attention, "Yours are quite nice as well. And trust me, the only reason mine stick out more is because of my skin tone. I can make a bet that if you hit the tanning bed everyday for the rest of your life, yours would pop out more too."

Valerie quickly laughs, hoping to get across that she finds his humor appealing. To her frustration, Terrence quickly turns his attention back to Liz.

"What is that perfume you're wearing? It smells amazing."

"You should know, you did get it for me," Liz smiles back and sets a hand on his left knee.

"That's right...it's called divine, I got it for you when I was in Carmel. I guess I was good for some things, eh?" Terrence jokes back.

"Oh, you were good at a lot of things," Liz shoots a seductive smile in his direction.

"Liz, why don't you try some of this meat? I know you've tasted many different kinds, so your opinion will certainly be appreciated." Kayla cuts in as she glares in Liz's direction.

"I have indeed," Liz sarcastically replies. "It's been my experience that Cattle who have overbearing wives taste the best."

Liz licks her lips with delight as Kayla rolls her eyes and glares back at Rick- as if he was the root of their clashing.

"Well, you know what they say on the commercials," Terrence chimes in.

"What is that?" Valerie plays along.

"Happy cows do come from California."

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Scene: Chez Rendezvous. 

Joe Sawyer  peruses the menu that lies before him, although the decision of selecting an appetizing course was the least on his mind. He had spent a significant amount of time in the past few weeks trying to figure out what he truly wanted in his life at this point- especially if Ashley Davison should fit into the equation. Ashley's flighty behavior as of late has been more than enough to throw Joe for a loop, and while he did want a future with her for quite some time, he was beginning to think that perhaps things should stay in the past.

Suddenly his thoughts are broken by the arrival of his Mother who greets him with a hug before seating herself.

"I hope you weren't waiting long, I swear these damn Asians couldn't drive if their lives depended on it."

Joe shakes his head in response and looks around to ensure that no one has overheard, "Can you please not say comments like that? I'm sorry the world can't be as perfect as you are sometimes."

"I never said I was perfect. I am just stating the mere facts."

"The fact is that you are racist." Joe replies boldly before looking down at his menu.

"Hey, I am your Mother, young man. Don't speak to me like that."

Callie shakes her head and opens her menu. Moments later she begins to flag down the waiter and promptly asks for a glass of wine.

"So what is new in my baby's life? Are you still seeing that banker girl?"

Joe rolls his eyes after Callie refers to Ashley in such a derogatory manner. It certainly wasn't foreign to him to hear rude comments about the women he has dated.

"Yes, we're still seeing each other- albeit not as regular as before."

"Oh? Trouble in paradise?" Callie smirks.

"No, she's just been real busy with other things, and honestly, I've done a lot of thinking on relationships and what I want right now. I don't know...I just don't think I'm ready for anything serious, ya know?"

"Well, I don't know Joe. You are over thirty now. I mean, you can't be a bachelor for the rest of your life. I'm not going to let my son go on some Bachelor show with a bastard kid and break hearts on national television!"

"Ouch, Mother. That's pretty harsh- and I think you've been reading too many of those rags on the stands."

"My point is, you're not getting younger and it's time you take responsibility and find a woman you can settle down with- the sooner you do, I can start spoiling my little grandbabies."

"Now you're talking about grandchildren again? How are you going to approve of those when you despise the women I choose to date?"

"Well, perhaps I have confidence that you'll one day start making better decisions about these women. Between us, your Father went through plenty of floozies before he found the real jewel- me, of course. Then, a few years later, I gave birth to you. I was so overjoyed, and it was another pleasant surprise when I had your sister a few years later." Callie pauses for a moment and takes a sip of her wine, "I just want you to feel the same joy, Joseph."

Joe look back and nods his head before jolting at the vibration caused by his cell. He glances at the phone and grins, "speaking of the devil"

"I can only imagine," Callie bites her lip.

"Hey Ash, how's it going?"

"Uhm, well, it's been an interesting day. Hey, I was wondering if you were free this evening. We really need to have a talk."

"Talk?"

Ashley realizes the negative connotation of such a word and quickly retracts her statement. "It's nothing bad...well, hopefully it won't be. Just trust me, it's important."

"Okay, Okay. I get it. Well, I'm having dinner with my Mother right now. Can we meet when we're through?"

"Sure, I'll actually be at the Ocean Cafe. I really need some time to clear my head anyway."

"Okay...well, I'll give you a call when I'm through then."

"Sounds good." Ashley replies, biting her lip. The time was now or never and she realizes that she can't go any longer living with such a secret.

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