So, before you write me off for being an inconsiderate/pompous/can't tell time to save his life jerk, I just wanted to apologize for us not being able to meet up last night. My taxi driver didn't exactly know his way around Connecticut as well as he thought he did, and I'm ashamed to admit my sense of direction is not that great, either-thus getting me to the restaurant probably way after you had already bid adieu for the night.

I hope we can meet up again the next time my bands in town.

Sincerely sorry, Keith

After re-reading the brief email once again, Stephanie let out the huge sigh of relief she hadn't even known she'd been holding in.

Thank God for small favors.

Not only had her blind date not stood her up, as she and Amy had deemed to be the case, but he was also late getting to the restaurant, as well, so he didn't have a chance to see her with Chris, her former nemesis.

And even if he did, he doesn't have a picture of me to go off of, so he still wouldn't have known that it was me anyway, Stephanie inwardly mused to herself, before quickly typing back that apologizes weren't necessary since she ended up having a lovely time out with one of her girl friends, instead; afterwards adding that they should definitely consider a do-over the next time he was in town, although next time they should probably think about exchanging numbers beforehand so this problem wouldn't occur again in the future.

After throwing in a little wink at the end of the sentence to show that she was only half kidding at that last part, Stephanie selected send on top of the draft email and then proceeded to close down her laptop for the night.

Well, that was what she had attempted to do before a familiar tone coming from the cell-phone beside her began to ring.

Here comes the money, here comes the money...

Without even bothering to check the caller ID, Stephanie answered the phone before it got to the first verse.

"And here I thought you forgot you had a little sister again...Oh wait, Let me guess, Marissa asked what you planned to send me for my birthday and you laughed saying that you had plenty of time cause my birthday wasn't for another—oh shit! Sounds about right?"

Knowing her brother like the back of her hand caused Stephanie not to be surprised when Shane began laughing at his younger sisters accurate impression of him, before he continued with: "You know me so well...but really, what do you want?"

After taking a second to laugh at this response, Stephanie paused for a moment to wonder to herself if there was anything she wanted or even needed, at the moment.

I have enough jewelry and furniture to last me a lifetime, thanks to Paul and our dad, and enough makeup and clothes to open up my own store, thanks to mom, as well.

With that being her last thought, Stephanie opened her mouth to tell Shane he could just do what he did for her every year at Christmas and send her an updated photo of her niece and nephew, but then a thought entered her head, causing her to change her mind.

"Actually, now that you mention it, there is something that I do want...it's been almost a year since I last saw Reagan and David and with Marissa about to pop any day now, I think this would be a great opportunity for you to fly my niece and nephew out here so I can spend some quality time spoiling them before the third one gets here...what do you say?"

There was a brief pause which Stephanie knew Shane was mulling the idea over in, but then after another second, the older man spoke up agreeing to the offer, "I'll ask mom to check in on Marissa for a couple of days so I can fly them out to see you at the end of the week, and then I'll come back to get them next weekend. How's that sound to you?"

Not being able to think of a better way to to spend her birthday than with her brother and her just as amusing niece and nephew caused Stephanie to quickly exclaim:

"I cant wait!"

"I'll have two eggs, fried with lots of ketchup on the side, three pancakes, blueberry if you have them, grits, ham and cheese...and oh yeah, a yogurt on the side, if that's not too much to ask."

After waiting until the surprised waitress had recited Matt's order back to him before telling the group of three that she'd be back in a minute with their drinks, Chris had to shake his head in amusement, "I'd hate to be your nutritionist."

Without even bothering to hold back his laughter, the younger man cheekily grinned while retorting: "Hey, as of twelve o'clock this morning, I am officially on vacation until 3 o'clock next Sunday which means, as long as it's legal I can drink, eat and do whatever the hell I want...and I suggest you two do the same!"

Having spent the last week in Canada enjoying home cooked meals by his mom while doing press junkets with both Trish, Christian, and Adam cause Chris to outwardly state that he would be doing just the opposite, before turning his attention towards Amy, who Matt was now trying to convince to eat something unhealthy.

"While having my stomach pumped later does sound appealing, I'm going to actually have to take a rain check. I had breakfast earlier with Stephanie and Shane after we picked him and the kids up from the airport. Still full from the buffet."

Unbeknownst to the two in front of him who were now talking about what kind of food was on said buffet and why Matt and his stomach weren't invited, Chris began to shift a little in his seat at the mention of the other woman's name.

It had been six days since Stephanie had dropped Chris off at the airport in a hurry so he didn't miss his flight, and it had also been six days since he had heard one peep from said woman since waking up naked in bed next to her.

'Which means we are long overdue for a talk right now.'

"What do you say, Chris?"

Realizing that two sets of eyes were on him right now caused the older man to furrow both eyebrows in confusion while asking, "I'm sorry, what was the question?"

Rolling her eyes, Amy quickly replied, "I said, Stephanie's niece and nephew will be staying with her for the week, but Shane leaves first thing tomorrow morning. Before he goes though, he wanted to invite a few people over to Stephanie's tonight to help celebrate her birthday. It's the big 3-0."

Not needing a reminder that today was Stephanie's birthday, but also remembering what happened the last time he was in the younger woman's home caused Chris to open his mouth to pass on the festivities—not wanting for any awkwardness to occur while around the others. But seeing his apprehension caused Amy to interject first.

"I know you haven't been back in the states for a full 8 hours yet, but this would really mean a lot to Stephanie. It's her first birthday since Paul and her broke up, and Shane and I both agreed she deserves to have a little fun tonight...so, what do you say?"

"Hell, it's free food, so you know Jeff and I are down."

Without even bothering to conceal his roll of the eyes at that response, Chris took a second to study both of his friends faces, hoping for a way out. But after not finding one, he reluctantly responded:

"I can't wait..."