Justin and Jet both tried to contact Sloan several times the next day. They called and they texted, but she didn't answer. There was far too much on her mind. Sloan did, however, take Renatta's call and agreed to have dinner with her that evening. She didn't get much sleep the night before, thinking about what Nora had said. She'd spent most of the morning talking with her mom and her dad. Now it was time to do her podcast. She sat down at her mother's computer and prepared for the show.

She wondered what she would say, now that the intro music to the show was playing. For all the years she'd done the show, she had a program outline. This was the first time she'd gone on a live show unprepared.

"Welcome to You've Got to be Kidding Me. What has some insensitive, non-committing, crazy man done this time? This is your host, Sloan Jensen." The line went dead for a minute. She could think of nothing to say, so she started the tagline again, hoping that this time her words would fall into place.

"Welcome to You've Got to be Kidding Me. What has some insensitive, non-committing, crazy man done this time?" This is your host, Sloan Jensen." Her brain kicked in. "I'm messed up today, y'all."

She was in a dither thinking about the Trents. Sloan couldn't stop her fingers from nervously tapping the desk. The shadows under her eyes indicated lack of sleep. As much as she was trying at this very moment to keep things focused, it was not happening.

"It's actually difficult for me to sit here on live programming and say that I don't have things together like I thought I did. For years I've done this show and provided guidance to all of you, and today I'm sitting here stumped because two people whom I love are about to get a divorce after 36 years. This was my perfect family. This is the one that I wanted for myself, and to see that nothing is as it seemed is tough."

The phone lines began to light up. People were dialing in from all across the country, having something to say. "You're on, caller number 1 from Albuquerque."

"Hi, Sloan. So is this man insensitive, non-committing or just plain crazy?"

"According to his wife, insensitive. She believes that he shows little appreciation for her and doesn't remember things that are important to her."

"Good, because if he's crazy or non-committing, I don't have a comment. You helped me to stay married a few years ago. I thought my husband didn't give a shit about me. This is what you told me to ask my husband: 'Is your life worth not having me in it?' Then you told me to tell him what I wanted from my marriage and what I expected and that if he didn't give it to me, then my decision would be that he was not worth having in my life."

"I remember that, because at the time you had a young child. Being a new mom with an insensitive husband had gotten to be too much."

"That's right. Glad that you remember. You empowered me by making me see that I had a choice, but you also made me accountable to tell him what my expectations were. Maybe that lady complained but never told him the expectations. He needs to be held accountable."

"I see. Accountability is a true wakeup call. How are things with you and your husband now?"

"After he realized that I was serious about leaving him, he straightened up. We're all right now."

"Well, this husband has already been put out. I think he knows she's serious. Thank you, caller from Albuquerque. I appreciate you for reminding me of that strategy."

Sloan walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water before taking the next call. She was happy to see that perhaps this show wouldn't turn out as badly as she thought it would. "We have caller number 2 from St. Paul. Welcome to the show."

"I left my husband after 25 years, and it's been a lonely road. I've not been able to get into another relationship. Men don't want women my age. If I had known then what I know now, I might have tried harder to fix things. If he's not beating you or cheating, might be worth trying to repair the relationship."

"We appreciate that insight, caller number 2. Caller number 3, you're up."

"I'd like to ask the ladies out there: Do they think that all relationships are worth an attempt to repair?"

Sloan froze. It was Jet. She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "I'd like to answer that question, and that would be a no. Some men never learn to value what they have until it is too late. All relationships are not repairable, especially men who have all three conditions." She clicked off the line. "We're talking to caller number 4 from Sioux Falls. Thanks for tuning in."

"Hi, Sloan, was that the same guy from last week, Jet?" Sloan nearly turned blue. Her fingers strummed across the desk.

"Who could forget that sexy voice? He could be your co-host."

"Yes, unfortunately that was Jet."

"Baby, this is the second time you've cut him off. Jet, I'd like to tell you she's not over you yet, because if she wasn't she wouldn't keep cutting you off like that. You've got a chance, Jet."

Sloan had the most incredulous look on her face. She slammed her fist onto the desk.

Sloan blinked, feeling her temperature rise to a broil. She began scrambling to the control panel to roll a station break. "It's time for a station break." As soon as she went off the air, she called Jet and blasted him.

"How dare you do this to me? You need to stop calling in. I told you that I'm here for Nora and Robert."

"Something happened between us last night, Sloan."

"Look, we hadn't seen each other in seven years. It was just emotional overflow from us seeing each other. It will pass. You know we've both moved on."

"Then why do you talk about me on the show all the time?"

She winced. Oh, God. Sloan had forgotten that Jet told her that he listened to the show. She had anonymously scathed him over the air. How much had he heard over the years? Pouring out her soul was the thing that helped her to get through the breakup. "You weren't supposed to hear those things. That was private. Now I'm just humiliated."

"Private. You broadcast it to the world."

"How was I supposed to know you were listening? You were just ... just a troll."

"That was the closest I could get to you, Sloan, your voice. I deserved every word. I knew that I'd hurt you. I'm sorry that I hurt you so deeply."

She imagined him sitting in some remote place listening to her show. It made her stomach sick, thinking about how much she had poured out to her audience about their situation over the years in an anonymous way. Her audience wouldn't have been able to connect the dots, but Jet wouldn't have had any problem feeling her bleed on the air. "It was wrong for you to listen like that and not say anything until now."

"If I had said something, you wouldn't have gotten everything out and I wouldn't have known how much of a jerk I've been. To be honest, I'm embarrassed by my behavior."

"It's easy for you to talk now when you need me. How many women have been in and out of your life since me?"

"I'm not going to lie. Plenty. But they didn't mean anything."

"I'm done, Jet." She clicked off the line and pulled in caller number 5.

"Welcome to the show, Seattle."

"I called to say that I want Jet to call back in."

Sloan slammed her head on her desk and whispered, "Shit, shit, shit."

***

After successfully tormenting Sloan on the show (he did call back numerous times over the next few weeks), Jet resumed his duties over the family crisis. He and Justin got together and decided that Justin would stay with his father while he was in town and that Jet would stay with his mom. The two of them had a lot to deal with—Nora zoned into a Moroccan epiphany and Robert zoned out of self.

Robert Trent was a strong, aggressive businessman. He and Nora started The Trent Store as a small gift shop. Over the years he kept adding products. The store became a huge success and sold everything that you could possibly want: groceries, clothes, toys, electronics, lawn and garden items. It even had an old-fashioned diner. Even though sales took a dip for a while when the conglomerate came in, things eventually stabilized and The Trent Store was able to maintain nearly all of its original customer base.

Robert and Nora had raised Justin and Jet to run the operation effectively. They knew every aspect of the store and its management. He wanted them to inherit the business, but Justin and Jet didn't want any part of it. They'd seen too much. They'd helped their parents run the store until they turned 21, and then they left, forging out their own career paths.

Robert and Nora regretted this, but what could they do? Jet became a billionaire game app developer, and Justin became extremely wealthy as a data scientist providing his consulting services for major companies around the globe. So Robert Trent was really in a bind. His impending divorce, Nora walking away from store management and the insecurity of not having an heir to leave his empire to made him want to disappear. The only glimmer of hope he had for his ill-fated life was that Sloan was here. She had always been like magic dust to their family. He was so angry at Jet for losing her.

Jet entered Robert's apartment with arms filled with grocery bags. He tried as much as he could to help Justin in his situation. The two of them split cooking shifts. They'd prepare meals three days each, and on Sunday they allowed him to go out and binge. He washed his hands and immediately started his round of cooking. "Where's Dad?"

"Where he's been for the last month since he got the papers. Sitting in the room with his curtains drawn."

"We need to get him back to the store."

"Why don't you go talk to him? I'll cook for you, and you can take my shift later on. I think I've been too easy on him, and I know you won't be."

Jet walked down the hall to his father's bedroom. Sure enough, Robert was sitting in a chair staring blankly into nothing. The room was a mess, and Robert hadn't shaved in days. He walked over to the curtains and snatched them open. "Enough, Dad! I tell you, this is enough!"

Robert looked up at Jet, startled. "You don't know what I'm going through. Neither of you want what I've worked for. I'm in the middle of my life and feel like I'm at the end of it. Take your high and mighty self out of here, and let me grieve, Jet."

"That's why they call it a midlife crisis, Dad. You and Mom are in the horrible throes of it. If you think I'm going to stay here weeks on end, watching you and Mom ruin each other, you are utterly wrong. I will leave you to your ruin, and the two of you can fail miserably by yourselves."

Robert's mouth dropped open. "Who do you think you are, talking to me that way?" His face flamed to a crimson hue. "Now you listen to me, son ... "

Jet cut him off mid-sentence. He started cleaning up the room and made his way across the floor to make his father's bed. As he leaned over to fluff the pillows on the bed, the cell phone vibrated. He looked at the woman's number and ignored the call. His eyes narrowed at Robert. "I'm not listening to you. That's what Justin has done for the past month, and you're still sitting here, complaining and in a funk. Your whining is over, as of today."

"I'm still your father, Jet, and you can't talk to me that way."

"I'm going back to the Valley, and I'll be sure that Justin goes back to Boston by tomorrow, if you don't get yourself up right now and get to that store. If you want your wife back and your life back, you're wasting time sitting in that chair."

Jet stood in front of his father with his arms crossed. Robert gave him a dark glare. His face scrunched, and veins in his temple popped. Jet scrunched his face as he looked down at his father; it was like he was looking in a mirror. He and Justin looked so much like Robert. Is this what my life could look like 20 years from now? Is marriage safe for anyone? These were thoughts that had always troubled him. "Well, get up."

Robert stood facing his son, glaring. Jet would not allow himself to be stared down. "If it's any consolation, your darling Sloan is here to help you get out of this pickle. She's not a miracle worker, but I think that's as close as we're going to get to one. She knows us better than anyone else."

"Hmmph," Robert sneered. "Funny how you can be so cavalier about my feelings when I know that your own heart must be dying for Sloan, as mine is for your mother." He watched the color drain from Jet's face. Knowing he'd struck a nerve, he took another twist. "We all make messes, don't we? When you judge me for wanting to sit in the dark, you're still sitting in the dark. Your chair is the state of California, and her chair is the state of Florida. Neither of you have dealt with it. So don't be so hard on me."

Jet pulled himself together and put a poker face on. "Are you done? We need to go."

Robert walked off with a triumphant look on his face, knowing that he'd cut deep enough to let Jet know that running away doesn't resolve anything. As soon as Jet heard him get in the shower, he plopped down on the bed, placing his head in his hands.

He was just about to go to the kitchen to let Justin know that Robert was getting ready to get dressed and go to the store, when his cell phone rang again. He looked at the woman's name and didn't answer it. But after she rang a third time, he went into another room and took the call.

"Why are you calling me, Alana?"

"We might not be together right now, but we still have business. You need to start returning my calls."

"I asked Grayson to put another attorney on my projects."

"Well, he doesn't have someone to spare at this time. So you're stuck with me for the moment. If you want to favorably wrap up negotiations with Five Star for your war game app, you'd better treat me nice. They have some papers that you need to look over."

Alana Silverstein was now like an itch from an ant bite in an unwelcome spot. They'd met three years ago at Garret Grayson's law firm, one of the most prestigious entertainment law firms in the country. The tall, voluptuous blonde was his senior partner, along with five other men. He'd been immediately smitten by her cool, gray eyes, confident demeanor and aggressive business acumen that made him worth billions. They'd skipped formalities and quickly become lovers, having a very tumultuous relationship that finally crashed and burned months ago.

"You can fax them to me."

"The originals need to be signed."

"I'm in the middle of a family crisis, and this will have to keep until I get back."

"Just give me an address. They want these back in three days."

There was no way he was going to let Alana know where he was. He knew her well enough to know that Alana hadn't given up on their separation. They'd fallen out and gotten back together many times over the course of three years.

"They've already told me that they'll walk if you don't sign in three days. They have another developer in the wings, Jet."

He felt his stomach twist. He'd been working on this account too long to let it go. He thought for a moment as to how he could get the papers and keep Alana out of his life.

Finally he decided to let her mail it to the store's post office box.

"I will have the papers sent overnight."

"Good. Next time, have your paralegal communicate with me."

"How can you be so cold after what we've had? That's a waste of time. This is business."

Thoughts of their times together began to stir. Jet could not have any memories of Alana surfacing. He knew that was how she'd controlled him for three years. Alana Silverstein had a sensual appetite that kept them coming back together, but that last time they'd had a falling-out, he called it quits. She was having a hard time accepting it.

"Alana, this is the last account we're going to work on together. If Grayson can't find me another attorney on the team, I'll have to work with another firm."

"We've made you, Jet Trent. Don't be foolish."

***

There was a huge crowd at the restaurant, Ray's at Killer Creek. Renatta was already at a table when Sloan arrived. She had texted Sloan, and so she knew where to find her in the restaurant. She made her way through the maze of tables, remembering the many dates that she and Jet had at the establishment. It seemed like everywhere she looked in the vast amount of tables and beautiful contemporary-styled booths, she heard the echoes of birthdays past and special gatherings.

Even looking out the large glass panes that encapsulated the interior held a memory. The seasons flashed before her eyes. She inwardly watched the wall of trees that surrounded the place fade from the buds of spring through the bareness on an icy day. The last memory she had before joining her sister at the table nestled far back in the space was Jet sliding the box with the ring across the table on a winter night. She didn't allow her mind to stay there long. She looked up to see Renatta flagging her over to the table. "Sister," Renatta said spiritedly, giving Sloan an embrace as she reached the table.

"RenMar," Sloan said, kissing her sister on the cheek.

Renatta looked astonished. "No one has called me that since I was in high school," she said, referring to a nickname that Jet had given her. It was the shortest way to abbreviate her first and middle name.

"There's a Renoir print hanging in the lobby. That made me remember that dreadful art class."

"Yes, and Jetson Trent making that silly connection. People teased me until college with that name," she laughed.

"It's kind of cute. You must admit that was a nice observation—RenMar, Renoir."

"Yeah, you have a point, but let's just keep that between me and you, Sloan, for now. I don't want that name resurrecting."

Sloan pinched Renatta on the cheek. "It's so good to see you."

"And you as well. Please tell me that you will stay for a while."

Sloan's eyes began to burn. There was something about home that no place on the planet could outshine. She sank into the cushion in the booth and slowly tucked her memories back into their files in her mind. She hadn't seen Renatta in two years. This night would be special for the two of them.

"I'll be here as long as I can. I'm so happy to see you. Mom told me about your condo in Atlanta and about your promotion to head nurse. I couldn't be happier for you." She gazed over at her sister, adjusting her mind to how much more mature she looked.

Renatta was beautiful. She had amazing deep red hair like her grandmother, and eyes as warm as hot fudge on a sundae. They looked alike and very different at the same time. Renatta got her looks from the Irish in her father, and she'd gotten her looks from the Italian in her mother. Yet in spirit, they were just the same—sweet, kind and caring. Both ended up in careers that helped the multitudes.

"I really like the position. Took me long enough to get it. Oh, we have so much to catch up on. By the way, I love your show. I don't get a chance to listen much, but when I do, it's so good. You're a sage, my dear."

"Thank you. Now what's this I hear about some mystery romance?"

You would have thought that Cupid had just swooped down. The lovesick smile that followed made Sloan laugh. "You're in deep."

"Yes, I admit it. I'm utterly in love."

There was a twinge that hit Sloan. She wrestled with jealousy slithering through her emotions. Sloan loved her sister and was happy for her; she was also envious from the void that losing Jet placed in her heart. It was the same way she felt about having feelings for Jet and hating him at the same time. Sloan would give anything to be under love's spell as deeply as Renatta was. She surely hoped envy hadn't registered on her face. "Who is he?"

"I can't say, Sloan. As much as I love you, I won't share this with anyone. I know that at some point we'll tell it, but not now. We have peace this way."

A waitress came over to the table. "Hi, I'm Julie. I'll be your server. Welcome to Ray's. Are you ready to place your order?"

The two of them had ordered the same food every time. Renatta cleared her throat. "Yes, and both will be on my ticket. I'd like to order shrimp and grits for the first order and Georgia Mountain Trout for the second, both with a side salad and peach tea. Right, Sloan?"

"Of course."

Though Sloan was dying to know, she knew exactly what she meant about peace. Renatta had been married to a respected doctor in Alpharetta, and before their engagement was a day old it was all over the hospital and on the local news society page. The messy divorce between herself and Dr. John Drew was smeared all over the pages too. There was so much noise about it that John and his mistress moved his practice to Macon, Georgia. "You can at least tell me about him." She saw a hesitant look on Renatta's face and wondered why that was so. They'd never kept secrets. "Come on, now; don't lock me out of everything."

"Well, I don't know exactly what to say. Dad would never approve of him."

Sloan raised an eyebrow. This little story was hotter than she thought. What had her little sister done? Did she go for the old guy with the gold or the younger guy who would set the gossip mill on fire? Intriguing.

"Don't look so shocked, Sloan. Since you and Jet broke up, Dad has made it impossible for me to share anything. He compares every man to Jet Trent, who he thinks is the ultimate failure. There is no man on the planet who will live up to Dad's scrutiny."

She glanced over at Renatta, saddened that their fallout had caused her sister's love life to suffer. Yet she knew every word that Renatta said was true. Their father had not been the same since Sloan moved to Florida. He'd become very bitter at how he viewed relationships and had broken all ties with the Trent family. "I'm sorry that we're to blame for your situation."

"Our father is insufferable. So I keep my mouth shut concerning my men."

"Well, he is an old bear."

By this time the waitress had come and brought their food. The smell of Southern cuisine wafted from the sizzling plates. There was nothing like the aroma of buttery grits and fried trout. They each savored a bit of food.

"Bear," Renatta said flippantly, "He'd make a bear look like a stuffed toy. That old man is liable to take a shotgun to the next guy who tries to date either one of us."

Sloan burst out laughing. "I could just imagine that. Dad standing there with a shotgun with that grumpy look on his face."

"Oh, we jest, but don't forget he used to hunt back in the day."

Sloan stopped laughing for a moment. She took a swig of her tea. Then she nodded. "I forgot about that."

"Yep, we've got to keep Dillon Jensen a happy man. That means keeping our men away from him." Renatta held up her glass, and they toasted to Dillon.

Yet in Sloan's heart she had no intention of keeping Jet from Dillon. He'd just have to learn to deal with whatever would happen in that relationship. "RenMar, you've got to give me something. We've never kept secrets."

Renatta glanced over at Sloan. My dear, you wouldn't be able to handle it. "Have you seen Justin since you've been here?"

"Don't go changing the subject, and what you really mean is Jet anyway. Get back to my request, Miss Tight Lips."

"Okay, okay—he's easy to love."

"And."

"He's good to me."

"And."

"He makes me laugh."

Sloan sucked in her teeth and rolled her eyes at Renatta. "Come o,n girl, you don't have anything juicier than that? What does he look like?"

"You don't give up, do you?" Renatta tossed her head back and laughed. "Well, he's as handsome as your Jet."

Her eyes widened. "Really, hmmm. Well, at least I know you've got excellent taste, darling."

"I do indeed."

"I'm not going to get anything else out of you, am I?"

"Not a single thing else."

"All right then. I will answer your question. I have seen Jet. He picked me up at the airport."

Renatta raised her brow. "I'm not even going to ask how that happened, because I know Justin had something to do with it. Those two are diabolical when it comes to switching each other's character."

"I was furious. Those two played me just like they did when we were growing up."

"I know that was awkward."

"They are hellions."

Renatta laughed, "They used to trick us all the time. It was crazy. How did we learn to tell them apart anyway?"

"Nora told us. She let us know that Jet had a birthmark and a mole on his neck."

"I remember now. She told us after Justin took his place at the prom."

"Right. Actually being here is more awkward because this is where we got engaged. But you know I wouldn't have missed eating here for anything. So I'm dealing with it."

"I forgot about that. Surely I would have made another recommendation for dinner."

"It's perfectly okay. I am here to save a marriage, that is all, and Jet knows that."

The waitress brought the bill to the table. Sloan paid her in cash and left her a hefty tip. "You will have your work cut out, and you are foolish to think that you are done with Jet while you are here."

"As long as he respects my boundaries, then I can be civil with him. It's been seven years, you know."

"Boundaries?" Renatta choked on her tea and chuckled.

Sloan's eyes widened. "Look, I can handle myself around Jet."

"I'm sure you truly think that you can."