Previously…
– Tempest was upset when Samantha brought Jaq as a date to Thanksgiving dinner.
– After learning that her father was donating a kidney to her Uncle Jake, Tori joined her family at the hospital.
– Devastated that Molly is carrying Brent’s baby, Claire sadly ended her relationship with Brent for good.

The words printed on the textbook pages in front of Tempest Banks all seem to run together. She keeps going back to the start of the chapter, intent upon focusing hard enough to soak up the writing this time, but she never makes it very far. The music playing over the speakers inside Cassie’s Coffee House — currently something by HAIM, though Tempest couldn’t name the song itself — isn’t any louder than normal, but it feels fifty times more distracting this evening. The same goes for the conversations taking place around her; the other patrons of the coffee house aren’t shouting or doing anything extreme to make themselves heard, but their voices come at Tempest from every direction, doing their best to keep her from absorbing what’s in her textbook.

With a frustrated sigh, she leans back in her seat and reaches for her tea. As she picks it up, she sees someone entering the café — the real reason she is so distracted tonight.

Tempest’s hand shoots up into the air and waves, but Samantha Fisher has already spotted her.

“Let me get something, and I’ll be right over,” Samantha says over the buzz of conversation and music. She gets into the short line, and Tempest again re-reads the first paragraph of the chapter — retaining almost none of it — while she waits. Finally, Samantha walks up to the table with a hot beverage in hand.

Tempest closes the textbook. “Thanks for meeting up.”

“Of course.” Nevertheless, Samantha’s expression remains slightly dubious as she sits down across from Tempest. She indicates the book. “Is that for your business class?”

“Yep. And let me tell you, this thing is kicking my ass this week.”

“It’s great that you’re taking the class, though. It’ll be worth it in terms of your career.”

“Career.” Tempest tests out the word and nods with approval. “I like that. Never really thought about work like that. But yeah.”

“It sounds like my uncle’s given you a lot of responsibility at the arena. Who knows what your next step could be?”

“I haven’t thought about it a lot. Just having a steady job — a good paycheck — it makes such a crazy-big difference.”

Samantha smiles, her characteristic warmth showing through. “It really does. You can’t put a price on that feeling of independence.”

“No way.”

After cutting another interrogative look across the table at Tempest, Samantha asks, “So… why did you ask me to meet you? Is everything okay with you?”

“Everything’s cool. Yeah.” Tempest waves away the inquiry, even though she feels her heart thumping a little harder. “I guess I wanted to talk to you about some stuff.”

“Okay…”

“I…” Tempest takes a nervous sip of her tea as she scrambles for words. “First off, sorry for how I acted at Thanksgiving. I didn’t know you were gonna be there with…”

“Jaq,” Samantha fills in. “And I understand why that was difficult. I’m sorry, too.”

“Thanks. So yeah, I’m sorry. I know I got all awkward.”

There is Samantha’s bright, genuine smile again. “Apology accepted.”

“Cool.” Now Tempest draws in a heavy breath. “But I’ve gotta ask: what’s up with you and Jaq? I saw you at Pride, and it looked like y’all were a thing, and I was confused ‘cuz when we got drinks at 322–” 

“Jaq and I had just started hanging out at Pride. That was really our first date.”

“When you and I hung out, then, was it like…” Tempest shakes her head rapidly. “You got me all twisted up. It felt like that night went really good. Really good. I saw you after your grandpa died, and we were texting, and it seemed all good. And then I see you with some other girl.”

Samantha winces. A moment passes before she says, “Jaq asked me out, but I still wanted to get together with you and — I don’t know.”

“See?” Tempest says excitedly. “That’s what I mean. That was like — there was something between us that night, Sam. I felt it, and I know you did, too. Be honest: did you think we might get back together, too?”

In the hospital’s cafeteria, Sarah Fisher Gray scans the assortment of items available on the hot food bar, peruses the prepared selections in the refrigerator, and, after several grimaces, finally settles for a chocolate brownie-flavored protein bar. She has just finished paying for it and is tucking her debit card back into her purse when she spots a familiar face entering the cafeteria.

A moment later, Claire Fisher sees her, too. The women meet in the middle of the brightly lit space.

“The employees actually come in here?” Sarah asks. “I thought it was only a last resort for us desperate family members stuck here waiting.”

“Not my first choice, but I didn’t pack anything to eat on my break, so I’ll have to take my chances,” Claire replies. “Does that mean you’re still waiting to hear about Matt?”

“No, Matt’s procedure was over a while ago. He’s recovering now. He hasn’t been awake yet, but the doctors say everything went well.”

“That’s great to hear. Are they still doing the transplant into Jake?”

“Yeah.” Sarah waves the protein bar. “I’m hoping this’ll get me through.”

“Jake sounds like a great candidate for a transplant, and he’s relatively young and in good health,” Claire says. “The odds are on his side.”

“That’s what they keep telling us. And what’s even better is that Tori was here almost all day.”

“That’s major progress, isn’t it?”

“Absolutely. I’m hoping it’s a turning point for all of us.” Affixing a hopeful expression on her face, Sarah asks, “How are you? I haven’t seen you or Brent in forever, it feels like.”

She watches Claire’s demeanor transform right in front of her.

“What’s wrong?” Sarah asks after a moment of loaded silence.

Claire chews on her lower lip for a few more seconds. “I guess word hasn’t made it your way yet.”

“Word? About what?”

“Brent and I… We’re no longer…”

“Oh, Claire. I’m so sorry.”

Although the two women have never been especially close, Claire was Sarah’s sister-in-law for years, and she still considers her to be family, particularly because their children are cousins. And there was a time when Sarah never could have imagined consoling another woman over Brent, but her own marriage to him is so far in the past that it sometimes seems like a different life entirely. But now she can see the pain in Claire’s eyes so clearly.

“Thanks,” Claire says weakly, eyes fixed on the linoleum floor.

“What happened? You guys seemed so solid.”

Slowly, Claire looks back up at her. “You might be the only other person on Earth who can fully understand how I feel right now.”

—–

Christian Taylor and Marcus Gray deposit two more cardboard boxes, filled to the brim, on Paula Fisher’s dining room table.

Paula claps her hands together happily. “Thank you kids so much for helping. Everyone at the church will be so happy to have all these gift bags put together.”

“It feels good to do something to give back,” Bree Halston says from just behind Paula.

“Besides,” Christian says with a hint of a smirk, “we all need the community service hours for school.”

“Well, bring me the forms and I’ll happily sign off, because you’ve all been such a big help,” Paula tells them.

“Wait! You forgot one!” Billy Fisher shouts as he runs through the living room and right back Bree and Paula. He carries one more of the reusable tote bags that were donated to carry the items that will be distributed to the needy. The little boy holds out the empty bag expectantly.

“Must be an extra,” Christian comments as he takes the bag from his younger cousin.

Bree moves into the entryway and starts going through the cardboard boxes that hold the filled bags. “I’m sure we can find a few extra things to put in this one,” she says. “Billy, do you want to help me?”

“Let me do it!” he shouts as he races toward her. Christian and Marcus step out of the way before Billy nearly bowls them over.

“It’s sweet that he wants to help so badly,” Paula says quietly to the two teenagers as they watch Bree patiently guiding Billy. “And I really can’t thank you all enough for your help.”

“It’s been good having something to keep me busy while my dad’s having surgery,” Marcus says. “Thank you guys.”

“You know you’re welcome here any time,” Paula replies. “And your father is going to be just fine. I’m sure of it.”

“Did Aunt Sarah have anything else to say when she called?” Christian asks.

“No news yet, but everything had gone as expected when I spoke with her earlier.”

Marcus silently watches Billy and Bree for a few seconds.

“I’m kinda jealous how Billy has no idea what’s going on with Uncle Matt or my dad,” he remarks. “But I should probably get back to the hospital now. I don’t want my mom to be alone.”

“Hey,” Christian says, giving him a pointed look. “Everything’s gonna be okay. Just keep thinking that.”

Marcus takes a deep breath and offers a grateful expression in return. “Thanks. I hope so.”

Zane Tanaka zips up his backpack as he steps out of the suite that houses the I.T. department at KBAY. He slings the straps over his shoulders and heads toward the elevator, but as he approaches it, he notices a person with short, edgy black hair pressing the button.

“Jaq!” he calls out, jogging the last few yards toward where they stand.

Jaq Pearson turns to see Zane coming.

“Zane,” he says. “Tori Gray’s boyfriend.”

“I remember from Thanksgiving,” they say with a smile. “Sam said you started working here.”

“Yeah. Just started.” The elevator doors, and Zane lets Jaq step on first. He follows and presses the button for the lobby; the doors slide closed.

“How are you liking it so far?” Jaq asks.

“It’s good. It’s I.T., so…” He flashes a lopsided grin. “To be honest with you, I’m developing this app, but a day job really helps. Especially since Tori’s still looking for a job.”

“What does she do?”

“She only graduated college recently. It’s a…” He shakes his head hurriedly, as if freeing himself from the weight of the whole thing. “She wound up having to spend more time than she should’ve finishing school, so she’s just starting out. Figuring out what she wants to do.”

“She should go work at Objection. If Sam can work there, and she’ll be the first to say she isn’t into fashion–”

“There’s the whole family aspect,” Zane says. “She’s not on the best terms with them right now.”

Jaq nods solemnly. “Sam told me all about it. Look at it this way: her aunt getting her a job there could be the first step toward Tori’s family making things up to her.”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea. I don’t wanna see her so vulnerable to them again — especially not when it comes to her job. It’s not healthy.”

The elevator settles at the lobby, and its doors open. Zane again lets Jaq step out first.

“Are you going to the parking structure?” he asks.

“Oh, no. I don’t live that far away, so I usually get an e-scooter and ride that home. But it’s good to see you. We should have lunch one day. Congrats on the new job!”

“That’d be great. And thanks,” Zane says. With a wave, he moves toward the back door of the lobby, as Jaq exits to the street out front.

—–

Tempest studies Samantha intently over the table, analyzing every micro-movement the way a scientist might. The seconds that it takes Samantha to produce an answer seem to drag on endlessly.

“I never said that I stopped being attracted to you,” Samantha says at last. “That wasn’t our problem.”

“So you did feel it.” Tempest grins. “You and me, we still have that thing. That special thing not everyone has.” 

Just as quickly, Samantha’s demeanor turns, her eyes dropping. “But I’m with Jaq now.”

“I know. That’s not what I asked.”

“It’s the way things are, though.”

“Sam,” Tempest says more forcefully. “Why didn’t you give it a damn chance? We could’ve figured it out.”

“I don’t know.” Samantha’s shoulders rise and then fall, and her voice cracks a little. “I don’t know. Jaq asked me out, and they were really nice and interesting and… well, drama-free.”

“Nobody’s drama-free!”

“But not everyone has the kind of drama we have.”

“There’s no drama,” Tempest says, holding up both palms.

“The kind of baggage we have, then. People got hurt. Trust was broken.” 

“That’s what we were supposed to be working on! You forgave your mom–”

“–and I forgave you, too. I did.” Samantha pushes her glasses, which have been sliding as she grew more heated, back up her nose. “But I’m dating Jaq now.”

“Why?”

“Because I like them. Why does anyone date anyone?” Suddenly Samantha pushes out her chair and stands. “It’s a good idea if I go.”

Tempest springs to her feet, too. “Sam. Wait.”

But Samantha grabs the beverage that she hasn’t even touched and picks it up. “I promise I forgive you for everything that happened before. I’d love to be friendly. I care about you. But if you can’t respect my relationship with Jaq, then I don’t know what to say.”

With that, she turns and heads for the exit. Despite the adrenaline pumping through her veins, Tempest doesn’t chase after her; she feels too rattled, too off-balance, even to imagine what else she could do. And upsetting Samantha doesn’t seem like it would do a damn bit of good.

“Dammit,” she says, clenching her fists as she watches her ex walk out of the coffee shop.

—–

In the staff locker room at the hospital, Claire rests on a bench as she enters the combination to open her locker. Once she opens it, she takes out her cell phone and quickly checks the notifications. She sees that she hasn’t missed anything important and is about to put the phone back, but she hesitates.

Her conversation with Sarah is still weighing heavy on her, and she is thankful that the locker room is otherwise empty so that she can be alone with her thoughts. It was such a relief to open up to someone other than Tempest after all these weeks of holding in her feelings, although she realizes that she could tell a hundred or a thousand people and it would still hurt just as badly.

She finds herself unable to resist opening the camera roll on her phone. She doesn’t have to scroll back very far to see a photo of her and Brent together. The sky of downtown King’s Bay is dark behind them in the selfie, save for a street lamp towering above; Claire has a plaid scarf wrapped around her neck and a broad smile on her face. Brent looks so happy, too, and it is nearly impossible for her to reconcile the idea that the man in the photo is the same man who had already slept with his ex.

Sudden tears threaten to spill out, but she fights them back. She knows that she can’t keep wallowing in this. And as painful as it is to let go of the past…

It takes a moment, but her thumb slides downward on the screen and hovers over the trashcan icon. She hesitates, but after a final deep breath, she presses the button and deletes the photo.

Now if only I could do that with my feelings, she thinks.

—–

“Mom!” Sarah calls out as she lets herself into the house. “I’m back.”

Paula comes bustling out of the kitchen. “How are things at the hospital? How are Matt and Jake?”

“Jake made it through surgery fine,” Sarah tells her, though she is brimming with a wild energy. “The doctors said it went as well as could be expected.”

“And Matt’s doing well?”

“He’s sound asleep. But he’s doing well. But Mom–”

“I’m so glad to hear that,” Paula says, emitting a sigh of relief. “The way you came in, I thought something had…” She shakes her head, as if to expel the very thought.

“Matt and Jake are fine,” Sarah says, her voice rising in both volume and intensity again. “But I found out something insane.” 

Paula furrows her brow. “What’s that?”

“It’s Molly. She’s pregnant with Brent’s baby. He cheated on Claire and got Molly pregnant. Can you believe the two of them?!”

Paula’s face goes white as a sheet. Before she can conjure any kind of response, she turns to look over her shoulder…

…and when Sarah follows her mother’s sightline, she sees her nephew standing at the entrance to the kitchen, his mouth open and his eyes wide.

“My mom is pregnant?” Christian asks with shock.

END OF EPISODE 1010

What will Molly and Brent think of Sarah spilling the beans?
Can Tempest and Samantha ever get back to a good place?
What will Zane think of Tori reconnecting with her family?
Discuss all this and more in the comments below!

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