On Concrete Shelves | Welcome back to Stone Creek |

Scene One

Now Town; Thurlow Lumber Mill Building

​

The conference room is refreshing as Shannon Thurlow Stout steps in, which is a welcome offering to the stark contrast of the midday September heat. Quickly, she scans the room before greeting its occupants. Shannon finds that everyone in the room had one particular thing in common; a direct effect within Thurlow Lumber Mill Industries. 

 

She moves towards her nephew, Emmet, and gives him a hug. The young man is in a crisp suit and baby blue tie. It’s been a few weeks since she has seen Emmet. He normally stays outside of the office with few occasions where he goes through the legalities of any new ventures for the company

 

Two people are talking in the corner of the room which piqued her interest.

 

“You’d think they’d know better than to plot a global takeover in public,” Emmet jokes as he looks over, Shannon smiles at her nephew, “I’m just saying…”

 

“They’re talking about the social media ventures.” She pats her nephew’s shoulder and moves over to the two people in the corner just as her brother enters the room and announces his presence.

​

James has always had this warm and calming presence about him. When they were children she knew that if a difficult situation came upon her, he would be able to solve it. So she watches as everyone begins to find their seats, Shannon moves around everyone and finds a seat next to her best friend, Isabelle, nearest to the podium where her brother stands.

 

“I want to begin this meeting with a huge thank you to everyone here,” James Thurlow says, his voice elevated with pride, Shannon depicts, “I cannot express how proud I am of this team. The forward thinking, and innovation that I have seen here is beyond anything else. So, with that being said, I have struggled with my next decision for some time now.”

 

Shannon can see the pain in her brother’s eyes, she sits up a little straighter as he continues to speak. The silence of everyone else becomes almost deafening. 

 

“We have made some tough decisions in light of the pandemic and in order to maintain our progress we will have to make even more tough decisions.” Shannon looks around the room at the many expressions sitting with her. “I want to assure everyone that we will not be making any more cuts.”

 

“So what’s next, James?” Shannon finds herself asking.

 

The group briefly turn to Shannon before returning their gazes back on James. She can feel the gazes briefly, her face begins to flush as she makes eye contact with her brother. 

 

“Every great leader has only pushed through by being completely transparent. We are in an industry that potentially has an expiration date. My great grandfather built this company from the groundwork in order to provide for his family. My father wanted nothing more than to help provide for the families who lived here in Stone Creek. What we have gone through in the last year is tremendous and rare but it has shown me that history and groundwork can be demolished by bad leadership and being stagnant.

 

“So,” he looks to Shannon, “I am asking every single person in this room to believe in our mission for this company, with their entire heart.”

 

Shannon feels the tinge of pain that sinks into her heart as she looks around at everyone else, trying to read their expressions, some easier than others. So, just as she has always done, and probably always will do, Shannon speaks. “I think I can speak for everyone in this room that we will stand with you, no matter what happens.”

 

A moment passes between the two siblings before James replies. “Thank you.”

 

“We have a couple bids to discuss at a later time,” the voice of Isabelle Wilkinson-Rhodes says, it’s refreshing to hear her softer, vulnerable voice, Shannon decides, “I still want to go over the terms with Emmet, of course, before we follow through.”

 

Emmet shakes his head. “I would most definitely partner with you on that, Isabelle.”

 

“I have a venture to go over with MDM that requires a sit down meeting,” Shannon says next, she can once again feel all the eyes upon her. She has never been shy by any means, but after her brother’s speech she feels more vulnerable than not. “I would actually like to get Isabelle on the call, I think someone with her negotiating background can be highly effective.”

​

The group begins to erupt in a passion of flutter and positivity as they work towards a common goal; to push Thurlow Lumber Mill into the next phase of existence.

​

“Can we discuss the elephant in the room?” Emmet says, bringing the discussion to a hault.

 

“What’s that?” 

 

Emmet clears his throat. “Where’s Reichen?”

 

There’s a frustration in James’ expression. “He won’t be continuing with us for the foreseeable future, I have been in communication with him in the last week —“

​

“What the fuck does that mean?” Emmet asks.

 

Shannon turns to her nephew, but James speaks first. “He’s taking vacation time to take care of a personal matter. I have appointed Frank Nelson into the CFO position temporarily.”

​

The room begins to whisper amongst themselves, which begins to irritate Shannon. So she takes it upon herself to speak up. “I’m sure my brother was hoping to brief us on that at a more suitable time.”

​

“I was.” James says. “I’m not relieving anyone from their positions, Reichen will be back into the CFO role as soon as he is able to. In the meantime, if there are any concerns or if anyone needs to reach Mr. Calbourne I insist you speak with Frank as I have already briefed him on our financial situations.”

​

“That’s just great.” Emmet breaths.

​

 

Scene Two

Now Town; Sutton Enterprises

 

Peter Sutton, Jr. slips his leather loafers on and buttons his shirt from the bottom up, he rests his eyes on the woman before him. The day was nearly over for him but he knew that he had to see her one last time. Peter spots her heels under his desk. She must have knocked them off at some point during their session so he leans down to collect them while she fixes her hair.

 

“I think these belong to you.” He says, handing them over to Esperanza.

 

She smiles. “Thank you.”

​

Sure, hooking up with your secretary was as cliche as it could be. He did make a mental note not to do exactly what he was currently doing with Esperanza, but he also knew that there was something about her he just couldn’t place. From the moment he met her… he knew he needed to know her.

 

Peter pulls his suit jacket over his head and slides it on and then maneuvers around his desk and begins to look over the paperwork for the rest of the day. He sees her moving around the office collecting herself as she usually did after their fling.

​

“I found the missing invoices that Gillian was needing.” Esperanza says.

 

He chuckles. “You do know that I did that on purpose, right? Watching my cousin squirm, even in the slightest, is exhilarating. But, thank you for making things right even if she couldn’t find them herself. It makes me proud knowing I’ve given you so much power.”

 

“I’m not going to be some sort of common ground between the two of you. I may not have been here for the beginning of this feud, but I am here now. Gillian is really good at her job and I don’t think that it’s right of you to put so much stress on her for it.” 

 

Peter stands up straight and folds an arm over another. “That’s something new.”

 

“What?”

​

She doesn’t flinch like most people do when confronted by Peter. Although, he can tell that she’s beginning to feel uncomfortable the longer they’re both in the room. “I respect you enough to keep you informed above many others, but don’t think I’m going to just let you say whatever you’d like. I’m testing Gillian.”

​

“I’m just saying,” Espi says, “I think she’s passed your test. You can have a really strong financial advisor behind your efforts if you just let her help.”

​

“That’s not up for me to decide.” Peter replies after a moment. “There are other forces at work here. Look, how about this,” he locks eyes with Esperanza, “I’ll consider being easier on my cousin if you consider going to dinner with me this weekend?”

​

He notices her posture shift. “You’re asking me out?”

​

Peter nods.

​

“Your aunt is going to have a field day with that.”

​

 

Scene Three

Now Town; Joplin & Maverick Lawfirm

 

Kirsten had always wanted, at the minimum, three children. As she tried to clear the kitchen table after her daughter left, washed dishes and maneuvered around the kitchen with a toddler on her hip. It became clear to her that she was nowhere near capable of taking care of three children.

 

“Kirsten, I didn’t have you on my appointment list.” Melinda Lombardi speaks, calmly and precisely. 

 

“I’m so sorry.”

 

The secretary gets from her seat and makes a move towards the two women before she gets waved off from Melinda. “It’s okay, I have an opening.”

 

She watches Melinda move into her office and Kirsten makes note to ask her about her interior decorating as she guides her toddler into the room and seats him next to her. “Thank you, I really didn’t want to make a huge deal about this and I feel like you’re the only person I could trust.”

 

“I don’t understand if we’ve ever held more than a conversation or two, and yet, I’m the only person you can trust?”

 

Kirsten winces. “I’m sorry.”

 

“You say that a lot.” Melinda replies, clearly annoyed.

 

It takes Kirsten a second to digest the tone of her words. She bites her lip, a nasty habit when under pressure. Eric is playing with a stuffed turtle completely oblivious to the conversation and for a second, Kirsten wished to be a part of that world.

 

She looks at Melinda through pleading eyes. “Listen, I didn’t really know who I could trust and you don’t really have too much connection to myself or Charlie, or, even to his family for that matter. So I need your help, advice if anything.”

 

“My advice usually costs something.” Melinda chews on her pen.

 

Of course, Kirsten knew this. She pulls her purse onto her lap and sifts through it looking for her checkbook. It wasn’t something she used often, but it was linked to an account that Charlie knew nothing about.

 

“It’s fine, Kirsten,” Melinda says. “I don’t need your money.”

 

Kirsten does everything not to bite her tongue. She steals a quick look at Eric and then nods her head. It dawns on her that she has put herself in this position from the beginning so she takes her pride and puts it in her purse along with her checkbook and places it on the ground next to her.

 

“What would it take to get out of my marriage without any bloodshed?” 

 

The words feel more callous than anything else. But it is exactly what she needed to know so she stands by her words.

 

Melinda leans forward with her hands locked on the pen dangling in front of her like some Chinese finger lock. “You’re married to a Sutton, darling, the only thing that’ll get you out of that without a death certificate is if he has been carrying on an affair behind your back. Is he?”

 

“Uhm, no,” Kirsten shakes the thought instinctively, “he’s just not that kind of man. Nothing like Patrick.”

 

“That’s a shame, Kirsten, because that would be the only way to get out of your marriage without a scratch. If you were to divorce a Sutton you would be walking out with nothing. I mean, look at Charlene and what she came out with. Nothing.”

 

Kirsten knows exactly what happened to Charlie’s mother after her dissolution of marriage to Patrick. She was lucky enough to have Charlie and Reichen to keep her from losing everything she had become accustomed to.

 

She wrings her neck in anxiety. Because the one who had been having an affair has been no one other than herself. The thought makes her want to puke. “I— I guess I knew that was coming.”

 

Melinda leans back. “Why are you trying to divorce your husband, anyways?”

 

“I’m not.” Kirsten diverts her eyes from locking them with Melinda. The one thing she didn’t need was the older woman’s judgement. “I was just weighing my options. There’s just a lot of things going on. You don’t know. I think this conversation is over, now. I should go.”

 

“Okay.” The words linger around.

 

Kirsten looks around her and collects Eric from his chair, she reminds herself to grab a snack for him for being so calm during the conversation. “Oh, and could you keep this conversation between the two of us?”

 

“That’s a lot for someone who I don’t even speak with to ask of me.” Melinda does this thing with her teeth that Kirsten has found quite annoying in the last twelve minutes. “I’m still so completely confused by what brought this entire conversation up, anyways? But you know what, they don’t pay me to ask these types of questions, do they?”

 

The two linger in their stances, Kirsten grabs her purse and holds onto her toddler's hand while Melinda lifts herself from her chair.

 

“Also, why didn’t you ask your brother for counseling?”

 

Kirsten smirks. “Because my brother is way too emotional to be a divorce lawyer, Melinda. So I already know he didn’t study the courses thoroughly. Besides, Emmet doesn’t know how to keep a secret.”

 

Scene Four

Now Town; Sushi Koo

 

“Ah, stop right there!” 

 

Megan Sutton freezes in place as she’s been caught. When she left Stone Creek, Megan was a mere child who really didn’t know so much about the outside world. She had been stuck in this world of good and bad, black and white. What she had found in Paris and then, eventually, in Seattle was so much more complicated.

 

She looks up to see her friend, Jane Wilkinson walking back from the bathroom. Megan sits back in her chair, defeated, she had been caught trying to sneak a sip of alcohol.

 

Jane takes a seat. “I can’t believe you’re already off trying to defy your friend. I literally just went to the bathroom and here you are trying to sneak my beer? You’re not twenty-one yet, little one.”

 

“You’re such a goodie-two-shoes.” Megan teases.

 

“I’m also the person your mother would kill if I let you drink. Besides, I thought we were here to actually have a conversation, or did you just get me here so I could help you become an alcoholic?”

 

Megan rolls her eyes. “You’re my friend and I am stoked that you’re in Stone Creek! So, is the internship, like, the real deal?”

 

The older brunette nods her head, a smile creeps onto her face. “I keep telling myself that I got into the program on my own degree, but honestly, I can’t help but think that my aunt Daphne helped nudge the application through.”

 

“I’m sure that helped.”

 

“Hey!” Jane chuckles. “You’re supposed to show some emotional support. I am starting one of the toughest programs of my life and, even if it’s not in Seattle, it would be nice to have your support.”

 

The waiter brings them their meals, gets Megan’s request of extra ginger and then moves past them towards another table. She watches her best friend in anticipation. It was nice to have Jane in Stone Creek the same time that she came back. It is strange, however, to be sitting in a restaurant pretending like their lives are completely normal. She gulps at the thought and does her best to keep her composure without letting on to anything being wrong.

 

“You have my support.” 

 

“Good.” Jane says, she grasps her chopsticks and begins eating her meal. “I am, still scared that me getting the internship is going to be this huge conflict between myself and everyone else.”

 

Megan scrunches her nose. “What do you mean?”

 

“My name is Jane Wilkinson.” She says, “Wilkinson. It’s like this whole legacy thing, or something, I don’t know. Maybe I’m just psyching myself out?”

 

“It’s like you're Meredith?” 

 

Jane frowns.

 

“What? Being Meredith isn’t the worst thing in the world? I mean, look at it this way at least you now know the only thing in your way is your own damned self-esteem.” Megan watches as Jane digests the information. “I can be your person.”

 

“I can use that.” Jane says, she places her chopsticks down and leans back in her chair, taking a second to look out the window.

 

This is when Megan takes it as her chance, she moves forward and reaches her hand towards Jane’s beer. But Jane turns back just in-time and moves the beer inches away.

 

“Not so fast.” Jane and Megan lock eyes, and share a laugh.

 

Scene Five

Sage Gardens; Bauer Home

 

Even as she says the words, they sound so foreign to her. Marina Thurlow Bauer makes her way over to her best friend and takes a seat at the breakfast nook. Ryan had an early morning so after grabbing a cup of coffee he was on his way out, which left Marina home alone. She was thankful to hear that Cassie’s train arrived earlier than expected. Having her best friend here gives her the opportunity not to stress so much.

 

But these words have been so far buried that it takes some more time for them to sink in. “I have to admit that I feel better being in my second trimester. Having you here means a lot as well.”

 

“How could I miss your baby shower?”

 

“I can’t thank you enough for coming all this way to help me plan this baby shower. I know that,” Marina’s throat starts to dry as she speaks, “I know that being away from the kids is hard.”

 

“Hey,” Cassie says, she hugs Marina, “I love you just like a sister. We have been through so much together! When we were in our twenties living off noodles and hopes we promised each other we would be there for one another. These are those times that we talked about.”

 

Marina tilts her head and tries to push back the tears from forming. It was true, their friendship spanned years. She places her hands on her growing belly and takes a deep gulp before continuing, “They say that it doesn’t get any easier, you know?”

 

“Being pregnant?” Cassie asks.

 

“No,” She says, “the first time I miscarried I just thought that it was something that happens a lot to women under stress. I thought that I would get over it and move on. Then when the investigation against Mathias happened and that mishap resulted in my second miscarriage.”

 

A slight pause draws Cassie in. “I thought maybe this was what my life would be like. Not to sound so melodramatic — because that’s not me. Now that I have this little one.”

 

“You’re going to enjoy every moment of it.” Cassie says.

 

In the silence that follows, Marina allows herself to recollect herself. She makes notes as Cassie begins to run through everything they will need for the baby shower. Even though it seems like a lot, having Cassie around for the week brings a wave of relief as she thinks about her future. 

 

Scene Six

Now Town; Thurlow Lumber Mill Industries

 

Controlling his emotions, or even his actions, has never been a strong suit for Emmet Thurlow, so after the meeting had concluded he made a haste exit. There was only one thing he needed to do, so swiftly he made his way towards his father.

 

“I’m sorry,” his breath catches in his throat as his half jog alerts how out of shape he really is. “I— I didn’t mean to cause such chaos, in there.”

 

James turns to his son and nods. “I get it. You’re the lawyer in the family and I also know the implications this can cause if I were to let Frank back into the company.”

 

“Then you understand why you can’t do it.” Emmet says, there’s an edge of confidence in his tone. “You completely understand why we can’t let Frank Nelson step foot inside this building, dad.”

 

“Well, that’s a bit drastic.” James chuckles. “Also, a tad too late. I have already met Frank in my office last week and to tell the truth, I have complete confidence that he will do the job justice.”

 

Every word spoken feeds Emmet’s worry even more. He waves at a few employees as they pass and then leans in closer to his father, trying to keep from seeming too ominous as possible. “Frank caused a PR nightmare when he worked here. If Reichen is really out on vacation —“

 

“So you’re questioning my motives now?” James interrupts.

 

Emmet can feel the disconnect between his loyalty to his family and agreements to the law. He reluctantly shakes his head. “I’m not, I swear. I just think that this should be considered with all parties before we go through with it.”

 

“I trust your judgement whole heartedly, Emmet, you have been by my side throughout this entire thing. You don’t understand how proud I am to be your father. But, I think we also need to give Frank another chance, he is practically part of this family and this company is all about, family.”

 

It’s now certain that he’s not going to win this battle. He groans at the thought of giving up and then locks eyes with his father. “Fine. But if Frank is coming back to this company, then I need someone to have all eyes on him. Dad, with everything we are going through, we cannot afford any mishaps here.”

 

James nods his head. “I agree with you on that.”

 

“Thank you.” Emmet says, feeling a tinge of relief.

 

Scene Seven

Now Town; Thurlow Lumber Mill Industries

 

Back in the conference room, Shannon Thurlow hangs back after she sees her best friend in the corner near the window, with a younger man, like earlier. “Hi, Bentley,” Shannon greets her best friend's nephew, “I’m so happy to see you’re doing well. How’s the social media platform coming along?”

 

“I think we have a ways to go, but we are getting there.” He smiles.

 

“That’s good to hear.” Shannon says. “I know that it’s been a tough year but I do want to let you know that your team is making a huge impact on the future of this company. We are all proud of you.”

 

“Exactly.” Isabelle adds, she gives her nephew a squeeze on the arm which is something that Shannon knows is Isabelle’s sign of comfort. “I really want to see your prototype as soon as it’s finished?”

 

Bentley nods. “I’ll get to that, if you’ll excuse me ladies.”

 

After letting Bentley leave the room, Shannon turns her attention back to her best friend. “So, that meeting and us choosing you to go forward with the MDM profile… how do you feel about that?”

 

Isabelle nods. “I know that I’m here for a certain reason and I appreciate that, I really do, but I do have some hesitation about it.”

 

Something in the way Isabelle phrases her words makes Shannon immediately know there’s a way to convince her that everything will be just fine. As if they were at the top of a slide and all she needs is a little nudge.

 

“What are your hesitations?” Shannon says, cautiously.

 

Immediately Isabelle looks like a deer caught in headlights, her composure struck by some sort of hesitation. “This is a huge client for the company. I came to help with the restructuring of the company, and I am so grateful for everything you have done to make me feel comfortable so far away from my husband.” 

 

Isabelle cuts herself off, takes a deep breath and then looks at Shannon. “I don’t want to mess this up for anybody.”

 

“You’re going to be just fine.” Shannon reassures her. She places her arms around Isabelle and gives her a squeeze. “You’re a natural at negotiating and if James didn’t have confidence in you, he wouldn’t agree to send you.”

 

Feeling as if she’s conquered this turbulent, Shannon lets the information linger a little before she starts treading on untouched territory. “How is everything with Ivan going? I know he wasn’t exactly the most understanding man when you agreed to come help.”

 

“He’s fine.” Isabelle says, a little too sharply.

 

“Jon’s not exactly thrilled that I decided to stay in Stone Creek, either.” Shannon says, knowingly. It’s not like the two friends to really skirt around the truth, so she takes it upon her to open-up about her own relationship. “He hates being away a lot, you know? I told him that I do understand what his job requires.”

 

This information does let Isabelle’s guard down, which is what Shannon was hoping for. “What did he say?”

 

“He agrees. Jon and I had a very long, agonizing discussion about where our relationship was going and we both decided that neither of us was ready to let it end.” Thinking about the conversation gives Shannon chills. “Jon says he will be retiring in five years, as long as I was okay with that.”

 

“That seems like a long time.” Isabelle winces. “But it could be longer.”

 

“That’s very true. I told Jon that if he gives me those same five years to create a life for us here in Stone Creek then it won’t feel like a huge sacrifice for either of us.” Shannon peers out the window at the people below, the city she had called her home for so many of her teen years. How much it has changed since she was a way.

 

She turns to face her best friend. “Maybe the two of you can come to some sort of compromise? Ivan is a great man, but don’t feel like you need to let him win every battle for his ego. You’re not that type of woman.”

 

Scene Eight

Now Town; Near Candle Light Park

 

The night is sticky. 

 

There really isn’t any other way for Jane Wilkinson to word it. She slipped into a running outfit and pushed her earbuds into her ears about an hour ago. Living in the city was starting to make her feel more isolated than she would have thought. However, with her internship at Stone Creek Memorial Hospital isolation hadn’t done anything negative for her focus. Jane knew this would be a possibility. 

 

Her right foot takes the better stride as she turns the corner and jolts down the street. Her muscle memory is progressing as she briefly closes her eyes and moves through the city towards the park. It was becoming her nightly routine. The smell of the city was oddly quaint at this time of night; ginger and vanilla waives through the air as she makes it to the corner of the street. Although she knows a cafe is close by and more than likely the source of the fragrance.

 

Stationed at the corner she waits for the signal to cross the street to the Candle Light City Park which she notes as the heart of the Now Town district of Stone Creek. Every night around this time she’s done a lap off the trail and then catapults herself back to her apartment. Jane pulls back her shoulder length bronze hair and uses the velvet barrette on her right hand to tie her thin hair into a ponytail.

 

The word legacy really irks her.

 

It wasn’t that Jane wasn’t proud to come from such a prominent family of doctors. This was something that helped her realize her ambitions towards medicine and she couldn’t forget how helpful her family was when she decided to go into the medical field. She had always known that Stone Creek would be the easy option and she’d be a shoe-in to intern at the hospital. It was that knowing all of this… she still chose to find the easy way about her life that really bothered.

 

Jane wasn’t known for taking the hard route. Although, one could argue that choosing the medical field was a difficult task all in it’s own. Her hazel eyes lit up as the signal to cross the street begged her forward. It was true that she had a knack for medicine. Her parents were so proud that she decided to do her internship in Stone Creek… so proud that they even moved back to the city -- which didn’t help shake her ‘privileged’ overcoat, either.

 

Pushing forward Jane moves her legs with all her might only to find a pair of hands grasp her midsection. In the seconds that pursue, she tries to regain as much grip as she possibly could. Someone pulls her back and away from the street, back onto the sidewalk. Her breath caught in her throat and with a thud she slams into the brick building, she feels the pressure of the person’s body against her as well.

 

“What the hell?” Jane curses, she pushes the body away. 

 

He stands taller with at least six inches on her. The figure has a hood over his head which only allotted her a glimpse of his stubbled chin and thin lips. This only sped-up her already alarmed heart.

 

“I’m sorry,” he pulls his hood off and offers his hands in protest, “I was only trying to pull you out of the way? That car, didn’t you see it?”

 

She shakes her head. “I guess I wasn’t paying attention.”

 

Jane locks eyes with him. He had the bluest eyes that she had ever seen. There was an old folks tale that her mother used to tell her when she was little. It was about a man that looked disarming with eyes as blue as the sky and teeth as sharp as razors. Jane tries to push the thoughts back as she attempts to recompose herself.

 

Then it hits her like a ton of bricks. She winces at the pain in the back of her head. It must have come from the wall when the man pulled her to safety. Jane places a hand to her head and closes her eyes briefly.

 

“Are you okay?” He asks.

 

She nods. “I’m fine. Thank you. I should go.”

 

“Are you sure I can’t help you get to a doctor, or anything?”

 

“I am a doctor.” Jane states, she peers back at the man and then she shrugs. “Or I’m becoming a doctor -- or whatnot. Look, I’m fine, okay? Thank you for saving me… I should just go.”

 

“My name’s Jacks.” He offers.

 

Jane turns back to him. This was the part where she feels awkward. It wasn’t that she had always been a shy person. When she was younger Jane had been one of the more popular girls in school. It was just that moving to Stone Creek and starting over and, for the most part, having no interactions unless it was a patient puking on her… introducing herself to a stranger than she only seconds ago thought was her attacker. It feels awkward.

 

“Jane.” She replies, after a beat. “Thank you for saving me.”

 

He smirks. “You already said that.”

 

Jane gulps. A breeze pushed past the two as they idled on the street corner. A part of her wants to say something more to this stranger. Like, how she notices the dimples that accompanied the smirk, or how, for some odd reason she was finding this stranger who could have been her attacker… very attractive.

 

“I-- of course.” Jane smiles. She pushes the smaller strands of hair back and immediately regrets letting her hairdresser cut bangs into her otherwise perfect hair style. “Uhm, I should go… Jacks.”

 

“Right.” He replies. “Of course. Take care Jane.”

 

“You do the same.” Jane smiles, then looks both ways before crossing the intersection for the park. Once across she turns back to see Jacks doing the same. They share a knowing smile before he tilts his head and continues his walk away from her.

 

Jane gives herself a minute before she continues her routine. The chance encounter, if one could call it that, was a nice change of pace. Then it hit her… this stranger just saved her from getting hit by a car. How different things could have turned out worries Jane.

​

 

Scene Nine

Sage Gardens; Hannigan Home

 

Dylan Tyree moves her hair around. To say that she has spent the past hour in front of the bathroom mirror would be an understatement. Her light brown locks, dark eyes and a button nose. She turns to show her side profile… She always hated her nose. Or had she? Dylan shakes the thought away.

 

It has been at least two hours since he’s been gone.

 

The brunette with the button nose and the full pale pink lips smacks them together and moves away from the mirror. She slips into an oversized plaid shirt she found in his closet. Dylan arrived in town a few days ago and immediately called him. He is the only one in Stone Creek -- other than her best friend, Taylor -- who she feels comfortable around.

 

After the last time she was in town, well, it wasn’t that Dylan was hated by her family. Because, after all, she did help her cousin open her eyes to her desire for another man other than her husband. 

 

Dylan moves over to the window and peers out. 

 

Her stomach is beginning to rumble and she tries to remember when she ate last. Things became a blur after she surprised him at his doorstep. After that, they spent the majority of the day in his bed so it was hard to tell if she even ate today.

 

The front door opened and then closed. Finally, she mouthed rushing to the living room of his apartment. “Where the hell were you?”

 

“I was getting chinese.” He snipped, holding up the to-go boxes as evidence.

 

Standing in front of Dylan was the sexiest man she had ever seen and she would know, she had spent her teenage years on tour, exploring the world. She tapped her button nose and puffed her bottom lip. “I’m sorry, I think I’m just hungry.”

 

He smirked knowingly. “We worked up quite the appetite.”

 

“We did, didn’t we?” Dylan asked. 

 

She slipped her arms around his neck and linked both hands together. She looked into his deep blue eyes and melted when his smirk revealed the deepest dimples she had ever seen. It felt so good to be near him. To be close to him after months of being away trying to secure another record deal.

 

“Jacks,” Dylan purred, “let’s eat.”

 

With that, Jacks Hannigan, twice her senior, followed Dylan into the tiny kitchen and began unboxing dinner.

 

Scene Ten

Now Town; Bayou Oak Condos

 

Esperanza Mendez moved through the lobby as quickly as she could. Her heels clicked against the granite floors in the tune to a rushed Ariana Grande song that made her ears just want to pop. Had she ever wanted to go deaf in her entire life, she now knew the answer. 

 

She hated high heels. 

 

They would be one of the first things to be chucked once she got to the room. Esperanza glided into the nearest elevator and with a well-manicured hand she hit the button for the top floor. Show tunes would be a blessing for her ears. 

 

It only took the Puerto Rican woman minutes to make it to her floor and seconds to unlock the door to her room. She was happy that Peter only needed her for half the day today. Getting out of the panty hose and pencil skirt were her next move as she kicked out of the heels. 

 

“Not so fast, you have company.” A voice spoke in the distance. 

 

Esperanza grimaced at the thought of staying in her work close for any longer. “I wasn’t expecting you here today.”

 

She flicked the lights to her living quarters and folded her arms. “To what do I owe the pleasure, today, Patrick?”

 

The older man sat firmly in the ottoman directly in front of Esperanza. He was a stocky man these days. There was a time when she remembered him being slimmer and more forceful. Although, to be fair, a dog is tame after being neutered as well. 

 

“I had an overwhelming feeling of setting our plan on a much faster train.” He spoke. 

 

“Does this plan get me out of this ridiculous outfit and back into an actual position of substance at Sutton Enterprises?” Esperanza moves past the older man and found the bar had already been raided. It was then that she smelled the bourbon in the air. 

 

“Not my first choice.” Patrick spoke. 

 

Esperanza shrugged. “I guess the former CEO of Sutton Enterprises doesn’t get first dibs anymore?”

 

He chuckled. “Suddenly, everyone is intrigued with my drinking habits. Although, you’re more gentle than Helen has been of late.”

 

“You should probably fill your wife in on the plan to retake Sutton Enterprises from Peter. Actually, there’s a long list of people who would be more useful than just myself, you know?”

 

He sat for a beat. “How is my daughter doing?”

 

“Gillian is surviving.” Esperanza spoke. She had often found herself passing the blonde in the halls of the building. Since Gillian is in a different wing of the building entirely they don’t eat much interaction. Esperanza gulped. “She definitely survived the first onslaught of the takeover that’s for sure. It seems that Peter and Kimberly trust her to some extent.”

 

“She’s always been a loyal business woman, that daughter of mine. She will go down with the ship if it’s asked of her. Which is why we can’t involve her in this plan. If things go awry —“

 

“That’s not a gamble I’m willing to face, Patrick.” Esperanza snipped. “Getting put in a looney bin didn’t do well for my social climbing. I need you to understand what this all means to me.”

 

“You need to understand what this means to me!” Patrick barked back. “Now, I have a very loyal customer coming to Peter with a lucrative offer on the table. He cannot refuse it, do you understand me?”

 

Esperanza perked up. “I don’t understand.”

 

“Let’s just say,” he smirked, “My dear sister is going to have a decision to make soon. Your job is to make sure that my nephew makes it for her. And Catalina, make sure that he does.”