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then bent to pick up their three-legged cat, Triad. It must be, Jack thought when she sat and the cat curled in her lap. While they discussed details, choices of materials, he wondered what it was like to feel that connection with and that certainty about another person.

No doubt in their minds, he mused, that this was the one. The one to make a home with, build a future with, maybe have kids with. Share a cat with.

How did they know? Or at least believe enough to risk it?

It was, for him, one of life's great mysteries.

"When can we start?" Mac demanded.

"I'll submit for permit tomorrow. Do you have a contractor in mind?"

"Um . . . the company we used on the initial remodel was good. Are they still available?"

"I ran it by him. I can contact him tomorrow, ask him to submit a bid."

"You're the man, Jack." Mac gave him a friendly punch in the arm. "Do you want to stay for dinner?

We're making pasta. I can call and see if Emma's interested."

"Thanks, but we're going out."

"Aw."

"Stop." But he shook his head and laughed.

"I can't help it if I find it adorable that my pals are getting all cozy."

"We're going to grab some dinner and catch a flick."

"Aw."

He laughed again. "I'm getting out of here. See you on Poker Night, Carter. Prepare to lose."

"I could just hand you the money now, save time."

"Tempting, but I prefer the satisfaction of skinning you at the table. I'll get you that bid," he added as he headed for the door. "You keep that copy of the plans."

He heard Mac's "uh-oh" an instant before he spotted Del.

They stopped, about five feet apart.

"Wait!" Mac called out. "If you're going to punch each other again, I want my camera."

"I'll shut her up," Carter promised.

"Hey! Wait! I was serious," she managed before Carter dragged her back inside. Jack jammed his hands into his pockets. "This is just fucking stupid."

"Maybe. Probably."

"Look, we punched each other, we each said our piece. We had a beer. According to the rules, that should about cover it."

"We didn't take in a sporting event."

Jack felt some of the tension in his shoulders ease. That was more like Del. "Can we do that tomorrow?

I've got a date."

"What happened to bros before hos?"

A smile spread amiably over Jack's face. "Did you just call Emma a ho?"

Del's mouth opened and closed before he dragged a hand through his hair. "You see the complications here? I just called Emma a ho because I wasn't thinking of Emma as Emma, and I was being a smart-ass."

"Yeah, well, I know that. Otherwise I'd've had to punch you in the face again. The Yankees have a home game tomorrow night."

"You drive."

"Uh-uh. We get Carlos. I spring for the car service. You spring for the tip and the beer. We split the dogs."

"All right." Del considered a moment. "Would you punch me in the face over her?"

"I already did."

"That wasn't about her."

Point taken, Jack thought. "I don't know."

"That's a good answer," Del decided. "I'll see you tomor row."

S INCE DINNER - BISTRO FARE - AND A MOVIE - ACTION FLICK - worked so well, they made a second official Monday night date. Full schedules prevented any appreciable time together between, but they managed what they termed a friendly booty call and a few teasing e-mails. Emma wasn't sure if their current relationship led off with sex or friendship, but it felt as if both of them were trying to find a happy balance between the two.

She was nearly finished dressing for the evening when Parker came in and called up the stairs.

"Be right down. I've got the flowers you wanted in the back, in a holding vase. Though I still don't see why you have to go watch people make wedding favors."

"The MOB wants me to stop by, give it all the once-over. So I stop by, give it all the once-over. It shouldn't take that much time."

"I'd have saved you some of that time and dropped them by, but I got hung up with my last consult of the day." Emma dashed downstairs, stopped, did a runway turn. "How do I look?"

"Gorgeous. One expects no less."

Emma laughed. "The hair up works, right? Just a little messy and ready to tumble."

"It works. So does the dress. That deep red really suits you. And let me add, the workouts are paying off."

"Yeah, I hate that part because it means I have to keep it up. Wrap or sweater?" she asked, holding