Alice didn't have time to spend her entire wardrobe budget in one day, but she made a decent start. Her purchases would last at least a few weeks.

Before the deliverymen arrived, Roger offered to take her and Marissa to lunch. They went to a nice sushi restaurant Alice frequented. (Her mother-in-law, who disliked fish, usually chose their lunch spots.)

Alice felt more relaxed than she could remember during a lunch with others. The conversation was pleasant, and the atmosphere was positive. She had always liked Roger, and today confirmed her good opinion of him.

Back at her small apartment, the deliverymen were waiting. A large crew assembled everything quickly and efficiently. Marissa directed them with the skill of a traffic cop managing a busy intersection.

As the last deliveryman left, Alice was impressed. Her shabby apartment looked transformed.

"You're a miracle worker!" she exclaimed. "Thank you so much!"

Marissa smiled. "You're welcome! Check or card?"

"Check, please."

Alice wrote a check for the agreed-upon amount, plus a tip for Marissa's help with clothes shopping. She now knew how to find better deals in the future.

"What's the extra $100 for?" Marissa asked, puzzled.

Alice blushed slightly. "For helping me find clothes. I really appreciate everything."

The interior designer was surprised. "You didn't need to pay me for that! I enjoyed it. Call me anytime you need shopping help; it was fun."

Alice's heart swelled. She felt she'd made a new friend.

"I definitely will!" She hesitated, then asked another favor. The Clarks had already done so much. "Could I get a ride back to Manhattan with you? I need to return Keeley's clothes and pick up some spare kitchenware and an old TV she's given me. Then I'll be all set."

"No problem," Roger said warmly. "We can drop Marissa off first, then I'll go with you to see Aaron."

Keeley, having finished watching TV, was with her family when the intercom buzzed. Aaron was changing Kaleb's diaper, so she answered.

"Hello?"

"Mrs. Hale, Alice Wheatley and Roger Clark are here."

Roger? She'd only met him once and felt he was intimidated by her husband—a common reaction.

"Send them up, thank you."

"That took her long enough. It's nearly four o'clock," Aaron observed.

"She's not alone. Roger's with her."

He raised an eyebrow. "I suggested she contact him, but I didn't expect him to go shopping. I thought he'd just send his sister."

The elevator dinged. Keeley called them upstairs.

Alice seemed happier than she had been since arriving. Had she really enjoyed furniture shopping that much? More intriguing was Roger's own cheerful demeanor.

Keeley's eyes narrowed. Something didn't seem right. Hadn't Alice been interested in Gray recently?

Roger was handsome, in an average sort of way, with wavy brown hair and gray-blue eyes. He couldn't compare to Gray, a devastatingly handsome ladies' man. Keeley didn't know Roger's personality, but she suspected it was better than her brother-in-law's. Aaron wouldn't have trusted him as a dummy shareholder otherwise. She'd have to ask Alice about him later.

"Hi Roger," she greeted. "Nice to see you again."

"You too."

He looked around the cozy house, noting the baby toys scattered near Aaron and the twins.

"How's it going, Aaron?" he asked casually.

Perhaps he wasn't as afraid of her husband as Keeley thought. His initial reaction might have been unusual due to the circumstances of their first meeting.

"Pretty well. What brings you here?"

"Alice asked for a ride, and I thought I'd say hi and help her move the rest of her things," Roger explained.

His sister must be incredible to have prepared the apartment so quickly. Keeley sensed Aaron's relief at Alice's impending departure and suppressed an eye roll.

He was so eager to be alone with Keeley. But he also preferred peace and quiet, so constant visitors must be uncomfortable for him—a consummate introvert in love with a hardcore extrovert. Poor guy.

"That's so nice of you!" Keeley complimented. "Let me find those things. I think they're in a spare guest room."

Aaron stood. "I'll do it. Those boxes are heavy. You stay here with the babies."

Keeley smiled, watching him go. Always so considerate.

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