Moving Forward

A Complicated Gift

INT. COTERIE - KITCHEN - MORNING

Alice sits at the counter, writing in her checkbook. Dennis stands by the stove, flipping pancakes in a pan.

ALICE
I just want to be done paying bills! I still have to get groceries for the week and clean the pool.

DENNIS
Gael and I can help by cleaning the pool.

Alice smiles.

ALICE
Thanks buddy.

Dennis grabs a plate, plopping two pancakes on it, and setting it down in front of Alice.

ALICE
Ahhh thank you!!

Dennis smiles as Alice takes a bite of her pancakes. She swallows, looking over at Dennis.

ALICE
Have you seen Davia yet this morning?

DENNIS
She already left for work.

ALICE
Have you told her about...

Alice looks around, even though no one is there.

ALICE
(whispers)
The ring?

Dennis looks over at her.

DENNIS
No, but she texted me this morning saying we need to talk.

ALICE
You guys haven't spoken much since Bonnie was here.

DENNIS
I know, but I can't help but think that this talk is about more than just us being distant.

Alice's eyes grow wide, getting excited.

ALICE
(whispers)
You think she'll propose?

Dennis takes a nervous breath.

DENNIS
We haven't been together that long and I love Davia, but I'm nowhere near ready to be married again.

Alice looks at him, confused.

ALICE
You were married?

DENNIS
Yeah, it's kind of a long story. Maybe I'll tell you one day.

ALICE
Hmm I didn't see that one coming.

Dennis smirks.

DENNIS
No one ever does.

INT. LEGAL AID - CALLIE'S DESK

Callie is sitting at her desk, working on her computer as she hears voices entering the room. She looks up to see Jamie walking in, talking to Marcus. Jamie scans the room, spotting Callie. They lock eyes for a moment, but then Jamie follows Marcus into another room. Callie sighs, rubbing a hand over her face. Cary walks in with three coffees in his hand. He whistles as he sits down, a cheerful smile plastered on his face.

CARY
I have to say Callie, if you don't make up with Jamie soon, I might just have to steal him for myself.

Callie smirks, shaking her head and rolling her eyes.

GWEN
Give it a rest, Cary. You can't hit on every man that walks through that door.

CARY
It is not my fault the world is filled with such good looking men.

Callie smiles, looking over at Cary.

CALLIE
What does any of this have to do with work?

Cary sticks in his head into Callie's nook of an office. He raises his eyebrows at her.

CARY
So what's going on with you and Jamie? Did you break up?

Callie sighs, rolling her eyes.