January, 2026

Madison hit Zos number on her cell phone. It was 10pm and she had lost track of the time. Zoe saw the caller id and decided to give Madison a hard time just for the fun of it.

Well, its about time you called. Is this how its going to be?

Look Im sorry, I lost track of the time. We finally finished about 5 minutes ago and I realized I should have called you 3 hrs ago. What did you mean when you said is this the way its going to be?

You and me, you always leaving me waiting. I dont wait well Madison.

So what are you telling me, that my apology isnt accepted? Madison didnt need this ***** right now. She had a splitting headache and she was tired and cranky too. All she really wanted to do was go home, shower and go to bed.

Silence on the other end.

Fine, Zoe, it was nice meeting you. Sorry again for tonight. Maybe Ill see you around sometime. Madison clicked her phone closed and sat there for a few minutes wondering just what the ***** was going on. I must be losing my touch she thought. I know she had a good time last night. Why wont she give me a break? I explained how important this project was and she said she understood. Why is this bothering me so much? *****, ***** her! She dialed her brothers number.

Hey Jakey, I need a ride.

Well hello to you to Madison. Where were you last night?

Weve been through this already Jake. We share an apartment. That doesnt give you the right to know where I am every second of everyday. Now, can you pick me up at work please? My car is at a bar and I need you to drive me to pick it up.

So let me get this straight, your car is at the bar you went to last night and now youre at work. Boy, you must have had one ***** of a night and day.

Jake, yes or no?

You know I can never say no to you Madison. Ill be there in about 20 minutes.

Thanks Jake, I owe you one.

Mmmm, just tell me was she good?

Jake!

Okay, you cant blame a guy for trying. Im leaving now.

Madison smiled thinking about her brother. They had been inseparable ever since he helped her when she scraped her knee in the park more than twenty years ago. The fact that he one day he became her brother was a bonus, but almost a moot point. There bond was strong, almost like they were meant to be together. In another time and place, in a parallel universe they would have been best friends, lovers, and soul mates. In this life they were each others source of strength and support. Best friends forever.

Madison finished up her status report and shutdown her computer. She slipped the laptop into its case and threw the briefcase over her shoulder. Well this has been one ***** of a weekend. She made her way to the lobby and was talking with the security guard when Jake pulled up. She said goodbye to the security guard and left the building noticing how nice the night air felt after being locked up inside these past 14 hours. She opened the car door, sat down and leaned over to give Jake a kiss on the cheek.

Thanks Jake, I really do appreciate this. Im sorry to bother you. I hope you werent involved in anything too important.

Listen, you know Id do anything for my little sister. I was just hanging with guys watching a little football. No big deal.

Madison gave Jake the address of the bar and they headed over.

So, are you coming home or you going to hang out at the bar?

I think I might go in and have one drink, and then head home. Do you want to join me?

And watch you case the joint, pick your prey and go in for the kill. No, Ive seen that play out one to many times Maddie. Dont you think its time to stop the running around and settle down with someone?

Now youre sounding like mom and mama B. Dont start with me Jake. Ill settle down when you settle down. Deal?

Ouch, that hurt. You know Im serious about Melissa dont you? Im thinking of asking her to marry me.

Yeah, right. Dont mess with me Jake; shes just a girl you have wild passionate ***** with. Thats it. You know that and I know that. Shes a diversion from your work.

Youre wrong.

Have you told your mother about her? No. Have you told my mother about her? No. Stop bullshitting me, Jake. You know the two of us are pathetic. We both want so desperately to fall in love and find what our moms have that if it hit us right in the head we wouldnt know it. We engage in serial one night stands and relationships that dont mean anything. When will it stop? Im so tired of it all.

Hey, whats gotten into you? Were young, trying things out. Itll come together for us Madison; we just have to be open to it.

Madison smiled at her brother. Maybe youre right Jake. I dont know. I met someone last night and she called me on my behavior too. I decided to play by her rules; dinner, talk, no *****. It was nice. Then work took longer than I thought and she got pissed. I guess it just really threw me off balance.

That just means she isnt the one. Just keep your heart open Madison. Itll happen.

You know Jake, if you werent my brother and were a woman, you would be the one.

I love you too Madison. Well here we are. Go have your drink and if I dont see you at
home later I hope you have a good night.

Madison checked to see if her car was there and then stepped into the bar. The advil she had taken for headache was doing the job. Now all she needed was a drink to help her relax and forget about the last 24 hours. She made eye contact with the girl behind the bar and placed her order. The bartender told her the drink was on the lady at the end of the bar. Madison took a sip of the beer before looking up. Thank God she had swallowed before looking up because there at the other end of the bar stood Zoe Cole in all her glory. She had her brown hair pulled up with a few loose strands framing her face and she was wearing a tight fitting sleeveless cotton button up shirt. The blue color contrasted nicely with her olive skin. The look made Madisons heart beat a bit faster. She smiled and lifted her glass towards Zoe, but made no move to go over. Zoe had said she didnt like one night stands. Madison didnt like games and surely this was some kind of game Zoe was playing. Madison took another sip of her beer and slowly turned from Zoe, taking in the crowd before her. She suddenly felt more tired than her years and wanted to get the ***** out of the bar. She took one more sip of the beer and left it on the bar, striding towards the door. As Madison reached into her pants pocket to retrieve her keys she heard someone come up behind her.

Hey, where are you running off to? I thought we had plans?

Madison turned and looked into Zos eyes, searching for any sign as to what she might be feeling. She got nothing. Just those big brown eyes staring back at her, feelings masked.

Look Zoe, maybe I misunderstood our phone conversation but I could have sworn that you were pissed at me for losing track of the time. Its been a long day. Goodnight.
Thats it? Youre going to give up that easily? I was just giving you the business Madison. Im sorry if I took it too far. Let me make it up to you. Come back inside, we can get a booth and have something to eat.

Madison looked at Zoe again. Searching, seeing the sincerity in her eyes but something told her to let it go. At least for now.
Maybe another time Zoe. Goodbye. Madison turned, got into her car and sped off without looking back.

Zoe stood there in shock. She had not expected Madisons reaction and was pissed at herself for making the wrong move. Ill have to pull out all the stops now to get her back. I made a promise and its a promise I intend to keep.

Madison found herself in front of her parents house. The house where she had grown up was the one place she could go to find peace. The lights were on so she decided to go in. She yelled a hello so as not to scare them and made her way through the house. She found her parents in the kitchen, feeding each other ice cream.

Dont you guys ever stop?

What ever are you talking about Madison? Bette said with a smile

After all these years, youre still romantic. Still in love

Bette and Tina exchanged a knowing glance and smiled at one another.

Tina said Youre never too old or too young to be in love Madison. Now get over here and give us both a hug.

Madison did as her mother asked and gave her and Bette a hug. She sat down in one of the vacant chairs and looked at both her parents.

So, its 11pm on a Sunday night Madison. Want to tell us why you just happened to stop over? Bette said light heartedly.

Madison just sat there looking at the two of them, letting their love for one another and her wash over her.

You know sweetie, if you dont start talking soon Bette and I are going to go to bed and I dont think you want to be here when the moaning starts.

Oh God mom, why do you do that?

Because its the truth and I knew it would get you talking.

Okay, two questions and then Ill go; how did you know that you were each others soul mates and do you believe in love at first sight?

Tina dropped the spoon she was holding and it landed with a clang against the ice cream dish. She thought to herself has my little girl finally fallen in love?