The night sky in NYC is pink with the street lights enhancing the snow falling. Max steps out of a cab in front of a modern apartment building; he power walks towards the entrance and swings the door open. The lady at the front desk waves in Max’s direction; he’s definitely been in this apartment complex building a ton of times within the last year. He walks to the elevators and goes to the 16th floor.

The elevator doors open and Max looks straight forward once they do. A man with blonde hair, wire-thin glasses, formal casual attire, and a beige wool coat is seen standing there. Both men briefly lock eyes. The blonde guy walks into the elevator while Max walks out; the doors close shut once he turns around to look at the blonde man. Max walks towards an apartment door and knocks on it.

Moments later, the door opens. A petite woman with curly auburn hair stands here in a black knitted fit-and-flare dress. Her eyes widen.

Grace: Max?

Grace opens the door wide enough to let Max walk into the apartment. Grace peeks out to the hallway for a brief hallway.

Max: *without looking back* Blondie left.

Grace slowly closes the door and looks at Max. Max turns around to face Grace.

Max: Cute dress, Ashmore.

Grace: What are you doing here, Max?

Max walks around the tiny kitchen area. Grace’s eyes follow him.

Max: So, was your date with Blondie the reason why you didn’t want to spend time with your daughter this weekend? Wanted to play with your boy toy?

Grace: *defensive* You don’t know what you’re talking about and honestly, it’s none of your business whatever the fuck I do. We aren’t together.

Max: That’s not the bloody point, Grace. The fact of the matter is that you chose some pretty boy over your daughter!

Grace: My parents have her for the night, you jerk. I’ll be picking her up tomorrow.

Max: *a little louder* What’s the point? She comes back to me anyway tomorrow night! And the night after that, and the night after! My point– Grace– is the fact that you put your needs and wants before Willow’s.

Grace: *visibly defensive* Excuse me for wanting to spend my Saturday finishing up a case that has been stressing me the fuck out and hanging out with a friend of mine!

Max: *furious* Cut the bullshit, Grace! You couldn’t even tell Emerson what the hell you were doing because you knew he would bring it up tonight!

Grace: *stern* You spoke to Emerson about me?

Max: I mean, it’s a little hard not to speak about the fact that today would’ve been our wedding day.

Grace stands there in deep thought. She looks anxious, and Max notices it. He softens up and takes a deep breath.

Max: Let me ask you something, Grace…

Max walks over to Grace and looks in her eyes. He’s soft, apologetic; a familiar side to Max that Grace knows well. Grace doesn’t say anything.

Max: Do you not miss… us? What we were, what we had?

Grace stays silent, but lingers on the thought. Her eyes hide a truth that maybe she wasn’t aware of.

Grace: What’s the point thinking about that? What does it matter? We broke up, and we didn’t work out.

Max: That’s not what I asked, Grace.

Grace anxiously looks at Max. He looks at her softly.

Max: There is reason why things happened the way they did, but, it doesn’t affect the way we feel about it. *sullen* It doesn’t affect the way I feel about you.

Silence fills the room, both Grace and Max take in the atmosphere.

Grace: *whispers* I would’ve broke you.

Max: That’s not up to you to decide that. You don’t know that.

Grace: *a little louder* Really? Working a case that nearly killed us, having an affair behind the firm’s back, getting pregnant with Willow, getting engaged, I–

Max’s deep breath stops Grace from continuing listing the timeline of their relationship. She looks down to the ground, defeated.

Grace: And look at us now.

Max kneels down to face Grace; he’s now the one looking up at her.

Max: Grace…

Grace doesn’t respond or look up from the floor.

Max: I don’t have any right to tell you how you feel, but I can reassure that the thoughts you may have about us are not true. You didn’t “break” me, nor would you have if we were still together. We’ve been through an immense amount of obstacles, and even through it all, I… I still miss you.

Grace finally looks up.

Max: I still miss waking up next to you in the morning. I miss standing in the kitchen drinking coffee and discussing our thoughts on the case. I miss the sound of your heels walking towards the office. I miss getting ready to leave for the day and go straight to your apartment to escort you out on dates.

Max gets up slowly from kneeling, but when he does, he lifts Grace’s head with his finger on her chin. She doesn’t protest. He deeply looks into Grace’s hazel eyes.

Max: I miss holding your hand whenever we walked down the streets of Manhattan. I miss hearing your loud laugh, whether it was from movies, stories, or just me being extremely silly.

His face gets closer to Grace’s, and again she doesn’t protest.

Max: I miss the way your lips felt when I kiss you…

He slowly leans into Grace and kisses her softly. She kisses him back almost immediately, but then steps back in a panic. Max is shocked and extremely apologetic.

Max: Shit, I’m– I’m so sorry, Grace, I didn’t–

Grace: Just go.

Max: Grace, please, I just–

Grace: Please. Just. Go.

Max doesn’t say anything after, he just starts walking towards the door. Grace doesn’t turn around to see him out, she just stands there, extremely sad.

The door closes behind her; she lets out the breath she’s been holding in for the last 5 minutes.

In a quiet street in Brooklyn, an apartment building with various lit windows are shown on a winter night. Street lights illuminate the street, and cars drive by occasionally.

In the small apartment a man in his 20’s, Emerson, is walking towards the kitchen and takes two glasses out of the cabinet. He pours beer into the glasses. In the living room, a man, Max, sits with one leg across his knee, laying back on the couch.

Emerson: *from the kitchen* So, the baby is at Grandma’s for the night?

Max: Yeah, Grace’s parents have her for the night. It’s one of the first nights that neither me or Grace have her, which is weird.

Emerson walks to the living room and hands a glass to Max. He sits in the chair across from the couch.

Emerson: I mean, it’s good that you’re getting a break. We haven’t had a night like this in a long time.

Max: I know, remember when I would just crash at your place on nights where I was working on the case; files everywhere and papers just piled on your counter.

Emerson laughs and raises his glass before taking a sip of his drink.

Emerson: Man, I wanted to just toss all of it in the garbage when you worked that damn case.

Max: *laughs* Well, the past is in the past.

Emerson: Mmm, *takes a sip* You miss it?

Max: Not really. I enjoy just being behind the scenes; teaching it instead of being a apart of it. My priorities changed when Willow was born, y’know?

Emerson: I feel that… not the whole “having a kid” thing but having different priorities. I mean, before I met Cami, my priorities were all out of shape. But she’s definitely helping me see more of my future, y’know?

Max: That’s great, mate. I’m happy for you!

They both take sips from their beer.

Emerson: Cami’s really good for me, hopefully within the year we could find a place together, take that next step in our relationship.

Max: At least one of us is taking steps forward. *sips from glass*

Emerson: Hey, you’re a dad. That’s a huge step forward.

Max shrugs his shoulders and takes in a deep breath.

Max: I know Grace is family and you wouldn’t ever speak poorly about her, but… *sighs* Have you spoken to her lately?

Emerson ponders in thought for a moment.

Emerson: She’s definitely been busier than lately, you know how serious she takes her job.

Max: Don’t have to tell me twice. She couldn’t take Willow for the weekend most likely because of her job. Classic Grace.

Emerson looks at Max in a uncomfortable way. Max notices.

Max: Sorry, mate.

Emerson: It’s all good. I just… I don’t know, Grace is a different type of human. She means well, she’s just… Grace.

Max looks at Emerson while sipping his beer. Emerson doesn’t make eye-contact with him. Max notices and he places his glass down on the coffee table.

Max: Tell me something…

Emerson looks at Max after taking a sip; his attention now on Max.

Max: *hesitant* Is Grace dating again?

Emerson: …What?

Max: Look I know it’s none of my business, but I just… *gathers thoughts* A couple of weeks ago, there was another man in her apartment.

Emerson’s eyes widen.

Emerson: How do you know that?

Max: I went to pick up Willow from Grace’s one weekend and there was a guy sitting in her living room… holding Willow. Holding my bloody daughter, mate!

Emerson shifts in his seat, he keeps sipping his drink and listening to what Max is saying. Max is visibly getting angry at the thought as he tells the story.

Emerson: I mean, maybe she just gave Willow to the guy when she was answering the door?

Max: *shakes head* I know Willow well enough to know when she’s comfortable with a person. She was highly comfortable sitting in that man’s lap… That wasn’t the first time Grace was around that man with Willow.

Emerson is dumbfound; truly at a loss for words.

Max: So there I am, just staring at this man holding my daughter, and I guess Grace caught on and immediately took Willow and handed her over to me. I swear he just saw there with the most worried look on his face, just waiting for her to come back from getting Willow’s bag.

Emerson: Did you tell her anything about it?

Max: I told her as soon as she walked me to the door. She insisted that he was just a friend of hers. A Sunday night just bum around with a guy that’s “just a friend”.

Emerson: I know that must be hard to see, I’m–

Max: *interrupts* To believe that today would’ve been our wedding day…

Emerson takes a deep sigh and finally faces Max.

Emerson: Listen, I’m saying this as your friend; I think… it’s time to move on, bro. Like, i’m not saying that to be cold-hearted or anything, I’m saying it because… man you deserve to move on and just focus on you.

Max: *annoyed* I appreciate the prep talk, Emerson, but quite frankly I am a single father in his mid 20’s, in what possible world will I ever have time to think and focus on myself?

Max’s arms flail as he speaks.

Max: Unfortunately, I don’t have the same luxury as Grace has. She has all the time in the world to just go out and snog whoever she bloody pleases!

Emerson looks confused.

Max: Date, Emerson, date!

Emerson: *nods his head* Gotchaaaa, I– *sighs* Still, I think what you and Grace had was great, but I think if she can move–

Max cocks his eyebrows.

Max: What?

Emerson: Nothing, I was just saying that you should–

Max: Nuh-uh, mate, you were talking about Grace moving on? Has she moved on yet?

Emerson is now nervous, he takes his head into his hands and takes a deep breath. Max gets up from the sofa.

Max: Is Grace dating that man, Emerson?

Emerson: *looks up at Max* I–

Max: Fucking hell, mate!

Emerson: Listen, I– I actually don’t know. Grace hasn’t said anything to me about this guy…

Max: She knows you’ll tell me.

Emerson: Exactly.

Max turns around and paces around the living room.

Max: I can’t believe she already moved on… it’s been 5 months!

Emerson: Look, maybe that’s just a work friend of hers, I know she’s always telling me how she has a friend that is helping her look over this case…

Max looks at Emerson, confused.

Max: He’s a lawyer?

Emerson shrugs his shoulders. Max closes his eyes and takes everything in.

Max: Emerson… I still love Grace.

Emerson’s eyes widen in shock.

Max: And for her to just move on as if our relationship never happened–

Max’s eyes widen in realization.

Max: *gets up from sofa* She told me she couldn’t take Willow for the night tonight because she had plans. *gets angry* She’s probably out with that wanker.

Emerson: Look, man – we don’t know that for sure…

Max: Emerson, you know you don’t fucking believe that.

Max walks towards the front door and gathers his winter coat, Emerson follows him; concerned.

Emerson: Whoa, where are you going? You’re not about to just show up there, are you?

Max: Why shouldn’t I? This isn’t about me, this is about the fact that the one night I wanted to be a regular 26-year-old man and hand my child to her mother, her mother declines to spend time with her so she can spend it with a complete stranger. Classic fuckin’ Grace.

Emerson: Max, wait–

Max leaves out the front door and Emerson paces near the door, wondering what is about to happen at Grace’s apartment.

The city lights illuminate the skyline as tables and light conversations are heard throughout the restaurant. A live smooth jazz band is playing music on the little stage in the room, and the lights are slightly dimmed with candles lit on every table. Two people walk in, hand-in-hand, and stop at the reservations stand. After giving the waitress their name, she guides the couple to a booth next to the window that is overlooking the Hudson River and the rest of the city.

The couple, Grace and Jamie, take their coats off; Jamie helps Grace with her coat and places it in the seat next to him. He kindly helps Grace into the booth before he slides in opposite of her. The waitress hands them menus and gives them time to discuss.

Grace: This is… mad fancy. We didn’t have to come here.

Jamie smirks as he opens the menu.

Jamie: A special dinner for a special girl.

Grace smiles to herself and hides her blushing face into the menu. Thoughts are running through her head as she looks at the dishes on the menu. She panics once she realizes the menu is all in a different language. She places the menu down and looks at Jamie, who is still browsing.

Grace: *whispers* Jamie…

Jamie looks up towards Grace attentively. Wow, who would’ve thought a person would drop everything they were doing to just look at her this way? She places the menu down and leams forward to the table a bit.

Grace: This menu is… not in English.

A lightbulb goes off in Jamie’s head; he raises his hand for a waiter and says something in Korean. Grace has absolutely no idea what is going on, but moments later, another menu is placed in front of her, this time in English. Jamie bows at the waiter, and Grace follows along.

Jamie: Sorry about that, I should’ve let them know to bring out a English menu.

Grace: The fact that this place does something like that makes this place 500 times fancier, like wow.

Jamie laughs and his eyes smile along with it. It has become one of Grace’s most comfortable sounds to hear in the world.

Jamie: They are actually based in Korea, the franchise has expanded and I definitely had to try it when I was in New York. Of course, it’s great to experience this with someone though.

Grace: *smiles* Ahh… girlfriend back in Korea was your plus one?

Jamie: *playfully* Are you asking me if I have a girlfriend waiting for me back in Korea?

Grace: I don’t know, I think only the most boujee of men take their girlfriends or wives to places like this.

Jamie scrunches his eyebrow in confusion.

Jamie: “boo-jay?”

Grace laughs a hearty laugh and quickly covers her mouth to mute the loud laugh.

Grace: No, No, “boo-zhee”, it means fancy and fabulous and like… high class.

Jamie shakes his head in understanding.

Jamie: I would go out with my friends for celebrations and birthdays to this restaurant, no girlfriends.

Grace: Ahhh, no time for a girlfriend?

Jamie looks up at Grace, and Grace immediately wishes she was more careful with her words.

Jamie: Do we really have time to do anything but our work in this profession?

Grace plays with the rim of her drink, she takes in a deep breath.

Grace: You don’t have to tell me twice.

The waiter comes back and asks for their orders. Grace stares at Jamie casually talking to the waiter in Korean and telling her the orders that they decided on. Grace notices just how comfortable Jamie is when he’s talking in Korean. When the waiter leaves, his attention is instantly on Grace.

Grace: How did you learn English?

Jamie: *sarcastically* The same way you did.

Grace: *sucks her teeth* You know what I mean. Like, you live in a country where you don’t really need to know English to get by. But, like, you speak it extremely well.

Jamie: My mother always told me and my older sisters that math is important and every other subject is too, but you won’t get far in life if we don’t study English. My sister decided her life was in Korea and she married young and had kids but for me, I wanted more than just a life in Korea. So, here we are.

Grace: Is this your first time in the States?

Jamie: No, I was in California a few years ago on vacation. But, nothing for business. This is my first business related trip to the States.

Grace nods her head, hands crossed in a ball near her face, elbows on the table.

Jamie: It’s funny, because on my first trip here, I remember carrying a “Korean-to-English” dictionary everywhere I went. Of course, My accent was more apparent a couple of years ago, so you would think the English words I was saying was still in Korean. So many people did not understand me just asking where the restroom was in public places.

Grace: *giggles* That’s… mad cute.

Jamie leans forward with his arms crossed.

Jamie: I’ve noticed that you say that word a lot, and I always meant to ask if you’re actually… mad?

Grace laughs and shakes her head.

Grace: No, no, in this situation, “mad” doesn’t mean “mad”, it means “really” or “very”. It’s not necessarily a part of the English language, it’s just slang.

Jamie: *nods his head* Ahh, I see. So if I say that you’re really pretty, I can just say that you’re “mad pretty”?

Grace’s eyebrows cock up in surprise and without her realizing, her face turns red.

Grace: That’s correct.

Jamie smiles at Grace, and Grace does the same for Jamie.

Grace: Say something to me in Korean.

Jamie: Just anything?

Grace: Well, something that I can use in situations where I’ll need to know Korean.

Jamie: *laughs* How about I teach you how to say “thank you”? For the waitress when she comes back.

Grace claps her hands together in excitement and Jamie just admires the small, excited girl in front of him.

Jamie: Okay, okay. So it’s more than a simple thank you. The polite way to thank someone is “gamsahabnida“

Grace: *blinks in confusion* I’m sorry, what?

Jamie: *giggles* I swear it’s easy: “gam-sahab-ni-da”.

Grace: *sounds it out* “gum-say-hob-knee-da”

Jamie laughs and says something else in Korean, this time in a cute-like voice.

Grace: Hey, that’s not fair, you can’t just say another word and not let me know what it means!

Jamie: *smirks* It means “cute”. Try it again: “gam-sahab-ni-da”.

Grace: *carefully* “gam-sahab-ni-da”.

Jamie: There you go! Now you know how to say something in Korean. I can always teach you more if you’re ever interested in learning.

Grace: *a little flirty* Just tell me where and when class begins and I’ll show up.

Grace’s eyes widen and immediately hides her face in embarrassment. Jamie shyly looks away and his attention us now towards the drink on the table.

The waiter comes back with the plates of food, and before Jamie speaks, Grace bows down and says “thank you” in Korean. The waitress cocks her eyebrows up and smiles, she bows for Grace and walks away. Jamie smiles a huge smile at Grace.

Grace: She probably knows you just taught me that.

Jamie: *laughs* Possibly, but she smiled at you when you said it, not me.

Grace rolls her eyes and starts to eat the food in front of her. Jamie proceeds to do the same. They eat and carry the night eating their dinner, carrying conversation, and having drinks.

Meanwhile…

The dark apartment lights up and two people walk into it. Jamie closes the door behind them while Grace forcefully takes her heels off near the door. Jamie helps Grace out of her coat before putting it on her coat rack near the front door. He watches Grace walk towards her couch and put her legs on top of the coffee table.

Grace: *looks at Jamie and pats at the spot of the sofa next to her* Come.

Jamie awkwardly stands near the front door, still wearing his coat.

Jamie: Are you sure? How are you feeling?

Grace gets up and walks to Jamie.

Grace: I had 2 drinks, Jamie, I’m perfectly fine.

Grace giggles and takes Jamie by the hand to lead them to the couch. He doesn’t protest; he simply follows her. They sit down as the music playing next door surrounds the room. Grace lays her head on Jamie’s shoulder. Their hands never unclasp from each other’s.

Grace: I really had a good time tonight. Thank you again for taking me out.

Jamie: It was my pleasure taking you out from under your paperwork for one night.

Grace looks up at Jamie, then straightforward. The conversation pauses to listen to the music playing next door.

Grace: Did you think that in your time in New York, you’d be sitting in a woman’s living room, who’s as fucked up as me?

Jamie looks at Grace, confused. She doesn’t budge or look at him; she just continues to look ahead. Jamie doesn’t say anything.

Grace: *pity smirks* The answer is no. Because why would you assume that you’d be caught up with a woman like me…

Jamie: And what type of woman would that be?

Grace rubs her thumb along Jamie’s; she doesn’t say anything right away, but she’s deep in thought.

Grace: The type that doesn’t have her shit together. The one that lives in a one bedroom apartment by herself and not with her daughter. The one that’s 25 and still far along from her career; the one she gave everything up for.

Grace faces is sullen as Jamie never takes his gaze away from her. Grace releases a deep sigh and takes her hand away from his.

Grace: Sorry, I shouldn’t have put that on you–

Jamie: It’s okay. You can talk to me.

Grace’s gaze breaks as she hears Jamie’s voice. She looks at him intently. She looks down and puts her hand back in Jamie’s. He squeezes it in reassurance.

Grace: I’m just not the type of woman you’re supposed to be with. I break things. I break promises.

Grace’s eyes get watery. She widens her eyes to prevent the tears from falling.

Grace: I would’ve gotten married today.

Jamie takes his free hand and lifts Grace’s chin, which causes her to look at Jamie.

Jamie: Hey, it’s okay.

Grace stares at Jamie for a moment before saying anything.

Grace: Say something.

Jamie: *confused* Uhm, uhh–

Grace: In Korean.

Jamie’s face gets closer to Grace’s.

Jamie: “dangsin-eun wanbyeoghabnida”

Jamie cups Grace’s face and gently kisses her. She kisses him back, taking her free hand and runs her fingers through his hair. He pulls away from the kiss and rests his forehead on hers.

Jamie: You are perfect.

Grace looks at Jamie before kissing him again and gently tugs at his shirt towards her, causing him to lean forward onto her as she lays back on the couch. The soft music is still heard playing next door, and the cars on the busy street are heard driving by.

Grace sits at a desk in an office in the middle of New York City. The sun is going down and it’s time for her to leave the job behind and enjoy the weekend to come. She doesn’t stop. She’s flipping through pages in front of her, occasionally placing a pen in her mouth every time she was deep in thought. Before she was able to get anything concrete on paper, a knock is heard at the door. Grace rolls her eyes.

Grace: *shouts* Whoever that is, I hope it’s for a good reason!

The door opens and Ari, a tall, model-like woman with long, black hair walks in; the heels she is wearing is making her look even taller.

Ari: I mean, that is no way to be talking to the girl who’s here to remind you that you have a hot date to get ready for!

Grace smiles and laughs to herself; Ari is her best-friend who is currently interning for the firm. She met Ari during one of the firm’s social gathering events when Grace was still dating Max. She recalls Ari calling Max a “British snacc” before realizing Grace was his girlfriend. With both of their strong personalities, they instantly hit it off, and since then they have been best friends; both in work and outside of work.

Grace: I have too much work to worry about that, I can just go like this anyway.

Ari: *baffled* You’re kidding me, right?

Ari walks up to Grace’s desk and takes the papers from her desk.

Grace: What are you–?!

Ari: *interrupts* You are not going to overwork yourself when you have a hot Asian man coming here to take you on a date; I mean how long has it been since you had a man dick you down?

Grace rubs her eyes.

Grace: Ari, remember I am your superior.

Ari: Bitch, it’s 6:30, work ended like an hour ago for you!

Grace deadpans Ari. Ari cocks her eyebrows up; Grace knows Ari’s right. Grace rolls her eyes and finally puts the remaining papers down on the desk. She takes a deep breath.

Grace: Should I just cancel? I mean, we’re both probably going to be tired from work anyway…

Ari: Any man that likes a woman isn’t cancelling on her, no matter how tired he is from work. Are you nervous or something?

Graces folds her arms across her chest. She doesn’t say anything. Ari takes a seat across from the desk.

Ari: Grace Ashmore, afraid of a little innocent date with a man? *playfully* Unless this date isn’t so innocent, if you know what I’m saying. *winks*

Grace: Ari…

Ari: Talk to me, babes! What’s wrong? Why are you so not excited for this date? Is he a creep? Is he ugly? Is he not packing?

Grace: *annoyed* Ari!

Ari shuts up. Grace takes a deep breath; a loose hair in front of her face flies up when she exhales.

Grace: I’m just… really nervous. I don’t date.

Ari: Ain’t that the truth, which sucks in my opinion, but go on.

Grace side eyes Ari.

Grace: *sarcastically* Sorry, I don’t feel like ruining another man’s life by giving them a baby and then ultimately leave him with so-said-baby.

The air gets tense.

Ari: Grace, you gotta move on from that. Like yeah, you and Max were cute together, but it didn’t work out. You shouldn’t dwell on that and fuck up the opportunities you have now for happiness.

Grace: I’m a mom, Ari. I was fucking engaged to Max. We were suppose to work out. We worked and I just–

Ari: No.

Grace: *confused* What?

Ari: *in a serious tone* I will not allow you to sit here and think about the what if’s. It’s not fair to Jamie.

Grace looks uneasy. She doesn’t say anything.

Ari: From what I hear about this guy, I can tell he’s diggin’ you so hard, Grace. For starters, he fucking adores Willow. Like, for most men, a woman with a baby and some baby daddy is just too much to deal with. Plus you’re a workaholic? Grace, he’s diggin’ you, and it’s not fair to him that he’s literally telling you that he likes you and you just brush him off because you think you’ll scare him away.

Grace sits there in silence; she starts to think about the last couple of weeks with Jamie. He feels… different. He feels like Jamie genuinely enjoys her company whether they are together. He doesn’t feel complicated; most of the days they are together she’s working on her case while he’s working on his own work or reading a book or just looking after Willow for the time being; nothing major has to happen and nothing really has to be said. They just… enjoy each other’s company.

Grace shakes off the thought.

Grace: He’s just really good company, Ari. Nothing more, nothing less.

Ari: *rolls eyes* Well, whatever you guys are, let him know what the deal is tonight; don’t string him along if you don’t feel the same.

Ari shrugs and walks towards the door, she shouts something as she’s walking out.

Ari: *in a distance* Your outfit is hanging up in your bathroom, you’re welcome.

The door closes. Grace runs her hands through her hair. She gets up from her chair and walks to the bathroom.

Meanwhile…

Ari is talking to the woman at the front desk, papers in hand, coat & purse on her as she gets ready to leave for the day. The revolving doors spin, Ari turns around to see who it is. A man dressed in black dress shoes, brown mock-neck sweater, and a beige pea-coat walks in; he’s holding a small bouquet of flowers.

He walks to the front desk as both women hush their conversation. The man smiles before he speaks.

Jamie: Hi, I’m looking for Grace Ashmore.

Ari looks at Jamie.

Receptionist: She’s out of office for the day, she won’t be available until next–

Ari: *interrupts* He’s not a client, Mai. *to Jamie* 15th floor, first door on the left.

Jamie smiles and bows down in respect.

Jamie: Thank you, have a nice night, ladies.

Jamie walks to the elevator as the two women look back at him.

Mai: Is that…?

Ari: Oh yeah. Grace better not fuck this up.

Upstairs…

Grace walks out from the bathroom in her date-night outfit; she’s wearing a turtleneck sweater knit dress with knee high boots and black stockings. She fixes her hair and touches up her makeup until she hears a knock on the door.

Grace: *loudly* Ari, I have a word to pick with you for putting condoms in my–

Grace opens the door and to her surprise, it’s Jamie. She’s in shock.

Grace: Oh! Jamie! I– Uhm–

Jamie smiles at the nervous woman in front of him. Grace just stares.

Grace: Wow, you look so good. *realizes* Fuck, I didn’t mean to think that out loud, I–

Jamie laughs to himself and hands the flowers to Grace. She takes them and looks back at Jamie. He looks at her in awe.

Jamie: You look… absolutely stunning tonight, Grace.

They both stand there for a moment, admiring each other’s presence.

Some instrumental R&B music softly plays in the background as a woman with red curly hair, Grace, paces around the tiny apartment cleaning things up. A child, Willow, is seen sitting in a baby walker, playing with the various toys on it. Grace stops in her tracks and checks her phone every time she walks pasts it.

Grace: *to herself* Why do I always wait to do this at the last minute?

Willow coos loudly as if she was answering her mother’s question. Grace looks up at Willow and walks to her, picking her up from the walker and into Grace’s arms.

Grace: You want to help Mama clean up before Jamie comes over?

Willow flares her arms and coos; Grace laughs as the doorbell rings. Grace turns around and walks to the door with Willow. With her free hand, she opens the door and standing there is Jamie. He’s wearing his infamous wire-thin glasses with a grey blazer, white t-shirt, black pants and black boots. Grace has figured out that Jamie practically lives in either cardigans or blazers; he never has a day where he wears sweatpants and a hoodie.

Jamie: Hey Grace *in a cute voice* Hey, little bean!

Grace smiles and allows Jamie to walk inside the apartment. He takes a look around the small NYC apartment.

Grace: Make yourself at home, lemme go and change Willie’s diaper quickly.

Grace quickly walks into a bedroom with Willow and Jamie laughs at Grace’s face at the smell. When the door closes behind her, he walks around the living room area; hands in pocket, just taking everything in. He sees a shelf of picture frames. He picks one up of a little girl in a ballerina tutu, two front teeth completely missing, big smile visible. Jamie smiles at the picture. His trance breaks when he hears the door open again. He places the picture down and turns around to see Grace and Willow.

Grace: Someone is feeling brand new now that they’re clean.

Willow bounces in Grace’s arms and Jamie laughs to himself seeing the two little girls interact. Grace walks to the living room area and sits down on the couch with Willow on her lap. Jamie sits next to her.

Grace: Okay, so this case… how the hell am I suppose to defend this asshole with way too much money?

Jamie: You have to remember that it’s a job despite your views, you know?

Grace bounces her legs with Willow on them. She looks at Jamie; deadpanned. He takes the file from the coffee table and flips through it.

Jamie: So, Loren Webbs – her husband is suspected of being a part of a underground scheme, like the ringleader of it. She kills him, pleads self-defense and says her husband has a history of violence in the household, but this is her 2nd husband within the year?

Grace: I’m trying to defend her, not help the prosecutor win his case, Jamie.

Jamie looks at Grace and smiles.

Jamie: Before you can defend someone you’re not confident in, you have to think like the other party. See what they can possibly throw at you and your client. How can you counteract those questions and be prepared for the loopholes they are digging up from your client’s testimony.

Willow coos loudly and wiggles in Grace’s lap. Jamie’s face instantly softens to the sound of the baby.

Jamie: Even Willow agrees.

Grace rolls her eyes. The sound of the kettle pot steaming is heard, and Grace gets up; she hands Jamie Willow for a second while she checks on the boiling water and puts together tea for both her and Willow. Jamie places Willow on his lap and baby talks to her, she smiles and laughs out loud. In the kitchen on the counter, Grace watches the two humans interact in the living room. She still doesn’t understand how Willow is so comfortable with Jamie just a couple of times meeting him back in the cafe. She smiles at them, wishing she was able to have this sight all the time.

Grace comes out of the kitchen with two mugs; she sets one down in front of Jamie and takes the other for herself.

Grace: Should I take Willie, or..?

Jamie: Oh, no it’s okay! I’m fine, drink your tea.

Grace picks her for mug and sips on it while watching Jamie bounce Willow on his lap. He looks at the shelf with the pictures on it and points his head in that direction. Grace follows.

Jamie: Were you a dancer when you were younger?

Grace nods her head as she looks in the direction of the photo frames.

Grace: Yeah, I was one of those competitor dancers when I was kid. Won awards, learned different dances and choreo within weeks of each other. It was something I was highly passionate about.

Jamie: How long did you dance?

Grace: Basically all my life. My mother was a serious dancer when she was younger, she traveled around the world when she was my age apparently.

Jamie looks at Grace, interested in hearing the rest of the story.

Jamie: Did you get your dancing interest from her?

Grace takes a deep breath and plays with the rim of her mug.

Grace: I didn’t grow up with my mother. She traveled the world and did her dancing, I lived in Virginia with my dad for most of my life. I moved to New York when I was 18 to study dance, but slowly after that, I found myself just going towards the justice law route.

Jamie: *interested* What made you stop dancing?

Grace: I mean, nothing. I loved dance, but my father was a FBI Agent when I was growing up. I grew up around the environment and was interested in the law side of it as I got older. I figured I’d be a good debater in life, and I didn’t want to ultimately take the same road as my mother, so I decided to take on being a lawyer. I do very much enjoy it, it’s just–

Jamie waits for Grace to gather her thoughts. Grace takes a deep breath.

Grace: Something in me always wonders whether or not I’m doing the right thing.

Jamie: Do you feel like you’re doing the right thing?

Grace: I mean, others would say otherwise…

Jamie: *emphasizes* Do you feel like you’re doing the right thing?

Grace pauses in thought. She looks at Willow on Jamie’s lap, she looks at Jamie.

Grace: I’m trying to feel as if I’m doing the right thing.

Jamie: But there’s a reason why you haven’t given up and changed your mind, right?

Grace: *in thought* Yeah.

Jamie: *smiles* Then you’re doing the right thing for yourself. Don’t mind the outsiders looking in.

Grace smiles and takes a sip of tes from her mug. The doorbell rings and Grace looks at the front door.

Grace: I wasn’t suspecting anyone tonight…

Grace gets up from the sofa and walks towards the front door, she unlocks the door and opens it up; her heart instantly drops.

Grace: Max?

Max is standing at the doorway. He smiles at Grace.

Max: Hey, is Willow ready?

Grace scrunches her eyebrows in confusion.

Grace: Wait, what? What do you mean?

Max: Grace… it’s Sunday. I told you I was coming over to pick Willow up.

Grace’s heart sinks. She totally forgot that Willow is suspected to return back to Max until the next time she’s able to have Willow for a weekend.

Grace: Fuck, I totally forgot. She’s not even ready yet, I–

Grace turns around to walk into the apartment and Max follows her. He closes the door and his eyes dart over to the person in the living room, sitting on the couch with his daughter in his hands. Grace looks at Max and instantly knows what’s he’s thinking. She quickly walks over to Jamie and takes Willow from him. Willow whines in disagreement and Grace anxiously tries to calm her down. Jamie doesn’t say a word, he just sits there and readjusts himself. Max is watching all of this go down in the tiny living room.

Grace hands Willow over to Max.

Grace: Let me just gather her bag, give me a second.

Grace walks into the other room as the two men awkwardly sit in the living room area. Max’s attention is on Willow, while Jamie faces forward to the door, waiting for Grace to come out of the room.

Grace walks out with Willow’s bag and hands it over to Max.

Grace: That should be everything, let me walk you out.

Grace walks behind Max towards the front door. She turns around to face Jamie. She mouthes “sorry” and Jamie shakes it off.

When both Max and Grace get to the door, Max turns around to face her.

Max: Who is that and why was he holding my child?

Grace rolls her eyes and sighs.

Grace: He’s a friend of mine.

Max: He was holding my daughter.

Grace: *snappy* And?

Max: *annoyed* Look, I just don’t like when you bring your boyfriends over to your place on the weekends and have them hold Wllow while you guys play house.

Grace: You’re being crazy, Max.

Max: Am I? How would you feel if you saw Willow being held by another woman in my life?

Grace: *angry* He’s just a damn friend, Max. He came over to help me with the case and– wait, why am I explaining myself to you? We’re not together anymore. I don’t have to run shit with you.

Max: *now angry* It doesn’t mean we have to be disrespectful to each other and put Willow in jeopardizing situations, Grace. We gotta be on the same page when it comes to Willow.

Grace: Look, you do things your way, and I’ll do things mine. He’s my friend, there was no harm in him holding her for a second while I answered the door. Now you have her, like you always do, and I’ll see you in a week.

Grace looks at Willow.

Grace: Mama loves you, Willie.

She looks back up to Max.

Grace: Bye.

Max: Grace–

She closes the door on him and closes her eyes. She wants to have a meltdown, she was wants to just destroy every single thing in this house, and she wants to just not feel the absolute guilt she feels every time Willow goes back to Max. Her train of thought breaks when she feels someone touching her shoulder. She opens her eyes to see Jamie there, rubbing small circles on her shoulder. She can’t hold it in anymore and tears silently fall down her face. Jamie notices, and he immediately takes her into a hug. They stand near the front door for what feels like hours. Nothing is said, and nothing is noted. They just stand there, in mutual understanding.