Sometimes you just look at a person in that moment and think yes, they're going to be important to me

Jody couldn't help but smile. Yes, she'd never been happier. Maybe it was just having the dog around, but she guessed it was Aaron too.

Why couldn't people believe in something so platonic? Oh, she knew what her mother thought. She was just a modern girl doing her own damn thing. Jody stopped talking about it with her. It was not anything like her mother must be thinking.

True, things were on hold with Andrew who was so busy now. She wouldn't think to trouble him. There were the once-a-week phone calls. A text here and there. It didn't feel like a big deal. He could just stay in KC for all she cared.

And somehow, she'd hit it off with Aaron. They called the dog Chuck now since she didn't want to think of her step-father Charlie. She was glad she had Aaron to talk to. After all, he was a very good listener. And they'd decided to call Charlie the dog Chuck and she didn't seem to mind.

They both helped out Sal on the weekends at the bar. Most afternoons Aaron worked there with Sal. Of course, he didn't drive. And yeah, maybe Aaron was no more than a lump on a log when they first met, but he'd become more animated with her around. He was just shy, she thought now. Maybe she brought out the best in him because he evidently brought the best out in her.

She didn't feel so alone. Maybe that was it. Maybe it was good to keep each other company. Although, she thought Aaron worked too much. Still, he usually was off by eight every night but Friday and Saturday night. Oh, she wanted to think it was good to keep busy. She didn't seem to worry about Andrew anymore. Maybe this was the way it was supposed to be.

"But Aaron is on medication, what are you going to do if he goes crazy on you?" Jared wanted to know. He always called at least every few days, as if he had to check up on her for Angel's sake. 

"Stop making him sound like Frankenstein," she shot back. Everything was fine. They always enjoyed binge-watching Netflix and they always walked Chuck in the morning and at night. Why couldn't anybody be happy for them?