"I'm making dinner! Should be ready in 20." Stella called out when she heard the front door open. It could only be one person, unless Mr. Prince, her doorman, was getting fresh. She'd been home all day studying and getting materials together for her presentation, so when dinner time started to roll around, she had enough time to cook. "I'm making Italian Wedding risotto, I got the recipe from Elio. I took a break from my powerpoint. How was your day tesoro?" She said, going up on her tiptoes to give Brooks a quick kiss.

"I've missed all of you!" Grinning from ear to ear, she heard a more distinctive set of footsteps and gazed up at the art teacher behind them. "I'm glad you brought them by!"

"Yes bambina, I'm coming up to your place now. I can't wait to see it! And this new man! From your pictures, I know he's gorgeous, but I need to make sure he's good enough for you. See you in ten." Stella told Kelly as her car pulled up the the address. The flight had been long but ultimately fine. She could desperately use a hydrating facial though. Maybe they could grab all the girls, she thought Kelly's new guy had a sister, and go to the spa. With that thought, the car pulled up to a large house with beautiful landscaping. That was a benefit to California, though Stella didn't care much for gardening. She exited the car while the driver grabbed her bags. She had tried to pack light, this was only a few days' trip, but Stella liked to be prepared for any possibility. Plus she brought presents! She saw a figure emerging from the doorway and waved. "Hello, I'm here! Let me tell you the flight seemed to take forever, I forgot how long New York to LA really is."

"Oh hello, funny seeing you here. Would you mind getting the door for me? Normally Mr. Prince helps me when I get large packages, but there's a woman outside with one of those big twins strollers. I don't blame him for helping them." Stella said, struggling with the large box. It was full of presents for her various friends and family. "Do you know someone here Vanessa?"

The plane ride had been uneventful, aside from the weird moment that her phone decided to play “Hopelessly Devoted to You” followed by “Feather” followed by "Say Don’t Go”. Suffice to say, it was confusing. The full 6 hours were spent tossing and turning her feelings over. She had a drink or two. She contemplated asking the flight attendant for advice but decided against it. Ultimately she couldn’t decide anything without talking to him first. So dressed down in a simple t-shirt and jeans, hair in a ponytail and bare faced, Stella made her way to Brooks’ home. It was a nice house, set farther back away from the street. It looked like it had two levels but it wasn’t huge like some other houses she had passed. It was a cozy house for a bachelor, modern but not too austere. Stella exited her rental car and walked up to the door, smiling slightly at the fact that he did have a Ring camera. She rang the bell and waited.

Stella: Look before you say anything, I know this was bad and I know I messed up and I know you'll always have more loyalty to him than to me. I just needed to speak to someone who knows him. My sister helped in that delightfully unhelpful way she has about her.