Jessica watched Stefan Cassadine enter the pool house. Angrily she turned to Lucinda Walsh. "You didn't listen to anything I told you months ago, did you, Lucinda?"

"Darling-"

"You stood in my home and promised me that you wouldn't interfere in my personal life again!" Jessica was furious at the older woman. "I can't trust your word anymore."

Lucinda placed a calming hand on her young friend's arm. "Darling, I gave you my word that day. And I haven't broken it." She shook her head at Jessica's skeptical expression. "I haven't," Lucinda insisted. "Stefan told me last week that he would be coming to Oakdale tonight. If you remember, I tried to get you to handle my business another day. You were adamant that it had to be tonight."

Jessica remembered their conversation that day. Lucinda had tried to get her to change the date. "You could have just told me that Stefan Cassadine was coming, Lucinda."

"But why, my darling? You told me that Stefan Cassadine was just another client you had handled. I had no idea that there was all this...tension between the two of you."

Lucinda's expression was innocent. But Jessica knew that she was awaiting confirmation that her scheme to throw them together had been successful. "It's too soon Lucinda," Jessica admitted quietly. "I'm not ready for this."

The older woman's face softened. "Darling, I loved Duncan." Lucinda's voice hardened. "But he was a fool. You can't put your life on hold because of him. He's not worth that."

Lucinda watched appreciatively as Stefan Cassadine emerged from the pool house wearing form-fitting blue trunks. His plush terry robe hung open displaying his flat stomach, while the Cassadine family medallion lay nestled between the firm pectoral muscles of his chest.

He stood near the edge of the pool and watched as Jessica's lithe form moved smoothly through the water. The tiny suit she wore merely emphasized her mocha-colored skin and lean, shapely limbs.

"Darling," Lucinda beckoned Stefan near, "move slowly. Jessica has been hurt badly. I don't want to see it happen again." Her words were a warning to him.

"I have no intention of hurting Jessica." Stefan removed his robe and walked down the pool's steps. "Indeed, just the opposite."

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