Jim<br/><br/>The food was as tasty as the odors had advertised.  He didn't know why she kept pre-apologizing.  Of course, he had to admit, he did not have the most defined palate when it came to food.  He ate a lot of takeout and prepackaged meals and they couldn't hold a candle to real home cooked food.<br/><br/>Jim lifted his gaze from his plate to talk to Bree and noticed she had been staring at him.  "Bree, this is wonderful.  I really mean it.  I haven't had a home cooked meal in a long time.  It's all I can do to stop eating even though my belly is way full.  I can only hope you invite me over more often."   There was quite a bit of food left over and Jim hated to see it go to waste.<br/><br/>"Bree, don't hate me for what I am about to say.  I am actually not sure why I am saying it.  What I really want is to have you all to myself this evening.  But I couldn't help but notice that Ali lives across the road.  It makes me feel sad that you two are fighting so badly.  Maybe we, together, could invite her for a little food and see if we can calmly talk about the situation.  If it is still too early, just tell me.  I just have this thing about losing best friends - long story - and, well, that's it, I have a thing."<br/><br/>Jim hoped he hadn't ruined things by rushing, he wasn't even sure why he did it.  He really did want to spend some alone time with Bree.  Maybe that was it.  He knew deep in his subconscious that Bree liked someone else and this was his subconscious' way of derailing any plans he might have.