Don't Dwell in the Past

Rob stayed with me instead of going to work. He said Krantz had no problem with it.

I don't see why he stayed with me though. I could take care of myself. And besides, my kids would help me. And I had my faithful dog.

Yes, I still had Chigger. I don't really talk about him much, but I still have the mut.

After I opened Kara's gift, I quickly shoved it in my night stand. I didn't want my kids finding them.

Then I remembered Chandler and her boyfriend. Her boyfriend . . . was he all right?

"Rob!" I called. I straightened myself up a bit.

He came through the door seconds later. "What is it?" he asked.

"Remember how I asked you to find the girl's boyfriend?" I asked, hoping he did remember.

He stared at me for a second, then it seemed to dawn on him, I guess. "Yes . . ." he said. "What about it?"

I patted the bed beside me. "Pop a squat," I said. He smiled and came over next to me. "He . . . did you find him?"

He sighed. "Jess, don't worry about that now. You need some sleep." He brought his hand to my face and rubbed his calloused thumb over my cheek. Then he smiled.

I remained stern. "Did you find him?" I repeated in a firmer voice.

His smile faded and his face became solemn. "No," he said. Then he grabbed my good arm firmly. "But, Jess, you aren't going anywhere. And you aren't looking at any pictures, either."

I looked at him, shocked. "But—"

"No, Jess. You're already injured enough. I'm not letting you go anywhere. I'll chain you to the bed if I have to."

Is it just me or did that sound kind of . . . kinky?

I sighed. "Fine," I mumbled, "but can you at least get hand me the phone?"

"Why?" he asked skeptically.

I glared at him. "Fine, I'll get it myself," I said and scooted over, leaning myself over Rob, and reaching for the phone. I almost got it, when I felt someone grab my waist and pull me back.

"Rob!" I screamed.

"Why?" he repeated. God, it seemed like he didn't even notice he touched me. I certainly did . . .

GOD, Jess, what the hell are you saying!

Um . . .

I was about to reach for the phone again, but Rob plucked it from the holder and hid it behind his back. "Jess."

"I'm not telling you," I said. "Now give me the damn phone."

He grinned. "I'm not giving you the damn phone until you tell me."

That got me mad. It really did. So, I lunged at him and tried to grab the phone from behind his back.

But . . . uh, I guess he didn't expect it, because he fell back on my bed and I landed on top of him. We were in a very . . . compromising position.

God, if anybody happened to walk in on us . . .

Then I had an idea. To get the phone, I mean.

The phone was still in his one hand, but his hand was at his side. So, I, um . . . kissed him. He responded quickly, his hands sliding to my waist. I took that opportunity to snatch the phone from him.

"Aha!" I yelled, after I broke apart from him.

Rob, seeming to recover from what just happened, said, "Hey! You - you can't just - go and do that!" He seemed at a loss for words.

"And why not?" I asked.

He seemed frustrated. "Whatever," he murmured.

Whatever indeed.

I dialed Chandler's cell phone number. She picked up on the third ring. "Jess?"

"Chandler? Oh, god, how are you?" I asked. I saw Rob run his hand through his hair out of the corner of my eye.

"Okay, I guess," she replied sadly.

"What's wrong, honey?" I asked. I didn't want to go right out and ask her. It would be too . . . weird.

"Jake," she said. "T-they found him in the middle of the night, behind a dumpster, i-in c-c-critical c-condition."

I gasped. "Oh, my god! Chandler, sweetie, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. I - is there anything I can do?"

"It's not your fault, Jess," she tried assuring me. But, well, if it weren't for me, none of this would have happened. At all. "It's that stupid rapist's fault." I heard her sniffle over the phone. "I didn't get a chnace to thank you yesterday. You know, for rescuing me and everything."

I smiled. "It was no problem, really, Chan. And about your boyfriend . . . I know you love him. I'm sure he'll be fine. If you're there by his side, I'm sure he'll be fine in the end."

She sniffled again. "Thanks, Jess." She paused a moment, then said, "And I won't be able to babysit this Friday."

I laughed, despite everything that's happened. "It's all right. Don't worry about it, Chan. Besides, I've already got the help I need."

She seemed more interested now. "Wait. It's not that guy that untied me last night, was it?" she asked incredulously.

"Yeah, it is," I said. "But, shh, don't tell anyone."

She laughed. "Okay. I've gotta go, Jess. Thanks again."

"No problem," I said. "Bye."

"Bye."

And then we both hung up.

I looked back at Rob. "Can you put this back?" He nodded and put the phone back in its holder.

He looked dazed or something. It was kind of creepy. "What's up?" I asked him.

He looked at me. "Nothing," he said. "I just don't - nevermind."

Now I was intrigued. "No. Tell me," I pried.

He sighed mercilessly. "I don't know, I just—" He broke off and looked at me.

The next thing I knew, I was being pushed into the mattress and Rob's lips were on my own again, our tongues colliding.

My good arm went around his neck, pulling him closer. He balanced himself with one arm while cupping my face with the other.

It was heaven.

Well . . . until reality sunk in, that is.

I pushed him away and turned my head. But he didn't move. He stayed right where he was. Then I felt his hand touch my cheek. My eyes immediately met his.

It's just - I dunno. When our eyes met . . . I knew. Right at that exact moment, I knew. I knew he told me the truth. That he didn't cheat on me. And he loved me . . .

HOLY SHIT!

HE LOVED ME!

"What's wrong, Jess?" he asked, after a few moments silence. His eyes were still boring into mine. "Oh, god, its not the whole . . . cheating thing, is it? Jess, I swear—"

"No," I cut him off. "It's not that."

Now he looked confused. "Then what, Jess?"

I smiled a little. "I don't think we should do it while our kids are here."

He grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, you're right."

He looked so down. And I really wanted to do this with him all of a sudden. Like, really really. "Give me the phone."

He looked at me questioningly, but gave it to me anyway.

I dialed Kara's cell number. "Hey, girl," she greeted, "did you get my present?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, I did, Kara. I'm not going to reprimand you right now, because I need a favor. Can you come over right now?"

"Jess, I just got in work, like, an hour ago. What is it? You fall and can't get up?" she asked and started laughing.

"Ha-ha," I said. "No. I just really need you to come here. I actually need you to watch my kids. Or, you know what? Can you come and get them and bring them to the day care center? I just . . . I need to rest and I can't really watch them when doing so and my babysitter isn't really available—"

"Yes, fine, as long as you'll shut up. God, you babble on and on and on . . ." she said. "I'll be there in, like, ten minutes."

"Good, thanks," I said.

"Bye, Jess."

"Bye, Kara," I said and hung up.

"So, we good to go?" Rob asked.

"Yeah," I said. "Yes, we are."

And he leaned down and kissed me. Soon enough, we were in a full-blown make-out session.

God, WHY did I ever leave this man?

I DO love him.

I don't know why I ever questioned that in the first place.

Then I heard my bedroom door slowly creak open.

"Jess? Are you – oh, my god!"

That was Kara. I swear, I didn't even hear her come in. Strange . . .

She immediately shut the door and went out. Rob pulled apart and got off of me. I gave him a lazy smile.

"Kara," I said, while kind of laughing. "Kara, you can come in. It's fine."

She did and gave me a sarcastic smile. "So THIS is why you wanted me to take your kids, huh?"

"No. I just wanted to rest, like I told you," I said. That wasn't entirely a lie. I wanted to rest before Rob and I did anything.

"Uh huh," she said. "Right." Then she shook her head. "Well, I better get going. Your kids are safe with me, Jess." Then she walked out of my bedroom door, shutting it behind her. A few seconds later, I heard the front door to the apartment open. "See ya later, Jess! And use protection!" Then the door shut and she was gone.

I turned to look at Rob and gave him an uncomfortable smile.

"Quite a friend you have there," he said, chuckling. "Well," he said, getting back on top of me, "what should we do, now, Mastriani?"

I smiled at him. "Sleep," I said.

His face fell. "Oh, right," he said, "yeah, you should get some rest. I'm sorry."

He went to get off of me, but I grabbed his head and pulled it down to my lips. When we came back up for air, I said, "Don't worry; we can do . . . things, when I wake up. But until then: sweet dreams."

He smiled again and rolled off of me. He went to get up and leave, but I pulled him back down. "Don't leave me," I said.

He seemed shocked, to say the least. But then he lay back down next to me. "I won't," he said, "I promise."

I smiled and snuggled into him. His arms came around me, like a protective barrier.

Then I knew; everything would be okay from now on.

Disclaimer: All of the characters you recognize belong to Meg Cabot, the ultimate writer of our time. All of the other characters you don't recognize - and the plot - belong to me.