9

It Had To Be You

----------

Chapter 3

"Thanks for everything, Bobby," said Sue appreciatively as they pulled up to her building. "Have a safe trip back to DC."

"Remember," he reminded her, "anytime you need to talk to someone, call my cell." He smiled at her. "Day or night."

She stared at him for a moment then leaned forward to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. "You've been wonderful. I won't forget this…or you."

She opened the door and darted up the steps. And then, she was gone.

Bobby sat there for a minute and found himself hoping that she would call him one day even if only to say hello. There was just something about her that resonated with him. He believed her when she'd said she'd never forget him…he wouldn't forget her.

With a sigh he reached for the key in the ignition. As he looked down to shift, his eyes fell on something on the passenger seat—it was a glove. Sue must've dropped it in her haste to leave. It would give him an excuse to see her one last time.

----------

As Sue reached her apartment door, she noticed light streaming under the door. Had she forgotten to turn off the living room lights in her hurry to catch the subway this morning? Or was there an intruder? Cautiously, she opened the door ready to bolt at the slightest hint if anything was wrong.

"Jeff!" she exclaimed spotting a figure at the far end of the room. "What are you doing here?"

The man staring out the window pivoted on his heels at the sound of her voice. He stared at her for a second then hurried over.

"I've been waiting for you! I've got to talk to you!" he said urgently his hands on her arms. "To explain about last night. You didn't return any of my calls," he said accusingly.

"What is there to explain? I went to your apartment, you were with another woman, end of engagement, end of story," she said matter-of-factly.

"But I love you!"

She looked at him in disbelief. "Did you remember that little fact when you slept with that woman?"

He looked uncomfortable at the reminder of his indiscretion. "Maybe I had a few too many drinks. Everyone was pretty happy we won the case."

"Is that your excuse? You had too much to drink?"

"No…Yes! I was wrong," he admitted. "It won't ever happen again!"

"Isn't that what you said the last time?"

"We weren't engaged then," he said lamely.

She looked at him with pity. "Don't you see, Jeff? It won't work between us. Your idea of being in a relationship is different than mine. I tried to overlook some things but I can't any more….not this time." She shook off his hands and took a few steps back. "I'll return your ring tomorrow."

He rapidly covered the space separating them. "I don't care about the ring!" he declared fervently as he grabbed her. "I care about you! Give me another chance! I promise I won't screw up again!"

"It's over, Jeff! Don't you understand?" She tried to push him away but his grip only tightened. "Just go, Jeff!"

"I won't! I know you love me!"

Sue staggered when Jeff's hands abruptly released her.

"The lady said to leave," Bobby said with steely determination.

"Who the hell are you?" demanded Jeff heatedly.

"A friend," Bobby replied putting himself between the irate man and Sue.

When Jeff made a movement towards Sue, Bobby blocked his away. "I advise you to leave now before I call the police."

Jeff's eyes darted from the tall stranger to Sue. "You've have no right to order me out of this place!"

"But I do," remarked Sue guessing what Bobby had said. "Please, Jeff. Go!"

"I know you love me, Sue," he declared. "I'll be back." He spun around and left the apartment.

Bobby walked over and closed the door. "He's gone," he announced turning to Sue.

"Why are you here?"

He held up her glove. "You left this in the car."

To his dismay, Sue's hand trembled as she reached for the forgotten object. Reaction was beginning to set in.

"Hey," he said soothingly as he wrapped his arms around her shaking body. "Everything's okay. He's gone." He knew she couldn't hear the words but hoped she'd take comfort in being held.

Minutes passed and after a while, Sue felt in control once more of her fluctuating emotions. She gently pushed against Bobby who instantly released her.

"It seems…it seems you're always coming to my rescue," she said with a quivering voice.

"Nothing I'd rather do," he said with a smile.

He looked carefully at her. Satisfied with she was all right, he instructed her, "Pack a bag."

"Why?" she asked in confusion.

"You can't stay here. That bloke might come back."

"I'll have the locks changed first thing in the morning."

"That's the morning. He might come back before then."

"He won't."

"Then I'm staying," he said determinedly.

"I'll be fine. He won't come back," she insisted.

"Either I stay or you come with me to my hotel."

"He won't come back."

"Then I'm staying." He took off his coat and hung it on the coat rack.

"What about your flight?"

"Not till four." He hung up his jacket next.

"What about your hotel room?"

"Check out's at noon," he said promptly. "I'll be back in plenty of time."

"What are you doing?" she asked as he loosened his tie.

"Making myself comfortable," he replied as he sat on her sofa. "Nice and firm," he said approvingly.

"But you can't sleep there! You won't fit!" she protested.

"I'll make do," he assured her. He took off his shoes.

"I'm not getting rid of you, am I?"

"No," he said cheerfully.

"Then you take the bed and I'll sleep on the couch," she proposed.

"Defeats the purpose of my being here."

"What is the purpose of you being here?"

"To make me feel better in case that bloke comes back before you can have those locks changed."

"And what do you intend to do if he comes back?"

"Possibly inflict bodily harm if words don't work."

"Oh." She stared at Bobby for a moment then disappeared. She returned a few minutes later with bed linen, a blanket and some clothes.

"The bathroom's the first door on the left. I don't know if these will fit but you can change in there," she said as she handed him a pair of sweat pants and t-shirt. "Extra toothbrushes in the medicine cabinet, towels in the closet."

"Toothbrushes…towels," echoed Bobby as he accepted the clothes.

While he was gone, she fixed up the couch. She'd just spread out the blanket when he returned. She caught her breath when Bobby appeared shirtless.

"Seems your fiancé is a size smaller or prefers his t-shirts a bit snug," he commented oblivious to his effect on her. "I presume it was his shirt."

"Ex-fiance," she corrected. "And he did."

He glanced at the made up couch. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." She took a breath. "Well, good night."

"Good night, Sue."

----------

Bobby sat up instantly awake—something had woken him up. What was it? He peered into the darkness trying to determine why his senses were on alert. There…that sound again…coming from…coming from another room.

Quietly, he headed to the possible source and put his ear to the door. There it was again…the sound of someone crying.

He knocked, then swore under his breath. She wouldn't be able to hear him. He told himself to give her some privacy and walk away but he couldn't do it. Instead, he found himself opening the door and staring in the darkness. When his eyes adjusted, he could see Sue's huddled silhouette on the bed.

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Sue ranted at herself fiercely. Deep in her heart she'd known that Jeff wasn't as wonderful as she thought he was. There were small but subtle indications throughout their relationship but she'd chosen to ignore them. She now realized she wasn't only crying over the unmasking of the real Jeff but also the loss of a little girl's dream of marrying her Prince Charming. This prince had turned into a very ugly toad.

She stiffened for a second when a pair of arms wrapped her then relaxed against the comforting embrace. No words were spoken for a long while.

"You must think I am the most emotional woman in the world," she remarked when she finally felt calm enough to talk.

He tilted his head away from her so she could see his lips. "I think you've been through a rough spot in your life and if tears make you feel better, then you cry all you want."

"How is it you always know the right thing to say?"

"Because I'm wise beyond my years and watch Dr. Phil," he responded lightly. "Feeling better?"

She nodded. "No more tears."

"Good." As he carefully wiped her tears away, he noticed how beautiful her eyes were…how soft her lips looked. Slowly, he lowered his mouth to hers. Her arms crept around his neck pulling him closer as she responded to his kisses. She could feel herself becoming lost in the sensation of his touch.

"Bobby?" she whispered as he rained kisses down the side of her neck.

"Mmm?"

She could feel the tickle of his lips against her skin.

"I think…I think we need to stop before it's too late."

Instantly, Bobby froze. "You're right…I'm sorry…I shouldn't have…" he apologized upset with himself for taking advantage of her vulnerable state. "I'll go." He moved to leave when he felt a hand grab his. He stopped, afraid to turn and see Sue's reproachful eyes.

"Bobby?" He wouldn't turn. She slipped in front of him.

"Bobby?"

Reluctantly, his eyes met hers.

"I'm sorry," he apologized once more. "I know it's a feeble excuse but you looked so beautiful…" his words trailed off. "I wouldn't blame you if you were angry at me right now."

"I'm not angry," she said adamantly. "I liked kissing you."

He took a step toward her a look of glad surprise on his face.

"But…"

He stopped.

"But?"

"I don't think now is the best time to start anything."

After staring at her for a few seconds, he slowly nodded. "You're right," he reluctantly agreed. "You must watch Dr. Phil, too."

"Oprah," she said the corner of her lips tilting upwards. The smile faded as she looked at the man before her. "Maybe if we'd met at another time under different circumstances."

A wry smile appeared. "Like Romeo and Juliet?"

"I was thinking of perhaps something with a happier ending," she said lightly.

"Beauty and the Beast?"

"He almost died."

"I've pretty much run out of couples but I get your drift." He held her hand in his. "When you decide you're ready to start something, could you give me a call? You have my number."

"You'll be the first," she promised.

"I'll be looking forward to that day."

----------