AUTHOR'S NOTE: If you guys want to know why this is the title of this chapter, you should check out the song of the same title by The Corrs. I don't if they're popular in America, but they are superstars in Europe and here in Asia. I think they used that song in the movie called Mad About Mambo which starred Keri Russell. Check it out, I really love that song, and it fits this chapter well. Sorry about the typographical errors in the first chapters, I did't have much time to proof read.

Part 12ONE NIGHT

Katie was in her bedroom, facing the mirror, dressed to kill, when Jessie entered the front door. She looked around, hoping to get a glimpse of Katie, but she couldn't be found. Jessie wondered. Normally, Katie would be sitting at the veranda in front of her lap top, deeply lost in her thoughts at this time of the night, but she wasn't even there. She stopped in front of Katie's door. Slowly, she opened it.

Upon seeing Katie standing in front of the mirror, who turned her heard to smile at her. Jessie froze. Katie has to be the most beautiful girl she has ever seen in her entire life.

"Jess?" Katie called, and Jessie remained staring at her which made Katie feel a bit uncomfortable. "Jess, you okay?" Katie asked again. Jessie finally snapped back to her senses and tried to think of something to say.

"You look… You…" Jessie stuttered. Not so smooth now, is she? "Uh, going somewhere?" Jessie asked, the apprehension seeping in the voice.

"Yeah… There's a friend I've been planning to see, but I haven't had the time until now." Katie was observing the look on Jessie's face, and if it was jealousy or relief, it was hard to tell. Jessie had always been the best at hiding her feelings.

"Oh." It was the only word Jessie could say. Obviously, she was disappointed. This didn't escape Katie's ears.

"Do you wanna go?" Katie backtracked.

"No… No, go ahead. I was just… I didn't know you knew someone over here." Jessie forced a smile.

"Yeah, well, maybe I actually have fans outside of England." Katie joked. This time, the smile on Jessie's face was real. Then, Katie looked away, then picked up her coat. "Well, I have to go."

"Okay." Jessie followed her out of the room, and watched as she left the house. She wanted desperately to come with her but at the same time, she didn't want to intrude on Katie's time with a friend.

Just when she started walking to her own room, the phone started ringing. She picked up the phone from the living room and answered it.

"Hello… Yeah, it's me… Hey Michael… Sorry about that, I had to leave early, I thought there was something I needed to do, but--- Actually, I have time now, do you want to discuss the patient's case tonight?... Okay… But I don't like fancy restaurants, I'd rather go to a bar, it's more relaxing for me… See you in thirty, bye." Jessie hung up. Then she headed to her room for a short shower and changed into some fresh clothes.

Meanwhile, Katie was hanging out at a popular bar in downtown LA. The place was packed, people are everywhere. She volunteered to get their drinks, as her ex-girlfriend Michelle waited at their table. It didn't take long before Katie was able to come back with glasses of drinks in their hands. She sat opposite Michelle and smiled upon handing her one of the glasses.

"Thanks." Michelle beamed. "That was fast. I expected you'd take forever. I mean, just look at the bar." Michelle gestured at the area she was referring to and Katie turned her head to take a look. They both saw the bar, which was currenly jammed, you can barely see the bartender's head. Then Michelle grinned at Katie.

"You charmed the pants off him?" Michelle said knowingly.

"I had to, I'm really thirsty." Katie grinned back, took a shot of her drink and continued. "Just so you know, he's still wearing his pants." Michelle laughed.

"Is he cute?" Michelle inquired.

"No, not really." Then Katie laughed, and Michelle laughed with her.

"So… What's up?" Michelle asked, her eyes fixed on her ex in curiosity. Something seemed to be bothering Katie.

"Nothing. Why?" Katie didn't even bother to look up at her.

"You've been back in the US for quite some time now, and in LA for that matter, and you didn't even bother to call me."

"I called you now."

"You've been here for weeks. Katie, we promised we'd always be friends despite of what happened between us." Michelle said seriously. She wasn't really that hurt. She was just disappointed.

She used to be really in love with Katie, but Katie had built this big wall around her. Fighting for the feelings that she had for her was hopeless. That's the reason why she decided to move back to the States. She couldn't let herself fall deeper, 'coz in the long run, it would be more painful, and it would be harder to pull away. So she broke the relationship while she still can. She knew about Jessie, and she understood. Katie needs time to heal. But healing is something she needs to do on her own.

"I've just been really… Distracted." Katie threw a brief look at Michelle, and Michelle thought she saw guilt in her eyes.

"Yeah, it's obvious." Michelle chuckled. "What are you doing here?"

"Writing. I went back to Evanston to be at my bestfriend's wedding, and then I spent Thanksgiving with a few important people." Katie was staring at her glass again.

"Tad got married? Wow, to whom?" Michelle tried to recall the girls that Tad dated. Katie spilled a lot of information about her bestfriend during the years that they were still together. She admired their bond. And she was really fond of Tad. He was supportive with their relationship, and he dropped her a call when they heard they she broke up with Katie.

"To Grace."

"Grace? I don't remember…" Michelle trailed off, then stared at Katie, and Katie looked up to meet her gaze. She knew what Michelle was thinking. Michelle's jaw dropped upon realizing who Grace is.

"Grace? You mean, GRACE?" Michelle asked in disbelief. Katie had mentioned Grace in some of her conversations with Michelle a few times before. Michelle knew her as Jessie's stepsister.

"Yeah, THAT Grace." Katie confirmed.

"So… Did you see Jessie?" Katie anticipated that question from Michelle. She nodded. " Did you talk to her?"

"Of course. I spent Thanksgiving with her and her family." Katie said.

"I mean… Did you talk to her about, you know, your feelings for her." Michelle silently hoped that Katie didn't, 'coz from the looks of it, if Katie had that talk, the outcome didn't seem good.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because Michelle, what's the point?" Katie glared at Michelle.

"Because you deserve to be happy. I know your fears. Look, I hope everything goes well between the two of you. But no matter what her choice is, it's going to be okay. It will be. Don't spend the rest of your life wondering what could have been." Michelle held Katie's gaze for a while before Katie decided to look away.

Later on, they changed the topic of conversation. Katie didn't mention the fact that she's actually living with Jessie while in LA, Michelle would probably scorn her for the rest of her life for being a wuss. She went to get another drink for both of them, and as usual, got the special attention of the bartender. They talked about other things: Michelle's new job at a production studio in Hollywood, her new girlfriend, her new house, and her plans to buy a dog. Katie discussed her new fiction and consulted Michelle's opinion, and earned a favorable reponse. The two were enjoying hanging out as friends when they realized they had emptied their glasses of drinks again. This time, Michelle volunteered to get it. Katie was waiting at the table when she heard a person's voice calling her name. Ah, her name never sounded better…

"Jessie?" Katie couldn't believe Jessie was there. Jessie was smiling at her.

"I didn't know you're here. Where's your friend?" Jessis searched for someone else occupying the table but Michelle was still at the bar. I guess her charms aren't working with the bartender as much as Katie's did.

"She's getting drinks." Katie couldn't help but notice the grinning guy standing beside Jessie.

"She?" Jessie repeated, an eyebrow slightly raising higher than the other. The scrutiny didn't escape Katie.

"Yeah… My ex-girlfriend Michelle." Katie suddenly regretted saying the ex-girlfriend part upon seeing the sudden cold in Jessie's face. She was distracted though when the guy standing beside Jessie interrupted.

"I guess everybody's hanging out with their ex's tonight, eh? Hi, I'm Michael." He extended his hand and Katie reached for it and shook it.

"Katie Singer." Katie was staring back at Jessie while shaking Michael's hand. "Ex-boyfriend?" Katie asked her.

"We only dated a month. It wasn't really serious, he's married now." Jessie answered in defense, which made Michael grin. The three fell into short silence. Then Jessie spoke again. "I'll see you later." Jessie immediately walked away, with Michael following her. Before Katie could call after her, Michelle came.

"Damn, she's hot." Katie snapped back to reality upon hearing Michelle's voice. Michelle sat on her seat and put the glasses on the table. "So, who is she?" Michelle grinned at her.

"No one." Katie avoided looking at her again.

"Are you with her?"

"No I'm not."

"So can I hit on her, you wouldn't mind?" Michelle narrowed her eyes on Katie.

"I thought you have a girlfriend." Katie frowned at her.

"Right, I do." Michelle paused, glancing at Katie's direction. "Blond hair, blue eyes, totally your type. Maybe YOU should try your luck with her. You'd look good together."

Katie couldn't help but smile.

"You like her, don't you?" Michelle narrowed her eyes on her but Katie didn't answer. "Katie?"

"She's here with her ex." Katie's smile faded as soon as it came.

"You mean that guy sitting right opposite her?" Michelle spoke in disbelief. Michael, even from a distance and the few lights inside the bar, looks absolutely good-looking.

"Straight, huh? Beats me. But you're way hotter than that guy."

"You're saying that because he's not your type. Never will be."

"True." Michelle paused before continuing. "I don't think you stand a chance." Michelle joked.

"Why not?" Katie retorted.

"Straight or not, that girl doesn't seem like the one-nighter type."

"You make it sound like I'M the one-nighter type." Katie was totally annoyed by Michelle judging her.

"Well, you are." Michelle is not about to flinch. As far as she's concerned, she's telling the truth.

"I'm not, and she's definitely not. She's different from all those girls, okay?" Katie said, defending hers and Jessie's honor.

"Now that you're acting like you know her that well, why don't you tell me what type is she?"

"She's…" Katie sighed, then looked up at Michelle. "She's Jessie." Michelle practically stopped moving. She stared at Katie before speaking again.

"Wait… Jessie… She's Jessie? The love of your life Jessie?" Michelle asked and Katie nodded. "Oh my God…" Michelle glanced at Jessie's direction and caught her staring back.

Meanwhile, Jessie immediately looked away and focused her eyes back to Michael after seeing Michelle looking at their direction. And she found her ex-boyfriend smiling at her knowingly.

"She doesn't look so bad." Michael spoke.

"What?"

"Katie Singer." Michael was still smiling. He knew about Katie. Jessie told him the whole story after they stopped dating and became really good friends. He had been hearing a lot about Katie and it was only now that her met her face to face.

"If you love her so much, just go for it." Jessie shifter her gaze from Michael to Katie's direction. Katie had already stood up and was walking away.

"Go… If you really have to talk to her now, then please do. We can talk about the patient's case when you're less distracted." Jessie got up from her seat and smiled at Michael.

"Thanks Michael." Jessie then hurried after Katie.

Katie, meanwhile, wasn't feeling all too happy about the current situation she was in. Jessie was at the same bar sharing a table with her ex. She was beginning to allow herself to accept that Jessie wasn't meant for her, but actually seeing her with some guy she used to dated, even they are not dating anymore brings a slight sting to Katie's already battered heart. But she's too embarrassed to suggest to Michelle that they go to another bar. It's just too obvious, and Michelle probably wouldn't agree.

Katie was facing the mirror inside the ladies room, looking at her reflection and not really doing anything, when another figure stopped beside her. It was Jessie. Katie tried to act that she's okay and smiled at Jessie, but Jessie didn't smile back to Katie's surprise. In fact, Jessie looked at her with so much vexation that surprised her more. Then Jessie spoke.

"You have a pretty ex-girlfriend." Jessie said sourly as she thought of how much Michelle resembled Paula Garces, a not so famous but definitely gorgeous Hollywood property.

"Well, your ex-boyfriend doesn't look bad either. I wondered why you're not married to him." Katie shot back, her sarcasm seeping through her voice. She doesn't like the way Jessie's acting right now.

"I was never serious with Michael. What's your problem?" Jessie scowled at her.

"Funny, I was going to ask you the same thing. You're the one who came here throwing sarcastic comments about Michelle!" Katie said in exasperation, slightly raising her voice. Girls from the cubicles heard their slightly angry voices, and all went running out of the ladies room. The others who were looking at themselves in the mirror made an exit too. The two didn't even pay them any attention. Nobody was willing to mediate an upcoming catfight.

"I said she was pretty!" Jessie glared at her.

"Yeah, with the ATTITUDE!" Katie screamed at the top of her lungs as she turned to face Jessie. Girls who were about to enter the ladies room, upon hearing her scream, ignored their need to pee and just walked away. So now, there were only the two of them inside.

They stood there, glowering at each other. But Katie knew better. She knew she has to calm herself. One of them has to. She raised her hands in the air, as if surrendering.

"You know what, I don't even know why we're fighting, so I'll just go. I'm sorry I yelled at you." Katie was about to walk past by Jessie but Jessie didn't let her. Katie was dumbfounded when Jessie all of a sudden just grabbed her face and pushed her lips into hers. Jessie pushed her to the wall, kissing her with so much need, Katie forgot to breathe. She felt the excitement surged through her body, her mind suddenly going crazy. Not that she mind, she suddenly let her own hands move and stopped to grasp Jessie's blond hair, while Jessie was kissing her unrealistically in a public restroom. It was like one of Katie's wildest dreams coming true, but Katie was confused. Why was Jessie kissing her? Moments ago, they were fighting, and now this? And what happens after this? Jessie's tall, lean and good-looking ex is waiting outside, they came together, so what's Jessie doing with her? Katie could feel her heart already breaking into pieces. Now she was already planning on how to put it back together again.

"Jessie…" Katie whispered in between kisses. Jessie didn't seem to hear her. She was so lost in Katie's arms, her mind wasn't working and she didn't care anymore. Anybody could walk in on them at any moment, but even that didn't bother Jessie. But it bothered Katie.

"Jessie… Jessie, we have to stop…" Katie said huskily, her breathing heavy, due to the desire that was building inside her. She has to stop now that she still can. So she slightly pushed Jessie away, to Jessie's utter disappointment. She looked at Katie, her eyes questioning.

"I…" Katie looked at her while thinking of the right words to say. Their faces remained close to each other, both of them not wanting to move away. "Jessie, you can't keep doing this to me…" Katie said pleadingly.

Jessie stared at her, obviously hurt. She opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out of it. Slowly, she made a few steps back away from Katie. Then, she turned around and walked out of the ladies room.

"Jessie, Jessie wait!" Katie realized that she embarrassed Jessie and hurried after her. But Jessie was nowhere to be found. When she checked if Jessie was back at the table with Michael, she wasn't. She decided to say goodbye to Michelle, and followed Jessie home.

Jessie had been sitting outside her house, in the sand, looking at the sea and lost deep in her thoughts. She wasn't sure how long she had been sitting there, but it doesn't matter. She didn't know why she ran away from Katie. It's probably because of the embarrassment she felt for being turned down. She was definitely hurt when Katie turned her down. She turned her down twice and it was just too much to take. She wanted to tell Katie that she loves her, but it wouldn't have worked back at the bar. Katie was there with her ex, and she doesn't seem so glad to see Jessie with Michael. Jessie couldn't deny the fact that she felt some sort of resentment towards Michelle. Then she heard that voice, the voice that she loves to hear…

"Jess…"

Jessie turned her head. She saw Katie a few feet away from her, making slow steps to where she sat. She got up. They stood there in silence, looking at each other for a short while.

"I'm sorry…" Katie said sincerely. And as she looked at Jessie, she saw something glistening at her face. Please don't tell me I made her cry…

"If you hate me, just say it." Jessie said seriously. She could feel the tears streaming in her eyes again, but she's not going to let if fall, not in front of Katie.

"What are you talking about? Jess, I don't hate you. I can never hate you."

"Then why do you keep pulling away like I have some sort of a contagious disease or something?" Jessie couldn't stop herself from screaming.

"And why do you keep doing this to me?! Jessie, I'm not a toy!" Katie screamed back which caught Jessie off-guard.

"A toy? Katie, I don't understand." Jessie started to calm down.

"Why are you doing this Jessie? Why? Our fate had been decided a long time ago, and you decided, remember? So why now? Why are you playing with my feelings now? Haven't you had enough?" Tears were already falling from Katie's eyes. Jessie knew she had caused her a lot of pain, and she doesn't want to do that to her anymore.

"Look, Katie, about what happened between us in the past, I'm sorry." Jessie was also crying now.

"It's okay. It doesn't matter now." Katie was starting to cool off, to Jessie's relief.

"It does. See, Katie, we need to discuss this." Jessie said pleadingly, as she made a few steps, closing the gap between them.

"I told you, it doesn't matter... You know how I feel about you Jessie, I'm too obvious. 'Coz I can't even take my eyes away from you every time I see you walking around the house in the morning with your regular cup of coffee in hand and an issue of your chosen newspaper in another, looking cute in your animal print pajamas though it would have looked lame and funny on some people and… God… I still love you Jessie… But I never forced myself on you, and I never will… And I'll never hate you because I'll always love you… So don't make me hope for something that's probably never gonna happen, it's too unfair… Just… Let me let you go, please…" Katie's eyes flooded with tears. Jessie gaped at her, her heart melting at the sight of Katie breaking down in front of her.

"What?" Jessie looked defeated.

"You can't blame me for trying to forget you, Jessie. It hurts too much."

"But you can't…" Jessie looked scared.

"Why not?" Katie didn't break eye contact with Jessie, though the tears were blurring her vision.

"Because I love you." Jessie blurted out in almost a whisper before lunging herself at Katie and kissing her in utmost passion. What Jessie said didn't really register at Katie's head. She heard it but wasn't sure if Jessie really said it or was imagining it.

This time, Katie didn't have the strength to push Jessie away. It felt too good, having Jessie's lips on hers. And she was driving her crazy. Rationality escaped her…

Katie was left with nothing but her heart…

So, Katie kissed her back, with a higher level of passion that she wasn't aware she has. Katie had never kissed anyone like this before. She felt Jessie's hands touching her sides, traveling under her blouse, trailing her bare skin. It sent shivers through her body that obliged her to intensify their kiss. Her hands were clutching Jessie's blond hair again, holding on to dear life. And when Jessie pulled away for air, Katie moaned in protest. Their foreheads still touching and their faces a few inches away from each other, Jessie spoke through muffled breaths.

"Come inside with me…" Katie was still catching her breath, and she looked at Jessie's blue eyes. Katie smiled, and let herself be led into the beach house.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: So… Tell me, how much do you guys want to read the next (and the last) two chapters? Hahaha… 'Til next posting. It won't take long. I promise…