1-800-Where-R-You: Book 6 "Rush Hour"
Jess has always been okay finding missing kids. Okay, so it probably wasn't what she would have chosen had she had a choice, but it wasn't the worst thing that could have happened to her. Hell, with a push, she was even okay about finding Rob's little sister. But when, on the day of her wedding Ruth disappears, finding her proves more difficult for Jess. With the clock ticking, a stranded groom, and the fact that Jess' best friend is missing, everything is proving too much. And then something else goes wrong. Everything is proving far too much for Jess, and trying to beat the rush hour traffic to find Ruth, and get to the second emergency, Jess is pushed to every limit possible…
This is my take on Book 6, had there been one. Follows on from "Missing You", Book 5, set just under a year after.
Chapter 3
"Hi Mrs. Mastriani," Rob said politely and cooling, waving to my mom.
"Robert," my mom acknowledged him coldly. Ruth was snickering with her hand over her mouth to try and cover it up.
"Hey Ruth, Mikey," I said, in an attempt to break the really uncomfortable silence that had fallen between everyone. My cheeks were burning as hot as the fire at Mastriani's over two years ago had looked. Everyone's eyes were on me. And occasionally at Rob's chest. Hey, you can't help but take a look. "Congrats on your engagement-again," I continued.
They smiled at me, except it was Mike who had to reply, as Ruth still hadn't conquered her fit of hysterics. "Thanks Jess. And same to you!" he said, nodding in Rob's direction too.
"It's official then?" a pretty pissed off looking Skip asked. "You and Rob I mean, Jess."
"Yea," I replied confidently, more directed at my mom rather than Skip. "Sealed the deal. Almost."
"I bet," Skip said. I think he got the wrong end of what I said. Poor Skip. He's been after my panties for ever. Or rather what's inside them.
"I came in to see if you preferred this dress Jessica," my mom said, holding up an equally disgusting number. Not Gingham. But still gross. "And seeing as you've already got the one you're wearing half off it shouldn't take you long to change." At this Ruth made pulley movements on her dress straps. I glanced down at myself and blushed even more as I saw that, yes, I was practically already undressed. I pulled my straps up furiously and Rob thought it best to take a look at himself. Topless with his jeans way past his butt. He shrugged, like it was a regular thing-being half naked in front of your fiancé's family and friends-and, whilst pulling up his jeans said to my mom, "Sorry Mrs. Mastriani, its just…Gingham. Makes me a bit…feisty."
I stared at him. Ruth cracked, erupting into really loud laughter, where at this point, Mike dragged her out of my room before my mom did any damage to her. Or perhaps it was because she kept sneaking more glances than necessary at Rob's naked chest…
"I see," my mom replied to Rob's Gingham remark. "Well in that case its all the more reason why Jessica should wear this one instead," she held up outfit option number two. "Wouldn't want you two acting like…animals in front of everyone downstairs would we?" she continued, forcing the fakest smile I had ever come across. Faker than Karen-Sure Hankey. I frowned at her, about to reply, when Rob cut in.
"Actually Mrs. Mastriani its just dresses in general. Most clothes in fact." My mom glared, glared at Rob, at us, and strode out. Skip was the only one left in the room with us, standing awkwardly at the door.
"Did you want something Skip?" I asked politely.
"No, No," he replied, striding over to the bed a little over-enthusiastically. "I just don't think I've been properly introduced to your…fiancée." He held out his hand to Rob and I raised my eyebrows in amusement. Rob, after putting his top back on smiled at Skip's gesture and they engaged in a handshake.
"Rob Wilkins," Rob said, introducing himself as asked.
"Skip Abramowitz," Skip returned. "Ruth's sister." Next I knew Skip was trying to act all threatening. "Break her heart, one more time, and I'll have you so fast you won't know what's happened," Skip said. Rob was unreadable. But then he suddenly pulled Skip down by the arm so their faces were practically touching. "Hit on her in any way," he cocked his head in my direction. "Or worse," he grimaced, "Get into her pants, you'll feel my fists pound your little face so hard, believe me, you'll definitely know what's hit you." Rob ripped his hand away and smiled at Skip. "Nice to meet you," Rob closed, as Skip gulped and practically ran out the room.
"Give you kicks did it?" I asked Rob, staring at him.
He shrugged. "Little threat never went amiss Mastriani."
"You can't tell me you're afraid of Skip getting in between us?" I said laughing. Rob looked at me with those eyes. "I just wouldn't be surprised if your mom tried to set you two up behind my back that's all," he said.
"I'm engaged to you," I exclaimed.
"I doubt that would stop you mom hooking you up with the perfect boy-next-door soon-to-be-millionaire." The tension grew at this comment. He stood up quickly and took my hand. "C'mon, we better get down to the party before your mom thinks up any other sexual things we might be doing."
"Is that a hint?" I questioned, trying to lighten the mood.
"Mastriani," Rob said sternly. "We're not in your mom's good books to begin with."
"She'll come around," I shrugged.
"Mastriani. Behave," Rob said, pulling me up and pulled me down the stairs before I could tempt him any more.
