All characters from Twilight belong to Stephanie Meyer. I own nothing except my version of events.

A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry for the delay but you know, 4th of July happened and I didn't have time to edit. But it's finally here now, so enjoy!

Chapter 10

"Bella!"

I look up just in time to watch Jess waving frantically at me from across the mall. I smile instantly, happy to see my friend just as excited to see me as I am to see her.

Meanwhile Leah stands beside her with an irritated look on her face. Going as far as pretending as though she's not with her. Since I've spent the last few weekends at Paul's, I haven't seen much of them… or the pack, which was why they'd decided to come together today. They were friendly to each other but not necessarily friends, they only hung out together because of me. I didn't blame them. They didn't have much in common. Jess was married, taking care of a business with her husband while Leah spent her free time hooking up with anyone attractive enough to catch her attention. They were in two different places in life. Plus it was hard for anyone in the wolf pack to make friends with humans who were oblivious to the supernatural dangers they faced almost on a daily basis.

But this time around, Leah had been willing to sacrifice one full day in Jess' presence and allowed Jess to hitch a ride with her to meet me in Port Angeles. She adamantly refused to carry her purchases in between her teeth as she ran in wolf form back to La Push. That's why, though its midweek, the ladies had decided to meet me at the mall to do a little bit of shopping. Jessica was in desperate need of some maternity clothes. She was managing to hide her barely there baby bump for now with baggy shirts but she'd outgrown her pants and needed to purchase new pairs to accommodate her growing belly. She refused to shop in Forks for fear someone would catch her in the act and alert the rumor mill before she had the chance to do it herself.

Personally I thought she was delaying it far too long. I was also surprised the townsfolk hadn't noticed the change in her body by now. To me she looked very much pregnant already.

I watch her carelessly weave her way through the crowd to reach me all the while Leah blocks anyone who dares invade their space as they plow right through. They might not always get along but Leah would lay her life to protect Jess from any harm. I meet them halfway, just as worried as Leah is that someone will bump into her or hit her by accident.

She immediately engulfs me in a hug.

"You know you should be more careful now that you're carrying a special little someone inside of you, right?"

She pulls away and scoffs, giving me an irritated look. "I'm pregnant, not incapacitated."

"I know, but you should still be cautious. You could get an elbow to the belly while bulldozing your way through a crowd like that."

She rolls her eyes and ignores my concern, Leah throwing a "Hey bitch!" in greeting while Jess jovially slips her arm through mine to haul me along with her. Leah takes Jess' other side to keep her from harm.

"So I mostly just need maternity clothes." She announces as we walk. "I'm not completely showing yet but people are starting to get suspicious. Most just think I've gained a few pounds but haven't commented on it directly to my face. Well except for Mrs. Drawney. Can you believe she had the nerve to refuse to sell me a jelly donut this morning? Warning me away from sweets altogether because apparently it's showing!"

"That's rude." I immediately say. If I were her I would've dived over the counter and wrestled it out of her hands if she ever dared to refuse me. I wasn't opposed to manhandling a sixty-five year old woman just for a jelly donut. "Did you tell her she should listen to her own advice?"

Jess gasps and turns to me, giggling at my audacity. "I wouldn't dare say something like that. Even if she deserved it."

"And that's why people think it's okay to say things like that to you."

She narrows her eyes at the insinuation. "Hey, I stick up for myself when I need to!" She exclaims, but when I throw her my 'Do you really?' look, she begrudgingly sighs in defeat. "Okay, maybe I don't, but I'll surely teach my kid not to be like me. And I blame my mother. She instilled in me to always show respect to my elders, no matter what, and now I can't shake it off."

"And I guess that's one thing I should thank my mother for. She always told me to never take shit from anyone."

"Just that one thing?" She asks curiously.

Jess knew how rarely I spoke of my mother. She's also just as aware of how little I actually speak to her and so her curiosity over the subject was more than understandable.

The relationship between my mother and I has been pretty touch-and-go since I moved away. My mother had known of my plans to move closer to my dad years before I actually graduated from high school and yet she had expected me to change my plans without even discussing it with me first when her job had offered her a promotion in Florida. My mother loathed being alone, she always needed the company of either a boyfriend, me, or some other friend she'd met in one of her sporadic adventures. But unfortunately for her, I was done being her jester, just a body to keep her company so she wouldn't feel alone. I'd adamantly refused to change my plans for her and so she'd accused me of not caring about her enough to sacrifice one little thing. I didn't consider my future, 'one little thing' as she'd put it, and my father had agreed when he'd heard of this too. In fact, he'd been furious, called my mother on my behalf and told her to grow the fuck up and act like the thirty-seven year old woman she was. Weirdly enough, my father was the only person she ever listened to. And thankfully she had seen reason and asked for forgiveness.

After three years I was still having a hard time getting over it. I had taken the accusation to heart. My entire childhood had been spent tending to her emotional needs, disregarding my own because she needed me more. How dare she accuse me of such a thing? Just because I had chosen to do something for myself for the first time in my life.

Ever since then I avoided most of her calls and texted her every once in a while just to keep in touch. Not that she contacted me all that often anymore since she started dating her new boyfriend, Phil, who I've never met but sounded like a nice guy. At least, that's what I could assume since they've been dating for almost a full year now. It's the longest relationship she's been in since she left Charlie when I was a toddler, so that was a good sign at least.

"I guess there are other things… but not many."

She hums quietly as we enter the store and doesn't say more after that. I see the now glum expression on her face and worry I've mistakenly said something to make her upset.

I give her some space while I catch up with Leah. But when Leah excuses herself to check out the lingerie shop next to the maternity store I can't help but to pry.

"Did I say something wrong?"

Jess turns to me with worry in her eyes, looking about ready to cry. I frown even further, already regretting whatever it is I've said to create that look on her face.

"I don't know. For some reason listening to you speak about your mother triggered me. I guess since I've come to the realization I'm going to be a mom soon I've been thinking about all the ways I could fuck it up... I don't want to be a horrible mother. For my daughter to speak about me the way you do yours."

I'm momentarily taken aback by the somewhat accusation… and then of how she could have ever thought such a thing about herself in the first place. I grab her hand and turn her away from the racks of clothes. "You have no reason to worry about that, Jess. You're an amazing person and I'm sure you're going to be the best mother you can possibly be. There is no perfect parent out there, and you won't be a perfect mother either, but you can still be an amazing one."

One single tear slips out of her right eye. She swiftly wipes it away. "But what if your mother thought she was doing a good job raising you? How will I know I'm doing the right thing when it's my turn? I won't know until my child grows up and tells me otherwise, but by then it'll be too late. It's just so scary to think that this little being is going to depend on me for not just survival but for emotional support too and everything that comes along with it. It's terrifying."

I pull her to my side, rubbing her arm up and down in comfort. "Again, you'll try your best and that's all that really matters. Besides, it's not like I hate my mother. I resent her for a lot of things but I know she tried her best to be a good mother while also trying to be happy for herself… even if she managed to pick all the wrong guys along the way. And besides, it's not like you're going to do it alone. Mike will be right there with you, helping you all along the way. Your daughter is going to be so damned lucky to have you and Mike as her parents." I say with a reassuring smile.

Jess smiles too and I'm relieved I was able to dig her out of those dark thoughts so quickly. And with the truth too.

I really did love my mom. I do feel as though she selfishly chose to put her own happiness ahead of mine…. But maybe it was my fault too. I never told her how unhappy I really was. Maybe if I would've had the courage to tell her, it would have made a difference.

At the same time I feel as though she knew it all along. I never made my disdain for her boyfriends a secret. I blatantly treated them like the temporary placeholders they were. Never bothering to get to know them further than their first name.

Now that I was older I didn't necessarily blame her as much as I did when I was younger. I never expected her to stay single forever, and it wasn't her fault her relationships never lasted. I now understood how hard it was to be in a relationship to begin with, let alone to stay in one. It's also partly why I refused to be in one myself. I didn't have the time to dedicate it to just one person, especially when I had so much more to still do. A career to not only start but to build.

And Jess wasn't alone either, she had Mike. She had the ability to share the burden of raising a child with someone else and I was sure their daughter would be the luckiest girl to ever be born in a home like theirs. I would have loved to have grown up with both my mom and dad together but life didn't always work out the way we wished it to. It was no one's fault. Just like their daughter would–

Wait, what?

I suddenly pull away from Jess with wide eyes. "Wait, let's back it up… did you say daughter?!"

She realizes what I just have in two seconds flat and immediately covers her mouth on a gasp. "Oh my god, I wasn't supposed to tell you yet! Darn it." She curses, reaching into her purse to take out a gift box with a yellow bow on top.

I stare at it for a moment before I practically yank it out of her grasp and practically shred it in my haste to find out what's inside. When the lid is finally off I pull a pink onesie out of the box that says 'Warning: I have a crazy aunt and I'm not afraid to use her.'

I instantly laugh and turn to look at her in surprise. "Oh my god, you guys are having a girl?!" I squeal in excitement.

She nods enthusiastically, "You know how much I hate those baby reveal parties. So Mike and I decided not to have one. I was supposed to wait until Mikey met up with us at the restaurant later to tell you together, but it slipped out. Ugh, he's going to be so upset with me!"

I squeal without a care. "Oh who cares?!" I yell excitedly, pulling her in for a hug. "It's a girl! This is so exciting!"

She laughs at my enthusiasm, pulling away and reaching for her phone, practically forcing me to pose with the onesie against my chest and a big grin on my face.

And that is exactly how Leah finds us.

"Did I miss something?" She asks, multiple shopping bags in her hands already.

How long was she gone for?

I laugh and show her the onesie.

"Heh, cute." Is all she says, which makes both Jess and I laugh again.

"Don't be mad because I didn't get you one too."

Leah rolls her eyes, giving her an uninterested look. "I already have a cute little niece, thank you very much."

"So do I but that doesn't mean I'm not excited for another one." I interject happily.

"Says the woman who doesn't want kids."

"Nope, but I do like borrowing them."

"Not that you do anymore. Not now that you're so busy." Leah accuses suddenly.

I roll my eyes.

"School keeping you busy again?" Jess asks as if already knowing the answer.

Leah literally snorts at the question. "Nope. Paul."

Jess' eyes shift to mine in a flash, instant curiosity filling her expression. "Paul?"

"Don't get excited." I say immediately, trying to temper down her excitement before it gets out of hand. "He's just a friend in a time of need and I'm just helping him out."

Jess' eyes narrow suspiciously. "What friend? I've never heard you talk about a Paul before."

"That's because he's a new friend. He's from La Push."

"Okkk…" Jess drifts off, continuing to probe. "Then seriously? How have you never mentioned him before?"

"Because he moved away with his dad when we were kids and just recently moved back."

She hums thoughtfully but I can still see the flicker of interest in her eyes. "So what are you helping him with?"

I don't respond, finding myself somehow completely empty with excuses. It's not like I ever thought I'd be discussing Paul with her. I'm also annoyed that Leah has brought him up into this conversation at all.

Thankfully she comes in to save the day. "He had an accident soon after moving back and Bella is nursing him back to health."

"Why did you word it like that?" Jess asks in increasing interest.

"Because she now spends all her weekends at his place."

Really, Leah?

I'm sure Jess gets instant whiplash when her head immediately turns in my direction. "You've been going to Forks every weekend and I'm barely finding this out now?"

"I haven't had the time to tell you."

"Because she's been spending all that time with Paul. She doesn't even have time for us either." Leah interjects unhelpfully.

What the hell was up with her? It's the first time I've heard her complain about it. I thought everyone was happy I was devoting all of my free time with Paul while I helped him get out of that dark hole he'd wormed himself into. They were the ones who'd asked me to. And he still needed me. That's the only reason why I was still there. As soon as he got back to his normal self, I would go back to my regularly scheduled life.

"And you're not dating." Jess clarifies suspiciously.

"Of course not."

"But he's hot?"

Leah actually giggles at that.

Giggles!

I turn my sharp eyes onto her.

"He's hot." She answers for me.

"Bella?" Jess prods again, as if wanting to hear the admission from my mouth.

Did I really have to answer?

By the stubborn crossing of Jess' arms I conclude it's a firm 'yes'. But I can be just as stubborn and I know just how to avoid answering the question directly. "You met him at Patrick's bar a couple of months ago."

"I did?" She asks in confusion, her eyes looking away. They brighten when she finally remembers. "Oh my god, him! He was sooo fucking hot."

"You're married, Jess." I remind her in irritation.

She rolls her eyes, waving a dismissive hand in my direction. "I still have eyes. And so did he that night."

"Ooooo…. Tell me everything!" Leah commands enthusiastically. "Bella's recollection of events was piss poor at best."

I grunt in annoyance and turn away from them. Weren't we fucking here looking at clothes for the pregnant woman?!

"As soon as Mike and I got there, they were chatting it up at the bar. When we left to get a table his eyes followed her the entire way. He couldn't take his eyes away from her the whole night. I think he even eavesdropped on some of our conversation. I could've sworn he laughed a few times, and out of nowhere. He wasn't speaking to anyone at the bar and he barely even glanced in Lauren's direction when she 'accidentally' dropped a pile of napkins right in front of him and bent over to retrieve them while giving him a full view of her cleavage."

"Interesting…"

Well, okay… I did not know any of that. Not that it mattered anyway because this whole conversation was completely irrelevant. Paul and I were friends, the same way I was friends with the rest of the guys in the pack and that was it.

"Not that interesting." I mutter, trying to diminish what Jess has divulged so hopefully Leah would stop with this line of conversation. More loudly I say, "And we didn't know who we were at the time."

"Which says so much more about the interaction. He was interested even before he knew who you were!"

"Not to mention he was practically in love with her when we were kids." Leah adds.

"What?!" Jess screeches this time, her eyes bugging out of her face comically.

In any other situation I would've laughed at the look on her face, but not this time. If anything, I absolutely dreaded it. Now Jess was never gonna let it go. I knew she would hound me about Paul every single time I saw her next.

"He was not." I almost whine like a child. I fix my voice and more calmly state, "We hated each other."

"You know what they say… 'There's a very thin line between love and hate'." She practically sing-songs.

I throw Jess an annoyed look.

"Except he didn't hate you at all." Leah interjects again. "He teased you because he was obsessed with you. You were the one who hated him."

"Oh my god!" Jess exclaims. "It's like the premise of a romance novel!"

I turn to her incredulously, wondering how the hell she got to that conclusion.

"After you nurse him back to health, you'll fall in love and live happily ever after."

I snort loudly. "Those pregnancy hormones are making you insane."

"Leah agrees and she's never agreed with me before. It's proof that there's some validity to it."

"Leah. Only likes to stir the pot."

"I do." She nods without shame. "But not with this. That day you guys officially met for our camping trip. I saw it."

"You went camping together?"

"We all went camping together. All of our friends from La Push." I clarify.

"And he kept trying to talk to her the whole time."

"But the bodyguards got in the way." Jess wisely assumes.

"Yes!" Leah exclaims with a laugh, pointing at her.

"I swear you guys are reading too much into this. We're friends and I'm helping him because there's no one else who can."

"He has no other friends?"

"Yes, but–"

"He only asks for her."

"For fucks sake, Leah!" I finally exclaim, annoyed by her meddling. I don't know why she was suddenly making this into a big deal but it was starting to get really fucking annoying. "There is nothing going on between us. He's going through a tough time right now and I'm sure he hasn't even thought about me in that way." I persist. Seriously, Paul was too preoccupied with fighting the imprint to find the energy to be attracted to me. "If you should be interested in any male candidate, then you should be interested in Julian."

"Who's Julian?" Jess confusedly asks.

"My fuck buddy."

"Does Paul know about him?"

"No."

"Why?"

"I don't know. Because it hasn't come up in conversation. I don't go around broadcasting my sex life to everyone."

"Interesting…" Jess repeats Leah's earlier suspicion.

"You guys are so annoying. Can we move on already? And not just with this conversation. Are we actually her to shop for maternity clothes or are we here to talk about a bunch of nonsense?"

"Fine, fine. We'll stop asking questions." Jess finally agrees, though I don't miss the conspiratorial look she shares with Leah.

I choose to ignore it. I seriously did not understand their sudden interest in Paul. Sure he was attractive as hell, but I didn't fuck with anyone in La Push besides Jacob. Not to mention Paul was literally going through a sort of heartbreak. He was fighting an imprint and there was absolutely no way he had the capacity to be interested in anyone right now, let alone me. I only continued to visit him because he still needed me. I couldn't let him be by himself for long, it's when he most fell the into his wolf's depression.

He still wouldn't allow anyone into his home. And since I could only visit him during the weekends he remained home alone the rest of the week. I meal-prepped his foods just in case he didn't have the energy to do it himself, or if he was having a particularly rough day. He was still struggling, even when I was around I could still see it. Sometimes he'd mindlessly spend hours staring at an empty spot on the wall or he'd curl into himself, closing his eyes and grunting in pain. When he fell into those spells, even I couldn't reach him. I had to wait him out.

It was painful to see even those small glimpses of what he must have gone through since the imprint. It broke my heart everytime. I now understood why the wolves rarely spoke of him. Why they chose to ignore the problem rather than speak about what was happening to him. I couldn't fathom any of the other wolves going through what Paul was. Sometimes I hoped he would give into the pull and finally accept the imprint. Maybe it would be better. Maybe Rachel would accept the imprint too and they would live happy lives like the other imprinted couples.

I still didn't understand why he was doing it, why he was so willing to continue to torture himself like he was. Was it really worth it?

If I were in his shoes, I don't think I would have fought it. I would've given in long ago… actually, I don't think I would have rejected the imprint at all. Like I've said before, it didn't sound like a bad thing. If I had a chosen soulmate out there I would be happy about it. I wouldn't have to worry about picking the wrong guy over and over again like my mother has her whole life. My worst fear was becoming like her. I had nightmares about it. But Paul continued to resist, he kept pushing his body to its limits, refusing to give in no matter how much it hurt him to. I still didn't get it but I had promised myself I would support him the entire way. It's the least I could do.

Thankfully both Jess and Leah drop the subject and we continue on with our shopping expedition. Mike meets us at the restaurant later in the day and becomes sore when he hears Jess blurted out the surprise without him. She promises to make it up to him, discreetly insinuating exactly how she was going to go about it. She works her wily womanly ways while Leah and I chuckle behind our napkins. Men were so easy sometimes.

We have an amazing time at the restaurant and part ways in the parking lot. Halfway on my drive back home to the house I share with Embry and Jake, I receive an unexpected call and wonder if my conversation about her earlier somehow summoned her into my universe. I'm tempted to reject the call like I usually do but a flash of Jess' sad expression at the mall convinces me to do the opposite.

"Baby!"

"Hey, mom." I try to greet just as cheerily. I know I've failed but my mother either doesn't recognize it or doesn't bother to mention it.

"I'm so glad I caught you. You're always so busy to take my calls."

"Yeah, sorry. You know, college life is hard." I try to say to excuse my absence. I couldn't exactly tell her I was ignoring her calls on purpose. I didn't want to purposefully hurt her feelings.

"Oh, I understand, Baby. You've always been so dedicated to your school work. Even in high school. While everyone went out to parties, you would spend your time after school going to the library to study."

I laugh uncomfortably. "Yeah…"

I also couldn't tell her that while she thought I was 'studying' at the library, I was usually at my friend's homes, preferring to spend it with their families than with my own mother and whatever boyfriend she was dating at the time. Those weekends I spent doing 'research' for school projects I was partying with all my friends, avoiding being home at all.

"So what's up mom?" I ask instead.

"Oh, I called with some great news!" She exclaims excitedly. "I've decided to spend the summer in Forks!"

My hands accidentally jerk the steering wheel with the unexpected news and the truck swerves slightly to the right. Good thing it was a single lane road. "What?"

"I haven't seen you since you moved away, baby, and I've missed you so much. I rented this little house in Forks for the summer and I was thinking we could share it togeth–."

"I was planning on taking summer classes this year, Mom." I cut her off with slight irritation in my voice.

She huffs indignantly over the phone. "You always take summer classes. It can't hurt to take a summer off this year, it'll be fun." She ends cheerily.

Since I moved she's never once tried to visit, wanting me to come to her instead. But she seemed eager to see me now, it's never really happened before. The only time she wanted my sole attention was when she was in between boyfriends, which meant…

"Mom" I cautiously start, "Did you and Phil–"

"Oh, Bella!" She interrupts before I can finish the dreaded question. "Why do you always assume the worst? I just want to see you. It's been three years since I've last seen you, Bella. Three. Years. Can't a mom just want to spend time with her only daughter without having an ulterior motive?"

I'm tempted to say no. Not when she was my mother. But that felt incredibly cruel. Again the image of Jess' broken expression fills my mind and I feel guilty for automatically assuming the worst. I really haven't seen my mom since I left for college three years ago and I've refused her invitations to spend the holidays with her since then. So I couldn't really deny her from coming to see me after all this time … right?

"Right, sorry. And okay, I'll take the summer off. We can spend the summer together. It'll be fun."

She literally squeals into my ear, her excitement almost palpable even through the phone. A smile finally finds its way onto my face.

I really did miss my mom, and with her in town we could try to reconnect. I'm mature enough to acknowledge I can't stay angry with her forever. She made her mistakes and I couldn't keep holding them against her. We were all human, after all. I too have done a lot of stupid things in my life and there was no reason for me to continue to reject my mother when she was only trying to rebuild our relationship.

She prattles on into the phone giving me the details of her flight. She also takes advantage of the call to ask me to set up the house she rented before she arrives. I don't even bother to refuse. My mother could be very reckless sometimes. As a matter of fact, I was surprised she had notified me ahead of time. She enjoyed surprising me with her spur of the moment ideas. It was one of the things that most infuriated me about her.

She finally hangs up when I inform her I've arrived home and needed to make dinner for myself and the boys.

I release an exhausted sigh and rub my eyes in irritation. My mother was a lot to handle most of the time. And though a part of me was slightly glad I would see her again, I couldn't help the trickle of apprehension that worms its way into my belly. Like my instincts warning me that my mother really did have another reason for her visit, not just because she missed me. The thought is followed by a churning in my gut from the guilt of not being able to trust my own mother.

Though I feel like I couldn't be blamed for that. My mother was a wreck most of the time and I always had to–

I jump in my seat when my door suddenly swings open.

"Sorry I startled you."

"Hey." I say with a frown, wondering what the hell Julian was doing here.

As if hearing my thoughts he quickly says, "I called you a few times to ask you if it was cool if I came over but you never responded so I decided to try my luck."

I'm slightly annoyed that though I didn't answer the phone he still decided to show up, but after the conversation I had with Jess and Leah earlier, I decide to let it go. There was no way I could keep letting them think there was anything going on between Paul and I. It had the potential of opening up a can of worms if the pack ever found out. And I really didn't have the patience to be teased over something that did not even exist, especially with the stress of my mother's impending visit to Forks.

"No, it's fine. I'm glad you're here." I say, attempting a smile.

He doesn't believe me, instantly frowning. "It's okay. I can just go back to the dorms." He says a bit sadly, letting go of the truck door.

I grab his arm before he can take a step back. "No. Stay. I'm not upset you came over. I just got off the phone with my mother and–" Stop talking, Bella. "You know what? It's not important."

"You sure?"

"Yes." I say instantly, turning in my seat and pulling him to stand in between my legs. "I'm glad you're here." I finally say, tugging on his shirt to pull his face to mine.

I feel the smile on his face as we kiss, but it disappears when I slip my tongue into his mouth, seeking something more to distract myself from my worrying thoughts.

"I'm glad I'm here too." He says too when we pull away.

I grab my present from Jess along with my bags and jump out of the car.

As soon as I enter the house Embry and Jacob are already there, inspecting my face in worry.

I know they must have heard me telling Julian about my phone call with my mother. They knew how much I very much disliked talking to her and I know they're dying to ask what she said that has made me so upset but they know they can't while Julian is around. I was very private about my personal life with those who weren't in my circle.

"I made dinner tonight, which you're more than welcome to join us, Julian." Jake says as he gets up from his seat.

"Oh, sure, thanks. I can eat." He says easily, following Jake into the kitchen and making conversation.

Embry takes the opportunity to pull me into his side, squeezing my arm in comfort. "You good?" He asks quietly.

I sigh again and answer honestly. "I'm not sure. I'll tell you guys about it later."

He gives me a sympathetic smile and kisses the top of my head before he guides me to the counter.

I only join them out of courtesy after having just had dinner with Mike, Jess, and Leah a bit ago. I also try to join in on the conversation but I'm really not interested in adding much input and so I mostly sit there and listen to them talk. Julian, unsurprisingly, doesn't notice the change in me but Jacob and Embry sure do. Their eyes watching me with worry on and off throughout their meal. I try to throw them reassuring smiles but I know I haven't fooled them into believing I'm really fine.

When dinner is finally over I immediately pull Julian into my bedroom, committed to taking advantage of his surprise visit to help lighten my mood. Sex always worked wonders. And if Julian wouldn't have been here I would've used Jacob instead, he knew just how to make me feel better after a phone call with my mother.

"I'm glad you let me stay." Julian whispers, pulling me into his arms, trailing kisses along my neck.

I close my eyes, focusing on his warm lips on my skin to distract my mind from my current problems.

His hands slip down to the bottom hem of my shirt and lift it up pulling it off my body. He lowers the cup of my bra, capturing my nipple in his mouth.

I moan and finally manage a real smile, "Me too."