before you go

They shouldn't have talked. Didn't he know it wouldn't have made him feel any better? Sarah did have her right, and she knew her side of the story like the back of her hand.

Craig felt like he woke up to a nightmare. But he couldn't sit and stew forever. Hopefully, she'd play nice someday and they'd get this worked out with Jake. It wasn't like he'd ever take him away from her.

"You, look really nice." Jess assured him as she helped him with his tie. "You can make a 12 dollar suit from Good Will look like a million bucks." She sighed as if that alone was a gift.

"I don't like suits. Really, any kind of uniform." He slightly scowled at the thought that he could be doing something more physical. Perhaps on the police force, but he really hated the clothes.

"Only nine to five." Jess smiled. She was looking better. The bruises were hardly there, and she looked at home in her yoga capris and one THE FREAKNOIDS Tee shirts that Spencer still had scads of.

"Actually 8 to 4." He clarified. A part of him wished he could get Cameron off to school and pick him up, but he was happy she could have those moments. She needed those times while Cameron still wanted her around, even with a broken arm.

"Right."

He knew when she said it, how she might feel, as if she was making his life miserable. But that wasn't true.

"Can't hardly wait. I'll be home before 5." He needed to stay positive. "And you said you were making dinner tonight."

"Yeah, the only thing I really know how to make." Jess smiled as if she might snap her fingers and give him a taste right now. "Fried chicken and gravy with mashed potatoes."

Craig smiled. He didn't want her to do all the cooking. Hopefully, it was something they could do together. Although, he wasn't all that great at following a recipe and Jess said she liked throwing things together.

"I'll help next time. Promise." He kissed her on her forehead before he left, as if he did want this job. Even if it felt like baby steps.

She kissed him sweetly with a smile as if there was a lot  more than fried chicken to look forward too.