Jessica didn't know how to answer. She was blindsided and before she could answer, Emily made the decision for her.

"Jessica, you should leave." Emily said.

Jessica turned and walked to the living room to grab her purse. She took her keys out of her purse and got into her car. She drove away feeling so angry that Emily had this attitude with her. But most of all, her heart ached for leaving Evan.

Before leaving the kitchen, Evan looked at Jessica sadly. His eyes were trying to tell her to stay and she felt that. But she just couldn't stay in that house much longer.

Back in the Peters' household, Evan rushed out of the kitchen and ran to his room. He was so mad at his sister for making Jessica leave.

Angry tears rolled down his cheeks. He threw himself on his bed and cried. He wondered why Emily was so against him being with Jessica.

All he had ever wanted since knowing Emily was getting married, was a chance to do the same. He wanted to find love and get married.

Jessica was the one he fell in love with and he was sure that Jessica felt the same. He felt it in his heart.

Emily turned to her father and said. "See! I knew something was going on when all Evan talked about was Jessica. And the way he was speaking about her! He even told me that he was in love with her! Who knows what happened between them. She probably took advantage of him!"
"Emily! Enough! Alright, enough." Phil said feeling frustrated. "You got your point across. You can stop now."

Emily sighed and began to put things away. Phil walked out of the kitchen. He needed a breather. He wasn't sure if Jessica would take advantage of Evan. He felt Jessica's heart was too pure for that. But, Emily planted the seed in his mind and now he would have to ask if anything happened between his son and Jessica.

The next day, Jessica spent it at the bookstore. She needed to clear her mind and think about her feelings for Evan.

Sarah had noticed Jessica's mood and could tell her best friend was feeling down.

Jessica was in the back where they kept all the books that need to be stocked and she was going through the inventory. She sat on the floor as she with through various boxes.

Jessica was now looking through some children's books and came across The Cat In the Hat.

Tears immediately sprung to her eyes when she saw it. She picked it up and held it. This was the first book that Evan read all by himself without her help.

She couldn't help but miss him terribly. Her heart ached and wished things would be easier. That their relationship hadn't gone too far with that kiss.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she sobbed.

"Jess?" Sarah said as she saw Jessica. "Oh, honey. What's wrong?"
"It...it's nothing." Jessica said as she wiped her tears away.

Sarah sat down next Jessica on the floor. She wrapped an arm around Jessica and brought her close.

Jessica curled into Sarah's side and sobbed. Once she able to speak, Jessica finally told Sarah what had happened with Emily.

"That bitch!" Sarah exclaimed. "How dare she speak to you that way!" Sarah sighed and calmed down. "So...uh...If Emily hadn't interrupted you, what would you have told Evan?"
Jessica shook her head and said. "I don't know what my answer would have been. I'm so confused. I mean...I guess I do love him. But, I know getting married would be wrong. I mean, what kind of marriage would we have. I would feel weird if we...if we ever got intimate. I don't know, Sar. I wish things were just easier."
"Well, I can't help you on the being intimate part, but, I believe it could work." Sarah said. "There's so much more to a marriage other than intimacy. I know you and Danny had pretty great experiences that didn't involve sex."
"Well, yeah." Jessica replied. "I mean...I...ugh! I don't know. I'm done talking about this."

Sarah rubbed Jessica's back to comfort her then said. "Don't worry, Jess. Everything will work itself out in the end. I just know it. I'm going to say one last thing though. Follow your heart, Jess."

Jessica smiled appreciatively at Sarah then after some time, Sarah left Jessica alone.

Jessica returned to her task and got more things done.

It was now lunch time and Evan and Phil sat at the kitchen table eating lunch.

Evan wasn't eating; he was just looking at the wall and thinking about Jessica.

"Evan, eat your food." Phil said gently.
"I'm not hungry." Evan replied.

Phil sighed and left Evan alone for now. A few quiet moments passed between them, then Phil asked Evan a question that was on his mind.

"Evan...have you slept Jessica? Have you kissed her or made love to her?" He asked.

Evan looked at his father and said. "I kissed her once. But she made me promise not to do it again."
"And you didn't?" Phil asked.
"No. You always taught me to keep my promises. So, I haven't broken it." Evan said.

Phil sighed in relief. "Even though it hurt your pride, she was right for stopping you from doing that again."
"No, she wasn't." Evan said confidently. "She liked kissing me too. I could tell."
"That maybe true and she knows something you don't." Phil said looking at Evan. "And that is, what you may take for true love is really just a crush you have for her."

Evan looked into his father's eyes and said. "I want to marry her."
"I know that is what you think you want." Phil said to Evan. "I think it's finally happened." He then said to himself.

Phil sighed and said. "You're body wants a women, Evan. It's different."
"My body wants Jessica!" Evan said stubbornly.
"I know it's hard, but believe me, it'll pass." Phil said. "You know what! I'm going to enroll you in program where you can go and interact with others like yourself. There will be other women there that are more suitable for you. Who knows, maybe you will find someone that's just right."

Evan looked down at his plate of food. His anger was rising. Why didn't his father understand he was in love with Jessica?

Evan lost his temper and flung his plate of food across the room. Phil jumped. He had never seen Evan lose his temper in a such a way.

"Tell me something, dad." Evan said calming downs bit. "Were you ever slow?"
Phil shook his head no.

"So that means, you're not me." Evan continued. "That means you don't know how I feel."
"Not exactly, Evan." Phil said. "But..."
"I don't want somebody suitable." Evan said interrupting his father. "I don't want someone like me! I want Jessica! Dad, you may think I don't understand what I'm feeling but I do."

Evan stood up and said. "Dad, I am in love with Jessica. What I feel for her is so different than anything I've ever experienced. I know what I feel because, this love that I feel for Jessica is different from the love I have for you and Emily and mama. This love is so much more. Dad, I love Jessica because she doesn't treat me like I'm different. Like I'm slow. She doesn't turn away from me as if she's embarrassed by me. I know you and mom never made me feel that way. But there was times that Emily was embarrassed to bring her friend over or be around me while she was around them. Jessica is not embarrassed to be seen with me and I know deep down, she loves me too."

Evan then sighed and said. "I wish mom were here. She would know what to do."

Evan looked down and walked away leaving Phil with a lot to think about.

Evan walked outside and let the fresh air calm him down. Evan knew what he wanted, so, he went back inside to let his father know where he was going.

Evan then took off to follow his own heart. He was determined to be with Jessica.

Jessica was with a costumer while Sarah took a break. Sarah sat close by and whenever Jessica wasn't busy, they would talk.

Suddenly, Sarah looked up and saw Evan. She smiled as Evan walked into the bookstore.

Jessica had just finished with the customer and looked up to see Evan walking towards her.

"Jessica, can we talk?" Evan said as he stood in front of her.
"Um..." Jessica said as she looked at Sarah.

Sarah stood up and said. "Go ahead, Jess. I have everything under control." She smiled encouragingly.

Jessica smiled a small smile and nodded. Jessica motioned for Evan to follow her upstairs.

Once they were upstairs and out of ear shot of everyone else, Evan stood in front of Jessica and said. "You didn't answer my question last night."

Jessica took a deep breath and said. "We can't get married, Evan."
"Why not?" He asked.
"Well, first of all, there's our age difference." Jessica said. "I mean, when I'm an old women, you'll still be young."
"Then I will take care care of you, Jess." Evan replied.
"And second..." Jessica began; she was trying to stall and she was being stubborn to see her true feelings for Evan.

"Jessica...I love you. I am in love with you." Evan said. "And I know you love me too. Please stop being stubborn." Evan stepped forward and placed a his hand on Jessica's cheek. "What are you so afraid of, Jessica Huston?"

Evan caressed Jessica's cheek with his thumb and Jessica melted. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she looked into Evan's eyes.

"I may be slow, Jess. But I'm not stupid." Evan continued. "I know what I feel and I know it's real. And...and I know that we can make marriage work for us. Now, you don't have to give me an answer now. Just think about it. I'm going to go now, but before I do. I want to leave you with this."

Evan leaned forward and kissed Jessica's lips. Jessica closed her eyes and let it happen. She kissed him back.

Evan then pulled away and without saying goodbye, he walked out of the bookstore.

Jessica sobbed silently and slumped onto the sofa. She felt as if her head was spinning and as of now, her stubbornness and confusion was getting the best of her.