Chapter 1

"Attention Smart Shoppers, we will be closing in 10 minutes." A nagging voice on the intercom shrilled out.

"Damnit..where the hell is the cheese!" I mumbled as I walked up and down the aisles of my local grocery store. Sam said he wanted a romantic dinner, macaroni is what he will receive.

I already picked up his favorite beer, a new redbox film, and a cherry pie for dessert. It's our nine month anniversary and I just wanted Red Lobster but he wanted me to make his favorite.

"Excuse me ma'am, can you tell me what kind of cheese you use for macaroni?" I asked a young woman who was staring at a can of green beans. She looked up and I realized it was my cousin Emily.

"Um, I prefer vel-Leah?! YOU'RE making macaroni? Are you trying to burn down the house?"

"Ha ha, very funny. What the heck are you doing in La Push? Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" I yelled as I shoved her playfully.

"I just got in town maybe like 30 minutes ago! My parents and your parents have the cruise thing this weekend so my mom wanted me to watch her plants and feed her cats. So I'm here until Tuesday."

"Oh yeah, I totally forgot about that! That means Seth might come spend the night at my apartment. He's still afraid to be home alone." I said rolling my eyes. "So where's that cheese you use for macaroni? I'm kind of in a rush."

"Come on, I'll show you. Since when do you cook, girl?" She said leading the way to the cheese section of the store.

"Not that often. It's a special occasion."

"Oh? What's the occasion?"

"My boyfriend and I's nine month anniversary is today. He wants me to cook his favorite.

"Congrats, Leah! That's so cute! Did you need some help with anything?"

"Actually, yes. I was gonna scan google until I found the best recipe! Let's hurry back to my place because he gets off in like an hour or so."

We made our way to the check out when Emily forgot she needed something. I went to the shortest line and placed my groceries on the conveyor belt. The cashier came running, apologizing for his absence. I looked up to say no worries, looking into the eyes of my old neighbor/high school classmate, Paul Lahote.

"Leah Clearwater? How are you?"

"I'm fine! It's been like a year. What are you doing with your life?"

"Yeah, since that graduation party. Good times, man. I'm good. Enrolled in community college and working here to try to pay for everything."

I was just about to ask him another question when Emily came running back out of breath, carrying a bottle of lotion or something. Paul had just finished scanning my things and I handed him the cash, insisting that he keeps the change.

"Alright, Paul, I'll see you later. We should hang out sometimes! Like a reunion with everyone from our class, yeah?"

"Sure thing! I'll text everyone and we'll schedule something! See ya."

"Bye!" I turned to Emily to see her eyeing Paul."

"Leah, he's hot. How old is he?"

"I think he's 19? But we gotta go. Sam gets off soon! Wanna follow me to my apartment?"

"Sure thing." She said as she bounded off towards her car.

"I put my stuff in the passenger seat and checked my phone to see a text from Sam."

Can't wait to get home! I got a surprise for you :-*

I grinned while starting and reversing out of my spot. I looke behind me to see Emily flashing her lights. I honked my horn and drove in the direction of my house.

As I was driving, my phone flashed from a text from Sam.

1 more hour babe. Possibly the longest hour of my lifeeeeee :(

I pulled up to the gate to put the access code in and waited for the gate to open. I texted Sam back saying

I know! I barely just made back home for your romantic dinner! You're so lucky I love you or we would be eating McDonald's! :p

The gate opened and I pulled up to my apartment with Emily following. I grabbed my stuff and headed to the door.

"I'm not sure if it's messy in here. Sam was the last to leave and I guess he was late. Sorry in advance."

I opened the door and threw the bags on the counter.

"Welcome to Casa de Leah! Let's get started on this food!"

We walked to the kitchen and washed our hands and got the necessary ingredients out.

"Ugh, I hate cooking.." I mumbled.

"I love it! If you want I'll take over while you go change and get dolled up for your man."

I wasn't really in the position to deny her offer so I thanked her maybe 20 times and ran to start my shower. I stepped under the water and used my fancy bodywash from Victoria's secret that Sam liked. I didn't wash my hair because I probably didn't have time to style it the way I wanted. I turned the water off and ran to my room to get dressed. I put on a black shirt with gold beads sewed all over the front, dark washed jeans, and black peep-toe flats. I put my hair in a nice bun and put clear mascara on. I'm not really a make-up person to a certain extent.

As I was fixed my hair. I heard the front door open and Sam call my name. I panicked and looked at the clock on my night stand. He was home 30 minutes early!

I ran out of the room and to the kitchen where I found Sam and Emily staring at each other.

"Sam? Are you ok?" He didn't even notice my existence. What the hell is this?

"Sam!" I said shaking his shoulders.

He growled as if I irritated him and looked at me.

"Why are you staring at my cousin like that? Is everything ok?" Looking at the both of them.

"Yeah, everything is fine." Emily finally said looking at me dazed. She turned to Sam and stuck her hand out.

"Hello, my name is Emily." Sam took her hand "Sam. Nice to meet you."

They were still holding hands and it was making me feel weird.

"Well! Emily was just here to help with the macaroni. I'll see you later, Em?"

"Sure! Yeah, I guess it's time for me to go." She hugged me, smiled at Sam, grabbed her things and left.

"Sam, what happened just now?"

He was staring at the door in which Emily exited.

"Nothing, Lee. I'm gonna go take a shower." He came over to me and kissed my head, then walked off to our room carrying a box and slammed the door.

I brushed off his attitude and checked the food which was cooling on the stove. I grabbed two plates and piled it with the cheesy goodness. I then walked to the living room to put the movie in the dvd player.

I heard the water turn off in the bathroom so I grabbed the food and put it on the table by the couch and placed the beers by the food.

Sam finally exited and sat down next to me.

"Happy Anniversary, baby" He said kissing me on my lips.

"You too. How was your day?"

"Good. I was late this morning but they still let me off early. How the hell did you get these beers?!"

"My fake i.d. that I got around graduation! Do you remember Paul Lahote? He works at the grocery store. My cousin Emily has the hots for him."

When I said that, I felt Sam stiffen and he mumbled something I couldn't hear under his breath.

"Speaking of Emily. She lives here? I've never seen her around."

"No, she lives in Makah but she's here house sitting for her mom until Tuesday. She just might be over everyday so we can catch up! Just warning you."

"I have absolutely no problem with that." he said almost seductive. What the hell!

"Why did you say it like that?"

"Nothing. Let's watch this movie and eat this almost frozen dinner, yeah?"

I punched his arm. "But first.. where's my surprise you claimed to have?"

"Oh shit! I forgot about that!" He got up and ran to the bedroom yelling "Fuckfuckfuck!"

He stood within the shadows of the hallway. "Cover your eyes, Lee!"

I did what he asked and I waited until I felt somethign warm and fluffly land on my lap.

"What the!" I opened my eyes to see a tiny puppy staring up at me with huge brown eyes.

"Sam! You got me a Yorkie?!"

"Yeah, his name is Mike but you can change if you want."

"Nope. He's perfect. Thank you so much!" I put Mike on the couch and attacked Sam with a passionate kiss. I pulled away breathless and whispered I love you.

He just seemed like he was in pain and said 'uh huh'. We then snuggled on the couch watching the movie and eating dinner. I don't know why but throughout the whole movie, Sam seem distant and was barely staring at the screen not even watching it.

When the movie was over, I asked him if he wanted pie, but he denied. Sam walked to the kitchen and started putting the dishes in the dishwasher. I stayed on the couch petting a sleeping Mike on my lap. I grabbed him and walked to the bedroom to get ready to go to sleep. Sam's sudden attitude was giving me a headache. I placed Mike on Sam's side of the bed, turned the lights off and went to sleep. He can sleep on the couch for all I care.