Jake's hand grazed my neck before resting on my cheek and the inevitable conflict rose again. I had no time left to decide. I wasn't a fool; I knew rejecting Jacob now would have consequences. Consequences like him leaving me.

Alice was back, for now, but even if Edward returned it wouldn't change his feelings for me. That life was lost to me, but I had this chance to salvage my scraps of happiness. Jake would help me; he'd be there illuminating me with his comforting presence. I could never love him to the extent I was capable of loving, but maybe the faint shadow of love I could give would be enough to make us both happy. I could make my claim. Make him mine. Chose to try to be happy in a different path than the one I was on. After all, my old path had led to an end that nearly consumed me. Maybe Jake would stay true to his promise and never hurt me. Could I learn to love what was good for me? Should I?

Jake's palm was so warm, it was instinctual to lean toward the heat, unlike the cold I was used to. His touch felt nice and I thought this might be as easy as holding his hand. Maybe I'd even like it. When I raised my eyes to his, I saw the determination in his face and I was still utterly undecided.

His other hand trembled as it rested lightly on my waist, and my body responded with butterflies that worked their way up my throat and made my lips quiver. Independent of my mind, my hands lightly touched his sides, timid and unsure. In a raspy exhale, his breath caressed my face and a barely audible, heart breaking "please," escaped him.

Our faces were so close now, noses touching, my tears on his cheek…

The shrill ring of the phone made us both jump, but it did not break his focus. He took his hand from my waist and reached over to grab the receiver, but still held my face with his hand securely on my cheek. Those eyes did not free mine.

"Swan residence," Jacob said, his voice low and intense, betraying every ounce of emotion.

All I could here was the crackling of the connection. My mind was immediately overwhelmed with worry of Charlie, maybe he needed me. He was upset, he could've gotten in a car wreck, something happened at the station…

"Who is it?" I asked Jake in a worried whisper.

He shrugged in response and half-heartedly asked "Hello?" into the dead air. A few infinite seconds passed before he hung the phone with obvious relief.

The curtain on the kitchen window fluttered faintly over my head and an icy breeze touched the back of my neck. Jacob tensed under my hands, taut as a string wound tight on a bow. His top lip curved up and a soft, low growl escaped him. I wasn't sure if it was annoyance at the interruption of something much, much worse.

"Victoria." He spat the name, the veins in his neck bulging and his body was shaking. He brought his eyes down to mine with a wistful and protective look,

"Wait here," he commanded and his expression told me this was not optional.

His hand left my cheek, leaving it unnaturally cool and exposed. My hands fell from his sides as he pivoted and sprinted out the door. My eyes did not leave his back as his form shivered and I looked onto the haunches of a russet brown wolf I needed to return safely. His life was intertwined with mine, I didn't know how to live without him. He had to return safely.