So, I finally got this chapter up. Sorry for the wait and stuff. I was busy figuring out what I was gonna do with this story, and, believe me, I have a pretty good idea now. I have faith in this story. :D Remember to review for me!

Chapter 2: Dinner

Suze's POV

I stumbled into the hotel. Gina was sitting on the couch watching television, eating popcorn. Didn't really look like she was worried.

I walked over to her and sat down next to her on the couch. "Oh, my God," I said giddily. "Gina, I just met the hottest guy ever."

She pulled her eyes away from the television screen and onto me. "Do tell."

So I told her what happened. That I was just walking down the sidewalk and I bumped into him — literally. I told her about how sweet he was. A little peculiar, but he was nice. And his hotness definitely helped. And then I told her thing the that would shock her completely. "And apparently one of his friends is Jake."

Her eyes widened. "Jake," she said flatly. "Jake as in...your brother Jake?"

I smirked. "What other Jake would I be talking about?"

She ignored my last statement. "H-how do you know that?" she asked. "I mean, how do you know that he's friends with this guy you just met?"

I smiled wickedly. "Because he was there. He wants us to meet them for coffee or something sometime."

She looked at me seriously. "Did you get one of their numbers?"

Oops. I guess I kind of forgot about that.

She noticed the look on my face and sighed. "Jeez, Suze. How the hell are we supposed to meet them for coffee if we don't know their numbers?"

I shrugged. "I kinda missed that, I guess."

"You don't say," she said sarcastically. Then suddenly she got up off the couch, startling me. She headed for the kitchen to throw the popcorn away and refill her drink. Or, that's what I assumed she was doing, at least.

I followed her into the kitchen. I leaned against the counter, watching her. "So, if I happen to bump into one of them again, I'll bring the coffee thing up. What do you say? Would you come with me?"

She turned her head to me. "I don't know. I mean, I haven't seen Jake in a long time. It'll probably be very awkward."

"Not as awkward as the word itself."

She shot me an annoyed look. "Okay, fine," she said. "I'll go. But that's if you bump into them. It's a big place, Suze. Who's to say you'll ever see one of them again?"

I shrugged. She was right. But...I had a feeling I would see them again. And very, very soon.

- § -

It wasn't until two days later that I saw one of them again. Gina and I were at one of the king's campaigns. Gina's idea, not mine. Really, I wasn't really fond of kings. I mean, most of them just turn out to be spoiled, rotten people.

But whatever. I guess it doesn't really matter, since I don't live in the country anyway.

But yeah, Gina and I were at one of the campaigns. I truly didn't even want to be there, but apparently she had heard that the kind was really hot and just wanted to get a glimpse of him. You know, to see if the facts were straight.

However, we never got to see the king. Apparently he had just come down with something that morning and he wasn't well to come out in public.

Huh. What a pity.

I turned to Gina. "Can we go now?" I asked impatiently.

She sighed resignedly. "Yeah, I guess." She stood up, as did I, and we started for the exit. That's when I heard my name being called. To tell you the truth, it kind of freaked me out. I wasn't even expecting it. At all.

I spun around quickly, and I noticed Jake off the other side of the room. He waved at me, but I saw his eyes drift to Gina, and I also saw those eyes widen, like he couldn't really believe she was there.

Gina turned around now, too, and she saw Jake. She gulped and looked at me. I knew that look. One that I hadn't seen much in my life, but I knew it all the same.

Gina was nervous.

I smirked at her, grabbing her arm and pulling her through the crowd toward Jake.

When we got to Jake, they were both speechless. So, you know, I figured I should at least say something. "So, long time no see, eh?" I said.

Jake took his attention away from Gina—they were both just staring at each other; it was actually kind of creepy. "Yeah," he said, a little distractedly.

I rolled my eyes. Oh, this guy was desperate. You could so tell that he wanted Gina. Badly. And vice versa. Gina wasn't doing the whole hard-to-get thing like she normally would. Well, maybe that was because she all ready knew Jake, but whatever.

"So, what about the whole 'coffee' thing?" I asked casually.

He furrowed his eyebrows, like he couldn't remember what I was talking about. Then his face relaxed and he said, "Oh, yeah. Right. Well, would today be okay for you guys? I mean, Jesse isn't really feeling all that well, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind being with you, Suze."

I felt a blush creep onto my face. "Today? I mean, I guess today is okay. But if he's not feeling well..."

He shook his head. "Once he hears your name, he'll be out of bed in no time."

I blushed even harder. What was he implying? That Jesse actually liked me? I mean, yeah, that would be great, but I didn't really think it was true. A guy that hot can't like a girl like me.

Can he?

"...is eight okay?"

I only caught the last bit of what Jake was saying, so I really didn't know if four was okay? Eight o' clock, eight people, eight dumplings...

I wasn't really sure.

So I looked at Gina, to which she was looking at me. Already she could tell that I hadn't been paying attention. "Yeah," she said to him. "Eight is great."

Jake grinned. "Awesome." And then he proceeded to give her directions on how to get to the place we were eating at.

- § -

So much for coffee.

I should have known what Jake was planning the whole time. I mean, where Gina is concerned, at least.

So, instead of us going to get some coffee, we were meeting Jake and Jesse at a restaurant at eight the next night. I actually thought we were going that night, but Jake said that Jesse probably should just stay in for the night.

But really, when did he become this guy's nurse?

Anyway, let me just say, this restaurant? Yeah, it was quite the fancy place. I mean, not somewhere you take your step-sister and her friend. I mean, unless you plan on trying to get into said step-sister's friend's pants, which I know Jake was secretly trying to do.

But even as I was walking through the restaurant with Gina—with my new Jimmy Choos (clearance), black halter dress, and my hair down in curls—looking for Jake and Jesse, I couldn't help but smile. This was a nice place, and I was going to see Jesse again.

Jake and Jesse both smiled broadly when we arrived at the table. I mean, with Jake I could understand, since what Gina was wearing was a little...revealing, to say the least—a red strapless mini-dress, with clear stilettos. But what was with Jesse? I mean, did he actually like the sight of me?

Gina nudged me, and I soon realized that I was still standing and Jesse was waiting for me to sit down, since he had just pulled my chair out for me. Blushing, I slowly sank into my seat and thanked Jesse.

It just seemed so surreal. Me sitting across from Jesse like that. God, I really think I do like him. Maybe if I—

That's when I realize, with a sinking feeling, that I already have a boyfriend. One that is very hot, and really likes me.

Oh, God. How could I have forgotten about Paul?

Shit. I shouldn't be here. I can't be here.

"Suze? Are you okay?" Gina was looking at me weirdly. What? What was I doing?

Oh, Lord. I was shaking.

"Um," I said, not really sure if I was okay or not, "yeah. I'm fine." And I managed to give her a smile.

But she saw right through it. She looked back at Jake and Jesse and said, as politely as she could muster, "Can you just excuse us for a minute?"

Without even letting them get a reply in, she grabbed my arm and we were off to the ladies' room.

"Suze," she said when we got in there, "what the hell is wrong with you? God. We finally get together with them and you're acting all weird. Wait," she said, suddenly stopping. "Is there a ghost out there or something?" she whispered.

Oh, yeah. Maybe I forgot to mention that. The whole 'I can see dead people' thing. Well, its just this curse I was given from birth. I can see the spirits of the deceased and I'm supposed to help them move on to a better place. Normally I wouldn't really mind, but its when the ghosts get all nasty on me that pisses me off.

I shook my head. "No, Gina. There isn't."

"Then what the hell is wrong with you? I mean, it can't be Jesse. You were right, the guy is gorgeous."

"Its...its just that...well, I have a boyfriend, Gina, remember? Paul?"

She wrinkled her nose. "Oh, right. Well, you're on vacation. You can just forget about him while you're here. Have some fun."

"Gina, he's my boyfriend. I can't 'have some fun' as you put it. I'll feel really guilty afterwards." Which was true. I'd feel horrible.

She rolled her eyes. "Then dump him. I mean, yeah the guy is hot, really hot, but I'm telling you, I really am not too fond of him. He just...creeps me out sometimes."

Okay, so maybe I haven't told her about Paul being like me. A mediator, or, as he calls it, a shifter. And, well, that's why I think—and I really stress the word think—we should be together. We both have the same uncanny ability to communicate with the dead. He's the only one I've ever met, besides my high school principle and Paul's little brother. And I highly doubt I should be going out with a ten year old or a sixty year old.

Just for the record, I truly am devoted to my boyfriend, but...we've been dating for quite a while now—eight months—and I'm not sure if I love him. Yes, like Gina said, he is hot. He, like Jesse, is gorgeous. But that's not all I'm looking for in a guy. Yeah, I would like them to be hot and sexy, but I also need them to have a personality that I am compatible with, unlike Paul. Even though we both can communicate with the dead, we don't really have that much in common.

Yeah, I know, opposites attract. But...I don't see too much attracting happening anymore.

Okay, well, other than the times when we're in bed. The guy is seriously not lacking in that field. He knows quite a few ways to make a girl happy.

But like I said before, that's not all I want in a relationship. Great sex should be like an appetizer. Nice to have, but not essential to the meal. You see what I'm saying?

"Suze? God, what the hell is wrong with you?"

I snapped out of my musings and looked my best friend in the face. "Gina...maybe you're right. I'll call him tonight and break up with him."

She just looked at me like I was an idiot. "Break up with him over the phone? No, Suze. You gotta do that in person. Only a coward breaks up with someone over the phone."

"But how the hell can I do that if I'm here and he's in California? Answer me that."

She just rolled her eyes. "Wait until you get back, genius. Now, come on. I think they've been waiting long enough."

- § -

"So, Jake, what are you doing now? Besides surfing, I mean."

Jake looked at Gina and said, with slight humor, "Gina, you know surfing is my life."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, yes. How could I have forgotten?" She looked over at Jesse. "And you? What do you do for work, Jesse?"

I could see him stiffen a little—no, not like that. "I'm working with the, um—"

"Law-making," Jake cut in. "He's into law-making."

I looked at Jesse curiously. I only found it a little peculiar that Jake was answering for him."What, like Parliament?"

He nodded. "One could say."

I could clearly tell he didn't want to talk about it, so I dropped the subject completely. A tense silence soon followed.

"So, Suze, how's college life treatin' ya? Nothing like high school, eh?" Jake finally said.

I rolled my eyes. "No, its not like high school, and that is precisely why I prefer college."

He just shook his head, like he couldn't believe me. "You and Gina live together, right?" Then he added, without even letting either of us get a word in, "In a dorm or an apartment?"

"Apartment," answered Gina.

Jake nodded. "Ah," he said, "I see. Well, would you mind switching places, Suze? I'm sure Jesse wouldn't mind bunking with you instead of me."

I looked over at Jesse and I actually saw a blush creep onto his face. Ah, so he's that kind.

I smiled at Jesse and said, a little flirtatiously, "I wouldn't really mind all that much either."

Screw Paul. He's always too busy with his lawyer shit to be with me anyway. The only time he ever wants to be with me is when he's horny. Our relationship isn't even ethical anymore.

Jesse was just looking at me with a strange expression on his face. And Jake and Gina were both staring at me with shock written all over their faces. I guess they didn't think I knew how to flirt.

Well, okay, maybe I had a few too many glasses of wine. Sue me.

Thankfully, just then, the bill came and we could get up to go. I offered to pay my fee, but Jesse just shushed me and said he had it. Gina didn't even offer to pay for hers; she had Jake eating out of her hand by now.

When we got outside, I saw Gina whispering into Jake's ear. I could tell he was looking happy already. And, then all of a sudden, his smile disappeared andhe said, a little grumpily, "I can't. I'm sorry."

Gina looked taken aback. I don't think a guy has ever rejected her before. "Oh, right, sorry. I just...sorry."

Jake shook his head. "No, its not—its just...I have a duty, and I can't..." He sighed.

Jesse looked over at Jake and shook his head. "It's okay. Go."

Jake knitted his eyebrows. "What? But you—"

"I'll be fine here with Susannah. You two can go."

"Man, are you sure? If anything happens while I'm gone—"

Jesse shook his head again. "I'll be okay."

Jake nodded his head. Then he took Gina by the arm and led her down the street, leaving Jesse and me alone outside the restaurant.

Once they were out of sight, I began to get nervous. Here I was with a guy I knew practically nothing about, completely alone.

As if sensing my nervousness, Jesse looked down at me and smiled. "Come on. There's a place I want to show you."

I nodded. "Okay."

I noticed, as we were walking to wherever he wanted to show me, that he didn't once try to hold my hand or put his arm around my shoulder or waist.

I was surprised when, about five minutes later, we arrived at this little secluded place on the beach. It wasn't all that big, and on either side was a mountain of rocks—or maybe they were jetties.

It was, in all honesty, beautiful. It was completely dark, but the moon shone perfectly down the water, slightly lighting up the spots. And the stars...oh, the stars. You could see them beautifully. If I thought the stars in Carmel were great, it was even better here.

"Like it?"

Jesse was gazing down at me, the moonlight framing his face perfectly.

I smiled at him. "I love it." Then I walked forward, not before taking off my shoes—I had just gotten them, I didn't want to ruin them already—and plopped myself down in the sand. I lay down, letting my curls sprawl out on the sand, gazing up at the stars.

Jesse quietly sat down next to me. But instead of looking at the stars, like me, he was looking at me. If it were any other guy, I would have been a little unnerved. But, for some strange reason, I felt really comfortable around him. I felt like I could really trust him.

"How did you ever find a place like this?"

He smiled. "My sisters and I would come here when we were kids. We just came across it one day."

I smiled slightly. "I never had a sister. I always wondered what it would be like. Actually, I never had any siblings, up until I was sixteen, when my mom got married to Jake's dad."

Jesse chuckled, leaning back on his hands in the sand. "I have five sisters, and believe me, they're a handful."

I laughed a little, looking up at the stars once more. "Three step-brothers is quite a handful, too. But you got me beat."

"And as annoying as they can be sometimes, you learn to love them."

It was amazing how true those words were. When I first moved in with my mom and Andy and the boys, I thought it was horrible. But over time I grew a new affection for them. Well, Brad was still annoying to me, but I learned to ignore him.

"Yeah," I said, "you do."

And that's how the rest of the night went with him. We just sat there and talked the whole time, about our lives. It was great. I don't think I was ever as open about myself with Paul as I was with him.

And already I was falling for him.

But there was one thing about that night that I could just not erase from my mind, even if I wanted to forget it. The fact that I saw someone hiding in the bushes about forty feet back from us. Believe me, I wanted to tell Jesse, but it was weird. At the time I thought maybe it was just a drunk or whatever, but I never realized how dangerous that guy would turn out to be.