Jacob walked up the steps slowly, trying desperately not to breathe through his nose.

"Jacob," Alice said dully, answering his knock before appearing next to Carlisle, who was sitting on the couch -- with Roxy.

Jacob walked up to them. "Roxy." His voice was low.

She looked at him coolly. "Jacob."

"I need to talk to you."

"I know." She replied and turned to Carlisle.

"Are you sure?" He asked vaguely.

"Positive." She replied, and within a blink she had her arm linked in Jacob's. The thrill of her touch was mind-numbing, but he ignored it, walking with her to the kitchen, where he shut the door.

"I assume you've asked what imprinting is."

Her gaze was calm.

He waited stubbornly.

"I didn't need to." Her articulation was icily clear.

He rolled his eyes. "If I came here for riddles, I'd talk to Bella's bloodsucker about the night he left her."

"I didn't need to ask, because I already knew."

"What?" He couldn't leak the acid into his voice: all that came into his voice was curiosity. "Can you mind read too?"

"No. I knew when I asked you."

He stared at her, frustrated. "Then why," he said slowly, "did you ask me?"

"It was an act." She said bored, playing with a fan that she'd pulled out of the fold of her summer dress.

"WHY? I swear do I have to ask that a million times before you explain anything that makes sense?"

"Probably," She said demurely, snapping the fan shut.

His jaw set. "Why do I pick people who have to irritate me to no end?"

"Well you didn't pick me," She said softly, moving closer to him, "Now did you?" She was trying to distract him from his questions. Jacob knew that. But he was distracted anyway.

"No," He said quietly.

"Jacob," She tried the name on her tongue. "I like it."

"I'm so glad." He said, taking a few steps away from her.

"I'm sure you are," She smiled, and he nearly gasped, it was stunning.

"I came here, to tell you," He struggled, "That I can't pursue anything with you."

"Oh, no?" One eyebrow raised. Within a second, she was an inch away from his face. "Are you sure?"

He took a deep breath and stepped away again. "Positive." His voice broke.

"I really," Her voice was soft, and deadly. "Don't think you are."

"I am." He replied sharply. "Now quit your game. I know what you're doing."

She raised that quizzical brow again. "Do you now?"

"YES, now STOP."

The flirtatiousness fled from her face, and it went cold again. "Why?"

"I'm in love with someone else."

"I find that VERY hard to believe." Her tone was acidic.

"Do you now?" He mimicked her coy tones.

Her jaw set.

"Who then?" Her voice was sticky sweet.

"Cate."

"Your daughter."

"NO."

"That's her name, is it not?" Her voice was flat.

"It is. Cate was my lover."

"WAS."

"She died the sunset of my daughter's birth."

"Then," Her tone was razor sharp beneath the spun sugar tone, "You're not obligated to her anymore."

His face was hard. "I am."

"It's been two years, Jacob."

"I know that," He said quietly.

"Then WHAT is the problem here?"

"I can't love anyone else."

Her face softened. She had her arms around him before he could take another breath. "Oh, I think you can," she whispered, meeting his lips.