Cate shifted in her seat, and tried to smile at the waiter. He looked enchanted. Cate sighed. Couldn't the one boy she liked appreciate her in the same way?
Jacob was studying his menu silently.
He ordered, and for the first time since their accidental kiss, he looked up into Cate's eyes.
Cate sat very still, hoping he didn't break the gaze.
He did.
"Ma'am?" The waiter asked patiently.
"Oh right- um, I'll get the steak."
"Sure thing," He said, and smiled at her warmly.
She just sighed again.
"So," Cate began awkwardly, "Are you hungry?"
He didn't look up. "Yeah."
Cate scrambled again to renew the conversation.
"So, why did you lose the fight?" It came out heartlessly, Cate knew, and sure enough Jacob gave her a scathing look that Cate was sure burned a hole somewhere in her face.
"I didn't mean it like that- but, what made you not win, you're so strong…" She hoped he'd take the compliment in a positive way.
He shrugged. "He distracted me."
"Ah."
"I'll finish it next time."
"Of course you will." It sounded cheesy, but Jacob let it go.
"Jacob," She heard herself say quietly, the hurt she felt swelled up and barely allowed her voice to come through, no matter if it had a mind of it's own.
"I really don't want to be rude, and I know it hurts you but…who's Bella?"
Jacob's back went horribly rigid against the booth.
"A girl."
"You love her, right?"
He nodded, wincing.
"What does she look like?" She asked after a while.
"A lot like you," Jacob said quietly, "But prettier, with longer hair."
It hit her hard. Prettier? Who the heck would say something like that to someone's face?
"Oh. She's that beautiful?" Her voice sounded hoarse.
He shrugged again.
"What's she like?"
He closed his eyes. "I really don't want to talk about this right now Cate."
"Please?" She whispered.
He paused. "She's very sensitive, and…stubborn. She hates her birthdays and romantic movies, and she is self-depreciative."
Cate stared at him.
"What?"
"It just…sounds like me a little."
Jacob chuckled.
"What?" She said, offended.
"You are NOT like Bella." He said.
"Well, thanks."
"Anytime," He said, his voice turning bitter.
"Is everything we do an argument, all the time?" Cate exclaimed, throwing up her hands.
"I guess not- you've made it more." Jacob dissed her, eyes dark.
"How dare you," Cate said in a low tone, her voice deadly, "Go there."
"You crossed my limits, Cate, I'll cross yours."
Cate shook her head, tears springing to her eyes.
He was quiet.
"Cate, are you…crying?"
She turned her face away, too proud to admit it.
"I didn't mean of that," He said softly, his voice consoling.
"Yes, you did." Cate whispered. "You're just guilty because I'm upset."
"No," He said, lifting her chin, Cate's breath caught in her throat when his black eyes met hers in an intensity she'd thought she'd never see, "Cate, I'm really sorry."