Chapter eight: Lightning

NPOV

March 2, Friday

I had finished my first workweek and we would celebrate it. It had only been a two day long workweek, but that didn't matter. I had survived it and any reason to celebrate is a good reason really. I was a research cooperator with the Seattle Times newspaper, a job that could lead to a junior position as a journalist, but that as for now mostly contained administrative work.

Tina had been too tired to go clubbing, having a job obviously influences the lifestyle, and we went to a the pub around the corner to have some drinks and talk.

We could just as well do this at home, but then we would end up half asleep on the couch in front of the television. We hoped that maybe we could go clubbing later, so we got all dressed up, which is part of the celebration.

The Cullens had gone on a hunting weekend, so they didn't join us. Although they lived further now than they had in Dartmouth, we visited them more often.

I spend a lot of time at the mountain house before my contract started, but Tina did as well. Despite how tired she was after working.

I had kept an eye on her behavior with Emmett and I had noticed some strange things. She was actually more quiet around him than around other men. She usually turns men into stumbling messes if she wants to. But with Emmett she was different. She tried to get his attention, I saw that, but not in a conspicuous way. She didn't fake with him, she was genuinely interested in everything he said and did, she laughed wholeheartedly at his jokes, forgetting to throw her hair back when she did.

I could see what Jasper had meant, that some did care too much.

Emmett acted strange as well. When she walked by on high heels in a short skirt, he didn't turn his head. Having Rose for a girlfriend diminishes all need to watch female beauty.

But nevertheless he was obviously flattered by her attention. He beamed when she laughed at something he said, which is not so rare, because Tina is laughing all the time. And sometimes she would give him a compliment and I swore if he could blush, he would have.

The more attention I paid to their strange behavior, the more obvious it became to me.

Jasper saw me staring at them sometimes, and looked at me with eyes that said "told ya so."

I decided to call her on her feelings for Emmett when our drinks had been served and paid for, expecting her to deny it full force.

"So what's this thing with you and Emmett?"

"You noticed? Shit, that's embarrassing. I'm sorry Ness, I know you like Rose very much and they have been together for ages, but he is just so freaking hot. And when he smiles he has these dimples, he is just so cute."

I seemed to have unlocked some babbling lovesick teenager here.

I wish I could say that he would be nothing for her, that he's not her type, that she would not be his type. But I actually believe, just like she does, that Emmett and Tina would be a better match than Emmett and Rose.

Dangerous thoughts indeed.

"And you know what the strange thing is," she continued, "I think he likes me too."

"Better be careful Tina, Rose would kill you, and I am afraid I am not exaggerating." I saw her gulp.

"But maybe, if he is into me, maybe he misses something with her."

"I'm sorry Tina, but don't even think about it. And better be sure he gets plenty with her, I used to live with them, they never sleep. Like ever."

"Shit. You had to tell what a sex stud he is? Now I want him even more."

"Tina!"

"Come on Ness, you can't be that blind. You have to admit he is drop dead gorgeous."

"He does look nice."

"And he is the sweetest thing. Like this teddy bear disguised as a stud."

"Yeah. He has some teddy bear qualities."

"And he is funny, and did I mention god damn hot? He's like too good to be true."

"You mean to good to be free. You're missing the point here."

"Yes, Rose, I know. You don't think she is into like an open relationship?"

"No way."

"Damn."

"Better not get too attached. There is no chance of him leaving Rose. They are together for like seventy years."

"Ha!" she laughed at my lame joke, but I felt a bit sad, because I knew that Tina never feels this way about any boy, and now she finally does let someone into her heart, it had to be Emmett.

Damn dazzling vampires. Maybe I should tell him to back off. He'll hurt her.

When I was thinking about this, I was suddenly struck by lightning. Metaphorically.

My heart stood still.

There he was.

At a table across the pub, there were other people with him, but I only saw him.

He lifted his glass, but I could not understand what he said. I heard his voice vaguely, maybe that's what woke me up from my reverie. He looked as handsome as ever.

My wolf.

Tears ran over my cheeks as I stood up and turned around to leave.

When I almost reached the door, Tina yelled after me "Hey Nessie, wait up for me!".

I turned around to look at her, but my gaze stopped somewhere else. He had heard my name and looked across the pub, straight into my eyes.

Straight into my soul.

He was as shocked as I was to see me here.

I bolted for the door, and started running home, followed by Tina, who had no clue what had gotten into me. She ran faster and caught up with me.

I thought I would run home and turn into a sobbing fest, but as soon as I was safely inside, I felt calmer.

I had known he was in Seattle, that there was a slight chance of running into him.

I wonder if his wife had been there with him. He still looked the same as he always had. It was so hard to believe we were strangers now. I still knew every detail about him, as if he never had left.

I know I had ran from there, but now I only wanted to go back.

Have another look. Refill my memory.

Tina held me back. She had seen him, the shocked look on his face as we made eye contact. He didn't look happy to see me, she said.

But neither had I.

And I had wanted to see him.

Bad.

Still do.

I knew now that I would go look for him. Not to talk to him, just to see him. See the life he had built. See his wife.

But mainly just to see him.

See the smile that had once been my sunshine.