Chapter 37

Bella

Rose stares at me suspiciously. "What did you say to Emmett?"

"I said yes."

"You did? You`re going to see him?" She softens. "Well, that`s a relief! So, when is this event taking place?" Her eyes shine.

I take a deep sigh. "Rose, I don`t know. I mean, I blurted it out, but I`m more scared than curious. Plus, I`m getting on well with Jake..."

"Oh, stuff it! You know what I think? You`ve created a fantasy about Emmett and the possible reality frightens you. You should have met him a long time ago, this dilly dallying isn`t good for you. The one thing I can guarantee you is that you will get disappointed at some point, there`s no doubt about it. The mask will fall, Bella. As for Jake, you said it yourself, this `ship` that you two have isn`t leading to Bedroomville."

"Bedroomville? What does that even mean?" I scoff at my cousin and she winks at me. "Honestly? Jacob would be the happiest man living in the woods with a pack of wolves. I`m more domesticated. He`s too fast, too intense for me, but having him as a friend would be cool. Emmett is a different story."

Rose`s eyes dance around for a minute, then she breathes in deeply.

"Bella, I have an idea. I am going meet Emmett myself."

"What?!"

"I know it`s crazy, but please hear me out. I`ll go to see him and if he`s terrible, I`ll cut the date short and come back home; but if he`s nice, then I will tell him that I, not you, I myself decided to make sure who he was and that it was safe for my cousin to meet him.. In this day and age he should understand how important it is to be careful around strangers. At least if he`s some kind of a con, he`ll know that you aren`t alone and that someone`s keeping an eye on you and on him."

"Rose, I didn`t do it before meeting Alistair or Jake, why would I do it now? I`d feel like a con myself."

"OK, confession time. I didn`t know about your coffee with Alistair, but when you told me Jacob`s occupation, I pulled some strings, made a few phone calls and found out where he worked…"

"You spied on him!?"

"You`re welcome."

"Rose?"

"Before you throw any stones… We didn`t talk and he didn`t even see me. I just watched him leave his work. I had to match the guy from the photos that you showed me with the real man; for your safety, Bella. I took precautions, but I apologize for overstepping."

"Rose, I don`t know whether to kiss you or throw you into a river."

"Look, what I am proposing is I go to say hello to Emmett in a restaurant and you will stay outside in your car and observe the man for yourself. I`ll feel safer and you`ll see this male miracle of nature almost in person."

I close my eyes and sigh deeply.

"God, I hope he forgives me. If he really is who he claims to be."