Jessica


I sit nervously in the booth at the diner. It's only just after twelve and Seth had already texted me saying they were running a few minutes late but I am still nervous they're not going to show up. Seth has yet to not do something he said he would but I keep waiting for him to disappoint me or not follow through on something. The idea of me sitting in this diner by myself and him not showing up makes my throat feel tight. I check my phone again.

It's only 12:04.

I am also slightly nervous about meeting his friend since I'm not sure how I'm supposed to act. Seth is very touchy-feely with me and I don't know if that's just the way he is or if it's just with me, but I'm not really sure how I am supposed to act with him in public. It's easier when it's just the two of us in the apartment. I'm not worried about what our kisses mean or if someone is judging me. Do I kiss him when he gets here? Or hug him? Or shake his hand? What if he doesn't even show up? What did he tell his friend about us? Is he going to pretend we are nothing more than friends when he gets here? Are we anything more than friends? I check my phone again.

It's 12:06.

The door opens to the diner and Seth, along with another boy who looks like he fits right in with Seth and Jake, walks in. I exhale in relief.

"Sorry we're late." He apologizes. Seth slides into the seat next to me and, in one fluid motion, makes the decision for me on how I'm supposed to act. He slides an arm around my waist, hugging me to his side and presses his lips to my cheek. "What's wrong?" He says lowly in my ear.

"Nothing." I promise, leaning into him. He's all sweaty but I don't care in the slightest. He places another kiss just below my ear before pulling back slightly.

"This is Embry." He introduces his friend who has slid into the booth across from us. "Emb, this is—"

"Jessica, of course." Embry says, smiling. "I've heard so much about you." I glance up at Seth and his cheeks are slightly red. I wonder if he actually talks about me and what he says. From Embry's teasing tone, I have to assume it can't be all bad.

"From Jacob?" I ask in mock sympathy. "He wants to be my friend so badly and I keep telling him that I just don't think it will work out but he doesn't listen." Embry cracks a smile so I continue. "I have been thinking though and I feel like Jacob probably just hasn't received enough attention over the years and is acting this way because he's jealous of others. I mean wait until he hears the three of us went to lunch, he's going to be devastated. But it's important for us not to cater to him and you can definitely tell him I said that. I think that—"

"Jessica." Seth interrupts, running his fingers through the ends of my hair. "Breathe."

"Sorry." I breathe out before turning back to Embry. "Anyways, I was thinking of getting the grilled cheese and Caesar salad. The grilled cheese is supposed to come with tomato soup but it is way too warm for soup and if you ask nicely, they'll totally sub out for the salad."

After we order, we slip into conversation easily and I'm surprised at how natural the discussion flows between us. Seth keeps his arm propped up on the back of the booth and his fingers thread through my hair, tugging slightly every few minutes. I love when he plays with my hair and I know he can tell that. It makes me just want to curl up against his side and take a nap.

Spending my nights with Seth has made me so happy but being able to see him during the day has been a treat. I wonder if we can meet again for lunch. And I wonder if he'd be willing to spend the day with me on his next day off. Because his job is dependent on the weather, he has to work when it's nice. From what he's told me, he usually ends up with random weekdays off — since weekends are always the busiest — and then some half days if the weather gets too bad. I don't want to bring it up in front of his friend but I make a mental note to ask him later.

"Jessica?" A voice says in surprise. I lean around Seth to see Angela Weber standing in the center of the diner, staring at me in shock.

"Ang!" I say, climbing over Seth's lap to get out of the booth and to my friend.

"Jess, careful." Seth groans, catching me by the hips and keeping me from face planting onto the table when I half trip over him.

"Sorry." I say, shooting him a quick glance but he doesn't look mad. He smiles at me and only releases me once I've successfully climbed out of the booth and am standing next to Angela. I throw my arms around her and she hugs me back. I hadn't seen her since winter break and I was pretty sure she might be my only friend left — well besides Seth...and maybe Jake...and Embry was definitely growing on me... But it felt good to be around a girlfriend.

"What're you doing here?" She asks. I hadn't actually told her about what happened with Mike yet. The first week of the breakup I was just too embarrassed and then while I was graduating, she was taking finals. It seemed really insensitive to bother her with my problems when I knew how important her grades were to her. I had sent her a text saying that Mike and I broke up but hadn't explained the cheating or Lauren's betrayal. By the look of surprise on her face right now, she probably thought I was being dramatic and that Mike and I would have already gotten back together.

"When can we hang out?" I ask eagerly.

"I am...I have plans with my parents and brothers tonight." She says distractedly. She's not paying me any attention. Her eyes are flickering back and forth between Seth and Embry — lingering mostly on Seth.

"This is Seth and Embry." I explain, introducing the two boys. Then introducing her to them. They both greet her and she finally turns her full attention back to me.

"I'm available tomorrow?" She suggests. "Text me?"

"Yeah, definitely." I nod my head and sit back down in the booth. Now that Seth has slid over to my original seat, I start munching on his French fries. Seth wraps an arm around my waist and I lean into his side.

"O-okay," She stutters, "I'll talk to you later."

"That's Bella's friend, right?" Embry says once she walks away. I'm surprised for a moment since I always forget Seth and his friends are close with the Cullen's and with Bella.

"She was my friend first." I snap, unable to help myself. "Besides, she said Bella completely dropped off the grid after her wedding and hasn't talked to her at all. She usually doesn't even answer Ang's texts." Seth's fingers stroke my hip and Embry clamps his mouth shut, seeming to realize not to push the subject. "Do you guys...see Bella and Edward and the rest of them?" I ask.

"Sometimes." Embry shrugs. "Jake's really the one friends with them and...well...Seth's friends with Edward...but the rest of us just go to dinner every once in a while." I want to pry more and ask what they are doing and if they just sit in that mansion all day but I know that's probably not appropriate so I force myself to let it go.

"I'm just gonna run to the bathroom." I say instead, getting up from the booth and heading to the other end of the restaurant. I wash my hands and take a deep breath, staring at myself in the mirror. Once I feel composed and like I can forget about the Cullen's altogether, I head back out of the bathroom. Embry is just standing up as I reach the table.

"Really nice to meet you, Jessica." Embry says. "I'm sure I'll see more of you."

"Nice to meet you too!"

"We have to get back to work, I'm sorry." Seth says as he gets up from the booth. I realize our plates are cleared and there's a closed black book that I'm assuming the check is in.

"Oh, I have cash with—" I start, fumbling to grab money from my pocket. Seth places his hand over mine.

"Don't worry about it." He assures me. I smile at him and slip my hand into his, letting him pull me towards the door. He tosses his keys to Embry and I'm relieved when Embry walks ahead to a truck I recognize as Seth's. Seth pauses and wraps his arms around me.

"Thank you for lunch." I say, standing on my tip toes and leaning up to press my lips to his. He smiles against my mouth and tugs me closer to him. "You'll still come over for dinner tonight?" I ask hopefully. I didn't want lunch to cancel out the fact that he usually comes over for dinner.

"Of course, what do you want to make?" He asks.

"I'll make something." I let him know.

"Are you sure?" He sounds skeptical.

"Yes, I'll cook all by myself and impress you." I promise, kissing him once more.

"You don't have to impress me." He laughs, giving me a quick squeeze and releasing me.

"Well, I'm going to." I say. "You can always just shower at my place if you don't want to have to head all the way back to the reservation." I offer. He had been going home and showering before coming over most nights which delayed him an extra hour and resulted in a lot of extra driving.

"I do have extra clothes in my locker at work if you don't mind." He says.

"Of course." I smile. "So like...5:30?"

"Yes, I'll see you then."


We're bringing back Seth's POV next chapter :)