Jacob PoV

"That's the nicest thing anybody ever said to me," she whispered, continuing with her strokes. Fire burned wherever she touched me, and I squeezed my eyes for one second.

"But it's true." So true.

"You are the most important person in my life too." Her answer, so short, gave me hope. A warm feeling rose in my heart and I placed a small kiss on her forehead. I wanted to kiss her, I needed to kiss her and every reaction she had shown me the past days told me that maybe, just maybe, she wanted it too. I knew she had begun to doubt everything she had felt for that bloodsucker but was she really ready for a new relationship? Was I ready to risk our friendship, the most precious thing I had, for a chance of something more?

My fingers had begun to caress her back, touching the soft, thin fabric of the top she was wearing. Her legs were halfway laying on mine and her whole body was relaxed. It felt so good to feel her at my side, to hold her and to touch her, knowing that she trusted me completely to keep her safe.

"How are you feeling? Do you still have a fever?" I asked, just to fill the emptiness in the air.

"I don't think so," she answered. "Frankly, I'm feeling much better already. Something must have sped up the healing process." A grin crossed her face and the need to sweep her up against me and kiss her intensified to the point where I almost couldn't control it anymore.

As if she felt my internal struggle, she stiffened and looked at me frowning. "Jake? Is everything alright? Don't say I infected you last night."

This was my way out. I could just say I didn't feel well and use it as an excuse to back up and get my feelings under control. The problem was… I didn't want to.

"Nah, I'm fine. Werewolves don't get sick that easy."

"So, what is it then? You look like something is troubling you. Has it something to do with Sam? Are you in trouble because you didn't show up two nights ago?"

Damn it, why couldn't she let go? Why did she have to always be so protective around others? Always thinking about everyone else before she thought of herself. It was one of the reasons why I loved her so much but now it was beginning to get me in real trouble.

"No, Sam's fine. We talked about it, I did extra good work yesterday and things are smooth again."

By now, Bella seemed to be getting really annoyed. She knew that I was keeping something back and she wouldn't stop until I told her what it was. I didn't want to lie to her, but I couldn't tell her the truth either. I tried desperately to come up with an excuse or a distraction, but my mind was working in slow-motion. I felt her sitting up and I let her. It would cause more problems if I tried to hold her back.

"Then what is it? You told me just yesterday that friends should trust each other, and I told you I did. I told me what was on my mind, why I wanted to jump down that cliff but now it's you who keeps something from me. You said you would give your life for me but now you don't even trust me enough to tell me what's wrong? Jake, I told you again and again that you are my best friend. I would never leave you, no matter what you say or do. No secret can be bad enough to drive me away from you." I had expected her to scream at me or at least raise her voice a little but instead her voice was as cold as ice and bare of any emotion. Like it had been when I found her at that cliff. I knew what I did now would determine the future.

Our future.

I was standing at a crossroad and no matter which path I took the outcome would change our lives forever.

Well, here goes nothing.

Double Update because the two chapters are very short this week