Embry's Calling
Chapter 8

Embry's POV

I turned aimlessly into different streets, searching for the Starbuck's. Where the hell is it? More importantly, why did I agree to come if I didn't know where it was? I was such a dumbass, I was going to be late and look like a fool. And then Elizabeth would never want to see me again.

Wait, there's the sign! I floored the gas pedal, going at 100 mph. I stomped on the brakes and swiftly turned the car, parallel parking it in one try.

I opened my car door and I swear I almost saw smoke rising from the tire marks. Wow, way to make a dramatic entrance. I glanced around, seeing if my imprint would be coincidentally walking by. She wasn't, as I had expected. I walked to the door, at a regular slow human pace, and opened it, walking inside and sitting on an empty couch, leaving room beside me for Lizzie to sit down. The door opened, and I could smell the familiar scent of ocean waves. I turned my head to see the most beautiful goddess ever to walk this earth.

Clad in jeans and a tight fitting top, she looked so perfect. Well, my kind of perfect, at least.

Liz's POV

I opened the door, glad that there was barely anyone in the Starbuck's. I looked around, trying to find Embry, and then noticed that he was sitting in a couch all the way at the back, smiling brightly at me. Again, he looked at me the same way as he did in the store, but this time I sensed that there was something really bothering him. I waved at him, and began to walk over. I was half expecting him to not be wearing a shirt again, but he was actually wearing a dark blue buttoned top, collar opened just a little. The color contrasted well with his dark skin, and made him look all the better.

"So, how've you been?" He asked me.

I chuckled. "You mean from the few hours since I've seen you. Pretty good, except that I got attacked by Chantal." Remembering that he didn't know her, I quickly added," She's the friend that was at the store."

He nodded knowingly, and then tilted his head to the side, clearly confused. "Wait, she attacked you. Why?" I pointed to my make-up and outfit.

"Well, I wouldn't put all of this make-up on with out her forcing me to." Well, I also wanted to because you would be here…

Embry quickly looked back at my face, and then his smile returned. "Well, I think you look beautiful, make-up or no make-up," he said softly, I barely heard him. I blushed, and he looked down at his hands, before looking back up into my eyes. Then the same thing that happened at the bridal shop happened again; we just clicked. It was like I had known him all my life.

"Do you wanna get some coffee, talk a bit?" Embry asked me.

"Umm, y-yeah of course," I stammered. Well, that was totally out of character for me. We walked into the line, and, being a gentleman, Embry let me go first.

"No, you go, you were here before me," I said. He rolled his eyes, laughing.

"Just go," he insisted, and I finally went up and ordered. Both of us got the biggest size, wanting a long time to talk. We walked back to the couch, sat down, and I crossed my legs.

"You know, normally I would say chivalry is dead, but I guess anything is possible with you," I said, taking a sip of my coffee.

"You don't know how right you are," Embry chuckled ominously, and I was even more mystified by this man.

"Okay, change of topic, how old are you, Lizzie?"

"I'm 20. And how old are you, 26?" I asked. Well, he did seem pretty old, but yet his eyes were that of a young man's.

"Do I really look that old to you? And no, I'm 20," he replied.

"Oh. Okay, my turn. Where do you live? You know I live in Seattle." Okay, maybe that seemed a little too weird to ask as my first question.

"I live in La Push, the Indian reservation beside Forks."

"So you're Quileute?" I asked.

"Yeah, how did you know?"

"I know my cities," was all I said, and I placed my feet on the table. He took a gulp of his coffee, turning back to me.

"Okay, other than Chantal, do you have any close friends?"

"Honestly, no one but Chantal is really considered a close friend. They're all just, acquaintances or something."

"So, am I an acquaintance, too?" Embry asked, his face amused.

I pursed my lips, taking a while with my answer. "Well, I guess you can be considered a close friend..."

"Okay, fair enough. You're turn."

Embry's POV

I wanted to ask one question very badly; whether she was married or not. But it's not like I could ask that straight away, I needed to stall a while.

Lizzie cleared her throat, and looked me in the eye. "Okay, have you ever dated anyone?"

"Do you call this a date?" I asked her, hoping the answer would be yes.

"Yes, I guess it is. Wait, this is your first date?" She exclaimed, her light brown eyes widening. A few people turned to look at me. IU chose to ignore them.

"Oh, sorry, Embry," she answered, "I didn't mean to scream."

"Forget it, Lizzie, its fine. So, have you dated anyone?" Okay, this was the moment of truth. She would lie, or tell me the truth.

"Yeah, I have. I've actually dated a lot of guys, but they all turned out to be…"

"Not right?" I finished.

"Exactly!"

"Have you ever actually liked any one of the guys?" I stiffened as she paused, and took a deep breath. "I mean, its okay, if you don't want to talk about it, I get it. I know guys that are like that."

"No, here, I'll tell you. But now I get an extra question." She took another sip of coffee, throwing it in the garbage.

"So, I was dating this one guy, Richard. He was pretty nice at first, and I thought I found the one, but then he started ordering me around, like I was his maid or something. Eventually, I dumped him, and I haven't heard from him ever since. He was the closest guy that I actually came to like." I was finally truly happy; she wasn't getting married! She didn't look sad, but as far as I could tell, Elizabeth could hide her emotions well. I placed my hand under hers, lightly squeezing it. She gave me a small grin and squeezed back.

"That happened to one of my friends, she's like a sister to me. I've seen the pain in her eyes everyday. Well, up until now, she met a guy, and she thinks he's the one." That was a small explanation of what happened to Leah, except that Sam had turned into a wolf, imprinted on her cousin, Emily, leaving Leah heartbroken, who then turned into a wolf, and later on imprinted on a guy named Dylan. Confusing, isn't it?

"Oh, that must suck. What's her name, who are your other friends?" She asked, attempting to change the topic. I realized she hadn't even tried to move her hand away, so I took the opportunity to rub soft soothing circles into her palm. She seemed to like that, so I continued to talk.

"Well, her name's Leah. I have two best friends, Jacob and Quil. I have more really close friends, all of them are like family. There's Sam, Emily, Jared, Kim, Paul, Rachel, Dylan, Seth, and two younger kids that are okay, Brady and Collin. I don't really hang out with them much," I laughed.

"How did you meet each other?" I stared at her for a moment, trying to assess my answer.

"Uh, let's just say it's a small town." Nice save, Embry. I felt Lizzie's hand try to loosen, and I quickly let go.

"Sorry, your just really hot," she explained. I knew what she meant, but I smirked at her anyway.

"Thanks, it takes time to look like this."

"Shit, that didn't come out right. I meant…you know, your hand."

"I know, Lizzie, I'm just messing with you."

"Okay. I'm just gonna go to the rest room for a minute." As she got up, she turned to me. "Well, you actually are pretty hot." She walked over to the rest room, and the door shut. That didn't mean my jaw still wasn't hanging open, though.

Liz's POV

You actually are pretty hot; did I actually say that out loud?! I walked calmly to the rest room, and then slapped myself inside. Oh god, this was so embarrassing. I checked my make-up in the mirror, and fixed my hair. I quickly chewed on a mint, just in case, and took a deep breath, walking out the door.

Embry's POV

She came back about three minutes later, and I acted calm. She looked pretty embarrassed, so I didn't bring up what she said before. There was an awkward moment of silence, but I tried to break it. I didn't like awkward-ness, especially with my imprint.

"You know, I was actually nervous about coming here. I thought you were married, or engaged or something," I admitted, hoping that she would talk again. She flicked her head in my direction, gazing at me in surprise. And then she laughed, little bells tinkling in my ears. The kind of laugh that made you want to automatically join in.

"I should've told you or something. I can't believe I didn't tell you-after seeing you in a bridal store!" She laughed. I joined in, and when our laughing settled down, Lizzie glanced into my eyes.

"Really, I am sorry. But, if you thought I was getting married, why did you agree to this?" Well, there was the question I was hoping she wouldn't ask. I couldn't explain imprinting-not yet anyways.

So, what was I supposed to do?