Jake was being such a pest. He wouldn't leave me alone! It was just one kiss, for God's sake. I only did it to send Edward a message. But Jake seemed determined that it meant more.

It began first thing the next day when I called him to ask him and his father to come over and spend some time with Charlie - his fatigue was driving him nuts and he was starting to threaten to head outside for a jog. I wasn't about to let that happen.

Jake walked in behind his dad and gave me a wink as he pushed him into the living room.

My eyes rolled instinctively.

"Hi Billy," I greeted, purposely snuffing Jake.

"Hey Bella, how's the old man doing? I hope he's in good shape because he's gonna be feeling pretty shitty after his team loses today."

I smiled. "He's upstairs getting dressed, he'll be down in a minute."

"You mean he's not comfortable hanging out with me naked?"

I laughed nervously. "Not yet." I really didn't want to stretch out any naked dad jokes.

Billy settled into the living room by the couch. After Jake set the brakes on his wheelchair, he turned to me and gazed deep into my eyes, an arrogant smirk painting his lips.

"Speaking of hanging out naked..."

I scowled and punched him in the arm. Hard. What a prick.

"Get over it already, Jake, it was nothing."

He paused for a moment to consider my words. He still wasn't sure whether or not to believe me. I had to admit, though, it was getting difficult to avoid getting lost in those deep desirous browns of his...

A victorious smile crept across his face. Damnit. He caught me gazing. I shouldn't have let him catch me off guard.

"I'm going upstairs to check on Charlie. Wipe that smirk off your face." I stalked upstairs, hoping to hell I'd have my old just-a-friend Jake back when I came back down.

I knocked on Charlie's door and heard a muffled groan.

"Charlie? Everything ok?"

Another groan. "I'm fine."

Yeah, right. "Can I come in?"

Please say no, please say no.

After a brief pause he grumbled, "I think you're gonna have to."

I walked in to find Charlie had (thankfully!) managed to get his pants on but was struggling with his shirt. The fatigue and dizziness must have gotten to him. I walked in reluctantly and helped him pull his shirt on - it was hard not to feel like some awkward version of my mom taking care of a wounded puppy. I didn't like it. Charlie was always strong. Independent.

"Thanks, Bells."

He wouldn't look me in the eye but I didn't care. This whole charade was a blow to his self-esteem and, frankly, a moment I hoped to banish from memory very, very quickly.

He leaned on me as I walked him down the stairs.

"What the hell are you doing, you piece of shit!" Billy was jumping right into it. "You look like you fell out of the canoe again!"

"Give me a break, you fucker. At least I can get in the boat in the first place."

I relaxed. Things were back to normal.

Except for Jake. For the rest of the afternoon, he followed me around like a little puppy. What exactly did he expect? Even if I was interested, Did he think I was going to make out with him with my dying father in the next room? Ha!

It was kinda cute, though. I had to admire his persistence. It had been a long while since I'd been chased.

But he had to understand: nobody could turn me back into a girlfriend right now. No matter how nice, kind, or gorgeous. No matter how much I loved them as a friend.

No matter how much time I spent running that amazing kiss from the forest over and over in my head…