I arrive a few minutes before six. I look down at my faded jeans and hoodie, hoping I'm dressed appropriately. I see that the garage light is on so I pull over and get out of the truck, shutting the door behind me.

Jake meets me at the side door to the garage, covered in motor oil.

I gape at him. "What happened?"

Jake grimaces. "Stupid leak in the stupid engine. I had to take the damn thing apart to find it."

"Oh. Are we still going to Emily's?"

He grins. "Yeah as long as you're up for it. Feeling brave?"

I punch him in the arm. "I think I'll manage."

He holds up his hands in surrender, chuckling. "That's my girl."

I follow him up to the house warily, nervous about seeing Billy.

"I'm going to hop in the shower really quick and then we can go. You can turn the TV on if you want."

"Where's your dad?" I ask looking around the darkened cabin.

"He's over at the Clearwater's with Sue."

I nod and then walk over to the couch and perch on the edge.

Jake stalks off to the bathroom, a towel in his hand.

I listen to the running water and the shower door closing before I let myself relax.

I let my eyes drift around the room. I look at the photos over the mantle. I see Jake as a young child holding his sister's hand, and another picture of him gathering shells at the beach. I see school pictures from 1st grade through last year. In every single picture he's smiling as if he has no cares in the whole world. He has the most beautiful smile I've ever seen. I miss his long hair. I miss my sunshine.

"Tell me you are not looking at my geeky photos," Jacob steps up behind me smelling like pine soap.

"Well, there wasn't a whole lot else to do," I explain, hiding my blush.

"Uh huh. Well, we're already a half hour late. I don't want to miss all the good grub."

"Heaven forbid," I fake grumble.

We leave the house and climb into my truck. I know the Rabbit's out of commission pending further repairs.

"Ah, just like old times," Jake exclaims rubbing his hand over the dash.

"I thought you wanted to get rid of this?"

"Oh, I did. But nostalgia ya know. Spent a lot of time in this old truck. She's safe, you know."

I glance at him. "Well I know they don't make em like they used to but what do you mean?"

"She's a safe ride for you."

"Oh – so I'm supposed to believe that you got Charlie to buy this thing because it was safe for me?"

"No – but I'm glad you have it now. I trust her. She'd do all right in a crash – not that I'd ever want you to have one you know."

"Uh huh. I think your blood sugar is low, Jake. Better get you to Emily's."

I turn my car on and back out of the drive carefully before turning and getting on the main road. It's a short drive to Emily's. I pull into the drive and admire the small cottage. It has gorgeous yellow flowers on either side of the dirt path that leads up to the front steps. A cozy glow comes from the open screen door and the sounds of friends eating dinner and laughter carries through the night. It's picture perfect.

Jake hops out of the truck and I follow suit. I let him walk into the house first.

A chorus of greeting meets him followed by an abrupt and awkward silence when he steps out of the way and they see me.

Emily looks around at everyone and then hurries over to greet me. "Bella. What a nice surprise."

She leads me into the kitchen as furious whispers erupt behind us. I try and ignore them.

"What can I get you to drink? I have lemonade, iced tea, soda or water."

"Lemonade sounds good, thanks," I say shyly.

She pours me a glass of what looks like homemade lemonade on ice, the good kind with floating pulp in it.

"Let me dish you up a plate before Jake gets in here and eats everything that's left."

I can't help but giggle.

She loads a plate with food and carries it over to the small eat in kitchen table. There's a mason jar with a pink daisy sitting in the middle of the table. I'm struck with something like envy. How is it that every little detail is so simple, yet so perfect?

I murmur my thanks as she sets down a piping plate of food in front of me. Emily grabs a fork and hands it to me. I dig in – there truly is nothing like her cooking. I've only eaten here a scant handful of times but each time has been a treat. I need to ask her to write down some of her recipes so I can make some of this for Charlie.

Jake walks into the kitchen with a scowl on his face but he looks pretty happy that there's food left. Emily chastises him when he tries to fit more mashed potatoes on his plate than the plate can hold.

"You know there are pulled pork sandwiches too – right? And strawberry shortcake for dessert. Don't fill up on potatoes!"

Jake gives Emily a lifted eyebrow. "I don't fill up – ever."

Emily shakes her head and shoos him toward me. Jake plops down his overflowing plate and I grimace.

"Don't give me that look, Bells."

"You're disgusting," I say as he shovels a huge forkful of potatoes into his mouth.

"And so proud of it," he says before taking another massive bite.

I hear snickering behind me and I turn to look out into the living room. Everyone seems amused except for Leah. She's staring daggers at me. I turn around and look back at Jake-the-garbage-disposal instead.

"Dessert's ready!" Emily calls out into the living room.

A manly stampede ensues and her warm kitchen is suddenly full of huge jostling bodies. I manage to save my lemonade when the table is bumped – a miracle in and of itself.

Over the din of voices and exclamations and good natured ribbing, I hear Emily trying to keep order. Somehow she manages to get everyone settled and out of the kitchen in a few minutes.

"Oh my God, Emily," Paul groans appreciatively. "This is so good."

"Do you have any more?" Quil asks, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Jacob managed to snag a plate of dessert before the guys had decimated it all, but he was now working on two pulled pork sandwiches.

I watched Jake with amusement.

Emily came over and whispered in my ear. "I saved you a piece – back of the fridge behind the milk."

I thanked her and watched her as she walked over to Sam and sat on his lap. Sam wrapped his arm around her and kissed her cheek with an adoring look in his eyes. They always looked so happy – it made my eyes sting a little.

Leah crossed her arms. "So – are we starting the meeting or what?"

Several pairs of eyes glanced my way.

"We'll talk later," Sam said casually.

"Because of her?" Leah asked with a nasty look on her face pointed at me. "Why'd you bring your skinny pale ass vampire lover girlfriend over here, Jake? Tonight's supposed to be official business."

"Shut up," Jake growled at her, setting his fork down with a bang.

"Give it a rest, Leah, geez," Seth said, giving me an apologetic look.

"Bella is welcome here," Emily said quietly.

"Why?" Leah turned and asked Emily. "We don't need an enemy spy in our ranks. I mean, how stupid is that? Wake up, losers!"

"Enough, Leah." Sam said with authority ringing in his voice.

Leah shut her mouth but looked mutinous.

The peace and happiness I'd been experiencing vanished. The room was filled with tension. I wanted badly to leave.

"Maybe I should, uh, go," I whispered to Jake, fingering the car keys in my pocket.

"No honey, stay. It's all right, really."

Jake placed his hand on my knee. The heat of his hand burned through my jeans and warmed my skin instantly. I bit back a gasp. I still wasn't used to his body temperature.

Jake cracked a grin. "I've still got it."

I smack him in the chest. "You wish."

And just like that I felt better. He always seemed to know what to do. A half hour later, after I'd eaten Emily's amazing strawberry shortcake, Jake walked me out to my truck to say goodbye. They were going to have their official meeting once I left so I didn't want to linger too long, even though I was having a good time.

"Listen, Bells. Before you leave, I just want to say that I'm sorry for everything, for being an ass. I've really missed not having you around."

"I'm sorry too. I know how hard it was when I left like that."

He brushed my face. "No – you don't. But I forgive you. I'm so happy that you're home and you're safe – and that you've finally come to your senses about that leech."

I stepped backwards involuntarily. "Is that the only reason you're forgiving me? Because I broke up with him?"

"Not the only reason, but one of them. He's not good for you. The idea that he was going to come back and you were just going to forgive him and act like none of it ever happened was sickening to me. You were a wreck when he left. I remember how you were before, and how you were after. Bella – I'd never been so scared in all my life. I was afraid Charlie was going to have you sent to a mental hospital or something. You don't deserve that. I won't let him hurt you like that again, I swear it."

He stepped forward and rested his forehead against mine. It was blazing hot.

"Look – I know that things aren't exactly going great between us right now, but I want that to change. I want to spend more time with you. I want to show you how it can be – how it should be. I want you to give me a chance, Bella."

"A chance at what?" I whisper, knowing the answer before I even asked the question.

"At being the man that you deserve. At being here for you. Trust me to show you how love can be when it's not manipulative, when it's not tainted by blood sucking leeches. You know I love you, honey."

I lick my lips. "Jacob – you know how I feel. You're my best friend. I don't want to ruin that."

He sighs. "You keep telling yourself that but I know that I mean more to you than that. Look deeper inside yourself. Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you like he did."

I look up at Jacob, into his shining dark eyes, and his beautiful face. I try to imagine being closer with him, letting his lips touch mine. But when I try to imagine that, all I can see is pale skin and golden eyes instead.

My chest aches. I want so badly to give Jacob what he wants – what he's clearly wanted for a very long time, but I don't think I can.

A tear rolls down my cheek.

"Oh, honey. I didn't mean to make you cry. Look, you're fragile right now – you probably need some time. I'm sorry I'm pushing. Just forget what I said, okay? Best friends?"

I nod happily, slipping back into safe and familiar territory.

"Drive safe, Bells."

I climb into my truck and watch as he walks back inside.