Chapter Three

Rosalie

I was amused when Jazz got home and just nodded when Esme asked him how everything went at the end of his first week. It was typical Jazz, he was never one for small talk, but I could tell there was something different about him. He looked more alive, more animated and I was determined to find out just what had caused the change in my brother. As it turned out I needn't have worried because he sought me out.

Emmett and Edward were both away in Philadelphia, my mate at a monster truck meet and Edward at a series of concerts. I had declined an invitation to join them because I knew the guys would enjoy a little male time alone. Edward liked everyone to think he looked down on Emmett and was perfectly happy with his own company but I knew different. Once the two of them were alone Edward relaxed and Emmett enjoyed his company on these occasions. It also meant Edward would be more relaxed when he got back and that was good for all of us. Since he and Alice had broken up, it would never have worked anyway but they had been drawn to each other, Edward was like a bear with a sore head and I for one was getting heartily sick of walking on eggshells around him.

"Have you got a few minutes Rose?"

"Sure Jazz, how did it go at the Gotham City News?"

He grinned,

"Better than I expected. I need some advice, without any snide remarks or innuendos."

"So you came to me? Thanks. So, who is she?"

"Her name is Bella, she's a reporter and she got assigned to show me the ropes. She's different Rose, she interests me, she's got a spark, something I can't really put my finger on but we get along well."

"If that's the case then what's the problem?"

"She's asked me to the town barbecue here in Forks and I think it's kinda like a date but I'm not sure what to do."

"Go?"

He frowned,

"You know what I mean, I'm rusty Rose, I haven't had a girlfriend since…..well you know. I'm not even sure I'm reading the signals right."

Deciding he was genuinely in need of a little encouragement I sat him down,

"Do you remember when you were human? Didn't you date then?"

"Hardly, I joined up under age remember, besides things were different then. A young lady never went out with a guy unless they were accompanied, everything's different now."

"You listen to me, be yourself Jazz, after all that's what attracted Bella to you in the first place, well either that or the Harley and leathers."

He laughed,

"Can't wear those to a barbecue and I don't think picking her up on the back of my bike would earn me any brownie points with her dad, he's the Chief of Police."

Well, that took me aback, I stared at him,

"You are going on a date with Chief Swan's daughter? Then you really do need to be careful! Actually, he's a really nice guy, Esme and I met him the other day, he's the one who invited us to the barbecue. Just relax, be yourself and show her a little old fashioned romance. And I'll be watching so you'd better behave brother."

"Oh great, so no pressure then."

"You should be grateful the guys won't be back until next week, imagine what Emmett would do with the information!"

We both knew he would rib Jazz something wicked and love every moment of his brother's discomfort.

Jasper

I wasn't sure if I felt better or even more nervous after talking to Rose but she was right about one thing, things would be much easier with Emmett out of the picture, not to mention Edward and his snide knowing looks and snippy little comments. She was right about being myself and I guess I just needed to hear it. I could do romance, it couldn't be that difficult, even though I'd had no experience of it in my past. I didn't even want to think about my time with Maria, there had been no romance, hell there hadn't even been any love in that relationship. She had used sex as a form of control and the only thing she cared about was getting me to do exactly what she wanted when she wanted it done and if I did it well she would reward me with sex, if not I could expect some form of punishment.

I went up to my room and sat in my recliner staring out of the window at the distant river shrouded in mist. Was my luck finally changing? I had resigned myself to being alone, after all what woman would want someone with such a dark past, a man who even now wasn't entirely sure he could trust himself completely around humans. Oh sure, working with a group of them was one thing, their mixed and often contradictory emotions kept me distracted from my thirst but this was different, I felt strong emotions of my own around Bella and that scared me, what if I was unable to control myself? I shook my head, no, I was in control and Bella meant more to me than life itself. I hadn't told Rosalie that I suspected Bella of being the mate I had longed for but I didn't think it would be long before seeing us together she worked that out for herself. I had been thrilled when Bella asked me if I would like to go to the barbecue with her and I wanted her to know that for me at least, this was a date and tomorrow I would begin my romancing trying to think back to how I would begin this.

Rosalie

Jasper hadn't told me his interest in Bella was a secret so I went to find Esme and fill her in, I knew she could keep it quiet and once Edward was home it would no longer be a secret anyhow.

"I thought he looked distracted and he's been even more quiet than usual. I did wonder if maybe the job put him in too close a contact with humans on mass but I was wrong. Do you think she's the one?"

"Maybe, he's certainly smitten and from what I remember of the quick look I got of the Chief's daughter she's pretty enough."

"I don't think looks mean too much to Jasper, he would be drawn to her character, not her looks. I just hope he's right."

"Me too and I'm glad that Edward isn't here to declare it to everyone in a loud voice and mock him."

"I know Edward can be a pain Rose but it's hard for him with his gift not to find out all our deepest secrets."

"That doesn't mean he has to blurt them out to everyone. You'd have thought he'd learned a little discretion by now. I think he enjoys embarrassing us."

Esme opened her mouth to defend Edward but then closed it again, she couldn't defend his actions any more than Carlisle could. Thinking about it, he would have been a much better person without his gift that just made him self-satisfied and smug.

"I wasn't really looking forward to the barbecue, I hate being around all the smells of roasting meat but now I'm interested to see Jasper in Bella's company."

"Don't you mean the smell of burning meat, it eludes me why sane humans would even bother with the cremated remains of animals when they can cook perfectly well any other time.

"Maybe it's just the feeling of community they get, we shouldn't underestimate them, Rose."

Esme was right but it didn't make the thought of watching meat turn black and crispy any less revolting! I would make sure to steer clear of the barbecue pits and that would be easier with something else to keep me occupied, like watching my brother on a date!