Chapter Four

Bella

I had never looked forward to the town barbecue before, but then I had never been going with a guy I felt so drawn to either. Jake had always gone with me reluctantly, preferring the Quileute beach barbecues. He was never easy in the company of my friends, he always thought they looked down on him which was actually pretty stupid really. Especially in the last couple of years as he grew from an awkward self-conscious boy to a man. Even Angela commented on how he had changed which was true but she was talking about his physical appearance while I had to deal with the new outlook he had taken up. I'd never felt Jake was biased but these days he seemed to look suspiciously on any newcomers and his temper was on a very short fuse. He would disappear for days on end with his new best friends, people I didn't feel easy around like Paul and Sam. I guess we had just grown apart but I was relieved when we finally broke up.

Jasper had text me to say he would be over early to help me transport the food and set up the marquees and as I waited I felt a rising sense of excitement, I was looking forward to seeing him again. I'd missed him on Friday when I had to go cover the mayoral election in Port Angeles. I'd hoped he might be assigned to me as the photographer but instead I got Pete who bitched the whole time because he had wanted the assignment taking photos for the High School production, a job that Jasper had been given instead.

"I don't know why I have to go snap photos of the councilors, that should have been for the new guy. Anyone would think he was something special. I spent the first few weeks on the job making tea and getting donuts but he's too precious for that I guess."

I ignored the rest of his tirade wishing I was at the high school too. I bet his good looks had all the young girls swooning, there was just something about him that drew your attention.

When he arrived I was relieved to see he was driving a car although he had assured me he had one. The thought of balancing trays of cold cuts and salads on his bike had given me a headache. He walked quickly up the steps and I opened the door feeling a warmth flood through me, I was falling for this guy, not a smart thing to do as I hardly knew anything about him. His smile lit up his face, he seemed equally glad to see me and that made me feel good.

"Well, tell me what you need, I'm yours to command. I realize I'm here to help although having never been to a town barbecue I'm a little out of my depth."

My heart did a little back flip and he smiled again as if he had heard it and that had amused him.

"Never been to a barbecue? Where did you grow up? Alaska?"

"Not quite, I guess I just missed out but I'm a quick learner."

"Right, first thing, all the food in the refrigerator needs to go in the trunk, it is clean isn't it?"

I felt a little rude asking that question but I remembered only too vividly the trunk of Jake's car and dad's old pickup he used when off duty wasn't any better.

"Clean and tidy, Rose did remind me but I don't use the car much so it should be fine. Just point me in the right direction."

Before long everything was safely stowed and we were on our way to the park in town where the die-hards were busy setting things up. I groaned inwardly when I saw Jakes battered old truck in the car park, I hadn't expected him to turn up considering he usually did nothing but bitch about our barbecue versus the Quileute one.

"Anything wrong?"

Jasper had picked up on my mood,

"No, just an ex-boyfriend I was really hoping not to run into."

"Is he likely to give you grief?"

"Not really but he can be…..persistent."

Jasper was round at my door before I realized he'd left the car and as he opened it for me he spoke,

"Would it help if he thought you were….spoken for so to speak? No strings attached of course."

My heart skipped another beat, the thought of being attached to Jasper Hale certainly had its plus points and it would shut Jake up quickly.

"Thanks, that would make things easier and less awkward although don't feel obligated, I could just tell him to shove it, wouldn't be the first time."

He grinned,

"I'll bet but my way is less confrontational."

He helped me with the trays of food then I introduced him to Charlie, the Mayor and some of the other dignitaries who were setting up, as I said it was always the same few, the stalwarts of the community. My dad eyed Jasper suspiciously for a minute but once he saw my friend was here to help he became more friendly. I could hear them talking about their pet project, a color brochure aiming to get Forks on the tourist map so to speak although why anyone would consider vacationing in the wettest place on the planet I couldn't imagine!

"So, you came then, I guessed you would. We need to talk Bella."

I sighed and turned to face Jacob Black, my ex,

"Actually, we don't Jake, I said all I had to say the last time we met and I'm busy."

"This won't take long, I want you to know I've thought about what you said and I accept that at times I may have been a little overbearing but you need someone to watch over you, especially now."

"Oh really? Why now?"

He looked around to make sure we were alone,

"Things have changed Bella, Forks isn't safe any longer."

I looked around too, trying to keep a straight face,

"Really? And why is that? Dad hasn't mentioned any mad axemen or killer wolves around."

He stiffened at my words and I could see him struggling to stay calm, Jakes anger management issues obviously hadn't improved any.

"Don't be so flippant Bella, I just want you to be safe and I can keep you safe. There are…."

"Jacob!"

We both turned to see Sam Uley striding over and I detected a note of warning in his tone.

"We need a hand at the pit."

"I'll be there in a minute Sam."

As Sam stared at Jake I could swear there was a message passing between the two, then he turned with a slight nod of acknowledgment to me and went back towards the barbecue pit.

"What was that about?"

"Nothing, it doesn't matter. But you should be careful."

He turned away then and went reluctantly it seemed to me to join Sam and his friends.

Jasper joined me a few minutes later,

"Sorry but I think I've been press-ganged into helping out with their tourist brochure."

I nodded but I was still puzzling over Jakes words.

"Are you OK? Was that the ex I saw you talking to?"

I sighed heavily,

"I'm afraid so and he isn't giving up."

"Well, let's see if we can give him reason to."

With that, Jasper took my hand and I gasped, not only because his was cool and unyielding but because I felt a warmth spread through me, something I had never felt before.

"Sorry, I have a circulation problem"

He tried to pull away but I held on tight,

"It's fine I was just…..never mind. Let's join the others."

People were beginning to arrive slowly and I saw a group of people I didn't recognize which meant they must be his family.

"Would you like to meet the rest of the family Bella? Or would you prefer not to?"

I smiled at him,

"I'd love to but won't they wonder at us holding hands?"

"They might but they are far too polite to say anything and I can explain later. Come on."

He tugged me over to where they stood watching us but I didn't see any strange looks although Jasper and I were shoulder to shoulder now and his arm came round my waist,

"The ex is watching and he doesn't look happy."

His whispered explanation made his action understandable although I felt awkward facing these strangers as Jasper's date.

At first glance they looked like they belonged on the cover of Harpers or Vogue they were so beautiful, so well dressed and elegant but then so was Jasper, he belonged among these people. As he introduced me I looked closer, none of them looked a day over thirty, not even the doctor, and all had the same strange colored eyes, a kind of warm butterscotch that was very appealing. Esme, his foster mom, was very sweet and invited me to visit whenever I wanted. His two foster sisters were as different as chalk and cheese, Rosalie was tall, blonde and very reserved while Alice was like a pixie and full of bounce. I knew from earlier conversations that there were two other brothers but they were out of town so I could only guess what they would be like.

After Carlisle and the others wandered over to speak to the Mayor Jasper and I mingled and I found the longer we were together and touching the warmer I felt and I began to wish this really was a date.

"I think your ex is about to confront us Bella."

I tensed but he seemed perfectly relaxed as Jake appeared looking like thunder.

"Who's this Bella?"

Jasper held out his hand although I got the impression he knew Jake would ignore the gesture.

"Jasper Hale, Bella's new boyfriend. I've heard a lot about you."

Jakes' face became thunderous,

"You need to stay away from her."

"Really? I think that's Bella's decision to make don't you?"

"If she knew…."

Sam appeared at his shoulder grabbing his arm,

"We need to leave Jacob, now."

I thought Jake would shrug him off but instead, he just glared at Jasper,

"You need to leave her alone or…."

"JAKE!"

There was definitely a warning in his tone,

"Or else?"

Jasper still sounded polite but his tone had cooled considerably but before Jake could say anymore he was whisked away and Jasper had no explanation for his attitude or none he was going to explain to me but I got the feeling he knew.

Once Jake had gone I could relax although I expected Jasper to stop the charade, after all, it had been for Jakes benefit but instead, he continued to hold my hand and stick close and by the end of the evening even I was beginning to believe this might be something more. Unlike every other boyfriend I had been out with he was attentive without being too obvious and seemed determined to ensure I had a good time. When he dropped me off at the end of the evening he walked me to the door and I wondered if he might kiss me but he just smiled and touched my cheek,

"Thank you for a wonderful day Bella, perhaps we could do it again sometime? If you aren't busy that is."

"That would be lovely thanks but are we talking a date? Or are you waiting until the Christmas Festival?"

"How about tomorrow afternoon? I know you aren't working but…"

"I'd love it. Until tomorrow then."

He stood watching until I was in the house and then I stood at the window and watched until his tail lights disappeared feeling suddenly very lonely and not sure if that was good or not, I couldn't afford to fall too hard, not until I knew how he really felt.