Chapter 7: Dinner

Nessie

"Where do you want to go eat?" I asked Jacob.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Honestly I am so hungry that I could eat a whole cow. You choose,"

"Well I know this great Italian restaurant in town. Brian and I go there all the time to eat. I know the owner and his daughter. He is a great person. He always let us eat there for free because they know our situation. Plus the food is delicious," I said with a smile.

Jacob didn't say anything. I noticed that every time I mentioned Brian Jacob seemed to get a little upset, though he did his best to hide it. I didn't understand it but maybe it was best not to mention Brian if I could avoid it.

Jacob phased back into a wolf again so he could carry me and get to the restaurant faster. Just before we walked back into the city Jacob phased back. I could not help but gawp at his bare chest and his muscular arms. "Don't you own a shirt?" I asked him.

He laughed and I felt my face go crimson red. For as long as I could remember Jacob hardly ever wore shirts. I didn't take much notice of it then but I took notice of it now. I really wanted to slap myself for it. It was not normal to think things like that about a guy who knew you when you were in diapers. Yet, I couldn't help it.

"You're very beautiful when you blush," he said.

I didn't think it was possible for my face to get any more red than it already was. But alas, my body defied logic and sent more blood rushing to my face. Brian would often say things like that to me and I didn't have nearly as strong of a reaction. "Um, thank you?" the words came out sounding more like an awkward question than anything else.

I took a deep breath. I didn't know why I suddenly felt nervous but I did. I think Jacob could sense my sudden nervousness. He wrapped his around me and it was comforting. We kept walking at a leisurely pace until I saw the restaurant. The place was packed with people as usual. Tony's Restaurant was famous for it's delicious Italian food. It didn't take long for a table to open up for the two of us.

"This is a nice place. The food smells good," Jacob commented.

"Oh, it's delicious. You have to try the shrimp ravioli. It's the best and the bread here is to die for,"

"Nessie?"

I looked and saw Belle walking toward me. Belle was short for Isabella but she preferred to call herself Belle. I couldn't think of a more apt nickname for Tony's daughter. This girl was easily the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. She turned men's heads everywhere she walked. She knew it also. Men worshiped the ground she walked on. She had it all. She was heir to her parent's fortune. Her beauty also made her vain. She only wore the best clothing from top designers. Which of course complemented her beauty even more. Honestly I think it was safe to say she was even more beautiful than Rosalie and this girl was only human.

She walked toward me with a notepad in hand. Her father had decided that she was going to work at the restaurant in an attempt to teach her some humility.

"Oh my God girl it is you. Why didn't you tell us you had the baby?"

"I just had him two days ago,"

"Damn and look at you already out and about on a date that is certainly not with Brian,"

Jacob clenched his fists.

"Not that I mind, handsome," she put her hand on his arm and I had the sudden inexplicable and irrational urge to slap her hand away from him. I was surprised by this sudden feeling of jealousy.

"So what can I get for you guys?" she asked, only looking at Jacob.

"I'll have a coke,"

"Make it two,"

"Okay. I'll be right back with that,"

"Is she a friend of yours?"

"Ehh. I guess so. We run in different social circles so I really only see her when I come here to eat,"

"And how often is that?"

"At least once a week. Sometimes more. I usually come here with Brian. It's one of our favorite places when we want to get off of the street for a little while,"

"I still don't understand why you would choose this kind of life for yourself,"

"I didn't choose it. I didn't have a choice,"

"Yes you did have a choice. But you made a decision all on your own that not only hurt your family but also yourself in the end. You chose-"

"Jacob, can we talk about something else? Anything else?"

"Fine. I'm sorry. It's just that I've missed you Nessie. I've really missed you,"

"I've missed you too, Jacob. How has the rest of the pack been?"

"Honestly Seth, Leah, and I are the only wolves remaining. The others stopped phasing years ago when there was no longer any trouble from vampires. They've all started families,"

"And why haven't you, or Seth, or Leah? I asked curiously.

"Here's your sodas and the bread. Are you two ready to order?" Belle asked. It made my blood boil a little when I saw the way she smiled at Jacob. I shook my head. I was being irrational and I knew it.

"Yeah. I've heard the shrimp ravioli is really good,"

"Nessie orders it almost every single time she comes here. I'm assuming that's what you want also?"

"Yes," I nodded.

I turned back to Jacob as she walked away. "Have you found someone, Jacob?"

"No," he said. I was surprised. Jacob was a good looking guy that could probably get any girl that he wanted. I wondered why he hadn't found someone special yet. I was tempted to ask but I didn't want to pry either.

Jacob and I kept talking until Belle brought our food back. As she handed Jacob his plate she slipped him a little piece of paper. "Call me," she put on her most seductive voice. Oh God, I wanted to slap her.

Jacob tucked the piece of paper into his pocket. Damn I never thought I'd meet a girl that's prettier than Rosalie.

I choked on the ravioli I had just swallowed. "What?"

"Seriously, I think that girl is even more beautiful than Rosalie. That is saying something,"

"I know she is. I wouldn't have thought it possible either until I met her. I'm not at all interested in her but I can't way to rub it in blondie's face that there is a human out there more beautiful than she is,"

That made me laugh. "So you're not interested in her?" I asked.

"No. There is only one girl I am interested in. It appears that I'm going to have to fight for her. I fought for love once and I never thought I'd have to do it again. But, at least now I'll know what I'm doing,"

"Good luck Jacob. You deserve happiness. Whoever she is, well, I hope she's good enough for you,"