Chapter 32

ROSALIE

Rosalie had gone to change into hunt-appropriate clothes when Bella's voice reached her from across the house.

"What did your sister mean just now, when she said that this was dangerous for all of us?" There was uncertainty in her voice, along with a trace of worry or fear.

Good, Rosalie thought with a small, satisfied smile. Granted, she had been harsh just now. Harsher than what she'd initially intended. But when she had seen the two of them together, the reality of where it might lead them had slammed into her. What if the Volturi found out? And what about Bella? Would Carlisle ever be tempted to change her? What if Bella asked him to do it?

The idea troubled Rosalie greatly.

"Does it have anything to do with the Volturi?" she heard Bella ask Carlisle. "I remember you mentioned them to me once."

Carlisle answered, "She was talking about the Volturi, yes. They make it their job to enforce our laws. Well, one law in particular."

"Your law of secrecy," Bella guessed correctly.

"Yes."

As Rosalie changed into a dark hoodie and jeans, Bella continued. "At the very beginning of our friendship, you told me that it isn't safe for me to know about your kind. What's the penalty if the Volturi find out?"

Carlisle heaved a sigh just then. "They might insist that you be changed. But they might also decide to eliminate us."

There was a pause. Bella was undoubtedly absorbing the information. "I thought as much. But just thinking about it… of someone hurting you…" Rosalie heard the shudder in her breath.

"That's the way I feel about you," Carlisle countered. "I would never forgive myself if anything ever happened to you because of me."

"Carlisle, don't. That night on the hospital roof, you told me there were risks. I accepted them. I still do."

"Come here."

Although she couldn't see them, Rosalie knew that her brother had just pulled Bella into a hug. Needing to get away from them, she hurriedly donned her boots, and ran from the house.

Evening was fast-approaching when Rosalie returned from her hunt. As she neared the multi-level home, the song "Only You" by The Platters drifted down from Carlisle's room.

Without being able to stop it, Rosalie had a sudden mental image of her brother and his girlfriend. What if they're doing it?

She groaned. That was the last thing she wanted to see or hear.

But then, Bella's voice reached her from afar. "I told you I had two left feet."

Carlisle chuckled softly, "You're better than you think."

Rosalie could have wept in relief. Oh, thank God. They're only dancing.

For now…

To avoid a potentially uncomfortable situation, Rosalie spoke loud enough for Carlisle to hear. "I'm home, just to let you know."

Disliking the idea of having a figurative front row seat to her brother's love life, she thought it might be a good idea to leave the house for another little while. Therefore, after changing clothes yet again, Rosalie fixed her hair, fetched her keys, and left in her red BMW.

After turning up the radio, a glance at the fuel gauge told her it was time to gas up the car.

Because this was an overcast day, darkness was falling quicker than usual. By the time she pulled into the gas station, the lights above the pumps were already on. Exiting her vehicle, Rosalie wasted no time in fetching the fuel nozzle. She had just started pumping gas when a Jeep pulled up to the pump that was just opposite hers.

When the occupant first got out, she paid him or her no mind, and kept her eyes on the mounting dollar amount on the pump. But then, when her gaze strayed beyond the digital display, something unforeseen happened.

Rosalie loosened her hold on the fuel nozzle, her mouth falling open as she caught sight of the man on the other side.

At around 6'5", he had broad, muscled shoulders. A bodybuilder for sure. His short hair was a dark, glossy shade of brown. But it was his eyes that captured her the most—a beautiful blue that reminded her of a clear blue sky.

As Rosalie stood there, staring, the man started pumping gas. He hadn't seen her yet. When he finally did, his reaction was similar to hers.

"Whoa…" he murmured and seemed mesmerized.

Their vehicles all but forgotten, the two merely stared at one another.

In the end, the man spoke first. "Hi."

"Hey."

There was another stretch of silence. If Rosalie had been human, her heart would have been beating a mile a minute right now. He was so beautiful.

At length, he cleared his throat, and rounded the pump. "My name's Emmett." He extended his hand. "And you are?"

She swallowed hard. "Rosalie."

A beat went by. "Nice to meet you, Rosalie."

Seeing that his hand was still extended, Rosalie threw caution to the wind, and reached out. The moment their hands touched, the man—Emmett—gasped. Whether he was reacting to her cold, hard hand, or to the jolt of electricity that passed between them, Rosalie couldn't really say.

But though he seemed surprised, Emmett remained under her spell. His mouth curving in a sexy crooked smile, he let go of her hand, and said, "I've never seen you in these parts. You from around here?"

Her chest growing heavy, Rosalie gathered herself enough to stammer, "My brother and I moved here a little while ago. We live just outside of town."

"I see." His smile was contagious. "Well, Rosalie… I know this is sudden, but I was just heading to the diner. I was thinking, if you're free… would you like to have coffee with me?"

Had this been any other guy, Rosalie would have refused without hesitation. She would have shot him down with a frosty look and an even frostier response. But her mind had fully checked out, and was no longer listening to reason. Fully aware that she was now the world's biggest hypocrite, she broadened her smile and answered, "I would love to have coffee with you."