"I can't believe you slipped him your number!"

Isa held her cheeks and felt them warm again, before shaking her head and continuing to make some pancakes for Jake who'd slept over (on the couch) the previous night.

"Not so loud." Her eyes glanced in the direction of the staircase worried her father would come down any minute and overhear.

She couldn't believe she'd done it either.

She'd never been that bold in her other life.

But then again she couldn't help but think then they were already forever linked, why not she make the first move.

The endorphins from all the laughter and the chocolate from the s'mores probably helped.

"He hasn't even texted yet so..." She metered off, after all he no doubt would soon but Jacob didn't know that.

"He's in a gang, Isa!"

She shook her head, "You don't know that for sure, Jake, those are just rumors. Plus I very much doubt your dad would introduce a gang leader to my father."

"Who's a gang leader?" Her father's warm voice came through the kitchen door.

"Good morning, Dad. Pancakes will be ready shortly."

Just as Jacob answered, "Sam Uley."

Charlie shook his head, "You shouldn't listen to rumors, Jacob. Your dad says he's a good man. He's making new opportunities for youth with his new construction business."

As Isa brought a platter of pancakes to their small breakfast nook, she kissed her father in the cheek.

"That's just what I was saying, Dad."

As soon as they were on the table, Charlie and Jake began digging in.

Charlie glanced up at Isa as she set the bacon and maple syrup on the table.

"Don't think I didn't notice you two making eyes at each other last night."

"We weren't..." Isa began before sitting down and not bothering to continue, only to jump from her seat when she heard her cell phone ding. When she picked it up from the counter she saw a text from Sam.

'Hey, this is Sam Uley. We met last night.'

"Look at how she's grinning." Jake spoke in a conspiratorial whisper.

"Yep. Isa, I'm not going to have to clean my rifles am I?"

Isa smiled at the phone, and texted: 'Hello again Sam Uley.'

"Oh boy here it starts. She's not even listening anymore. I feared when this day would come."

She glanced up and raised an eyebrow at her father's antics.

"It's just texting right now, nothing serious."

"That's how it starts."

Another ding, 'Lunch?'

She texted back, '12p at the Lodge?'

Ding, 'See you there.'

When Isa looked up she saw both Jake and her Dad looking at her with expectation.

"We are having lunch at the Lodge today."

"Maybe I should come along as chaperone."

"Dad, we are going in the middle of the day in public."

"You'll call me if anything changes?"

"Of course."

--

Sam was waiting for her at the Lodge in a booth, as if he'd arrived early. His button up shirt taut across his broad muscled chest.

Isa never thought she was into muscley guys but there was just something magnetic about him.

His gaze was upon her as soon as she entered. Intense brown eyes watched as she approached and then sat across from him.

"I'm glad you came."

"I'm glad you asked."

When the waitress only paid attention to Sam and Sam only paid attention to Isa, they eventually got their orders in.

"Tell me about yourself."

Isa shifted in her seat, "What would you like to know?"

She was nervous. She didn't want to ever lie to Sam, but there were just things you don't tell on a first date. Just like she doubted he'd tell her about his wolf, she wouldn't tell him about being a Tempest.

She could feel his eyes focused on her face, no doubt their tentative bond already telling him about her nervousness and slight fear.

"How about we exchange questions? Anything I ask, I also have to answer, same with you."

"Ok." That was fair.

"What..."

"Why..."

They both paused and laughed, before Isa nodded toward him.

"You first."

"Do you have a favorite hobby?"

Isa sipped some of her iced tea and tilted her head to the side.

"I suppose I like journaling, some painting not very good at it but I enjoy it. You?"

Sam smiled, "I love carving. I made my mother custom furniture with designs inspired by Quileute legends. Something about the wood beneath my hands and being able to create a story through it...Sorry." His gesturing hands settled down. He scratched the back of his neck, "Got a bit carried away."

Isa shook her head and smiled.

"I liked seeing how expressive you were. It shows it's something that really moves your soul."

He grinned in response before gesturing to her. "Your turn?"

"Why did you decide to pursue construction? Instead of say carpentry."

Sam's features grew serious and Isa worried she had gotten into sensitive ground.

"Several others alongside me help with the security of the reservation but that doesn't pay anything. Several of them are just out of school and weren't sure what direction to take. I thought construction would be a good path for all our individual talents." He shrugged, "Plus it gives more opportunities to give back to our community."

"That's really admirable."

Sam looked down and fiddled with his glass of soda almost bashful before glancing up, "What about you, what direction do you think you'll take now that you've graduated?"

Isa hadn't really known what her future was going to hold originally with how she changed things. Now it seemed fate was tying her to Forks, not that she terribly minded. She wouldn't really want to part from Charlie so soon.

"I've always been interested in interior design." Feeling suddenly bold, "Maybe you could give me a job, Sam Uley."

She had said it jokingly but his gaze was earnest.

"Maybe I will."

Then their food arrived and the conversation went to easy topics like friends, favorite school topics and favorite foods.

By the end of the date, Isa couldn't help but notice the pull toward Sam getting stronger and she couldn't help but think she didn't mind it at all.