Jake pressed his warm cheek against the top of my hair. If I turned to the side, if I pressed my lips against his bare shoulder…I knew without any doubt exactly what would follow. It would be very easy. There would be no need for explanations tonight. But could I do it? Could I betray my absent heart to save my pathetic life? Butterflies assaulted my stomach as I thought about turning my head. And then, as clearly as if I were in immediate danger, Edward’s velvet voice whispered in my ear.

“Be happy,” he told me.

I froze. Jacob felt me stiffen and released me automatically, reaching for the door.

“Wait,” I said, unsure of what I would say next.

He halted his movements and looked back at me, one hand still on the handle. He was wearing a curious expression, as if he too were wondering what was on my mind.

“I…I’m sorry.”

I wasn’t sure why I felt the need to apologize to him. Maybe because of what I’d put him through. Maybe because of what I’d put everyone through. Because of me, more people would die. I was sure of it. Victoria would not stop until one of us was dead. Preferably her, but how could I hope for such good fortune? And of course I wanted Jacob as far away from her as possible. But if not the wolves, then who? There was no one else to stop her. No one else who cared enough to.

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” he said in that husky voice I had grown to enjoy.

“But I do,” I protested. “If it wasn’t for me…”

He held up his hand to silence me. “Stop. Stop acting like this is somehow your fault. You’re an innocent bystander.”

I wasn’t sure I agreed with either part of that statement. I was neither innocent nor just someone who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I had chosen to be with…Edward. I had chosen to spend time with his family; chosen to play baseball with them that day. And maybe it was an unlucky coincidence that the three vampires had wandered upon us, and that James decided to kill me, but if I had left well enough alone, never spoken to him then none of this would have ever happened. Maybe we would all be better off.