“You could have just asked,” she said.

“Yeah. I’ll remember that next time. I thought taking dinner off your hands would soften you up.”

His feet shuffled and I could hear the unprecedented silence of his thoughts. It was deafening. Was he going to wing it after all of this preparation? Bella laughed. It sounded more like a giggle, only…it was unsteady. I replayed the slight vibrations, listening intently. She was nervous.

Would she speak freely if she were this nervous? Of course, she would…that could work out well. Her human nerves gave her away more times than not. Rarely did they cease to expose her deepest feelings. They made her cheeks blush whenever I kissed her soft, pink lips. Her nerves were the force behind the quickening thumps of her heart in sensual anticipation. Because of her nerves, I was certain she wanted me as much as I wanted her.

“It worked, your cooking skills have me soft as a marshmallow. What do you need, Dad?” she asked.

“Well, it’s about Jacob…”

I shuddered at the actual verbalization of Charlie’s thoughts, even though I was aware of what was coming. Her feet shifted. Petite and soft on the floor, but I practically felt the tension in her movement.

“What about him?” she asked tersely, too quickly.

Perhaps this would not bode too terribly for me after all…

Maybe, just maybe, if she indicated at some point that his suggestion was unwelcome, I could spare her the pleading from Charlie and time my arrival a little early!

No, I wanted to be sure. Patience…

“Easy, Bells. I know you’re still upset that he told on you, but it was the right thing. He was being responsible.”

“Responsible…right,” her tone was promising. “So, what about Jacob?”

…she’s still angry…won’t go well….She will …shut down, just like her mother…

“Don’t get mad at me, okay?” he asked, almost with a plea in his tone.

“Mad?” she asked.

Something creaked under the stress of movement. It sounded as if one of them was shifting uncomfortably in their chair. Her heart continued its pace, which had only quickened once. She did not seem angry, only mildly irritated.

“Well, it’s about Edward, too.”

I stiffened, again, waiting. Her heart began speeding up just the tiniest bit again. Did she scowl just then? I caught myself stifling a small grin at the vivid image of her pout and the small crease between her brows when she scowled.