Chapter 3, Amber Bauer
I held my breath, waiting for Jacob Black to run from my kitchen. I wasn't even sure why I told him I was divorced. He didn't ask. Every person I had ever mentioned it to looked at me like I was less of a person. Married at 18, divorced less than a year later. What else could they think? They never blamed him, because Matt Woods was an angel. He could do no wrong. Choir leader at the church, family oriented, at service every Sunday. He just married a devil girl. Poor little Christian boy. I stared at the floor, willing the tears away as I had gotten so well practiced at doing. Jacob stood then, and I felt a single tear escape down my cheek. He walked to my side and placed his warm hand on my shoulder. I felt the tingle again, just like the last time we touched.
''You aren't getting rid of me that easy, honey.'' I couldn't help but smile at the floor. He put a finger under my chin and lifted my eyes to meet his. There was something hidden beneath that perfect chocolate brown that I couldn't place. Almost like he was struggling with something. I felt a weird pull in my chest, willing me to put my arms around Jacob's thick, muscled waist. I took a step away from him.
''All right, Dr. Phil. Finish eating before your girlfriend sends out a search party. I've kept you long enough.'' I sniffled lightly and forced my ever so convincing fake smile his way. He snorted and shook his head.
''Yeah, cuz I have one of those.'' he muttered into his pancakes. I pretended I didn't hear him and continued to clean the kitchen.
''So you know how old I am, how old are you, Jacob Black?'' He smirked at me as he swallowed the food in his mouth.
''Why do you say my last name every time you address me?'' I stifled a laugh and shrugged.
''Cuz it confuses you. Now, back to my question, please, Jacob Black.'' He snorted and shook his head.
''I'll be 19 next month.'' He straightened up in his chair, as if he needed to make himself taller.
''Are you in school or do you work?'' I tried to keep the conversation centered around him. It was too easy to talk to Jacob, and I didn't want to slip up and say something else too personal and scare him away. I didn't have to be fake with Jacob, and I wasn't ready to lose him yet. What am I saying? I scolded myself. I've known this guy five seconds. The last time I let a good looking muscular guy woo me like this... I didn't want to finish the thought.
''Just started working at a garage here in Forks. I'm a decent mechanic. Nothing amazing though.'' He flashed me another perfect smile. Ugh, and he's a mechanic, too! It's like a tan version of the first time I met my ex husband. Tall, muscled, smooth talking mechanic. I mentally slapped myself. I moved to Washington to get away from old me. I can't damn the boy for being beautiful and good with his hands. Warm, strong hands that made electricity shoot through my veins every time he touched me... Whoa, that's completely in the other wrong direction.
''Amber?'' A husky voice snapped me out of my head. ''I said what about you? In school, or...''
''Looking for work. I'm planning on driving through town today, actually. See what I find.'' I picked up Jacob's now empty dishes and washed them really fast. I could feel his eyes on my back, following me around the kitchen. It didn't bother me like I thought it would though. It made me smile.
''Any plans for you today, Jacob Black?'' I asked him, and heard him chuckle as I called him by his full name.
''Not til tonight. Just gonna hang around town today til work at 4, then I have to pat-do some work down on the rez.'' He smiled at me, and I spoke before I knew what I was saying.
''Well, you wanna ride with me while I put in some applications? You can make sure I don't get lost. I'm pretty good at that.'' I giggled, and his smile widened into a goofy grin.
