Out of the Coffin

Chapter Seventeen

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Chapter Seventeen

Bella

"Are you sure Jacob will want to hire me?" Nessie nervously asked. Rose and I were currently driving her to Black's for Jake to hire her as a waitress.

"He's always looking for wait staff, and he said he'd be happy to give you a job," Rose said as she shot Nessie a smile in the rear-view mirror.

"But I'm a vampire," Nessie responded shyly.

"And he's a shapeshifter – he can hardly discriminate against you for that." Nessie smiled, satisfied with the answer.

We'd gotten back to Forks last night, Jasper and Carlisle coming back with us. Jasper had decided to stay with Emmett at Fangtasia whilst Carlisle had chosen to stay with Edward. I didn't think Carlisle would quite fit in at Fangtasia.

Rose and I had gone into work this morning and filled Jake in on everything – he'd told us he'd managed to track the maenad but it got away before they could kill it. Nessie had then come up in conversation and we'd asked Jake if she could have a job; he didn't see a problem with it. I thought she needed to get out of the house more and having a job would be the perfect way for her to do that. The bar would offer vampire friendly hours, and Edward (being the overprotective vampire that he was) wouldn't have to worry about her there.

"Here we are," Rose said as she pulled the car into a parking spot outside Black's. Nessie's eyes took in the sight and a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

"I like it."

I smiled at her as we got out the car and began walking towards the entrance. Nessie would get to meet Tyler, Victoria and Jake tonight; Esme was at home with Ethan.

"Victoria can be a little bit-" I began but Rose cut me off.

"Bitchy. Victoria can be a little bit bitchy." I scowled at Rose as she laughed.

"What my dear cousin meant was temperamental – she can be a bit temperamental with people she doesn't know. But once she gets to know you, she'll be fine." I told her as I gave her a reassuring smile.

Nessie giggled as we opened the door and walked in. We all headed to the bar was Jake was cleaning the counter. His head shot up as soon as we entered and as he looked at Nessie, his mouth opening and his eyes widening slightly. Nessie lifted her eyes to look at him and she smiled before something flashed in her eyes and she froze.

Jake dropped the cloth he was using and began to step from behind the bar, his eyes never leaving Nessie's.

Rose looked at Jake, then to Nessie and back to Jake again before her eyes widened in what appeared to be recognition.

"What's going on?" I asked, watching as Jake started making his way towards Nessie.

"Jake," Rose said softly, moving to stand in between the two of them. He didn't seem to hear her and just continued to walk towards Nessie. She took a small step back and I placed a hand on her cold arm.

Rose tried again but he continued to move forward.

"Jacob!" Rose hissed harshly, snapping him out of whatever reverie he was in.

"Shit," he muttered quietly before he turned and stalked into his office. Rose ran after him and Nessie and I just stood staring at the space they both vacated.