xuberant than before。 It reminded me so clearly
of my first months in
Forks。 I'd e full circle； and now everything felt like an echo—an empty
echo； devoid of the interest it
used to have。
The next night； Charlie didn't seem the smallest bit surprised to find Jacob
and me sprawled across the
living room floor with our books scattered around us； so I guessed that he and
Billy were talking behind
our backs。
〃Hey； kids；〃 he said； his eyes straying to the kitchen。 The smell of the
lasagna I'd spent the afternoon
making—while Jacob watched and occasionally sampled—wafted down the hall； I
was being good；
trying to atone for all the pizza。
Jacob stayed for dinner； and took a plate home for Billy。 He grudgingly added
another year to my
negotiable age for being a good cook。
Friday was the garage； and Saturday； after my shift at Newton's； was homework
again。 Charlie felt
secure enough in my sanity to spend the day fishing with Harry。 When he got
back； we were all
done—feeling very sensible and mature about it； too—and watching Monster
Garage on the Discovery
Channel。
〃I probably ought to go。〃 Jacob sighed。 〃It's later than I thought。〃
〃Okay； fine；〃 I grumbled。 〃I'll take you home。〃
He laughed at my unwilling expression—it seemed to please him。
〃Tomorrow； back to work；〃 I said as soon as we were safe in the truck。 〃What
time do you want me to
e up？〃
There was an unexplained excitement in his answering smile。 〃I'll call you
first； okay？〃
〃Sure。〃 I frowned to myself； wondering what was up。 His smile widened。
I cleaned the house the next morning—waiti