again； 〃I made you a promise。 I had no idea it would be so hard to keep； but
that doesn't mean I'm not
going to try。〃
He saw the inprehension in my face。 〃After that stupid movie；〃 he reminded
me。 〃I promised you that
I wouldn't ever hurt you So I really blew it this afternoon； didn't I？〃
〃I know you didn't want to do it； Jake。 It's okay。〃
〃Thanks； Bella。〃 He took my hand。 〃I'm going to do what I can to be here for
you； just like I promised。〃
He grinned at me suddenly。 The grin was not mine； nor Sam's； but some strange
bination of the two。
〃It would really help if you could figure this out on your own； Bella。 Put
some honest effort into it。〃
I made a weak grimace。 〃I'll try。〃
〃And I'll try to see you soon。〃 He sighed。 〃And they'll try to talk me out of
that。〃
〃Don't listen to them。〃
〃I'll try。〃 He shook his head； as if he doubted his success。 〃e and tell me
as soon as you figure it out。〃
Something occurred to him just then； something that made his hands shake。 〃If
you if you want to。〃
〃Why wouldn't I want to see you？〃
His face turned hard and bitter； one hundred percent the face that belonged to
Sam。 〃Oh； I can think of a
reason；〃 he said in a harsh tone。 〃Look； I really have to go。 Could you do
something for me？〃
I just nodded； frightened of the change in him。
〃At least call me—if you don't want to see me again。 Let me know if it's like
that。〃
〃That won't happen—〃
He raised one hand； cutting me off。 〃Just let me know。〃
He stood and headed for the window。
〃Don't be an idiot； Jake；〃 I plained。 〃You'll break your leg。 Use the door。
Charlie's