Stranger Love

6

After a shower and some debating, Eleanor decided on wearing her favorite pair of jeans and a blue sweater. She was surprised to see Jacob in jeans and a plain shirt when he came to pick her up. She smiled when he told her he'd built his car from scratch.

"That's awesome," Eleanor told him. "I don't think I could ever do something like that."

Jacob shrugged, attempting to hide his blush. "You just have to have the right parts."

"And know what you're doing," the woman told him.

"You look pretty," Jacob complimented suddenly.

Eleanor blushed. "Thanks. I'm a bit surprised to see you wearing jeans, much less a shirt."

Jacob chuckled and held the car door for Eleanor to get in. Eleanor was excited for their adventure. She hadn't spent much time off the La Push reservation since she'd arrived, and she'd never actually stopped in Forks to look around at all. The diner they went to was small and quaint, but definitely a popular place in town. She figured it was one of the only restaurants Forks had. She thanked Jacob when he opened the door for her and took his hand without thinking about it as they walked in. It was how their relationship seemed to work. Neither of them had to think about it. It was natural.

"It's Jacob, right?" a tiny brunette with tight curls approached them. "I didn't see you at Bella's wedding. Aren't you guys, like, really close?"

Jacob recognized the girl as a friend of Bella's, but couldn't remember her name. "Yeah. I wasn't available. Family emergency."

The small girl looked him over as a boy with dark blond hair walked up. "Jacob. Hi."

"Mike," Jacob greeted politely before looking around. "Didn't you graduate?"

Mike nodded. "We leave tomorrow. Who's this?"

Eleanor glanced up at Jacob, feeling his tension, and offered the couple a smile. "I'm Eleanor. I just moved in with some family on the reservation."

"We need to go," the girl said abruptly. She must've noticed Mike looking Eleanor over. "Tell Bella we said hi. Maybe we can get together at Christmas or something."

"Sure, sure," Jacob mumbled. Mike and the girl walked out of the diner just before Jacob and Eleanor were seated.

"Who were they?" Eleanor asked. "You don't seem to like them much."

"Some of Bella's old friends," Jacob grumbled. 

"You don't like them," she observed.

"I don't like the way that Mike guy was looking at you," Jacob answered. His eyes were dark. "You're mine."

Eleanor giggled and placed a hand on his leg under the table. "Jake, I didn't even notice. Honestly, jealousy doesn't look good on you. I've already told you I want to be with you. Nothing is ever going to change my mind on that... unless you tell me to go away."

Jacob was quiet, studying his menu too closely. His hands were shaking slightly, though it was in fear rather than anger. "Even if I... If I did the same thing Sam... I couldn't live with myself."

Eleanor reached up and gripped Jacob's chin, making him look at her. "Even then. You won't hurt me. Sam didn't have anyone there for him when that happened. He'd only heard stories of imprinting, and Emily wasn't exactly going along with it at first. It was an accident. He doesn't want anyone to go through all that. He's a good leader, and he's going to do his best to help all of you. Do you trust me?"

"Yes," he said. 

"Good," Eleanor smiled and tapped his nose with her finger. "Now let's order something. I'm starving."