Jacob spent next day smiling as he finished two more cars, a tune up on a motorcycle, and even had time to replace the bucket seats in the Mustang. He was a long way from finished, but still proud of how much he had accomplished.

Thoughts of last night with Renesmee had kept the ache in his gut away all day. Quil and Embry had been by earlier to help out and it was all he could do not to tell them about last night. He felt like things were getting back on track, but he didn't want to jinx it.

By five o'clock he was ready to shut down for the day. Renesmee had texted him as a reminder not to forget to pick up a new lock for her bedroom window. She even called him a dork again signed off with a smile emoji.

He rushed home to shower and change before heading to the hardware store in Forks. He grabbed a basket as he walked in, remembering that he needed a new light bulb for his refrigerator and some matches for the fireplace. He browsed the aisles for the items he needed. The store was mostly empty of customers except for one other person.

As Jacob made his way to the checkout counter, he could see her, chatting with the cashier and asking about plumber's putty.

"Leah."

She froze. She was obviously just as surprised to see him as he was to see her. As Leah turned to face him, she dropped all of her change on the floor. They both knelt down to retrieve it as he whispered, "We need to talk."

Leah couldn't get out of that store fast enough. When the cashier looked at him strangely, he fibbed, "Ex-girlfriend."

Jacob caught up with Leah before she could pull away from the curb. He stood in front of her Jeep and glared at her. "Where are you going?"

Leah scowled and turned the engine off. Jacob slid into the passenger seat as Leah gripped the steering wheel tightly. "I'm not apologizing to her."

Jacob reached over and snatched the keys from the ignition. "Then have fun walking home," as he exited her vehicle and stalked over to his motorcycle.

Leah sat frozen in her car for a moment and then ran to catch up with him. "Fine! I'll say sorry to her. Will that make you happy?"

Jacob killed the engine and turned to face her. "It's a start," he replied. "But I just wanna know one thing..."

Leah furrowed her brow and shrugged her shoulders. "Okay...what?"

"Why?" Jacob glared at Leah, waiting for a response. "How could you do that to me? You promised never to tell Renesmee that I imprinted on her."

"Somebody had to!"

"That wasn't your decision to make," he growled. "Her parents and I were going to tell her when she was ready."

Leah threw her hands up and sighed, "Well now she knows. So the real question is...what are you gonna do about it?"

Before Jacob could answer, Leah snatched her keys back and stomped back to her Jeep. As she drove past him, she called out, "Asshole!"

.............

Jacob scowled as he drove to see Renesmee. He didn't want to let Leah's perpetual bad mood affect his night with Ness, but it was nagging him. What was her problem?

Renesmee answered the door with a frown on her face. "I thought you were never gonna get here."

As Jacob sauntered in, he shut the door behind him and smiled widely. "Is somebody anxious to see me?" he teased, reaching for her as she turned to run from him. She squealed as he grabbed her around her midsection and deposited her on the couch. He jumped over the back of the couch and landed next to her.

"You're in a weird mood," she observed, laughing lightly.

"Yeah," he sighed, glancing around. "Home alone again?"

Renesmee nodded and turned to face him, tucking her legs underneath her, both bent at the knee. "Family meeting over at Grandma Esme's house," she replied, nodding in the direction of the Cullen house.

Jacob smirked as he stretched his arm across the back of the couch. "Guess who I just saw at the hardware store?" he asked, absently catching a lock of her thick auburn hair between his fingers and stroking it softly.

She blinked quickly and shrugged her shoulders. He laid his other hand to rest on her bent knee and grimaced, "It was Leah."

"Ugh. What did you say to her?"

Jacob shook his head. "Not much. She knows she owes you an apology, though. Oh and she called me an asshole."

Renesmee gasped, "Wow. She must really have it bad."

Jacob crinkled his brow, utterly confused. "What? I don't get it."

She covered his hand with hers and stopped his thumb from making circles on her thigh. "You're such a guy." She grumbled as she stood and held out her hand. "Are you coming?"

"Where?" he asked numbly as she pulled him off the couch and dragged him down the hall.

"Dork! You said you'd fix my window lock. Did you forget to bring it?" she sighed, now standing in her room and patting his pockets.

When she reached around to check his back pockets, he admonished her. "Patience, little lady."

He smiled widely and pulled a new lock and screwdriver from his pocket. "Now just stand back and watch the master," he teased as he moved to the other side of the room and began removing the old lock. "So what did you mean about Leah?" he reminded her.

Renesmee flopped back on her bed, lying on her back and letting her head hang over the edge. "She likes you," she announced suddenly.

"She hates me," he corrected. "What makes you think she likes me?"

"It's kinda obvious," Ness replied sheepishly.

"It's not obvious to me."

"It never is," she teased.

He paused to turn and face her. Sort of, she was still upside down. "Are you gonna explain or..."

Renesmee groaned up at the ceiling and ran her hands through her hair. "Don't you ever notice the way women look at you?"

Jacob returned his attention to the window. When he didn't reply, she continued, "When we go to the gas station or the grocery store or anywhere, women look at you. I can't believe you've never noticed."

Jacob smiled. "It doesn't matter," he began, turning to face her. He crouched down in front of her and she flipped over to face him.

"Why not?" she breathed.

Jacob slid his hands under her jaw and raised her gaze to meet his. "Because when I'm with you...I don't see anyone else but you."

"Jake..." she protested weakly as pulled her off the bed to stand in front of him.

"I'm all done. Wanna do something? We can watch a movie or..." he suggested.

"Nah."

"Go for a drive?"

"Nah."

"Well...we could..." Jacob's voice trailed off as he considered whether or not this was a good suggestion.

"What?"

"Go to La Push? It's Friday night. Everybody will be down at the beach. You know, bonfire, drinks, good food?" Even if he thought this wasn't a good idea, it was worth it to see how excited she was.

Renesmee shoved Jacob out of her room and told him she needed fifteen minutes to get ready. He told her she could have five, but honestly, he'd wait forever for his Nessie.

........................

Jacob smiled when Renesmee finally reappeared. "Don't forget a jacket. You know it gets cold there at night," he reminded her gently.

She sidled up beside him, slipped an arm around his waist and squeezed him. "Who needs a jacket when I've got you?"

Now it was Jacob's turn to be speechless. "Well..."

"Come on," she urged, pulling him out the door.

"You have to wear a helmet," Jacob replied as they walked up to his motorcycle, arms still wrapped around each other. He knew that Bella and Edward wouldn't like this, but it was too late now.
...........

Jacob loved feeling Nessie's arms wrapped tightly around him as they drove to the beach. He was tempted to just keep driving, but that wasn't being very realistic.

When they arrived, Jacob made a point to go find the food first, knowing there wouldn't be much left if he waited. Renesmee joined the girls around the fire and got a big hug from Emily. "I'm so glad you made it!" Emily gushed.

"I guess you got over your tantrum?"

Renesmee turned to find Leah glaring at her. She cocked her head and tried to decide if she just wanted to ignore her or get the whole thing over with. "Do you wanna go take a walk?"

Leah looked stunned by Renesmee's suggestion. "Is that your way of saying you want to fight me?"

Renesmee tilted her head and sarcastically replied, "No, that's my way of asking if you want to go somewhere and talk. Or we can do it here..." Renesmee challenged.

Leah held up her hands in defeat. "Fine, let's go."

As the two headed down the shoreline, Jacob approached Emily. "Where are they going?"

"Renesmee said she wants to talk..." Emily began, but when Jacob started to follow them, she grabbed his arm. "I don't think you should join them."

Jacob furrowed his brow in concern. "But..." he protested.

"Just let them get this out. Maybe it will help."

Jacob didn't like it and he didn't agree, but he trusted Emily's instincts and didn't interfere. But he also didn't take his eyes off of them.