Jake was taking care of her. Well, how in the hell was he doing that exactly? The last time he’d checked, Jacob Black was but a high school kid who happened to have a crush on Bella, and that wasn’t saying much about him, because frankly, a teenage boy had little to no chance against some of the things that haunted this city. But then again, Edward wasn’t aware of his recent change and had yet to find out that he was now a flea-bitten mutt. If he did know, he’d be apprehensively concerned about Bella staying with him. That was a given fact.
At least his transformation would allow him to actually protect Bella. Yes, at least there was that… Not that he knew there was anything at all, yet alone that. No, he wasn’t aware, and he didn’t know and he still would not approve even if he did, because werewolves were not amongst his top ten, and never would be.
He didn’t question her about it though. He was there, and could keep an eye on her now, and so could Alice, who was likely eager to do so. That would be three people looking out for her, and Edward didn’t have knowledge of the vampire with a soul yet. There was the chance that he would get along with him, but that could not be proven until he actually got the chance to meet him. Saving Bella’s life was enough to make him somewhat acceptable in his book. It was enough to make Edward not despise him for what he was.
His apology… It was for everything, all the things that he’d said, all the things that he done… He’d left her alone. He should have listened to Alice, should have stayed. But she deserved better than him, she deserved to be normal.
He didn’t quite know what to do when her hand touched his face. Those defenses were being torn down, he was growing weak. He was speaking, and his words were soft, quiet.
“I do still care for you.” He felt that he needed to let her know that. She deserved to know.