Jade didn't know what she had done. Something had happened around the time that Nick talked to her about Isaac, and she didn't know what it was. All she knew was that nothing had been the same between her and Isaac ever since then.

Suddenly he was extremely standoffish around her. There were no more casual dinners, in fact he seemed determined to avoid her at all cost.

"I'm sorry,"she blurted out one day, about three weeks later. She'd come over to watch a movie with Jessi, and while she'd been in the kitchen getting sodas, Isaac had come into the room.

"For what?"He looked confused. He couldn't figure out what she was talking about.

She gave him a pleading look."For whatever I did to make you suddenly hate me."

Just then, Jessi entered the room with two cans of Pepsi One."It's nice to see you two talking again."

Without a word Isaac exited the room. Jade still couldn't see why he was so mad at her.

* * *

Isaac was at a loss for words. What had given Jade the idea that he hated her? He could never in a million years hate her. How could he? She'd become the best friend he'd ever had. He loved her even more than... he sat up with a shocked look on his face. Loved her? The thought had never even crossed his mind before that moment.

No wonder she thought he hated her. Ever since Jessi had suggested that there might be something between him and Jade other than friendship, he'd had this urge to stay away. Now the reason was starting to make sense.

Taylor.

* * *

Curled up with a lame 1960's Harlequin Romance novel she'd found in the free box at a used bookstore, Jade had convinced herself that maybe Isaac was done with her. He'd probably felt guilty about how she'd been after Taylor died, and was just trying to make sure she wasn't going to try and off herself again. Not that the thought hadn't crossed her mind, but since Isaac had taken her under his wing all recurring thoughts of suicide had subsided.

Instead she thought about him.

Hearing a noise outside the door, she felt her heart begin beating faster. Nick was out on business for the weekend and she was all alone in the house. Then she heard the soft knock and let out a sigh of relief. It was probably one of her friends that were just trying to find the door in the dark. She herself had once had to feel all down the side of the house to find the door off the porch, one lonely night when she'd forgotten the key. She'd scared Nick half to death.

Swiftly pulling the door open, she smiled, expecting to see Jenna or Alyson standing there. Instead she forgot to breathe when she came face to face with Isaac.