Write Me Up

by BaliM

Bella is content with where her life is now. A new assignment from her boss shakes her up and reminds her of the time in high school she was ok with forgetting. What will she do when she has to come face to face with her old crush, now known as Chef Edward Cullen? AU/AH mature themes.

1. Chapter 1

Oh hi there. So I was totally working on something completely different when this popped into my head and I found myself opening a blank document to get it down. Figured I'd see where it went so here we are! Not sure how long it will be, can't see it going too long. This will probably be something of a shorter, fluffy, feel good story. You can never have too many of those! No beta again, I'm daring and reckless like that.

I've never been to the Seattle area so I won't claim that everything is accurate to the city and places in it. I'm taking the liberty that writing fiction gives me and making shit up to fit what I've been able to research. :)

Specific thoughts are highlighted in italic.

Disclaimer applies here as it does everywhere else: I own nothing of twilight which is just a damn shame if you ask me.

Onward!

~o~o~O~o~o~

My boss hates me. It's the only explanation. Maybe she's still mad because I ate the last cupcake that A Dash of Sugar sent after the glowing review we wrote about them. Or she could finally be getting me back after the thai/italian bistro assignment she covered for me after Charlie broke his leg.

Then again she was out for a week and a half with food poisoning so I can see why that one would linger.

Granted she doesn't know much about my awkward, lonely and sometimes painful high school experience, but still! The last thing I ever expected was being handed a brief on a new seafood place to review for Seattle Met and seeing the name Edward Cullen under Chef/Owner in bold 12 sized Times New Roman. I can honestly say I haven't had more than a passing thought of him in the last few years; the same can't be said for all of high school and some of college. Obsessed would be one way to think of it. Boarder line stalker in high school is another one. It's really not my fault, though, that our hometown is small enough that people almost literally knows everything about everyone.

I'm really not sure why the attack of nerves hit me when I saw his name. I've grown up a lot since high school. I'm not awkward in my own skin any more. I have been known to bust out a skirt and 4 inch heels although honestly why anyone would want to on a regular basis is beyond me. I'm a confident woman and it took me a long time to get where I am now. But one look at a name on a piece of paper is driving me right back to the hole I was in as a teenager. Unacceptable.

I know I need to get this review done soon, but thankfully Liz has given me this one a bit earlier than usual and I can take some time to snap myself out of it before I need to dive into it. The one good thing about being a reviewer (I dislike the word critic) of all things food, book and occasionally nightlife, is that my friends and I use it as a night out for us and we really enjoy it. I'm thinking this one will call for a bit of preplanning before we go though.

With that I shoot out a group text to my girls to see about a quick round of drinks at our favorite lounge before putting the whole issue out of my mind and actually getting my usual Friday workload done.

When I come up for air around lunch time I grab my phone to check for replies as I head to the break room to pull my salad out of the fridge.

10:08 am: An opportunity to get away from Ben whining about a toothache? I'm in. ~ Ang

10:13 am: Yay, margarita's at Olive! Btw Ang has he not heard of a dentist? ~ Alice

10:14 am: Oh he's too much of a man for that Ali. Show no pain in public & all that. Of course that means I get the pleasure of hearing all about it...every night...for a week & a half. Is the sarcasm coming through enough? ~ Ang

11:28 am: Tell the princess to suck it up. If not send him to the shop. I've got some pliers that will work wonders. I may be a bit late tonight so you bitches better not talk about anything important until I get there. ~ Rose

12:31 pm: I saw a video about guys using electro stimulation to simulate the pains of childbirth, you should look into it Ang, see if he'll bitch about a toothache after that. :) I'll let Seth know we're coming so he can hold a table. See you ladies there. ~ Bella

My girls rock. We're all over the place when it comes to personalities and careers, but we've managed to take meeting in college and being neighbors in dorms to being Rider or Die Chicks as my idiot brother Emmett likes to call us.

I sit at my desk to eat my food and I can't help but think back to when I first got to the University of Washington and realized that I had the poster child for why we should use tranquilizers known as Alice for a roommate. That was an interesting experience. I had barely gotten the door to the room open before I was wrapped up in the jaws of life and bouncing around the room being told how much fun I was going to have with the my new best friend. It turned out well for us though. We met the neighbors across the hall that very same day and the four of us have been friends since. More than friends as Emmett took one look at Rose when he moved back to Washington the summer before our junior year and it was over with for them. They got married the summer after we graduated and I just found out I'll be an auntie for the second time.

They helped me grow a lot. There was no way Alice would have let me go on as I did in high school. The first week of our freshman year I started doing what I was used to doing, but going straight from class to my room or the library and staying in every weekend was not acceptable for her; or Rose and Angela. I actually didn't even get the chance to stay in that first weekend. By Thursday evening the girls staged an intervention. Later I realized that while it seemed to be happening too fast for me, they actually took it easy and we just explored some of Seattle instead of going to first frat party of the semester they had planned for that weekend. While I did bitch and moan for most of that first semester, it was a rebirth for me, or as Rose puts it I got my shit together. It took that whole freshman year for me to feel comfortable enough to date. By the end of the year I was thinking less and less of Edward Cullen and guys were noticing me more and more.

It took a few douche bags, but I finally found a guy I was comfortable enough with and cared enough about to go through all the major firsts with. Adam was great and we lasted 8 months before he had to transfer back home to the east coast to help his mom take care of his sick dad. We've lost touch, but last I heard his dad was doing better and he was in a pretty serious relationship.

That was my junior year and since then I've had several short relationships and 2 that lasted more than a year. Not all of those relationships ended well, but they only gave me more confidence in myself as a woman and a person, until I reached the point I'm at today. I'm 26 years old with a great job working at a major magazine in Seattle. I have amazing friends and I enjoy hanging out and having fun. I have been able to travel and I try new things and have new experiences regularly. I've become closer to the brother who was almost 4 years older than me and always seemed to have too much to do that didn't involve hanging out with a little sister.

So no, I'm not the Bella Swan who was quiet and shy in high school; tending to trip over the evil smurfs no one saw and run into Casper the friendly invisible wall every other day. Who usually didn't speak up in class and kept her head down when walking through the halls. The one who's dad picked her up in front of the school in a police cruiser with the gun belt to match before learning to drive. And I'm most certainly NOT the girl who had a crush on the most attractive guy in school from the age of 14 until well after graduation. The one good thing that came out of how I spent my high school years is that I was class valedictorian and I caught the attention of the Natalie McMullen Scholarship Fund. I received a full ride to U-Dub and was even able to use the room and board portion for the house that Rose, Alice, Ang and I rented and moved into in January of our sophomore year.

My life has been pretty damn good the last 8 years or so, but one hint of a blast from the past is sending me on a mini tailspin. I've got to get it together though, I won't give Liz a reason to question my professionalism; even though we have a good working relationship and I count her as a friend I would never want to jeopardize the job I've come to love. So, I will possibly get a little tipsy tonight with friends, strategize a little about how I want the encounter to go down and then put my big girl panties on and eat some food.

~o~o~O~o~o~

I got out of work a little earlier than expected, you can actually get a lot done when you focus only on work, go figure, and decided to stop by my apartment to change before walking the few blocks to Olive.

The girls and I met its owner Seth just over 3 years ago when he was working as an underpaid and under appreciated manager for a bar that has since closed. He was always really great with us when we would stop by, making sure we were taken care of and keeping the laughs going. So when he told us that he would be leaving to open up his own place we were pretty excited. To help save some on the start up costs Seth, the girls and I rounded up all the friends we could find with some free time and we all jumped into the remodeling of a location not far from the heart of downtown Seattle.

His vision for a somewhat upscale place where the young professionals of Seattle could come after work for a drink with friends was a real winner. With help from Alice, she's an event planner who does everything from weddings and fundraisers to gallery openings across the city and my being able to get the word out through Seattle Met, The Olive Lounge opened as a big hit and has been going strong in the year since then. Needless to say, Seth has something of a soft spot for his A-team as he calls us and he tends to save us the best seats in the place when he knows we're coming, along with a friends and family discount that I'm sure will come in handy tonight.

When I get there I spot Angela sitting and texting away in the booth that's in the back corner on the opposite wall from the bar. I wave to Seth who I can see is getting margaritas that I know are for us together, ah he knows us well, and make my way to the table.

I plop down into the booth with a sigh and Angela doesn't even bother looking up from her phone when she speaks, "Hey Swan, what's with the Sad Sally sigh?"

I can't help but snort at the question. "Nice alliteration Ang, all that book editing is coming in handy. Have you thought of going into the hallmark card business?"

"Bite me, bitch," she deadpans as she puts her phone down and I grin wide at her proving my point.

She glares at me playfully as Seth makes his way over with a tray of drinks and plates of the mini meatballs that I love along with some rib tips and what looks like veggie egg rolls. Another thing I loved about this place. The food is a little bit of a lot of cuisines done really well and in portions made to share, making this a great place to come and hang out with friends for a few hours.

"Ladies," Seth says as he puts the plates in the middle of the table, "We've added these egg rolls to the menu tonight. Give it a try and tell me what you think, ok?"

"With pleasure, babe, I'm starving," Ang says as she digs in, spearing a meatball with a toothpick and popping it into her mouth with a moan.

"How's business, Seth?" I ask as I reach for my drink. Oh, that's good.

He leans against the side of the booth, looking out over the busy lounge and bar area with satisfaction. "It's going really well. We've picked up a lot of weekend traffic; looks like spring is getting people out more. I'm thinking of adding a couple people to the staff to help keep things going smoothly, a waiter and bartender."

"Nice. Make sure the bartender is another piece of eye candy, will you?" Ang asks with a smirk.

Seth can only roll his eyes because he knows it's true. Hot bartenders mean more women coming in and everyone knows that the men will be where the women are. We've all seen Bar Rescue.

Just then Alice practically skips her way over to the table, she has yet to slow down in the energy department. With a hug for Seth she slides in next to me, stealing a sip of my drink before I can block her.

"Hi guys. Oooh egg rolls. These look good Seth," she says, ignoring my pout as she picks up a piece and pops it in before grinning at us all.

"First round and the food is on me since you're my belated guinea pigs. I'll get your drink going and have it brought over, Alice. I've got to go check up on the kitchen," Seth says as he pats the back of the booth seat.

"Thank you, Sethie," we call out to him. He shakes his head and waves back at us as he moves toward the bar.

"So," Alice says as she settles into her seat, "Was there a reason for this pow wow? Not that I would ever say no to a girls night."

"Unless you have an appointment with man meat, you mean," Angela says as she quirks her eyebrow at our smallest friend.

Alice waves the comment away. "Please, that's like taking a day off from work to go get a physical. It's a necessary evil to keep the body and mind healthy, it just happens more often than once a year," she says with a superior sniff.

Ang and I share an amused look.

Of the four of us Alice has the most interesting sex life. Rose has been with Emmett for the last six years, Ang has been dating Ben for three years and living with him for one. I broke up with my last boyfriend Alec about seven months ago and have been on a dry spell since then. Alice on the other hand has a "friend" who she hooks up with whenever he happens to be single and another who travels a lot for work that she gets together with when he's in the city and she's not too busy with an event. She hasn't been in an actual relationship since college. She says she's happy with her work and the arrangement that she has for now. At least until The One comes along.

"We need to wait for Rose to get here before I tell you guys about it. It's nothing bad really, I just want some input from you all and it called for some drinks," I tell them before taking a bite of a yummy rib tip.

Ali and Ang give me curious looks, but nod in agreement before Alice launches into a funny story about the bride that she worked with last weekend whose father took a tennis ball to the eye at the country club the day before the wedding. Apparently the bride was more hysterical over her father having a black eye in her wedding pictures than she was worried about him actually being hurt.

Ang is telling us about a "historical romance" that was sent in to the publishing house for review that clearly highlighted what had to be a failed grade in history and no research what so ever when Rose joins us 20 minutes later.

"Hi hoes," she says unceremoniously, grabbing the last egg roll before she even sits down.

"Nice of you to join us, skank," Ang snarks at her, she was reaching for that egg roll when it was snatched out from under her.

"Whatever, I told you guys I'd be late. I had a potential client stop by the shop, he has two restorations he wants done to the nine's and I'm more than happy to make those beauties shine." She rubs her hands together at the thought of working on what I'm sure are cars that I wouldn't be able to picture if she told us what they were.

Rose restores classic cars and bikes. We were all shocked enough when we found out her major was mechanical engineering, but knowing what she would do with the degree explained it some. Her father opened a shop some 35 years ago and quickly became sought-after for his attention to detail. He and his wife had three girls and of those three, Rose was the only one who took an interest in cars. They bonded over Rose's regular visits to the shop and she decided she couldn't see herself doing anything other than working with her dad at the shop. Now they work together with their crew and Rose has become the public face of the shop, not surprising considering she's a knock out in the looks department and that draws business their way along with the reputation of the work.

The waiter that has been keeping an eye on us comes over to take Roses order and we're not surprised when she orders all of the plates again along with cranberry juice. She had a serious appetite the last time she was pregnant too and it started early.

"So we're all here now, what's the situation Bella?" Alice asks as soon as the waiter moves on. I could tell she's been dying to ask the entire time we've been waiting.

I take a big sip of my second margarita and sigh as I set it down again. "Edward Cullen."

They look at each other, all of them with "uh oh" expressions on their faces. They know well who Edward is seeing as he was all I would talk about on the first night I ever got drunk (again thanks to the girls, they were appalled when I told them I had never had alcohol and set aside the very next Friday to get me shit faced in our room)

"What about him?" Angela asks after a beat of silence.

"It seems he's come back closer to home and opened up a restaurant in the city. I always figured he'd stay out east so you can imagine my surprise when Liz hands me a brief on this place called 'Pesce on 4th' and I see the name Edward Cullen over the bio for the chef and owner," I tell them as I play with the stem of my glass, frowning in thought.

There's another beat of silence before Rose speaks up, "Ok yeah, I'm sure that was the last thing you expected to see. What are you going to do?"

I reach up to push my hair back with a sigh. "That's just it, I think. I saw his name and kind of blanked for a minute. I realized I hadn't thought about him in a long time and I was surprised by it. At the same time it kinda took my on a trip down memory lane that I could have done without. I don't know how I'm supposed to act. Would it be really awkward? Would he even know who I am?"

"Hey you're a pretty well recognized name in the city's food life, so if he doesn't know who you are he needs to step up his game. Besides, think of it as a good thing! You've really changed since the last time he saw you. It will be like a do over for you. This time around you can show him what he was missing during high school," Ang says.

"Hell yeah. I say you play it cool. The staff at good places usually know who you are before we get there. So don't say anything until he approaches you and you know for sure if he connects the dots or not. We can totally get you ready for the night! We'll get you in a sexy casual look. When do we need to go?" Alice asks as she bounces in her seat in excitement at the thought of playing dress up.

I can't help but smile in appreciation at the very Alice response. "I need to get the review in a week from Monday. I know you have that fundraiser next Friday, Alice, but are you guys up for going on Saturday? I'll call tomorrow probably and make a reservation if it's good for you guys." Alice nods her head as she claps her hands together with a soft squeal of excitement.

"That's fine with me. You know I wouldn't say no to food and I'm sure Emmett will be happy for a guys night. And I know mom is anxious to have Liam for a night again," Rose says as she leans back in her seat, rubbing the baby bump that has only recently begun to show.

"Ben wouldn't mind a guys night either. Unless he doesn't go to a dentist, in which case he can keep his ass at home and I'll go out anyway," Angela says with an eye roll.

We all laugh at the fact that Ang has lost all sympathy for her 'too manly to feel pain' boyfriend and settle in to enjoy a bit of time catching up.

~o~o~O~o~o~

I take my time walking home a couple of hours later. Seth was right, spring is here and the night is great to be out.

As I walk I can't help but try to picture what my upcoming encounter with Edward will be like. Will he only know me as a critic coming in to rate his food? Will he remember me as Chief Swan's quiet daughter? Will he remember me at all?

It's not like Forks High was very big so everyone at least knew who their year mates were, I wouldn't be surprised if it's even worse now with the way the internet helps spread information. But the only conversations we had in our 4 years of high school were during the 3 times we were partnered for projects. I'm sure he thought I was slow too since I had a hard time talking to him and usually ended up stuttering and sounding like an idiot when I did manage to say anything.

I snort and shake my head at myself as I unlock the door to the lobby of my building. Waving my hand at Marcus, the sweet older doorman who I bring cookies and brownies to and flirt outrageously with, I make my way to the elevator and head up to my floor. As I let myself into my apartment I'm greeted by Boris and Natasha, 10 month old Russian Blue litter mates that were a gift for my last birthday from Emmett. He named them and it was too funny to think about changing them when he gave them to me.

"Hello sweethearts. I hope you've been behaving yourselves," I say as I pick up Natasha. I can only tell them apart at a glance because Boris is noticeably bigger than his sister. Walking into the kitchen I see that they finished the food I set out for them before leaving for the lounge so I refill their water and leave them to drink as I head to my bedroom to change.

Once I'm comfy in a pair of yoga pants and a tank top with my hair up and out of my face, I grab the brief of Pesce on 4th that I avoided reading at work and head to my living room to relax and read. I plop down on my couch and flip through the channels on tv. Settling on a Mob Wives episode for background noise I pull my feet up under me and start to read.

From the looks of it, Edward has a rather impressive resume for someone so young. He got an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from the Culinary Institute of America's New York campus. He went straight into a Bachelor's of Professional Studies in Culinary Arts Management and fast tracked his way through, graduating early and apparently impressively enough to be immediately picked up by Giovanni Scappin.

He spent the next 4 and a half years with Chef Scappin, the last year and a half as sous chef, before moving back west to Seattle where he opened an Italian inspired seafood restaurant not far from Pike Place Market a few months ago. I can't help but be impressed with what he's been able to accomplish in such a short time in a very challenging career field. But then again Edward Cullen was a very noticeably driven individual even in high school.

As I sit and go over what I just read I have to stop myself from googling Edward to find out more. I never go looking online for information about restaurants or their owners other than what I'm told in the brief, which isn't much. I prefer to form my own opinions on the food and service, including everything from making the reservation onward. It helps to not have outside influences, either positive or negative, when I'm deciding what to try and how the ambiance is the restaurants are.

Checking my watch I see that it's a little before 10 in the evening. From what the brief says they're open until 11:30 on the weekends so I decide to call and make the reservation for next Saturday.

I reach over to the table next to the sofa and grab the cordless phone from its cradle. Boris and Natasha hop up onto the couch with me, Natasha settling in to snuggle against me as Boris entertains himself with the fingers of my free hand.

I punch in the number on the paper, putting the phone to my ear as I take a deep breath.

It only rings twice before being picked up and I nod in approval that the staff seems attentive to the phone, it's actually surprising how often the phone is left ringing and the amount of time I spend on hold.

"Good evening, you've reached Pesce on 4th, this is Melissa speaking. How can I help you?" The smooth voice says on the other end of the line. The noise is muted in the background but plentiful.

"Hello, Melissa. I'd like to set up a reservation for next weekend if that's possible."

"Of course, miss. Is there a specific day next weekend that you would like to join us?" The voice replies

"Yes, I'd like to come in at around 7:30 on Saturday," I say. This is usually a time of night that is very busy for restaurants. I think it's important for reviews to happen when the restaurants are generally swamped so that you can see if they can handle the pressure of pleasing larger crowds in an efficient manner.

"Yes ma'am, we do have an available table at that time. How many will be in your party?" Again the voice is calm and pleasant. No attempts to rush me off the phone or impatience.

"There will be four of us all together. We'll be under the name Bella Swan," I wait to see if there is a reaction. The really well prepared restaurants have lists made up with the names, and sometimes pictures, of the more well known reviewers in the city so that they can know as soon as the call comes in and the second they walk in the door.

There's a slight pause on the other end of the line and the quick intake of breathe means that this might be the case this time. Another point in Pesce's favor. It's vital to be prepared for reviews. It's unfortunate for those that don't do well, but what I and other's in my profession do can make or break a business and you have to be on your A game all the time and especially when we come calling.

"Yes of course Miss Swan. To be sure, you will join us next Saturday at 7:30 in a party of four for dinner, correct?" The voice is still smooth, kudos to Melissa.

"That's correct, Melissa. Thank you."

"Not at all a problem, Miss Swan. Is there anything else I can do for you at this time?"

I'm tempted to ask about Edward and if he was there, but decide against it. "No that's all for now."

"We look forward to having you with us. Have a good evening," she replies.

"You too, Melissa," I say before hanging up.

"Well, they get an A plus so far in service," I tell my cats as I playfully push Boris onto his back and rub his little belly.

I shift my focus onto the tv seeing that a confrontation is taking place between the ladies of Mob Wives. Damn I need to rewind to find out what I missed. As I hit the button to take me back to the beginning of the episode, I decide that now that I've made the reservation I can put Pesce on 4th and Edward Cullen out of my mind until Saturday morning when the girls and I would be shopping for new outfits for the night. There was no point in stressing myself out when there was nothing I could do until then.

With a nod at my decision, I settle in to see Carla's crazy ass threaten Renee with a knife. A few minutes later, Boris manages to get onto the top of the couch near my head and bats at my ponytail. I turn to reach over and scratch his head, coming nose to snout with my kitten and looking into his green eyes.

Immediately I remember that Edward has amazing green eyes. So much for putting him out of my mind for now.

Fuck.

And there we are. Hope you guys enjoyed that. I might do a little Edward POV after they meet up again, we'll see. I'll try to keep the updates flowing, a couple weeks at most, a couple days if I find the right inspiration. But I'll do my best to not keep people waiting.

Feel free to let me know what you think!

Until next time~