A Charmed Life
Chapter Two - Bouquets and Books

S.M. owns the cast, the story is all mine

I decided when I entered the coffee shop the next morning not to get my hopes up, I wanted it to be more than just coffee, but at the same time I didn't want to be crushed if it was only that. I didn't know if he had felt what I had yesterday, but hopefully I'd find out sooner rather than later.

I was running a few minutes late since I couldn't pick out an outfit. Where was my fashion savvy sister, Alice, when I actually needed her. Usually she was stuffing me in all sorts of things when I could care less about how I looked. Today, however, I was on my own. Finally, in a bit of a rush, I decided on a pair of skinny jeans paired with a yellow tank top and a ruffled tan colored cardigan. I was presentable enough. Sliding my feet into my trusty pair of boots I made my way over to the coffee shop.

Edward was already inside waiting, and he quickly made his way over to me. He looked downright gorgeous in a pair of black jeans with a matching black button down shirt. "Good morning." He smiled at me, showing off his crooked grin.

"Good morning." I smiled back, looking up into his bright green eyes.

We went up to the counter and ordered our coffees along with a muffin for each of us, banana nut for me, orange cranberry for him. Edward stood silently next to me looking around. There was a bit of an awkward silence until he turned to me and asked, "Should we take these and go sit at the table?"

I looked at him, unsure of what to do next. My mind raced in just a split second, going in circles over our brief encounter the day before. Perhaps I read this all wrong. Maybe there's nothing at all there. Heck, maybe he's gay? Most guys this hot are usually gay. Feeling more than uncertain now I asked, "Are you sure? I mean if you have somewhere to be or things to do it's fine, really. Yesterday was no big deal and I'd completely understand."

I gave him an out. I didn't mean a word of it, because I'd be heartbroken if he left, but I rather take the rejection now than after I fall for him even more.

He bit his lip. "Yesterday was a big deal. I met you," he said quietly.

I certainly wasn't expecting him to say that, but I couldn't agree more. The slow smile that crept onto my blushing face told him exactly that, I was sure. Maybe I had been wrong, and he had felt the attraction too. I hoped more than anything he did. "Okay, let's find a table." I said and followed him to an empty seat. He moved a chair out the way then sat down next to me. Jake laid down underneath of our feet.

I had to ask, to put all my doubts aside. Sitting the coffee on the metal table, I said: "So, this isn't just a sympathy coffee?"

He shook his head seeming a bit taken aback by my comment. "No. This is 'I bumped into a beautiful woman and I want to get know more about her' coffee."

I smiled, I knew then I had indeed fallen for him, and that I was in deep already. Alice had been right. But then again, she usually is, what with her sixth sense about me and my love life.

I leaned forward. "I'm sorry about before, I was hoping to get to know more about you too."

He gave me a half smile again. "Well what would you like to know?"

I sipped the coffee, thinking of questions to ask. "Where do you work?"

He opened the lid of his coffee and added cream. "I'm a defense attorney Volturi and Associates. I work mostly non-profit although my boss doesn't always like when I take pro bono cases. I've always believed in helping those who can't help themselves, though, and if I can I won't let an innocent person go to jail."

"I believe that too, about helping people I mean. You seem pretty passionate about your job."

He nodded. "I am. I love my job."

"That's good, I like that. You should always love what you do."

He smiled. "I agree. And you?"

"I'm a journalist and editor at Twilight Magazine. It's an amazing job." I reached for the sugar and he handed it to me, our fingers slightly touching, causing a jolt of energy to zap me, going straight down to the most intimate of places. I needed to cool it. He was practically a complete stranger still and here I am getting all worked up like a teenager.

"Nice. Do you write stories as well?" he asked.

"I've always wanted to, maybe someday." I added the sugar to my coffee, getting rid of its bitterness.

"I bet you'd be good at it."

I wondered why he thought that. "You think?"

He nodded. "I've read the magazine. I enjoy reading and like to know about new books that come out, especially the crime mysteries. Your magazine always gives good reviews and from what I've read you're a good writer. I knew yesterday when you told me your name that I knew you from somewhere."

Oh, that explains things. I grinned at his compliment; it was quite nice knowing that he thought I was good writer.

"Thanks, I'm glad you think so." I paused as I peeled off the muffin wrapper. "Your turn to ask a question."

"Okay, how old are you?"

I broke off a piece of the muffin. "Twenty-seven. You?"

"Twenty-eight, and Jake?"

Perfect, older than me but not too old. "He'll be seven this fall," I paused. "Any siblings?"

"A younger brother, Jasper." I stored that away, remembering to tease Alice later.

"I have a younger sister, Alice."

He took a sip of his coffee. "Hobbies or interests?"

"Hmm" I thought, "photography mainly. I just got a really awesome new camera that I've been playing around with a lot lately."

"Photography huh? What type of photos do you like to take?"

"All sorts. Depends on when and where I see something worth capturing."

"Nice, I like taking photos myself, mostly of scenery."

"You do?"

"Yeah, I also like running and baseball." he finished just before his phone rang.

"You can answer it. I don't mind." I wasn't worried that he didn't want to be here anymore. He had put my doubts at his ease, with his comfortable demeanor and smile.

"Nah, if it's important they can leave a voicemail. So what else should I ask you?" He was silent as he thought about what else to ask, a small crinkle forming between his eyes.

I played with the sleeve on the coffee cup. "You haven't asked me yet and I don't mind if you do. In fact, it's usually the very first think everyone does aske me. People are always wondering why I'm in a wheelchair." I decided to say, breaking the silence.

Most times it wasn't an easy question to ask. It was an even harder question to awnwer. But Edward seemed sweet so I doubted he ever would. I might as well put it out there. My disablity is a deal breaker for a lot of people. Best to find out now if that includes him, before I fall any more.

He scratched his face and reached up to tug on his already discheveled hair. "Well, I wanted to get to know you better first before I asked you to share that with me. I honestly don't really care if you are in a wheelchair or not."

I smiled at what he had said, truly believing he meant it. I was a bit at a loss of words because the opposite was usually true though. I looked down at my muffin. "Unfortunatly, lots of people do care."

He put his hand over mine. "Then you need to spend more time with me because I don't."

I looked up into his eyes seeing a tender gaze and realizing how easily I could've gotten lost in them. "Maybe I do," I said, a smile tracing my lips.

I brushed my hair back. "No, genetic condition. I have Osteogenesis Imperfecta which means I-"

"-Break easily for little or no reason," he finished for me.

I was a little surprised. "Yeah..." I drew out. "I've never met anyone who actually know what it is without me explaining it. How'd you know?"

"About a year ago I defended a woman who was accused of abusing her baby. We found out and then proved that her son had O.I. and that was why he was always getting hurt."

"Really?" He nodded.

What a small world. "It can be hard to tell. Especially when you have the least severe type like I do." I explained.

"He had that type as well. Her son had broken his leg three times in one year while learning to walk. Poor little guy. Have you broken many bones?"

"A few, yeah." I said, not sure whether to tell him exactly how many. Forty-two broken bones throughout my life was a lot, but I knew others who had broken over a hundred times.

He stroked my hand with his thumb. "Must be hard. But you seem to deal with it well."

"It is, but I try. It could be worse; I can walk a little and stand. It's not too bad. You've got to look at all of the positives. Life's too short not to, you know?."

He smiled. "Good way to look at things." His phone rang again. He looked down at his watch. "Oh, no wonder. Time sure flies, I've got to be at a hearing in less than twenty minutes."

I glanced at my own watch. Oh, wow we've been talking for over an hour. "I've got to get to work myself. It's almost ten."

"It was reall nice getting to know you, Bella."

"Likewise, Edward."

He bit his lip, then looked at me. "I'd like to take you out to dinner on Friday if you'd like."

I was a little shocked but more than happy to be going on a date with him. Taking a chance is definitely paying off. "I'd really like that."

We quickly exchanged phone numbers before leaving, walking out into the parking lot together. Well he was walking, I was rolling. "I'll call you for directions and I'll pick you at seven, if that's okay?"

"It's perfect. I'm looking forward to it." I smiled.

"Me too. Goodbye."

"Bye. And thanks." I said, holding up my almost empty coffee cup.

"No, thank you." He bent down and kissed me on the cheek and once again I felt the shock of electricity go through me. I blushed and smiled as he started to walk away towards a shiny silver Volvo.

"Edward?" I called out, hoping to catch him before he got into the drivers seat.

He stopped and turned around. "Ya?"

Just say it. "Yesterday was a big deal for me too," I confessed and he broke into a smile.

I watched him leave then I gathered my things and headed to work. Three days and we'd be going on our first date.

The next few days passed slowly, but I felt so happy. I called both Alice and Angela, filling them both in. As always, Alice couldn't help but tell me that she had told me so, and of course, admiting defeat, I had to admit to her that she'd been right. I teased her about his younger brother before calling Angela who promised to come over Friday to help me get ready. I couldn't wait.

Thursday morning I was waiting to interview an up and coming local author when a delivery guy walked into my office with a vase filled with vivid yellow ranunculus flowers .

"Miss Swan?"

"Yes, that's me." I said, astonished that I was getting such a lovely bouquet.

No one had ever sent me flowers before. I signed for the delivery and the florist handed me a card. "Thank you." I said, in awe, fishing out a few dollars to tip hip with.

"You're welcome. Have a good day Miss Swan."

He left and I opened the card. It read:

I'm unable to think of anything but your smile. A bouquet of flowers for the moments we spent together and the moments to come.
Yours, Edward

He's absolutely amazing. Here I am, sitting in my office, grinning like a cat who caught the mouse. The gesture was romantic and sweet and that note, oh my goodness, that note. It was nice to know he was thinking about me the same way that I was thinking about him. My thoughts constantly wandered to him, and I couldn't seem to think of anything else without images of Edward creeping up into my periphery. What made me pathetic though was that I was quite content to think about nothing but him and our upcoming date and all of the time we would be spending together. I had officially turned into a fourteen year old girl with a crush. I decided to nip it in the bud and call him. Grabbing my blackberry I looked up his number and pressed dial.

Two rings. "Hello?"

"I got an embarrassing display of flowers today. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that? " I teased.

He laughed. "You're welcome."

"Thank you, though. That was really sweet. I've never gotten flowers before."

"Well, I think that you might want to get used to it, there's more from where that came from."

"Hmm, is that so?"

"Ya, it is. I'm friends with the delivery guy."

I laughed then decided to turn the conservation and tell him that he was in my thoughts. "About the note..."

"Ya?" He sounded nervous, which was cute.

I smiled. "I've been thinking of you too. Tomorrow can't get here soon enough."

I could hear him smile. "I agree."

An intern knocked on my door, then poked her head inside. "Mr. Kline is here."

I put my hand over the cell. "Send him in, Clare." I moved my hand. "Edward, I'm sorry, Garrett Kline is here and I've got to interview him." I opened the notebook with the questions I had written up.

"Garrett Kline? He's my favorite author. You'll have to tell me all about it tomorrow."

"It's a date", I laughed. "Bye, Edward. I really loved the flowers and the note especially." I grabbed a pen off the desk, pulling the cap off.

"You're welcome, Bella. See you soon."

"See you." And with a click he was gone.

Garrett walked in and I hung up the phone as he sat down in the chair, placing his brown leather briefcase beside him. He was an older man, probably in his late 40's or early 50's, with sandy blonde hair accented by faint grey streaks, and light blue eyes covered by his horn rimmed glasses. He was wearing a plaid shirt, worn jeans and brown loafers. He looked like a well traveled kind of guy.

"Mr. Kline." I held out my hand and he shook it. "Nice to meet you."

"And you as well, Miss Swan."

"Bella, please."

"Bella, then. And you can call me Garrett. Mr Kline is way too stuffy sounding for me. I can't take anyone seriously who calls me that."

I chuckled. "All right then, Garrett, thanks for coming. I've just got a few questions, I won't keep you long."

He pushed his glasses up off his nose. "Not a problem, I've got plenty of time."

I smiled as I started the interview which took about thirty minutes. I asked him all the questions I had: why he became a writer, what inspired him, what other books he had written, the plot for his new book, how he came up with the main character of his series, his hobbies and other interests, and whether he was working on a next project which he was. It was a continuation of his current series with a detective who had a knack for solving unsolvable murders. I took detailed notes both for the article and so that I could share them with Edward.

As we wrapped up the interview, Garrett reached into his suitcase and pulled out two copies of his latest book: Eclipse. He handed them to me.

"You can keep them or give one to a friend."

"Thank you so much, Garrett. I'm really look forward to reading it."

"Enjoy," he said, starting to get up.

"Before you go can I ask for a favor?" I said thinking again of Edward.

He nodded. "Name it. That was one of the more riviting interviews I've down with a nice range of questions."

"Could you sign your book for a friend of mine?" I asked, unsure of what his response would be.

He glanced at the vase of flowers perched on the corner of my desk. "Boyfriend? I'm sorry you don't have to answer that. I just saw the bouquet." He pushed his glasses up.

"No no, I asked you a few personal questions, and you gave me answers. So, yes, it is for the man who sent the flowers, but he's not my boyfriend. Not yet anyway. However, he is a fan of yours."

He smiled. "Well then, thank you for honesty. That's a good quality you see less and less of these days." He dug a pen out of his suitcase. "I'd be happy to sign it."

I handed him the book. "What's his name?"

I smiled back at him. "Edward. And thank you."

He signed it, before handing it back to me. "It was wonderful meeting you."

"Likewise. Thank you for your time and for the signed book."

He shook my hand again as he stood up. "You're more than welcome. Have a good day, Bella."

"You too, Garrett." I closed the notebook and shut the pen as he walked out. I couldn't wait to surprise Edward with it tomorrow.

Chapter 3 is the date. I can't wait!
Again, this is my first venture into writing, so please don't mind me as I shamelessly ask you to leave a review.

PS: I don't have a beta. Does that matter?