Chapter 2: It's Just Lunch
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Bella Swan
After we settled into our rooms, Alice and I passed out. I woke up a couple hours later starved. Alice was still in her Lunesta induced slumber. I remembered an awesome looking pool, and figuring that we were in L.A., I would try to get a little bit of sun and have poolside lunch.
On my way down to the pool, I couldn't help but notice people staring at me. I couldn't stand when people gawk, didn't they know it's rude? I put on my 'people friendly smile' as Emmett calls it, and made my way down. When I hit the lobby on my way to the pool, I heard a couple of women whispering how I was shorter in person. I'm only five foot four, what the hell did they expect? I haven't grown an inch since the eighth grade, but if anyone would bother to ask me about my lack of height, I would have been glad to tell them that.
I grabbed a giant towel from the racks and worked my way over to a shaded area at the far end of the pool. I saw a flash of reddish-brown hair and laughed to myself. I thought that it would be hysterical if Edward Masen were here at the Four Seasons.
I started to spread out my towel across my chair and deliberate what I wanted for lunch when a shadow appeared over my towel.
"Excuse me, miss?" the shadow asked.
"Yes?" I asked. My eyes were hidden behind sunglasses, but I zeroed in on the most stunning pair of blue eyes I had ever seen.
"I apologize if I'm interrupting you. I'm not am I?" he asked, I noticed he had a smooth yet subtle southern drawl.
"No, is there something I can help you with?"
"I couldn't help but notice that you are here alone?"
"For the moment, yes I am," I didn't feel the need to share that my best friend was upstairs in a pharmaceutical enhanced sleep.
"Well, since you are alone, and assuming you are a guest of the hotel for a few days?" he paused. I nodded in response. "Well then allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jasper Whitlock," he held out his hand. I reached to shake his, he took my hand a placed a kiss on the back of it. I had no idea who this cat was, but he was a smooth mother fucker.
"Bella Swan, it's nice to meet you."
"Bella, please tell me, do you have lunch plans this afternoon?"
"For the moment, my plans are not set in stone. I'm guessing that you are going to offer to take me out to lunch?" Jasper started chuckling.
"Ms. Swan," he began, but I cut him off.
"Jasper. Let's can the Gone with the Wind bullshit formalities, okay? I'm here to attempt being non-translucent and you are hitting on me, am I correct?" He nodded with a smirk.
"Bella, I am here with a friend of mine. We just finished up a dreadful meeting, and are in need of a bit of excitement. Would you join us for lunch at the Ivy?"
"Who is your friend?"
"He's standing right over there, he may look familiar, maybe not," he shrugged. I looked over to where he was indicating. I removed my sunglasses for a brief second just to make sure we were looking at the same person.
Holy.
Fucking.
Hell.
It was Edward Masen. Dear God in heaven he was even hotter in person than those vampire movies Alice and I had obsessed over.
I gave Jasper a small smile. "Edward Masen, huh? So have celebrities replaced dogs for single men hoping to pick up chicks?" He let out a small laugh.
"Bella I really have to go. The Ivy, at one o'clock? I do hope you'll join us." I just nodded. He leaned down to kiss my cheek and shake my hand. Smooth, had I been single, I might have actually been turned on by our exchange. More than anything, I was amused.
He turned and left to walk back over to his friend, I couldn't help be replay what the hell had just happened. There was no way Alice was going to believe me, but her reaction was going to depend on whether or not I was going to tell her. That part remained unseen.
I adjusted my towel and spent the next forty-five minutes trying to absorb deadly UV-Rays, my idea of lunch by the pool was completely forgotten.
I made my way back up to the room, only to find Alice sitting on my bed.
"Hey, what did you want to do for lunch?" I asked.
"I'm not feeling so great," she said, her face twisted in pain.
"Are you going to be okay?"
"This happens sometimes when I travel. I took that sleeping pill on an empty stomach, so that's not helping."
"You think you're going to stay here for the rest of the day?" she nodded.
"You wanted to check out some bookstores, and stuff anyways. Just go without me. Hopefully I'll feel better tonight and we go grab some room service and watch awful movies. Does that sound okay?" I nodded, but I still didn't feel entirely comfortable leaving her alone.
"Ali, that sounds fine. Are you sure you don't want me stay and take care of you?"
"Bella, I promise, I'll be fine. You go enjoy the sun and the city. I'll be fine."
"Okay, well I'm gonna grab a quick shower and change. If you change your mind, give me a call. Maybe I can pick something up for you while I'm out," she nodded then sprang off the bed, pushing me aside to the bathroom. She slammed the door before I could hear her vomit.
"Al, I'm gonna go shower in your room. I'll check back on you before I leave." I grabbed her room key, my purse and a rather adorable outfit I knew she would approve of. I would like to think that after a few years of being best friends, some of her fashion sense had rubbed off on me.
After I finished my shower, just as I promised I stopped by my room to check on Alice. She was curled under the covers, with a book.
"You gonna be okay?" I asked. She nodded. "I'll see you later; please call if you need anything."
"Love the outfit, Bells," I heard her call. That was the assurance I needed that I didn't look like a complete hooker, which was only adding to the butterfly house between my ribcage. I had decided on an eye-lit navy cotton sundress that was a tad shorter than I was used to, with it falling mid-thigh. I paired it with a pair of white kitten heels, and a pair of sapphire stud earrings, light makeup, and pulled my hair into a high ponytail. I gave myself one last check in the mirror and left. I couldn't help the feeling that I was forgetting something, but I brushed it off. I was being paranoid.
I arrived at The Ivy fifteen minutes late. It was just my luck that that I had the one cab driver in LA that didn't know where the damn place was. Either that or he was jerking me around to raise his fare and tip. I'm guessing it was the latter.
I walked up to the hostess stand. "Excuse me, I believe I'm supposed to be meeting someone, but I'm not sure if they are here yet."
"May I ask your name please?" I cringed, I always hate this part. I knew this place was known for celebrities, but at least in New York I was used to the stares. Would the stares be different because I'm on a different coast? I had always liked to lay low, stay out of the media. Unfortunately with my engagement to Emmett, that was no longer a possibility.
"Bella Swan," her eyes flashed with recognition, but thankfully she just nodded.
"Your guests are expecting you. Please follow me." She gestured for me to trail behind her. When we arrived at our table I gulped, but plastered on my best smile and pushed my sunglasses to the top of my head. I was not going to let Edward Masen or Jasper Whitlock see that the patio would intimidate me.
"Bella, you came!" Jasper sounded excited. Edward and Jasper both stood up.
"I don't believe we had the chance to meet earlier. I'm Edward." Good lord, the man was handsome, and his voice sounded heavenly. The only thing comparable to the smoothness that was Edward Masen's voice was putting on a fresh pair of silk pajamas after shaving my legs.
"Edward, it's nice to meet you," I shook his outstretched hand. When we touched, I felt a warmth, overtake my hand, letting our fingers linger a second longer than normal. "Jasper, good to see you again," I couldn't help roll my eyes when kissed the back of my hand again. "Easy there, Rhett." Jasper let out a burst of laughter, causing Edward to raise an eyebrow.
"It seems Bella is a fan of Gone with the Wind," Jasper said, to fill in Edward. "I hope you don't mind we took the liberty of ordering you a glass of wine."
"Thank you. I have always been a fan of the three martini lunch." I raised my glass in appreciation.
"Ah, so if Jasper is Rhett, and you are Scarlet, does that make me Ashley?" Edward asked. I was impressed; the boy could keep up, not just a pretty face.
"Nah, I think Jasper would be the better Ashley, you would be Rhett. He was the scoundrel after all," I glanced at Jasper who snorted into his drink as I took a sip of mine.
"So, tell me Bella. Jasper said you are just visiting? What brings you to L.A.?" Edward asked.
"I have several meetings to attend to that couldn't be done over the phone, so here I am." I felt instantly guilty for not mentioning Emmett.
"You know, I can't help but notice that you look familiar, but we've never met. Where are you from?" Edward asked.
"I'm from New York."
"Wait…your last name is Swan, from New York?" I nodded. I thought we already covered this. "Any chance you're related to Charles Swan?" I nodded. "As in Charles Swan of Swan Media Group?" Jasper asked.
Oh shit.
"He's my dad."
Jasper clapped Edward on the shoulder. "Holy shit, Son! I told you nothing to worry about!"
"Excuse me?" I asked, now I was genuinely confused.
"It's nothing, sorry." Edward apologized as he shot a death glare towards Jasper. I wasn't going to let this go, but I heard my phone start to play Claire de Lune.
"I'm sorry, guys. I thought I turned this off," people were starting to look towards our table; I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks. I quickly silenced the call. It was from an unknown number.
"Debussy huh?" Edward asked.
"Yup. My parents made me learn to play piano as a kid. When I finally got to choose my own songs for recitals it just called to me. Weird, huh?" I found myself rambling.
"What about you, Eddie? You play?"
"More or less."
"Forgive my thespian friend here, Bella. Eddie is still trying to shake off the alcohol induced stupor from earlier." Jasper informed me, throwing his arm over Edward's shoulders.
I was going to ask what the hell was going on; something about this whole exchange was just…weird. I attempted to lighten the mood.
"So let me ask you boys a question."
"What the hell is there to do in this town that isn't cliché?" Since walking into The Ivy, Edward let out his first hearty laugh, which in turn caused my lady parts to turn to silly putty, read; sticky and wet.
"Jasper, if you were trying to get in my pants, surely you could pick better than a place than this? Are you going to ask me to compare my shoe size to Marilyn Monroe?" I could barely keep a straight face.
"Darlin', trust me. If I wanted to get in your pants, I would be there already."
"So you're saying you don't find me attractive or you think I'm easy?" Edward snorted. I never thought anyone snorting would be sexy. I was wrong.
"On the contrary, you are very attractive and easy is not the word I would use to describe you. You're not my type."
"Fair enough." I didn't care, I was just grateful the talk was off of my family and the air was lighter. "So how do you boys know each other?"
"Jasper and I have known each other since we were kids." I glanced to look at Edward as he spoke; his eyes were staring straight at my mouth. I licked my bottom lip out of instinct. I could feel the damn blush start creep up again, and I looked away. I shifted my eyes back to rememorize his jaw line, the bastard smirked at me. He fucking smirked at me. If we weren't sitting outside, I would have asked if someone had turned the heat up.
"I moved out to LA, Jasper came with. He's my manager."
"That's sweet," my voice was wavering; I was trying like hell not to let him think he was getting to me. Just then our server came back with our drink refills, and we placed our orders. I hadn't even looked at the menu, so I ordered the first thing I saw.
"A burger, Swan? Impressive." Edward said.
"How so?"
"Most girls order salads, and water."
"Is it wrong that I like meat? And I'm not like most girls." I winked. Edward's eyes darkened. The sexual tension was palpable, I could almost taste it, I could feel my nipples hardening and rubbing against my dress, forcing me to silence a moan.
"So I've noticed." Edward's voice was ruggedly low.
Edward Masen
After leaving the hotel, we headed down to pick up my car. The thought of spending time with Bella, was exciting. When he told me we were having lunch at The Ivy, I couldn't help but roll my eyes.
"Really, Jas? The fucking Ivy?"
"What? She's not a local, tourists live for that shit," he grinned.
"Seriously, how cliché is that though?" I hated that damn place. Tourists going there to "star watch", the food sucked, and the damn cameras were everywhere. The last thing I wanted was to have a picture taken with a "mysterious brunette."
"You'll like this chick. She's smart, so I hardly doubt your panty dropper smile is gonna help you get this one."
"You talked to her first, she's all yours," I offered
"Nah, she's not my type."
"That's right, you said she was smart."
"Fuck you, Son! I like 'em a bit shorter and lighter for various rotations," he winked at me. "I don't think she's like the normal girls here, I like her."
"How so?"
"Well for one, she called me on my bullshit and two; she didn't run across the pool deck asking to have your babies."
"And three, she even caught Carlisle's attention." I said.
"Huh."
"Yeah." Carlisle may have fucking temper, a foul mouth, and give his opinion to anyone who didn't ask and not give a shit about their opinions, his only exception was women. He was married and held the ultimate respect for women, especially his wife Esme. The fact he mentioned an attractive women, well…that was saying something.
"Four, you didn't see her up close. The girl has her own coin, no worries about her poking holes in the rubbers."
"That's just wrong," I said laughing. "Thanks for the ride," I called as I got out the car and walked to mine. I said a silent "thank you" prayer that I only had a parking ticket.
Jasper and I drove separately to the restaurant. He had plans for later in the afternoon with some friends who were in town, that I had no interest in meeting. Not to mention, I was counting on taking Bella back to my place, if not her hotel room. That would be more convenient, but I had a gut feeling that this girl was different.
She arrived fifteen minutes late to lunch. I didn't see her arrival, but I knew she was in the area. The noise of the restaurant seemed to die down, my senses were heightened, and I could feel her presence. When we shook hands, I noticed how soft her skin was, and I felt an instant relaxation that I hadn't felt in years, I didn't want to fucking let go. I instantly wondered if she thought she was too good for a quickie in my car.
Throughout the entire course of our lunch, I learned a lot about Bella. She was fucking smart and made me laugh, she never hesitated to put either Jasper in our place, and she was a Swan. Not like the bird, but as in the daughter of the man who could make Rupert Murdoch shine his shoes. She liked her burgers extra well-done, had an intense passion for football, hated being in the spotlight and she played the piano.
There was chemistry between us. I knew she could feel it. Every time our eyes would meet, I could feel my pulse pick up and sitting down started to become very uncomfortable. Occasionally I would catch her staring, and I couldn't help but smirk at her blush. It was too fucking adorable. At one point I swear I saw her nipples through her dress. Fuck, even Jasper noticed there was something going on.
Bella excused herself, as soon as she was out of earshot, Jasper started grilling me.
"What the fuck is going on here?" he leaned over and hissed.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm not sure I want to leave you here alone with her." I looked at him and raised an eyebrow.
"Again, what the hell are you talking about?"
"If I leave here to meet Peter and Charlotte can you promise me you won't bend her over the table and fuck her?"
"Ah, you saw that too huh?"
"I'm surprised Entertainment Tonight hasn't shown up and asked who the future Mrs. Masen is. I like her."
"Yeah. Me too."
"Don't fuck this up, son. I know you and your issues. She'd be good for you; she can give you the ass kicking you need, in more than one good way. I will say it again, do not fuck this up." His tone was serious.
To say I liked Bella, was an understatement, I was smitten and intrigued at the same time. She was everything I could have ever asked for in a woman and personified. There were only two problems I could see in our future. The first was that she lived in New York, and I was in LA. The second problem was more of my issue. Could she handle being seen with an actor?
Bella came back, we immediately straightened up, and I could tell she was curious about our exchange, but wasn't going to ask.
Jasper spoke up. "Bella, my dear it was an absolute pleasure to meet you."
"You're leaving?" she asked, for a brief moment I saw something flash across her face. Panic? Excitement? Dread? Hell if I knew.
"I have somewhere I have to be."
"It was lovely to meet you, too." Jasper stood up and kissed her on the cheek. He turned and looked at me, and gave me a knowing look that said 'we are not done', I just nodded in response.
"Eddie, I'll see you later at home." He turned and left.
"So what are your plans for the rest of the day, Bella?"
"Actually, I was wondering if you knew of a good bookstore near here. My assistant who is currently holed up with food poisoning in her room has requested that I stay away for the next few hours," she chuckled.
"I don't think you are going to find a decent bookstore around this area. Are you partial to this area?"
"I didn't rent a car for my stay down here."
"You're in town for almost three weeks and you didn't rent a car?"
"There was a change of plans," her tone of voice caught me off guard, I didn't ask any further.
"Alright Ms. Swan, where can I take you this afternoon?"
"Are you serious?' she looked down at her watch, "holy crap! It's not even the afternoon; did you know we had been here for over two and a half hours?"
I nodded, "Is that a problem?"
"Uh, not exactly. I need to make a phone call really quick," before she could dial, her phone rang with the Monday Night Football theme. She held up her finger as she answered, "Hey Em! I was just about to call you."
"Hey babe! How's your day been?"
"It's been great. How was yours?"
"So did you do anything interesting today?"
"Not really, Alice has food poisoning from sushi last night."
"Bella, are you sure?" his tone was a bit more firm.
"I'm sure." She turned her head and the voice was muffled. She turned and looked at me, her face was absent of all color. "Emmett, I swear to you, it's just lunch. I promise I will explain more lately," she paused and listened as the muffled voice. She cut him off, "Jesus Christ on a cracker McCarty, did you forget to take your jock off today? If you don't pull your head out of your ass, you would know not to believe anything that fat fucker says!" she hissed in a tone sharp enough I felt my balls shrink into my ribcage. She looked down at her hands as the man on the other line continued talking; she raised her eyes and met mine. There was no doubt she was in panicking. "I didn't think about it, I swear! It's back at the hotel, it was an accident."
"I will call you back when I've calmed down." She slammed her phone shut and glared at me.
"Tell me, Masen. Whose brilliant idea was it to have lunch on the fucking patio of the most paparazzi infested place in California?" My breath caught in my throat. She was angry. It was the fucking sexiest thing I had ever seen.
"It wasn't ours. What the hell is going on? Are you okay?"
"No, I am not okay! We are on the first page of Perez. According to him we are having a romantic lunch."
"So, who cares, nobody important reads that shit anyways?" I was irritated, not because of the gossip sites. I was used to that shit. I was irritated because I know she could feel the energy between us, and she was denying it. She was downplaying the unspoken connection.
"Apparently they do."
"Like who?"
"My fiancé."
Oh. So maybe I had more than two problems.
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