I was so focused in my plans that I didn't notice when someone took a seat in my booth.
"Hi! I'm sorry I didn't go to your party yesterday. The airline overbooked my flight and I ended touring through five different airports to get back here."
It was the sweetest voice, the voice of an angel. Bella was seated in front of me.
Now, I don't know what possessed me but my first words to her weren't the ones I had planned.
"Are you single?"
The moment those words were out of my mouth, I closed my eyes and waited for Bella to laugh at my outburst. It didn't happen, she just gasped.
After thirty-five seconds of silence, yeah I was counting, I opened my eyes. Bella was blushing furiously and was trying to hide her face with her long hair.
I had to backpedal or I would miss my chance, but she shocked me by answering my question.
"Yes, I'm single."
I nodded. Another thirty seconds of silence passed with both of us staring at our hands over the plastic table mats the dinner provided.
"So you and Michael aren't together, right? He..."
"And what about Irina?" She asked, but she was glaring at me.
"Irina has always been just a friend. It's our mothers who tried to set us up."
Bella nodded and began to play with her fingers.
"Nothing ever happened with Michael."
"But I saw you with him, here! And he mentioned how you finally agreed to go out with him and he was so static and making plans to not blow his chance..."
Bella gave me a bitter smile. "That was the worst case of miscommunication and misunderstandings. The boys planned a group date and I agreed to come because, hmm, someone I liked was supposed to come."
"Oh."
So she liked someone else. Jasper? Emmett? Could it be me?
"And maybe someone else gave me a terrible advice, " she said, " and despite the warnings of Rose who told me how bad that idea was, I followed blindly those instructions. Too bad for me, because apparently they backfired. But in my defense, I was desperate because we were leaving for college and I always thought yo- he liked me too. After that fateful day, he avoided me and left without saying goodbye."
She finished her ramblings and was looking at me nervously. Wait! I avoided her after I saw her with Michael and yeah, I left sooner than what I had planned because the mere thought of seeing her with someone else was too painful. Could it be...
"But Irina got me the next day and clearly mentioned how she was your first and I didn't know what to think, so I left Forks bitter because I thought..."
"My what? Irina?"
"Yeah, she kindly reminded it to me every time she saw me."
"Bella, are you talking about me? You liked me?"
Now we both were tomato red. I took her hand in mine.
"Bella, I liked you ever since the first day I met you."
"Uh? But then Irina..." She looked at me.
"Irina gave me my first kiss when we were seven. Not our most proud moment."
"But then why did she told me..."
"Bella, Irina is a good friend of mine who tends to protect me and she knew...well," I rubbed the back of my neck with my other hand because there was no way I would release her hand, "Bella when I saw you with Michael... hmm... see, I liked you so much, and when I saw you with him I thought I lost my chance because we were leaving and..."
"Ugh! Emmett told me to agree to Michael's invitation. He said it was a group date, so it wasn't really a date. He said I needed to 'light a fire under your ass'. Then Jasper was supposed to make sure Michael knew it wasn't a real date because we didn't want to hurt him. They promised to talk to you too... Why did I listen to them? They were so sure would get jealous and it would push you to talk to me!"
"Well, I got jealous but I felt I lost my chance because I chickened out and then I remembered how Michael was so excited about going out with you. He's a nice guy and..."
Suddenly the bell over the door of the dinner chimed and we knew someone else got inside. It was a strange occurrence on Sunday morning because people in Forks or was early at church or slept 'til brunch.
It was Irina, speak of the devil. She walked to the counter and yelled for Shelly to bring her order. Now, Irina usually is easy going, so I was wondering what got her so mad.
The bell chimed again and this time Jacob Black was the one coming in.
"Jesus, Irina! I've been calling you for two blocks. You have to answer me some time, you can't keep ignoring me. I told you I'm sorry..." He said while glancing around, when he found me with Bella he growled.
"Listen, why don't we go to the park and you give me the chance to explain what happened?" He got closer to Irina and tried to whisper, but the dinner was empty so we heard everything.
Irina just turned around and glared at him.
"I don't have anything to talk with you, now if you excuse me, I have a date for breakfast with someone else."
"With whom? With Edward? Because he's sitting right there with Isabella Swan. Try again."
Irina huffed. "I never told you who was my date." She walked around Jacob and waved to us in greeting, but she went out of the dinner followed by a very angry Jacob.
"What's wrong with those two? I didn't know they were dating." I said, but Bella turned to look at me and snickered.
"So you were never ever with her? Just that kiss?"
"Bella one day I'll tell you the story behind that kiss. There weren't any romantic feeling involved. It was eww."
"But at seven what kind of kiss she could give you? When was your first kiss with tongue involved?"
I blushed.
"Oh no! Now, tell me that story." She pleaded.
That was the moment when I seized the opportunity.
"What about I promise to tell you the story later, perhaps tonight while you go out with me on a date? A real one."
Bella blushed, nodded and giggled.
"It took you almost five years to ask me. Now, what is this about a trip to Long beach?"
I told her about my uncle's plan and she was excited to come. We discussed my plans for when we get toLong Beach and then decide to keep our a date simple, just coffee, because tomorrow we'll have to leave early. Then she got pensive.
"Would you mind if I ask someone else to come?"
"Sure, the more the merrier. Wait, you're not thinking in Jacob or Angela, right? Because those two..."
"No! I can't stand them. Do you remember how I told you that Emmett and Jasper were the ones behind the whole Michael clusterfuck, well I think some payback is needed." She had the most mischievous smile I ever was seen.
xxx
Later at seven, I was on my way to Bella's home. I had just finished with the last details for our trip, everybody was expected to come to the gas station at six o'clock. Jessica was right, I called Seth and when I offered free food he accepted gladly. Counting with Bella's guest, there will be twelve of us on our way to Long Beach. Not bad. I already packed my clothes, a couple of sleeping bags and a few trinkets I felt would be useful. Now if only this date turn out the way I want...
The Swan's house was around the corner, but I could see Chief Swan sitting in the porch waiting for me. He never did that before. And I didn't have the chance to mull on my options because the Chief stood up when he saw my car.
"Good evening Edward," He said while I was getting down from the car "I heard you're going for coffee with Bella."
Don't show you're nervous, don't show you're nervous.
"Hello, Chief; yeah we want to talk about..." The chief was walking around me and I didn't know why it made me so nervous.
"She also mentioned she was leaving to Long Beach with you." He was still pacing around me.
"Yeah, it's a group trip. My uncle asked us to..."
"I know, Bella told me. Look, I'm going to ask a little favor." He looked at me and I nodded. "She's too stubborn and proud, that she doesn't want to accept any help from me. I want to give you this," he pushed a wad of cash into my hand, "she said she didn't need it."
"Well, chief, she won't need it. My uncle is paying us for the job, so he's happy to provide food and the materials. And anything else she may fancy I could..."
"Just take it. If you don't use it then you can hand it back to me when you return." He winked at me. "Now, I know you plan to go out just for coffee, but I would feel more comfortable if you stay in Forks; she got here at three in the morning and then if you plan to leave early tomorrow she won't be able to drive."
"Hmm, I was thinking that she could go with me, I'm taking my uncle's SUV so we won't be traveling in too many cars."
The chief burst out laughing.
"Son, it took you five years to ask her out; I think it's time you come clean and just ask her to sit by your side, not only in the car." He winked again.
"Am I that obvious?"
The chief just led me to the door of his house that opened before I knocked.
"Da-ad! Get inside before Edw...oh, hi Edward." Bella was the one who opened the door, and I would be laughing at what she said if I wasn't mesmerized by her outfit. How could she get more beautiful with just a simple skirt and a girly top?
"Hi, Bella. Hmm, oh, I forgot the flowers in the car." I was so nervous about the chief that I really forgot everything.
"Don't worry, we have to leave now because we don't have too much time thanks to Mr. You-have-a-curfew." She glared at the chief who smiled.
"I'm just worried about your safety." He shrugged his shoulders.
Bella took my hand and led me out of her house. "Come on. Bye Daddy! I'm taking my key so don't wait up!"
She closed the door, but I heard the chief laughing inside.
I opened the door of the car and watched as Bella slipped inside. Oh, her legs were sinful! I walked around the car, trying to calm myself. She was my dreams come true and I finally was out on a date, ok semi-date. Now, I knew we have to talk. We let too much time pass and we have to bring back that connection we used to share, but if I played my cards right, I may get the woman of my dreams by the end of spring break.
