Ch. 3 Dinner for Two

"You should wear that blue one. The one with the V-neck." Rose said as I looked through my closet desperately.

"I don't want to look like I'm seducing him..." I mumbled. "It's just a friendly lunch anyway…" I drifted off.

"Well, why did you even call me then? You won't listen to a thing I say!" I pulled out the shirt she suggested. It really wasn't too revealing. I ran my had over the fabric and sighed.

"Alright, I'm putting it on." I pulled it off the hanger and shrugged out of my current shirt. While I was undressed I figured I might as well change into nicer underwear. I pulled out my light green Victoria's Secret matching set and put them on.

"The blue one is going to look great!" I could hear her smugness through the phone. I kept her on speaker as I tugged a black skirt on that came about mid-thigh.

I let my hair flow freely down my back and placed my feet into some blue flats. I picked up the phone and pressed it to my ear. Rose had been babbling while I'd gotten dressed. Something about going to the mall and checking out a new store or something.

"Hey Rose? I think I may have to go." I said apologetically. I glanced at the clock. It was 4:40 and we were supposed to meet at 5. I really did not want to be late.

"Oh well, have fun on your date!" Rose said. I grumbled about it not being a date and hung up. I did a make-up check and grabbed my purse, walked out and checked that the door was locked. My cat, Calico, who was actually a Tabby, meowed by the window. She pawed at the curtains as I drove away in my red Acura.

I turned the air on high, so as not to sweat all over the place. I was nervous and I didn't want him to think that I was weird. I turned my iPod on and the smooth jazz that I listened to so often filled my ears. I hummed to the melody and crossed Main Street. It only took me fifteen minutes to get to the restaurant. The valet took my key and I glanced at my phone. I was five minutes early. That was acceptable…right?

I walked through the door that was held open for me and entered the spacious building. I wasn't sure if Edward was even here yet, so I checked with the lady at the front desk.

"Um, hi. I'm supposed to be meeting a Dr. Cullen. Is he here?" I glanced at her nametag, which read Lindsey.

'"Yes, he arrived about a minute ago." She showed me the way into the dining hall and back to a table where Edward sat. He stood up when I reached the table.

"Hi." I said as the waiter pulled my chair out for me. I placed a fancy red napkin in my lap and looked at him.

"You look beautiful." He said kindly and an unfamiliar blush fell across my cheeks.

"Thanks, so do you." I offered. He chuckled.

"So I look beautiful?"

"….um I mean…you don't look beautiful…ugh…I meant handsome." I said as I stared at the napkin in my lap in horror. He smiled at me kindly when I chanced a look up.

"I know…I was just messing with you." He winked. I couldn't resist the urge to smile. In an attempt to hide my grin I picked up glass containing water and took a large mouthful.

"So what kind of things do you like to do?" He asked. "Besides the violin, I mean…" I placed the glass back on the table but kept a firm grip on it.

"Well I really like to swim." I admitted. He looked rather surprised but quickly regained his composure. He took a sip from his own water glass.

"Do you swim often?" I shook my head in response.

"No. Not anymore. I used to swim competitively when I was in high-school and college, but sometimes you have to give things up." I smiled sadly at him.

"Are you okay?" Edward asked concerned. "You look like you're in pain…was it something I said?"

"Oh, no." I grinned trying to reassure him.

"Are you sure?" He questioned. I nodded. "How about we order. I could call the waitress…" Edward offered. I nodded and picked up my menu and regarded it. Hmm…the shrimp alfredo looked good. I closed mine and looked at Edward. The menu hid his face so the only part I could see was his forehead. I felt that there was awkwardness between us now and I wanted to get rid of it.

" So…do you have any siblings?" I asked.

"Yeah, I have two brothers." He smiled. "Emmett and Jasper. Emmett's older than me by two years and Jasper is younger by one year." He spoke of them fondly and I smiled, wishing I had siblings of my own. "Maybe you can meet them one day."

"I'd love that." The waitress took our orders and soon our food arrived. I was so engrossed in eating and talking to Edward that I forgot all about my high school days and the sadness that revolved around it.

The alfredo was delicious and I ate every last bite. Edward had ordered crab cakes and he still had some on his plate. We ordered a cheesecake for dessert and shared it. It was heavenly. You know what else was heavenly? The man sitting in front of me.

I discovered that Edward had an amazing sense of humor that complemented my sarcasm well. His laugh was contagious and light and lit up his eyes making them pulse. He was fascinating to watch. I knew it was rude to stare but I couldn't take my eyes off him.

Edward graciously paid the bill and we walked towards the parking lot. It was a warm evening. The sky twinkled with dozens of stars as we finally reached my Acura.

Edward cleared his throat to get my attention and I looked up startled.

"I enjoyed dinner, it was lovely. Can we do it again sometime?" He asked nervously, running his hand through his hair.

"I'd be glad to. Thank you, again." I said as I opened the car door.

"Your very welcome, Bella." He said as I got into my car. I snuck one last glance through window as he waved and I drove away.

Alrighty…so what did you guys think of this chapter eh? Haha I hoped it wasn't what you were expecting…I hoped you enjoyed it and I'd really love lots of reviews…and I mean it's a Holiday so be nice? Pretty please with a hunk of Edward on top?

Tatafornow!

MC 12