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Chapter Four:
My week went by very slowly at work. I thought it was never going to end. Edward called me again on Thursday night, apologizing for not calling me sooner but he said work has been crazy again. I wasn't sure how being a piano instructor could be all that crazy, but I guess I really didn't know.
We had decided to meet at an Italian restaurant in the city at 8pm on Saturday night. My dad had called me on Friday to inform me he was back from his trip and that he wanted to see me. I had told him I would be at his house at around 11am. That would leave me enough time to spend with my dad and be home in plenty of time for my date.
No one knew about my date, not even Rose and Angela. I just wasn't ready for all the questions they were sure to ask and I wasn't even sure if there was anything to tell.
Finally it was Saturday. I woke up early since Forks was an hour drive from Seattle. I picked up some of my dad's favorite chocolates from a small candy store that was downtown and I made my way to my hometown.
I pulled into the driveway and noticed my dad's car was the only one there. I thought I would see an unfamiliar car belonging to his new lady. I made my way up to the front door and opened it.
"Dad?" I called as I stepped into the house.
"In the kitchen." I heard him call back.
I took off my jacket and put it and my bag on the chair and then walked into the kitchen to find my dad at the sink cleaning some freshly caught fish.
"HI Daddy," I said as I stood up in my toes to kiss his cheek.
"Hey Bells, how are you? How was drive?" He asked as he washed his hands from the fish.
"It was fine, hardly any traffic." I answered. "Here I brought you these." I placed the box of chocolates on the counter next to him. "I know how much you like them."
"Thanks Bells."
"So I thought your new lady friend would be here this morning?"
"She will be, she wanted to go home and drop her things off and then she'll be back. Plus it will give us some time to talk."
"Okay," I said uneasily. "Why do I do get the feeling you need to sit down?"
"Because you should." He replied.
"Dad, what is going on?"
"Come on, come sit in the living room with me," he suggested as he wiped his hands dry.
I grumbled and went into the living room plopping down on the couch as my dad took his usual seat in his recliner.
"Now Bella, I don't want you to freak out," he started.
"Dad! Would you just tell me please?"
"Okay. A few months ago while I was at the diner I noticed that Sue was there as well eating alone. You knew its been almost five years since she lost Harry, so I decided I would ask if I could join her… and well, things sort of took from there."
"Oh my god!" I shouted. "You can't be serious, dad? You're lady friend is Sue Clearwater? Jake's Aunt, are you completely insane?"
"See I knew you were going to react this way which is another reason I wanted to tell you alone before she got here."
"Dad, you're dating my ex-boyfriend's aunt! The very same boy who broke my heart, who after he left me, you had to rock to me sleep night after night because I couldn't stop crying and now you're dating his aunt? How the hell do you expect me to react?"
"I know this must be a shock to you Bella, but you have to understand, Sue and I have been though the same thing. When I lost your mother, I never thought I would ever find anyone to help heal the void in my heart. And Sue felt the same way when she lost Harry, it just happened, you can't help who you love Bella."
"You love her?"
"I think I do, yes," he answered. "We have spent every day together since that night in the diner and we have become very close."
"Why are you just telling me this now?"
"Because I didn't want to hurt you. I know how badly Jake hurt you and believe me so does Sue. She has never made excuses for her nephew and we wanted to make sure that there was something to tell before we told anyone, especially you."
"I'm sorry dad, I guess I'm just in a little shock here."
"I know Bells and I understand, but don't hold Sue responsible for something her nephew did. She's a good woman and she's good to me. Can you find a way to accept that?"
"Are you happy dad?"
"I am yes."
"Then I will do my best, but I don't want any contact with Jake and I don't want you or Sue talking about me or my life with him."
"You have my word on that Bella."
"Thank you," I said as I hugged him. "I love you dad."
"I love you too Bella."
Just then there was a knock on the door. My dad smiled at me as he went to answer the door. I watched as Sue came through the front door and hugged my father. I could see the way they looked at each other that they were healing each other's hearts.
"Hi Bella," Sue said as he came in the living room.
"Hey Sue, how have you been?"
"Good thank you," she said as he looked back at my dad. I saw him nod to her as if he was letting her know it was okay and then she looked back at me. "I hope this wont be too awkward for you, but I just want you to know that I never agreed with Jake's choices when it came to you."
"I appreciate that Sue, but its over now. I've moved on."
"I'm glad to hear that Bella," she said. "I also want you to know that I care about Charlie very much."
"Well that's all I can ask for then." I said as I extended my hand to hers and smiled.
She took my hand in hers and gently squeezed it.
"Okay so how about some food?" My dad suggested.
We drove to the diner and settled into our usual booth and ordered some lunch.
"So Bells, how is work going?" My dad asked.
"Work is good, I have a great group of students this year, so it's all good."
"That's good to hear," he said. "Now how about a man, have you met anyone yet?"
"Charlie, if Bella wants to tell you about her dating life, I'm sure she will, don't put her on the spot." Sue said.
I think I like her a little more now.
"I'm just saying, it's been a long time since… well you know, and I think you need to get out there again."
"You and everyone else seems to think that Dad." I said. "And for your information I happen to have a date tonight."
"Wow, that's great." He said. "Who's the lucky guy?"
"Just someone I met around."
I didn't want to tell my dad I met Edward online. With him being a retired police chief, he would not stop on all the dangers of meeting someone I don't know. It was best to just leave that bit of information out.
"Well good, I'm gad you're getting out."
"Thanks dad."
After lunch we drive back to my dad's house where I said my goodbyes to him and Sue and made my way back to Seattle.
I had some time before I had to start getting ready for my date so I decided to clean up around my apartment and take a short nap.
Before long it was after six o'clock and I was standing in front of my closet in my towel from my shower with no clue as to what to wear tonight. I stomped out into the living room and picked up my cell phone. I knew Rose would be at Angela's tonight so I made the call.
"Hello?" Angela answered.
"Get both your asses over here now, I need you both." I said.
"Bella, what's wrong?" She asked.
"I have a date tonight." I said as I hung up the phone.
Within 20 minutes, both Rose and Angela busted through my front door completely out of breath.
"You have a date?" Rose asked.
"With who?" Asked Angela.
"Did you meet him on the site?"
"How long have you been talking to him?"
"What does he look like?"
"What's his name?"
"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US!" They both shouted at the same time.
"Because I knew you both would do exactly what you just did," I said. "Come in here and ask me all these questions."
"Well are you going to answer them?" Rose asked with her hand on her hip.
"Ugh… fine, yes I met him on the site, he emailed me over a week ago, we've talked on the phone twice, he's fucking gorgeous, and his name is Edward. Satisfied?"
They both looked at me speechless. So that's what it took for them shut up?
"What are you going to wear?" Rose asked.
"I don't know, that's why I called you two bitches over here. You see I'm still in my towel and I can't go in this unless I really want to send Edward the wrong message, so I need help picking some out to wear."
Rose and Angela looked at each other and then each of them took my hands and dragged me back into my bedroom. I sat down on my bed and watched them rip through my closet.
"She has great legs, she should show them off. I think a skirt." Angela said.
"Yeah, but too much leg could be distracting on a first date," Rose sad.
"Well then jeans a low cut top, she has to show off some of her assets."
"Yeah I think that sounds good."
I watched my two best friends go back and forth with each other for a good long while before they finally settled on an outfit.
They handed me a pair of tight jeans and a deep purple V-neck sweater. They even went into my underwear drawer and picked out a black thong and lacy black bra.
"Is all of this necessary?" I asked as I took the underwear from them. "Its not like he's going to see them tonight."
"No, but if you're under garments are sexy, you'll feel sexy and confident, trust me." Rose said.
I huffed and took them and the clothes from her and went into my bathroom. When I came out, they were both stating at me.
"What?" I asked.
"Oh yeah," Angela said, "He's a goner."
They both laughed and the next thing I knew Rose was messing with my hair.
"Up or down?" She asked Angela.
"Definitely up, it will show off her pretty neck."
I guess I don't get a vote in how I wore my hair. After Rose put my hair up in a lose ponytail, she applied some subtle make up and picked out a necklace for me to wear.
"Bella is Edward tall?" Angela asked.
"He's 6'1, why?"
"Definitely heals," Rose said.
Angela rummaged through my shoes and found a pair of black pumps. She handed them to me and I put them on my feet. Rose then turned me around so I could look at myself in the full-length mirror.
"He's definitely a goner," she said. "You look hot Bella."
"Oh one more thing," Angela said before she walked over to me with a perfume bottle. She sprit zed some on me and then stepped back. "Our work here is done. Now you better call us when you get home tonight, don't make us come looking for you."
"I will call you," I said. "Thanks for all your help."
I hugged them both.
It was finally time for me to leave. I grabbed my purse and leather jacket and headed out. During the drive to the restaurant, I felt really nervous. As I waited at red light to turn into the restaurant, I heard my cell phone go off with a text message.
Just letting you know I'm here. –E
Oh god, my heart was racing. He was already there waiting for me. I sent a quick reply before the light turned,
Pulling in the lot now. –B
Yikes a cliffy! Have no fear; you wont have to wait long.
We are getting closer to some clues as to who is falsely advertising
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