Chapter 3

BPOV

By that time you helped me down off the stool and we went back to the tables, my friends and I grabbed my bags and we're off. The next morning I was still laying in bed but awake when my phone rang. "Hello, Bella. Is that you?"

"Yes. Who is this?"

"Edward from last night." I heard.

"Happy Birthday," you said. "Today is your actual birthday, right?"

"Yes, you listen very well."

"What are you doing with the rest of your day?"

"Edward, I hate to be rude but I have to be in Fort Worth in an hour. I just barely woke up."

"Well, it seems you're busy and will be cutting it close. What's the possibility of stealing lunch with you this week before we go out on Saturday?"

"We'll see; but I have to go."

"Okay. Have a great birthday, Bella Swan. I'll still see you Monday; I may not stop calling you until you agree to go out for lunch."

"Good Bye, Edward. Thank you for making me smile this morning,"

The rest of the weekend went by with visiting with my family. I told my sister and mom about meeting Edward Cullen, the Cowboy's star quarterback. Don't let dad hear you talking about him until you are engaged because you know he will want better season tickets. After a wonderful birthday weekend with my family, I went back to work on Monday. As I was about to get out of my car, my car door opened and a hand was reaching in to me as a voice said, "Can I offer you a hand? Good morning, Bella."

"Good morning to you, too."

As I got out of my car, you handed me a dozen roses and said, "Happy birthday. I can't wait for our date this weekend. Do you think I can convince you between here and your temporary office to have lunch with me this week?"

"That depends, if I wait to accept, will you meet me at my car everyday until I say yes."

"I will; but I would still meet you at your car every day, even if you do say yes."

As we got to the entrance door to the stadium, I reached up on tiptoes and whispered, "Yes. Thank you for the roses. Yes, I'll have lunch with you on Wednesday, if that is okay."

"Yes, that would be perfect," was your response.

"Enjoy practice and do not get beat up too bad."

We went our separate ways. I walked into our office, set the roses on my desk and got to work. Everyone commented on my roses as they went by. Just before lunchtime, a delivery came in for me. Everyone said, "Two sets of flowers in one day, what does the card say and what did you do?" I opened my card and read it to myself first and then said, "The second bouquet is thanking me for accepting a lunch date with him on Wednesday."

"Well, are you going to tell us who sent the flowers? Though we all think we know after watching the two of you dance on Friday night."

"Yes, you are all right. They are from Edward; now get back to work or eat lunch."

As work ended for the day, the girls and I headed outside toward our cars. Edward was outside leaning against the stadium waiting for us. Irina looked up at him as he walked with us and said, "Should we be concerned that we are being stalked?"

"No, he is too cute to worry about," Tanya said.

Someone else piped in and said, "The cute ones are the ones you have to worry about," and by that time you had made your way to my side.

You looked at all of them and said, "Go ahead and call security because they would love to follow all you beautiful ladies around." I looked up at you and smiled. You asked, "What are your plans this evening?"

"Workout, light dinner, and a good book."

"Really" By that time I had made it to my car, I turned to you and said, "Edward, I guess I will see you in the morning."

"I guess I will."

I was off; I always went to the gym Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. I got there a little later than usual so I warmed up on the treadmill and then started my circuit training session that I always did. When I got to a couple of the arm machines that I usually used and other people were using them, I contemplated what I should do, wait or mix up my routine. Someone came up behind me and said, "I could spot you using free weights." You then took my arm and led me to the weight benches and asked, 'how much weight?' I told you very quietly and shocked; but I sat down and you did spot me as I continued the workout using free weights.

I smiled at you and asked, "Are you sure I shouldn't report you for stalking me and my coworkers?"

"Your friends directed me to your gym," you said.

"Really they did."

"All I have to say is they are very protective of you; it took a lot of convincing to get them to tell me which gym you went to. Does this mean you live close by?"

"Actually I still have another ten miles to go before I get home. I come here because I like the pool. Otherwise, I go to the one by my house."

"Thanks for spotting me; I am going to go finish my regular circuit workout." Once I completed my final run on a treadmill, you put a towel around me and then we sat down for a few minutes. You looked at me and asked, "What is the possibility of getting you to join me for dinner tonight?"

"Why isn't lunch Wednesday and an all date Saturday enough?"

"No, it's not."

"How about we just go to my place for leftovers?" I asked.

"If that is the only way I can see you tonight then yes," you said.

"Well, let me go change and then you can follow me back to my place."

"Okay," fifteen minutes later we were on our way. Back at my place, I let you in and put my bags down in my room. I returned to the kitchen, I opened the fridge, found leftover grilled chicken and vegetables for salads.

You agreed that was fine. Together we made up the salads, sat down and ate them with water and a half glass of wine each.

Once we were done cleaning up the kitchen, I said, "Edward, I hate to be rude but I do have work I need to get done."

"Okay, I'll go after I see one thing."

"What's that?"

You reached over and took my hand. "You have a bruise from the electric bull on Friday night."

"Yes, I do; but it will be fine."

"I'm just going to make sure that it is." You then kissed my hand, "There does it feel better."

"Yes, it does. Thank you and I'm sure I will see you tomorrow." And then you were gone.

Again the next day, you met me by my car as I arrived at work but around lunchtime I had to go into the office in downtown. So the next day, you met me at my car again and asked, "Are we still on for lunch?"

"Yes."

"What happened to you yesterday?"

"I had to take some paperwork into the office."

"How about I pick you up around noon for lunch?"

"Sounds good to me."

"By the way, you look beautiful today in lavender."

"Thank you," and off to work we each went. As the girls kept reminding me about what time it was, they pushed me out the door at noon and there you stood.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes."

"Well, let's go," and you took my hand.

"Where are we going for lunch?"

"Actually up to an owner's box, I have made arrangements for lunch to be delivered to the suite for us." You used a key and let us into the suite. There was a table set up for two with a beautiful arrangement of flowers sitting on it. "Please have a seat," and you pulled out the chair for me. Once I was seated, you offered me water or lemonade.

I said, "Lemonade, please."

After I had some of my lemonade, you gave me a menu to choose from. I decided on lemon chicken with rice.

You picked up a phone and placed our orders. "I know you just turned twenty-five; how long have you been an accountant?"

"I completed my degree at twenty-two and went right to work auditing for this CPA firm. My boss loves me. I have caught on so quickly that I am training others already."

"And how old are you?"

"I am twenty-eight years old; my college degree is in education. When I am done playing professionally, I want to teach high school science and coach high school football. But I would like to play ball for ten more years first if possible."

"Really, that is cool that you want to teach high school and coach at that level, as well. I know about some of your high school and college career at least the parts that I have read about it. Do you want to play for Dallas your whole career?"

"Yes. I would love to, but you never know. I will always have a say and I plan to come back to Texas; I love the state." Then a waiter brought in our two meals and left. By the way, the flowers on the table are for you to take after lunch.

"Thank you. They are beautiful, but I do not know if I have room on my desk. Thank you for lunch; it is delicious."

As we finished you asked, "Do you have room for dessert?"

"Maybe a little and then I will have to put in a little extra time at the gym."

"Or maybe you could come dancing with me," you suggested.

"No, not tonight," was my response and I think you looked like you were about to pout.

"How about a different night?" you asked.

"Maybe. Edward, why do you want more dates with me? Don't you have girls that are knocking down your door to go out with you?"

"Yes, I do and that is why I don't want to go out with them. And why I want to go out with you. You are open, honest yet shy and reserved."

"How do you know maybe I am one of those girls that send you underwear in the mail?"

"If you were, you would have already tried to kiss me and you would have flirted with me through our entire meal. Some of them would even sit and rub their foot up and down my legs."

"You mean, girls really do that."

"Yes, they do. Any girlfriend or wife will have to understand that is a part of my life. But I have remedied part of that problem, I have a PO Box now and a very trustworthy person that goes through my mail."

"Who's that?"

"My agent has a person go through my mail."

"Oh; who is it?"

"I have an aunt that works for him," Edward said. With that a jelly roll was delivered and it was fantastic; it melted in your mouth.

"Edward."

"Yes."

"I think I need to be getting back to work."

"Okay, if you must."

"Yes," we got up and headed for the door. You were behind me and said, "Wait a minute." So I turned and you had positioned yourself right behind me, you caught my hand and lowered your head to my lips. You ever so gently kissed my lips. Our kiss just lingered and felt like it went on forever. Finally, I was forced to pull my hand free, I said, "You did that on purpose."

"Yes, I did and I definitely plan on doing that again if you will let me. Your lips taste delicious."

"Well, we'll have to see about that."

As we left the suite, you said, "I'll have the flowers delivered down to your office."

"Thank you, Edward"

"Bella, do you mind if I hold your hand until we get back down to the office levels?"

"I am surprised you even asked."

"Does that mean you would mind or not?"

"Why don't you try it and find out?" You did and I let you. As we made our way to the last elevator we had to go down, you said, "Wait," right before we got on and then asked, "Will you eat cold fried chicken for lunch on Saturday?"

"Yes, that's fine. With this heat, that's perfect."

"I know. We are going to have a picnic out by a lake on the property. Why don't you wear a bikini under your jeans and we can cool off while we eat and let the horses rest."

"Okay, we'll see. Now can we go down?" We did and as the elevator settled to open on our floor. You brought your hand up and kissed mine which you were still holding. We let go of our hands.

"Thank you, Edward"

"You're welcome," and you soon dropped me back off at our working conference room. "See you later."

"Bye," and we both went back to work. The flowers showed up half an hour later. Once on my desk, I opened the card and the note said-

I hope you enjoyed our lunch and I can hardly wait for Saturday.

Edward

I went to the gym that night and went straight for the pool. After about five laps, someone joined me in my lane whoever it was, was matching my pace stroke for stroke. They were purposely following me. I had a hunch after fifteen more laps that it was Edward. However my competitive side kicked in, I was not going to stop until he did. I kept going after five more laps, I was slowing down, but not going to quit. Five more laps down, but I was still not going to quit. My pace was really slowing down now but I was not going to quit first. So I did another flip turn and kept on going. But as I finished up another five, I went to do another flip turn and this time someone grabbed my leg.

Once we were both standing up securely against the edge of the pool, I heard, "Mercy."

I smiled and said, "What you have been here swimming with me the whole time?"

"Almost."

"Actually I believe you owe me five more and then we will be tied." You went to start and I said, "I'm kidding, but all those laps exhausted me."

"How many laps would you have stopped after if I hadn't gotten in the pool?"

"Twenty."

With that you said, "Come here." You lifted me up and sat me on the edge of the pool. You climbed out, got me my towel, led me to a lounge chair and said, "Wait here."

You soon returned with a bottle of water for each of us. "Thank you very much," and I started drinking right away.

I slid back in the chair and reclined against the back taking a very long deep breath relaxing. "Why didn't you just stop?" you asked.

"I wanted to make you quit first."

"Mercy, I did. How did you know it was me?"

"I really didn't but after you did twenty laps at my pace; I assumed it was you. No ordinary person would keep going after twenty laps."

"How about we each go rinse off, shower or whatever and I will treat you to a salad for dinner?"

"Okay, I guess but I think I am too tired to move."

With that you quickly stepped up next to my lounge chair, leaned down and stole a kiss from my lips and then offered me your hands. "Here I will help you up!" You gently grabbed a hold of both of my hands and pulled me forward until I was standing up right in front of you.

"Thank you," I said. "Give me about twenty minutes and I'll meet you up by the entrance."

"Ok," you said. You gently kissed my lips again as you ended the kiss; you said, "I'll see you in about twenty minutes." Then we each walked into our respective locker room doors; I quickly threw on my sweats, got a piece of paper and wrote you a note saying that –

I am sorry I am just so tired. I owe u dinner and I will c u tomorrow.

Bella.