Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Stephenie Meyer created it all, I just embellish.
Chapter 4
Bpov
Edward called me with the details when I was on my way home from the grocery store. He gave me the name of the restaurant and time. Alice had made reservations and they would 'accidentally' bump into us there.
I just had to get Emmett to go along, which proved to be easy.
"Hey Bells. What's up?" he answered brightly from his end of the phone.
"Hey Emmett. I was calling to see if you cared where we ate tonight cause there's this place I wanna try."
"Nope. I don't care. Where are we going?"
"It's this little Italian place about ten minutes from the gym."
"Okay, you want me to drive you? You know I'm bad with directions"
"Sounds good. Be here at 6:15"
"Alright Bells. Well I've got a lady that needs training, I'll see you later" and he hung up.
Thank god he wasn't paying very much attention and we were talking over the phone. I'm a terrible liar and Emmett of all people normally spots my lies quickly.
I spent the rest of the day lounging around, grading papers and tests until I had to get ready for dinner.
I wasn't totally sure what the restaurant would be like so I decided to go with a middle ground between dressy and casual. Nice jeans, dressy top, and a tiny heel that wasn't too dangerous. I just left my hair down; I never know what to do with it.
Emmett and I arrived at the restaurant at exactly 6:30, thanks to Emmett's crazy driving. I immediately spotted Edward and Rosalie standing next to a couple that I assumed were Alice and Jasper.
She was even shorter than me, with short, spiky, jet black hair and an outfit that probably belonged on a French runway rather than downtown Seattle. Jasper was dressed just as fashionably; he was tall and skinny with blonde hair. One could definitely see the resemblance between him and Rosalie.
Edward walked up to us, shook Emmett's hand and gave me a friendly hug saying:
"Emmett, Bella, what a surprise. It's good to see you." I didn't dare answer, my lies would give me away.
"Yes, what're you guys doing here?" Emmett asked, not sounding suspicious at all.
"We were going to have a family dinner" Edward motioned the rest of his party over, Alice skipped excitedly, tugging Jasper behind her. "Emmett, Bella . This is my sister Alice and her husband, Jasper."
Alice hugged me affectionately, "It's so great to meet you Bella"
"Pleased to meet you" Jasper said in a southern accent, shaking my hand with a smile.
"And you already know Rosalie" Edward said, motioning towards his sister-in-law. She gave both Emmett and I a hug.
"It's great to see you again Bella." She told me. Emmett looked at me with surprise.
"Bells, how do you know Rose?"
"Oh. We met today at the gym, thanks to Edward" I said brightly
Emmett didn't seem any less confused but Alice saved me from any further explanations,
"Why don't you two join us for dinner? I'd really like to get to know you both." She said kindly.
I looked at Emmett and shrugged, trying to seem surprised. He didn't notice my act, but nodded to Alice with a 'thank you'.
We were all seated at a round table, somehow managing to seat Emmett and Rose next to each other. I sat between Emmett and Edward, hoping that our little charade was over and I could act normally.
Edward leaned towards me and whispered in my ear
"Well that worked well. Good job" I nodded in response, looking at him with a sideways glance.
He was turned to say something to Jasper so I took my chance to drink in his perfection. I was so busy trying to act before that I didn't pay any attention to what he looked like. Thank goodness, because there is no way I could've focused with this Adonis on my mind.
Edward was wearing a striped button down under a blazer with jeans but he would've out-shined Brad Pitt in a tux. He looked amazing, with his hair slightly awry and his shirt un-tucked. I only drew my eyes away when Alice said,
"Bella, what are you doing tomorrow afternoon?" she looked at me excitedly
"Nothing I can think of. Why?" I asked, before I saw Edward shaking his head fervently with wide eyes. 'what?' I mouthed to him but I was too late, he put his head in his hands.
"I want to take you shopping" Alice said excitedly
"Oh, um. Thanks Alice but I'm not really a shopping person." She gasped dramatically
"Everyone's a shopping person! You just haven't gone with me yet" she said firmly "Rose, you're coming with us" Rosalie shrugged, agreeing, but Jasper simply smiled apologetically at me.
The waitress finally came with our drinks and took our orders, flirting a little too much with Edward and Emmett- who ignored her. I quickly ordered ravioli just to make her leave.
We talked for a few minutes until Alice said,
"Will you all excuse me, I need the ladies room" She gave Rosalie a meaningful glare
"Me too" Rosalie said quickly. They both stood up and all three of the guys stood up with them; Emmett perhaps a bit behind Jasper and Edward- he's not as big on etiquette.
"Bella, we wouldn't want to leave you at the table with the boys, would we?" she winked slyly so I got up to join her and Rosalie to the bathroom.
Epov
I watched Bella walk away from our table. She was trying not to be embarrassed about going with Alice and Rose. She hardly knew them, for Christ's sake.
The three of us left at the table sat back down. Jasper glanced at Emmett then back at me and raised his eyebrows meaningfully. I nodded and we both turned on Emmett.
"When are you going to man up and ask Rose out?!" Jasper almost yelled
"What are you talking about?" he asked, trying to act innocent
"Emmett, we're not stupid. We know you like her, even she knows. But she's not going to wait around forever" I told him earnestly
"She what?" he was confused, but I could see the glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"Okay Emmett. You're going to ask her to get a drink with you after dinner. And you better take this chance because I've never told a guy to ask out my sister before. Well" Jasper chuckled "I've never had to"
I laughed lightly, Rose's supermodel-like beauty kept a constant stream of guys wanting her attention.
Emmett sighed. "Okay, you guys are right. Drinks after dinner." His eyes widened "Oh wait, I can't do that."
I almost stood up and yelled at him, he could be so dumb. How did Bella live with this?
"Why the hell not?" Jasper asked him quietly.
We'd better get this settled soon, Alice could only keep them in there so long.
"I drove Bella here" Emmett said. Jasper smiled.
"I'm sure Edward would love to drive Bella home. Wouldn't you?" He looked deviously at me. Living with Alice was getting to him.
Emmett looked at me hopefully "You would?" I nodded "Thanks Edward"
We all relaxed, happier and relieved. Emmett turned to me again.
"So, what is going on between you and my sister?" he asked me. Jasper snorted, coke almost came out of his nose.
"Oh. Er, we went to breakfast after the gym today" I told him awkwardly. I was somewhat afraid of how he would react, I mean, I asked out his sister without permission.
He looked surprised for a bit, I saw a flash of something in his eyes. Anger maybe? But he shook it off and said,
"Well, I guess that's cool. I think she likes you. But" his eyes darkened "If you hurt her, I don't care how good of a basketball player you are, I'll break your legs."
The scary thing is: I completely believed him. I nodded and said,
"Won't happen. I like her a lot" he nodded in resignation just as the girls returned.
We all talked until the food came and continued once we had finished. Most of the time, Alice talked across the table with Bella, trying to get to know her. And Rose and Emmett talked so that left Jasper and I talking about work and other things.
Right when we got up to leave, Emmett turned to Bella and said,
"Rose and I are going for drinks. Do you mind if Edward drives you home?" I'm surprised at how serious he acted with her. Maybe it was serious to Emmett, protecting his sister, making sure she wasn't uncomfortable.
She nodded shyly, glancing at me. "That's fine."
He raised his eyebrows, "Are you sure Bells?"
She nodded again, this time more definite, "Yeah, have fun you two" she directed this towards Rosalie.
We all said our goodbyes, Alice and Bella exchanged numbers quickly and set a time for shopping.
I walked Bella to my car and opened her door for her. She blushed, looking down timidly. It was so adorable.
As I started the car she said,
"So, I'm really glad Emmett finally got some balls" I was so surprised, I looked at her, my jaw dropping.
"What?" she asked me "I am!"
"I just didn't think you'd use such a vulgar expression "she rolled her eyes
"Edward, I teach high school; it has to rub off on me somehow." I shrugged and pulled out of the parking spot after Bella told me the neighborhood she lived in.
"So." I said, "I hope Alice didn't overwhelm you"
"Not too much. I like her" She smiled at me. I felt relieved, thank god she liked my sister. I hope we can have a long relationship and liking each other's family is definitely crucial.
"Well, I have to warn you. She'll try to buy you designer everything"
"Buy me?" she asked.
"Well, Alice is fairly well off. She's a fashion designer and Jasper is a lawyer." I glanced over to see Bella's eyes widen. "So, don't fight her too much, but don't be taken advantage of. Enlist Rose as a bodyguard and mediator. She's pretty good at handling Alice"
Bella nodded, thinking. "I don't want her to buy me anything"
"Well, that's pretty much inevitable. Just take it in stride." I took her hand and squeezed it gently.
"Okay."
I pulled onto her street and stopped at her building. I parked and ran to open her door.
"What are you doing?" she asked, puzzled.
"Walking you up, of course." she blushed and mumbled: "You don't have to"
"Yes, I do. Esme taught me manners. Plus, Emmett would kill me if I didn't make sure you were safe."
She shrugged and led me to the door. She unlocked it and walked up the stairs.
"I'm on the third floor" she called over her shoulder. I had a lovely view of the back of her jeans but I tried not to look, focusing on the steps I climbed.
We got to her door, she turned to me and said bashfully,
"Thanks so much Edward. Sorry for the inconvenience"
"It wasn't inconvenient at all. I like talking to you Bella." I saw the red show up in her cheeks, it was beautiful.
"I like talking with you too"
"Would you mind if I called you sometime?" I asked
"Not at all"
I leaned in, desperately wanting to kiss her lips but I settled for her cheek. It was undeniably too early for that.
She smiled at me and unlocked her door.
"Goodnight Bella"
"Night Edward" she said, shutting the door.
I was on cloud nine as I walked to my car. She was the most beautiful, funny, smart, passionate girl I'd ever met. That blush made me so crazy and her smile made me want to keep her smiling forever. I couldn't wait to take her out again.
I wonder when it's too soon to call. I'd have to ask Jasper.
A/N: Well, I hope you liked it. Sorry it took so long, I've been busy and my sister likes to hog the computer. Reviews are appreciated. =]
