Chapter Four: Deli Times

Carlisle's POV

As the days passed I quickly picked up on Isabella's routine. She woke up every day to Marvin Gaye's song Let's Get it On at exactly five o'clock. She had a quick breakfast then went for a long run in the woods. After that she would do a quick, very intense work out that varied for thirty minutes. After her shower she always got dressed, had a second breakfast then headed somewhere in one of her two cars.

Evenings were different. Every other night she would swim laps in the pool. I figure it had to be a heated pool. On the nights she didn't take a dip in the pool she sat on the back porch reading a thick book with her dog at her feet. She always had a satisfied smile gracing her lips whenever she read. I had never seen anyone so happy to be reading.

I never knew where she went after she left her house, and a part of me didn't want to know. I was living in a delusion of sorts. An imaginary world where all she does is a show for me…

I hadn't seen her in the hospital since the first day I toured it which disappointed me.

As I watched her finish her morning routine I smiled. It was finally Thursday. I had the night shift today, so all that there was for me to do was wait for my meeting with Isabella at the deli.

I gave myself a pep talk as I drove to the deli. I'm a single male, I've seen no man or woman laying claim on her. I growled at myself. I'm a vampire, we're supposed to attract humans. I just have to turn on the charm to change this casual meal into something more.

Problem is, I have no idea how to 'turn on the charm'. I had vague memories as a human of flirting, but that had been another time. Social customs have completely changed since then. I never really had to flirt with Esme. Everything had been so simple, almost clinical now that I look back on it.

I parked and fed the meter. It was still ten minutes till twelve when I grabbed a table at the deli. I was suddenly struck with the idea that she might have forgotten we were supposed to meet, but then I remembered she said that this was part of her routine. From what I saw of her I was confident that she stuck to her routines.

The bell above the door rang and I looked up from my menu. Isabella was scanning the area, hopefully looking for me. When our eyes met she smiled.

"Hello Dr. Cullen." She said as she walked over. I stood and pulled out a chair for her. She gave me an incredulous look, but sat regardless.

"Please call me Carlisle." Isabella pulled her hair over her shoulder, not immediately responding. I could tell from her eyes that she was measuring me up. She shrugged almost imperceptibly.

"Fine, but only since we're neighbors. You can call me Bella, if you like." A waitress started making her way over and Bella still hadn't picked up her menu.

"I'd like that, Bella." I was used to think of her as Isabella, but the change came easily. The waitress addressed her first and I took the small amount of time she was distracted to look at her attire. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a violet long sleeve top. The pendent on her necklace was a silver swan. I realized she was wearing that necklace the first time we officially met. The waitress turned to me and I ordered an Italian sub and water.

"So I suppose I should tell you about this place." She glanced out to the city and the waitress put a cup of coffee in front of Bella. After putting a packet of sugar in the coffee and taking a sip she seemed to relax a bit.

"You could, or you could tell me more about yourself." I was surprised when a radiant blush colored her cheeks.

"Dr. Cullen I think you somehow misunderstood the point of this meeting." Her voice was completely business like, but her blush broke her professional façade.

"Back to Dr. Cullen, are we? No, I remember exactly what I said. My exact words were: It would be nice to learn more about this place from a friend." I chucked and took a sip of my water. It slid down my throat, feeling slightly awkward. "But you can't fault a man for flirting with a woman, especially such a desirable one as yourself." Bella was stirring her coffee, her eyes were thoughtful.

"Ah, I see." I looked at her questioningly, but she didn't elaborate.

"You see what?" I asked as our meals were delivered. She had some sort of soup. Bella took a spoonful before answering me.

"You're just a flirt. I see your type all the time when I visit the army base, young soldiers in between deployments love to flirt. I don't see why a young doctor wouldn't do the same." I took a bite of my sandwich as she talked almost absentmindedly. Bella nodded to herself.

"That's quite the theory you have there. I'm sorry that I have to punch a hole in it. You're the first person I've flirted with in years, so I don't consider myself a 'flirt'." She analyzed my words and I took another bite of the vile sandwich.

"I find that hard to believe… you were rather convincing."

"It's not like I said anything that's not true. You're absolutely beautiful and honestly I want to know more about you. All that I know about you is that you volunteer at the hospital, you're head of the hospital board, and you have a dog named Jake. I'm sure there is more to you than that." Bella was back to stirring her coffee. She always seemed to weigh my words before responding.

"There's not much to tell. I work out and I volunteer. What about you Dr. Cullen?" She changed the subject and I let the matter drop. "I've heard from the staff that you fit in seamlessly and that you're a magnificent doctor. What else is happening in your life? Why'd you choose this city of all cities? I glanced at your records when you were first considered. You're… very qualified." I smiled at her description.

"I have two siblings, both younger than me, both married. They live upstate. Our parents died when we were young, but they had excellent life insurance, allowing me to live the way I do and making it so that I could go to a good university. I chose these facilities since the hospital was on the newer side of the spectrum, it is close to my siblings, and you all had a position open." I finished my sandwich while she was only half way through her meal. The food felt like a lead weight constantly shifting in my stomach. "Oh, I forgot to tell you. Your Jake decided that it would be a good idea to sit outside my door and whimper until I let him in all this weekend." She looked up at me surprised. "I went down to your house twice, but you weren't in. I was surprised you didn't notice him missing."

"I'm so sorry. Jake normally doesn't stray so much. I'm surprised he went to you though. He normally doesn't like anyone unless they are with me or over the age of sixty. I think you are the first young person excluding me and a few of my friends that he doesn't growl at constantly." Bella took another sip of her soup and I chuckled inwardly at her calling me young. "That silly dog normally just stays inside when I'm gone on the weekends. I'm sorry he bothered you." She ducked her head slightly.

"It was no problem. I actually liked the company. I don't need a lot of sleep, so the nights can feel rather long."

"I'll have to chain him up next time I'm out of town."

"No need. I really did like the company. He didn't do anything other than sleep and snore." Once again she considered my words, trying to read my face for any indications of lying. After a minute she nodded. "I wouldn't mind a repayment though." I grinned even though I felt a bit underhanded. "Have dinner with me at my place this Saturday."

"I'm out of town this weekend. Also as I said earlier I don't date co-workers." She finished her coffee and set the cup down not so softly.

"Monday night then. You don't have to think of it as a date. You could think of it as volunteering to help a lonely man with his boredom."

"I'm sure many of nurses would be willing to help you with your 'boredom'. Why not ask one of them?"

"None of them appeal to me. Yes, some of them are beautiful, none of them are you though." She looked unconvinced as she took the last spoonful of her soup. I motioned for the waitress to bring over the checks. "It's a harmless dinner, Bella. Just a good meal between friends." I started swirling the water in my cup, feeling disheartened. "You can just eat than go back home immediately if you'd like."

"Alright, but if you try something I'll kick your ass." I laughed, but held my hands up in surrender.

"Of course, my house at six, casual wear."

And so they get a bit closer... Please review!