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Chapter 7
Bella POV
"No, mom", I held in a groan, "I'm still not seeing anyone."
I tuned our her 'you're getting on a bit now Bella, surely you should be thinking about settling down with a gorgeous man who makes lots of money sometime in the near future' lecture. I'd been hearing it since I was about sixteen. I was now twenty five, and personally, I didn't think that was overly old. Just because she got married right out of high school. When she went off on one of her tangents, I was always tempted to point out how much of a failure her marriage was, but I held my tongue. She might have her annoying moments; but I loved Renee, I wouldn't be so cruel.
I'd almost told her about Edward this time, to shut her up for a bit. But I realised just in time that this would have the opposite affect. Renee would demand to know all about him, and I'd never get off the phone. Besides, I'd only met him twice, and there was no way I was ever going to be in his league. Even being famous wouldn't help. Edward was the most attractive man I'd ever seen in my life. Gorgeous copper hair; pale; perfect nose; perfectly kissable lips; strong jaw line; and the most beautiful green eyes I've ever seen. And don't even get me started on his perfect body. Having sobbed hysterically into his chest the night before, I was well aware of exactly how firm it was. Somebody had definitely spent some time at the gym; and I wasn't talking about myself.
Aside from this, he was funny and sweet and nice and polite and stuff. He was also my new knight in shining armour; having saved me from a bunch of drunks who I was absolutely positive were going to rape me. They'd been massive, and pretty scary. I was so glad when Edward turned up. And kind of turned on when he'd fought them off. I didn't usually condone violence. But I was aware that he'd totally saved my arse.
I didn't usually condone presents either; or money being spent on me. His family must have spent a fortune on me so far. I'd had four Mary Alice dresses; and he'd passed me some Mary Alice accessories to go with them when he'd helped me into the car. He'd also given me some beautiful fake flowers, which were now sitting on my bed stand. I smiled every time I looked at them. Then he'd gone and spent a ton of money on me during 'retail therapy'. I'd let him drive me away because I thought he'd been joking. Apparently not. Not only had he spent a ton of money on new things for me; he'd then bought me coffee and a lot of food for us to share.
He'd lent me his coat; helped me in and out of the car; made me laugh with stories about his past, jokes, and impressions of his family, who I didn't even know. I'd found him interesting, and intelligent. A great conversationalist. And someone I could really talk to. I felt a connection between us that I'd never felt before. It was too bad he was too good for me; he was everything I thought I could want.
I'd wanted to call him as soon as I'd gotten up this morning. We could set up another interview; and I could see him again. I'd called Renee to distract me, and because she' d left a message saying that if I didn't call her back soon she'd report me missing.
I also didn't want to shorten the time I would be with Edward. I had three interviews left. Only three; I wanted to draw them out, if possible. When this was over, I'd not see Edward again, and, selfish as it may be, I didn't want that. I didn't think I could phone Aro and ask for another extra interview either. He'd get suspicious, and next thing I knew there'd be a new headline reading 'Author falls for Journalist', or a snazzier version of that title.
Crap. I was in deep. And I knew it.
"Bella?" My scatty mother's voice called from down the line. "Bella? Are you still there? Are you listening?"
"Yes, mom. I'm here. I've got to go though, okay? I love you, see you soon!" I placed the phone back in it's cradle, and sighed. I'd really have to call Edward now. I reached over to the nightstand, where his card sat next to his flowers.
I picked up the phone and the card and made my way into the living room. His coat was hung up by the door, and I'd need to give it back soon anyway; no matter how much I'd have liked to have kept it. I'd been smelling it all morning. Edward smelled amazing, so I reckoned that it would be at least a little bit okay for me to keep doing so. Anyone else would do the same thing.
Wouldn't they?
In a moment of boldness, I punched in the number. As soon as I heard the phone start ringing I almost cancelled the call; suddenly extremely nervous.
"Hello?" A voice answered. It wasn't the one I'd been expecting. A soft, southern drawl.
"Um, I'm sorry, I think I must have gotten the wrong number", I said, blushing, even though nobody could see me. I was such a nonce.
"Oh, is that Bella?" the person replied. Who the hell? "It sounds like Bella?"
"Erm, yes? How did you, er, know my name?" I suddenly wondered if I was being stalked, and Edward was helping the person. Or something crazy. The voice laughed.
"Hi Bella", it said after a few moments, "it's Jasper here. Edward's just wondered off to the little girl's room".
I couldn't help but laugh. I liked Jasper too; he was easygoing, relaxed, and nice.
"Ah, I see", I bit my lip, not knowing what to say.
"So", he said, noticing my awkwardness. "Edward doesn't usually give out his number until at least the tenth date!"
"Oh! No!" he'd obviously got the wrong idea. Crap. "It's not like that! I was just, last night I was, we…I-"
He cut me off with his laughter.
"It's okay, Bella. I know what happened. You're calling to rescheduled, right? I'm just teasing you."
"Ahh, yeah." I was bright red now; I cursed my easy blushes. I heard muffled voices down the end of the line; as if Jasper was talking to someone with his hand over the mouthpiece.
"Hi, Bella", a velvety voice suddenly poured out of the phone; sending tingles up and down my spine.
"Hi, Edward!" I squeaked out, feeling like a moron.
"So, are you calling to rescheduled?" he asked. I could have sworn I could hear a smile in his voice.
"Yes", was all I could say. How could he effect me so much over the phone?
"Great!" he replied. "Are you free this afternoon?"
"Um, sure!" I told him. Actually, my diary was pretty bare for the next few weeks. Anything I did have I was probably bound to cancel for Edward. All those rules about playing hard to get would go right out of the window when he was around. Not that I was playing hard to get, or any sort of dating game with him. He's too good for you, Swan.
"How about I come over at two?" He's coming over…at two…get it together Swan!
"Great!" I squeaked again.
"Okay, I'll see you then, Bella!"
"Bye!" I quickly hung up the phone, and glanced at the clock. It was already one. I had an hour to get ready.
Two minutes later I found myself in front of my wardrobe in my underwear, having chucked my sweats back in the drawer. Fortunately, I now had Alice's clothes to wear. I made a mental note to spend a lot of money on a present for her next birthday, if we managed to make friends by then. I hoped she was going to be in her boutique when I dropped by. I needed to thank her. Profusely. I'd be going up to Seattle with Angela on Saturday; and wild horses wouldn't keep me away from Alice's shop then.
I pulled out the dress with the crazy designs. It was a lot like the one I'd worn last time; but a little more modest; and a little more casual. I pulled it on and examined myself in the mirror. I didn't look too bad, I decided. I'd washed and dried my hair that morning, and it looked nice now. I wasn't wearing any make up, but I didn't really want to; I'd only smudge it. I was wearing a simple silver bracelet and rings, and, as usual, my feet were covered with large, fluffy slippers.
I decided not to ditch the slippers. I had no chance to start with; I might as well be myself.
Having finished on the phone, I made my way into the lounge and pushed 'play' on my stereo. Having nothing left to do, I grabbed a book, and started to read, as Barlow girl rocked out into my living room.
It wasn't long before there was a knock on the door, and I opened it to find the gorgeous Edward Cullen standing there grinning, briefcase in hand.
Edward POV
"Sounds like you and Alice will have a lot in common", I said, grinning when she opened the door. I felt stupid as soon as I'd said it. "She, er, likes Barlow Girl?" I was referring to the music pouring from her stereo.
"Oh!" she cried out, a little surprised, and a pretty blush crossed her face. "I see". She smiled shyly and stepped back to let me in; closing the door behind me. Then she led me over to the sofa again. I couldn't help but notice her crazy slippers. They were…quite amazing actually.
"Would you like a drink or anything?" she asked me as I placed my briefcase on the table, and began to pull my notepad, pen, and recorder out.
"Just some water, please?" I requested, attempting to not watch her as she walked away, and failing. I'd have to congratulate Alice on that particular dress. Bella's back and front, and sides all looked stunning in it. Her face, of course, was always stunning.
So was her voice, actually, I'd realised on the phone earlier. She'd sounded a little nervous though, so I guessed that Jasper had said something ridiculous to her before I arrived; though I couldn't get it out of him after. He just sat there and grinned at me, before I ran off to meet her. I'd driven seriously fast to get here so quickly. Not that I didn't always drive fast. I'd driven even faster than usual in the middle of the day. Somehow I couldn't bring myself to care that there were police cars about. Bella would be worth every penny of the speeding fine.
Somehow I'd managed to escape being caught.
Once again, she returned with a massive tin of biscuits as well as the bottle of water. I watched with some amusement as she grabbed a pink wafer and bit nervously into it.
"Right", I said, "let's get down to business. She nodded, and I found the question page on my notepad, and clicked 'record'.
"Favourite quote?" I asked immediately. Shit. I was already asking questions that weren't on the list.
"Umm", she thought for a few moments.
And a few moments more.
And a few moments more than that.
"You don't have to answer", I told her.
"No, I want to", she said hurriedly, waving her hands slightly. "I'm just trying to decide which one I like, er, best?"
"Which ones are you trying to chose between?" I really was interested. Quotes, I have to admit, were extremely collectable to me. My head was absolutely filled up with them; and I took great pleasure in using them in conversation. My only problem was that nobody ever seemed to recognise them. Bella had called me out on the couple I'd used the day before though…so I had a little hope…
She grinned a little.
"It's more what you could consider a quote. For example, if I quoted the whole of Pride and Prejudice could you consider that a quote?" She blushed again, and I grinned wide. She was so unpredictable.
"It'd be a long one, but it'd be a quote, I suppose. Though to be on the safe side, you'd probably have to quote from the second word to the second to last word of the book."
We started to laugh at our silliness.
"You might not want to put that in the interview, Edward", Bella said, wiping her eyes a little. "I doubt your readers would be interested in our definition of a quote."
"Quite the contrary, Bella", I replied, still grinning, "our readers are usually bombarded with the history of Seattle; and common folks' complaints about the city. As well as various other crap that nobody actually cares about. I think out little conversation will probably be the high point."
I saw a small smirk twist her lips.
"In that case, Mr Masen, you'll have to include all that you've just said about your wonderful newspaper; your readers, I'm sure, would find that piece of information of much interest."
"I'd love to make my views known", I told her, "but I don't think Aro would appreciate it overly much. Also, I think that a headline such as 'journalist slags off own newspaper' would take away your spotlight, Bella".
She sighed, and slumped backwards in her seat; and I wondered what I'd done wrong.
"Feel free", I heard her mutter softly. "I hate the limelight. Makes me feel uncomfortable."
"Do you feel uncomfortable now?" I asked, worried. I didn't want to be the source of Bella's discomfort. It made me feel horrid; like I was hurting the sweet creature before me. Somewhere along the line, I realised, I'd fallen for Bella.
"Yeah", she admitted, looking apologetic and sad. My heart ached, and I wondered what to do.
I turned off the recorder, and she looked surprised.
"When do you feel most comfortable?" I asked her. "What are you doing, and what clothes are you wearing?"
"Uh", she thought about it. "In bed, in my pyjamas", she blushed bright red. "Sorry".
I shook my head, and an idea suddenly came to me. My eyes snapped up to meet hers, and I wondered if she'd mind, or if it'd seem too forward.
"You might think this is a ridiculous idea", I started, running my hands through my hair, "but how about I go back to my flat and grab some pyjamas, and come back later. We can have a pyjama party! Then you can relax a bit?" I asked.
"Like a sleepover?" she asked, hesitant.
"Well, I don't have to stay over…" I replied, I gulped a little, I hadn't wanted to make her even more uncomfortable. Did I sound like a stalker or something?
"Oh, you can, I don't mind. Um. It sounds fun? Just don't use truth or dare and alcohol to make me answer hard questions okay?" she giggled.
"Great", I replied. "I'll come back later then. Is seven alright? I'll bring pizza?"
"Sure", she said softly. I packed my things away and she led me to the door. "See you later, Edward". I grinned back at her.
"See you at seven, Bella". I walked out with a smile all over my face. I was having a sleepover with Bella. I felt like a giddy teenager. How ridiculous. Where did these ideas come from? She'd probably phone me and call it off, realising how stupid I was being.
I hoped not.
A/n: Okay, I know I said lots of Edward and Bella, but I promise next chapter will be SERIOSULY EDDIE BELLA LOVAGE…well…as much as there could be so early in their relationship. REVIEW.
