DISCLAIMER: The characters do not belong to me…they are all the creations of the wonderful Stephenie Meyer. All are human.

Lunch Shift

My alarm clock blared and I quickly reached up and smacked it. I rolled over, trying to yank on the covers, but they were stuck. I turned again to see what I had caught them on and gasped when I saw the sleeping figure of Edward on top of my covers.

I smiled, remembering my attempt to wake him last night. He was a deep sleeper and didn't seem to be a talker at all. I grimaced. I hoped I hadn't talked last night or the night before. I tended to say really embarrassing things in my sleep.

I watched him until my clock went off again. I let it go off for a minute, hoping it would wake him. I turned it off when it didn't seem to be doing much. I sat up and ran my fingers through his bronze hair. It was softer than I had imagined. Not as soft as his lips, I told myself, blushing at the memory from last night.

"Edward," I called, shaking his shoulder.

He stirred only slightly. I pushed a little harder on his shoulder.

"Wake up, Edward." I went to push on him again, but he caught my wrist in the air.

He opened his eyes slowly and stared at me. He seemed confused about where he was and what I was doing there.

"You fell asleep," I clarified for him.

He let go of my arm and slowly sat up. He ran his hands through his hair.

"You're only making it worse," I chuckled.

He smiled sweetly. "I know."

"So he speaks!" I laughed.

"It's been a while since I've slept that deeply," he admitted, frowning slightly.

"Not a problem," I said, rubbing his back, hoping to take away his frown. "At least you don't snore like Emmett!"

He chuckled as he looked at me. "Thank you, Bella."

"For what?" I asked.

"For easing my apprehension. I'm not used to waking up in strange rooms."

"I thought we had come to the conclusion yesterday that we weren't strangers," I said, pushing on his shoulder with my hands.

He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"You mean to tell me you don't have two or three little black books hiding under your mattress at home?"

He laughed, his green eyes lighting up at last. "Not even one!"

"Good!" I said happily. "You're much too nice for that anyway. You're welcome to stick around and wake up a little more before heading home. Unfortunately, I have to go get ready for work."

"Lunch shift, right?" Edward asked.

"Yep!" I said, pulling out my clothes. "Be sure and tell Alice I had a blast yesterday and thank her again for me."

"Will do," he replied quietly, watching me cross the room toward him.

I kissed his temple and ruffled his hair. "Wake up more before driving. You seem really out of it still. I'd hate for my favorite tutor to get in a car accident. I'll talk to you later."

I headed off into the bathroom to start my day. I showered, shaved, and dressed in my work clothes. I got to wear black jeans and black sneakers with the required black t-shirt with yellow lettering. I decided my hair called for a ponytail today. I quickly brushed the wet hair back and wrapped it up with two bands.

I stopped outside of Emmett's door and banged once. "I'm off to work, Em! It's ten in case you're wondering."

He didn't answer. I figured he was either still sleeping or had already left for the day. I never opened the door to his room if I could help it. He kept it a mess in there. I peaked into my own room and saw Edward was gone.

I bounded down the stairs and into the kitchen. I searched the cabinet until I found my stash of granola bars. I grabbed one and headed into the living room. Once I'd found my apron and notepad, I picked up my keys and headed outside.

It was actually fairly sunny for a Seattle day. I climbed up into my truck, smiling as the engine roared to life. I loved my truck, mostly because I had bought it all on my own. But I also loved that it was practically indestructible.

I headed into work, humming to myself, not bothering with the radio for a change. Angela was in the parking lot when I pulled in. I jumped out and greeted her.

"Hey, Ang! You and Ben do anything fun this weekend?"

"Just some new ninja movie that came out," Angela said, linking her arm with mine. "How was your weekend?"

"Great!" I replied happily. "Edward has a really cool CD collection. Alice wasn't nearly as bad as Emmett made her out to be with the shopping! And we all went to the movies last night. Rosalie is awesome and I could definitely get used to having her around. Jasper is pretty cool too. Oh! I nearly forgot the best part! Edward is going to tutor me in math so I don't fail!"

"That's great!" Angela said, hugging me. The thing I liked best about Angela was you always knew she was really happy for you. "I know how worried you've been about that class."

"Yeah! He did my homework with me for three hours yesterday and by the end of it, I actually understood two of the solutions. We just won't talk about how it was two out of fifteen," I chuckled.

"Hey, Bella!" Mike called as soon as Angela and I stepped into the back room.

"Hey, Mike," I replied. "Have a nice weekend so far?"

"Not too bad. Did you get all of your homework done yet?" Mike asked.

"Almost," I replied.

"Think you can get away to have dinner with me tonight?" Mike questioned.

"Sorry, Mike. I'm not interested in dating right now. I have to focus on school," I said. "But thank you for asking."

I walked off further into the kitchen and tied my apron on. I made sure I had my notepad and pen and headed out to see if I had any tables yet. I was given a little old couple in a booth in the corner. I took their drink orders and headed to the kitchen to fill them. I could hear Angela fussing at Mike as I rounded the corner.

"You shouldn't have lied like that. Bella will be furious when she finds out!" Angela chastised.

"I moved him already," Mike defended. "You could just not tell her."

"If you ever do it again, Mike," Angela warned.

I rolled my eyes, wondering if I even wanted to know. I came into the room and they both stopped talking, looking away from each other. I filled the drinks and headed back to the little old couple.

"Bella," Angela called. I turned to see her standing behind me.

"What's up, Ang?" I asked.

She smiled at me and pointed behind her. "You have a second table."

I looked past her to see Edward staring intently at the menu. I smiled brightly and started to walk over. I stopped, remembering the argument in the kitchen.

"Ang?"

"Yeah, Bella?"

"Is this what you and Mike were arguing about?" I asked.

Angela chuckled. "Mike is a little jealous and tried to seat him in my section. I recognized him and made Mike fix it."

"Thank you," I said, hugging her tightly.

"No problem," she laughed. "Glad to see you've made a new friend."

I rolled my eyes as I left her and headed over to Edward. "Isn't it a little early for lunch for you? I happen to have it on very good authority that you've only been up for about an hour."

Edward grinned at me, leaning back against the booth. "I'm not a big breakfast person."

"Did the bacon ruin it for you?"

"Something like that."

"So what would you like for lunch?"

"What would you recommend?"

"The steak but I'd go with a sweet potato instead of baked."

"Then I'll have that with a coke, please."

"You're certainly my most polite customer of the day so far. I'll be right back." I walked off and headed into the kitchen.

Angela was waiting in the doorway for me. "Bella!" she sang. "He is so cute and he smiles every time you get near him! And so do you, by the way!"

"I've only known him for a few days," I said.

"Yeah, but you've heard Emmett talking about him for months now!" Angela pressed.

I bit my lip, thinking again about last night.

"What are you thinking about?" Angela asked.

I checked around for Mike before leaning closer to her. "I kissed him last night."

"Bella!" she shrieked.

I put a hand over her mouth. "Shush!"

She nodded her head and I removed my hand.

"We were all playing truth or dare together and I got dared to do it."

"Your first kiss was a dare? How totally Bella of you!" Angela chuckled. "You were being stubborn, weren't you?"

"Appreciate the support, Ang," I replied, rolling my eyes.

"So how was it?" she asked, her eyes shining with happiness for me.

"Really nice," I said, trying not to blush and failing miserably.

"You better put his order in and get him his drink before he thinks you've forgotten him," Angela ordered.

I quickly wrote up the ticket and gave it to Tyler. I poured a coke and brought it over to Edward. "I'll be right back. I have to check my other table."

"Take your time," Edward replied.

I walked over to the little old couple and made sure they were okay. They both ordered salad and I walked into the kitchen to put in their order. I went back one more time to check on them. They were really cute together.

By the time they finished telling me how they met, Tyler had their order ready. I grabbed the salads and brought it back to them. I promised to check on them soon. By the time I got back to the kitchen, Edward's food was ready.

I brought it over to his table and gave it to him. "Here you are!"

"You talked to them for a while," he said, nodding toward the old couple.

"Yeah," I said, smiling. "That's Frank and Cecile. They've been married for fifty three years. They met on a cruise ship they're parents had drug them on. They bumped into each other while Frank was playing horseshoes with some friends he'd made. Can you believe they actually play horseshoes on a ship? Anyway! Cecile was smitten and so was Frank. They kept in touch for a year before Frank suddenly showed up at her door with roses and a ring."

"They told you all of that?" Edward asked.

"Sure," I said. "I've found old people open up pretty quickly if you show you're willing to listen to them. Too many people ignore the older generations."

"Bella, would you mind telling them their lunch is taken care of? I would like to treat them," Edward told me.

"Okay," I said, smiling brightly at him. He really did have a good soul. "I'm sure they'll love it. And I'll bring you another coke. In the meantime, eat up!"

He smiled as he unrolled his utensils. I walked over to my little old couple.

"I have the best Sunday afternoon gift for you two youngsters!" I said. I turned slightly and pointed at Edward. "My friend there is a big fan of cruise ships and horseshoes. I told him your story and he decided to pay for your lunch."

"Bella, dear," Cecile called, taking my hand into hers. "He's a nice young man to do that."

"Yep," I replied. "Edward's a good friend. If Frank won't be too jealous, maybe you can give him a little peck on his cheek on your way out." I winked at Frank.

"I think I can trust her with just a little one," Frank said, smiling at his wife. "Any more than and I'll have to beat him away with a stick."

"Oh, Frank!" Cecile laughed, flicking her hand at him.

"All right you two! I've got to get Edward another coke. Do you need anything else?" I asked.

"We're fine, Bella," Frank replied. "Take care of your young friend."

I headed into the kitchen and pulled Angela over. "My little old couple is too cute. Edward's buying their lunch! I convinced Cecile to give him a little kiss on her way out. Keep an eye out in case I miss it."

Angela chuckled as she headed out to her own tables with a tray full of food. Mike came sauntering into the kitchen right after.

"Hey, Bella," Mike called.

"Hey," I replied, keeping my attention on filling the glass.

"Who's the guy that asked for your section?" Mike questioned.

"That's my friend Edward," I replied. "He was here with my brother Friday night. He's actually sort of family. My brother is dating the sister of his sister's boyfriend." I smiled, knowing it would take Mike most of the day to figure that one out.

"Oh!" was his only reply.

"I have to get back out there," I said, walking past him with the glass.

Just as I came around and started heading toward Edward's table, I saw Frank and Cecile talking to him. I stopped and stared, waiting to see what would happen. Cecile gave him a loud smack on the cheek and Edward's eyes nearly popped out of his head. I laughed as quietly as I could manage, trying not to spill his drink.

Once Frank and Cecile moved on, I went up to the table. "Here's your coke." I smirked at the lipstick print on his cheek. "Looks like you were busy while I was gone."

Edward's eyes darted across my face quickly. "What do you mean?"

"You have a little something right here," I said, running a finger over the mark.

It felt like static electricity was running through my fingertip as I touched his cheek. I watched as Edward closed his eyes at my touch. When he opened them again, his green eyes seemed a little darker.

"I'll bring you a wet nap." I turned and quickly headed back to the safe haven of the kitchen.

"Um … Bella," Angela whispered.

"Yeah," I said, pretending to hunt up the wet naps when they were in a basket right in front of me. I had touched his face! And I really wanted to do it again! What was going on with me?

"I don't know what happened, but Edward just ran out of here like he was on fire."

I walked back over to the table to find he had left more than enough money to cover his meal. I didn't know what had upset him, but I hoped it wasn't me. I didn't have time to ponder it for long since the rush hour picked up and I was busy the rest of my shift.

I was exhausted by the time I got off work. I dragged myself over to my truck and climbed in. I drove straight home, foregoing my usual fast food run. I wasn't hungry tonight. I just wanted to get out of these clothes. I trudged into the house and dropped my keys onto the table.

"I'm home," I called.

No one answered. Emmett must have been out with Rose.

I flicked the deadbolt and headed into the kitchen. I couldn't remember why I had come in here. I stared at the little room for a moment, trying to jog my slow brain. My eyes rested on the telephone and I thought about Edward. I walked over to the phone and called his house.

"Hello!" Alice sang into the phone.

"Hey, Alice. It's Bella."

"Bella! How was work today?"

"Good. Hey, is Edward feeling okay?"

"I haven't seen him today. He's been up in his room."

"Oh. Would you check on him later? He stopped by to have lunch at the restaurant and he left in kind of a hurry. I just wanted to make sure he wasn't sick or anything."

"Thanks for letting me know, Bella. I'll make sure he's fine. I'll tell him to call you later."

"Thanks, Alice."

"Welcome, Bella!"

I hung up the phone and headed upstairs. I took the quickest shower known to man and pulled on my favorite sweats and t-shirt. I crawled deep under the covers and closed my eyes tightly. It was only six-thirty at night, but I was wiped out.