'How do I look?' Alice was stood behind me as I got ready for my date with Edward.
'Honestly? You look like some old spinster who hasn't seen a penis in twenty years.' I threw a pillow at her head as she cackled loudly, ducking out of the way. 'Okay I'll be serious - you look amazing, who knew you had such killer legs when you hide them under baggy jeans all the time.'
Taking one final look in the mirror, I turn from side to side. Maybe this dress was a little short, it came to just above my knee and although it was just a basic red shift dress it did cling over the bust area.
Oh god I look like a tart.
'Bella stop,' Alice commanded. 'Breath and stop over analysing everything. You look fabulous, that dress is sexy yet modest and the colour really suits you.' Alice had folded her arms and was daring me to disagree; I rolled my eyes but kept quiet.
I pulled on the black mac I had brought a while ago but never worn and a low pair of black heels before taking one last look, my make up was light and natural, my hair was loose and gently curling down my back.
I looked good. Or like mutton dressed as lamb.
Shit, this was why I shouldn't date.
'Bella I swear to god …'
'Fine, I'm ready.'
This would be my first date in, god I didn't even want to think in how long. I was so nervous it was ridiculous.
'Mom you look great and if you don't stop that you'll gnaw your lip right off.' Ness was smiling at me encouragingly and I tried to smile back though to be honest I felt a little sick.
Alice and Ness sat on the couch and in unison chimed 'you can do this.' Oh how they mocked me.
Hearing an engine outside I shot them one last glare before exiting the house, not wanting Edward to be subjected to those two.
Ness had already told me Jake was coming over and I appreciated her honesty, although I wasn't entirely comfortable with the situation. I liked Jacob well enough but I also knew he was a very experienced boy; 'a playa' was the way the Newton kid described him. Well if he played my daughter he better to willing to say goodbye to his balls that's all I can say.
Edward had jumped out of his car as I approached, but as I walked over before he had seen me it almost looked like he was giving himself a pep talk, maybe he was just mouthing the words to a song though.
Edward drove a silver Volvo, I'm not a big car enthusiast all I knew about Volvo's was that they were safe cars. Edward's car was extremely shiny and very clean inside; I thought back to all the rubbish that resided in my own car and grimaced at what he would have thought when I picked him up.
He held open the passenger door for me and I smiled a little to myself at his chivalry, no one had ever done that for me before. In fact when I went on a date with a guy once he walked out the restaurant and let the door swing back to hit me in the face.
'Bella you look absolutely lovely,' Edward lent towards me and I could small his clean, citrus aroma. He smelt so good I wanted to lick him.
And this is why you shouldn't be allowed out in polite society Bella.
'One of the other teachers recommended a nice little Italian place in Port Angeles, I thought we might try there.' He gave me that lopsided smile that made his eyes twinkle and I almost let out a sigh.
'That sounds great, I love Italian food.'
The drive was filled with soft background music as we chatted about his job and my job. He told me how he loved Chicago but how cold the winters were and I had to confess I had never left the Washington area up to now. For the first time I told someone about how much I would love to travel, how I had always wanted to visit Italy with it's vast history and beautiful countryside. Edward told me that he would also like to see Italy someday, he cast a sidelong glance in my direction and I blushed madly.
As we drove through Port Angeles's dark streets I hoped Edward knew where he was going because ending up in the wrong part of town here could be disastrous. Thankfully we pulled up outside the small restaurant quickly and yet again he came round to open my door.
Edward grinned down at me as he took my hand and led me inside. The place was quaint with chequered tablecloths and a very family feel to the place. Edward gave his name and we were seated at a table near the window.
The waitress was young with brown hair in a high ponytail, I couldn't help but notice how she eyed Edward like a juicy steak, licking her lips and constantly touching his arm while asking if we wanted to order drinks.
I giggled as she departed and Edward smirked back at me. 'What's so funny,' he queried.
'Oh nothing, just that the waitress was almost trying to crawl into your lap.'
'Huh? Didn't notice,' he shrugged his shoulders and went back to the menu.
When the young girl returned with our drinks she turned to Edward and purred seductively 'If I can get you anything else don't hesitant to ask.'
Edward grimaced and said 'I'm fine thanks.' I laughed again and he poked me with his foot under the table.
'You're very hot Cullen and women can't help but be dazzled,' I smirked.
'You know you're incredibly good for my ego, I might keep you around.' We both laughed and placed our orders as the waitress continued to drool over Edward.
The food was delicious and the company even more so.
'What happened with Ness's father if you don't mind me asking?' I knew the question was coming and I didn't mind answering.
'I'm afraid I'm a real cliché; I stupidly had sex with a boy after prom, although we did use protection, and wound up pregnant. I liked James well enough but that was about it. I didn't want him he didn't want me so it was best to raise Ness on my own.'
'She's a lovely girl,' he murmured quietly and I beam at him.
'Thanks, although she can be cheeky beyond belief.'
'It was hard I won't deny that, I felt overwhelmed by everything and if it hadn't been for my father I don't know how I would have coped,' I told him honestly.
'He sounds like an amazing man, I wish I could have known him.'
I laughed ' he was one of kind but he did like to be introduced to any guy I was dating, and when he knew they were coming he would get out his gun and sit there cleaning it menacingly, so it's probably best you didn't meet him.' Edward laughed and so did I, I think Charlie would have loved Edward if I were honest.
We split the most divine chocolate cheesecake for desert; taking turns to spoon mouthfuls until there was only one bite left.
Edward scooped it up and brought it to his mouth before changing his mind and offering it to me. I opened up as he slid the spoon between my lips; I curled my tongue around it and closed my lips, enjoying the velvety goodness before he pulled it back. I took one last swipe at the spoon with my tongue and Edward let go of it so it clattered onto the plate.
Glancing up I could see Edward breathing heavily and his eyes had turned very dark, I licked my lips and all of a sudden Edward's mouth was on mine. His tongue sweeping my mouth, making me want to moan even though we were in a restaurant. His warm lips moved caressingly over mine before he drew back panting slightly.
'I'm not sorry,' he chuckled and I grinned back.
'Me neither, but if you wanted the last bit of cheesecake so much you should have said.'
'As delicious as dessert was your mouth is much more tempting.'
I think I just ruined my underwear.
A rosy glow had settled over me as Edward led us back to the car, his arm wrapped around me so I was securely tucked into his side. Edward was so gorgeous and nice I wasn't sure if I could resist him. I had to remind myself this was only a second date and … oh bugger it has been years for Christ's sake.
Edward muttering something interrupted my dirty thoughts. 'I'm sure this is the way.'
All of a sudden there's a loud thump and Edward stopped the car suddenly. A man appeared at the window and wretches open the door on Edward's side, he has a knife and is yelling at us to get out of the car. I scramble quickly out and Edward does the same. The man jumps in the driver's seat and zooms off.
'I think we may have just being carjacked,' Edward says in a dazed voice. He looks utterly lost and I grab his hand in mine as I dig through my purse for my cell phone.
Looking around I see we aren't in a nice neighbourhood, a group of rough looking men are advancing on us from across the street and I pull Edward along behind me quickly, while he looks longingly after his Volvo. My hand finds the peper spray in my purse that my father always insisted I carry just in case.
I'm ringing the police as we practically run along the dark pavement. Finally we reach a busy intersection and looking back I find no one is following us so breathe a sigh of relief.
About twenty minutes later a squad car pulls up to us and I explain what happened, Edward is still mourning the loss of his car and is too upset to talk. The officier knows my father from the old days and after making we make our statement's arranges for someone to take us back to Forks.
Edward doesn't speak a word on the way back and I'm a little worried about him. The young officer pulls up to my house and I help Edward out too, I don't think he should be on his own right now.
'Hey Ness,' I call when we finally get inside the house. It's past midnight but she's still awake sitting on the couch in the living room.
As she turns to look at me I take in her tear stained face and general air of misery.
'Oh my god what's happened?' I go and sit next to her, leaving a bemused Edward standing in the hallway, I'll deal with him in a moment.
'Mom I'm fine, it's just that jerk Jacob, god I'm so stupid.' She buries her face into my shoulder and I stroke her hair gently.
'If he hurt you I'll kill that little bastard.'
'He didn't hurt me mom, it's just that he saw me inviting him over here as me saying I wanted to have sex. Let's just say he got a little frisky and I had to use what Grandpa gave me to protect myself.' I clenched my fists and vowed that I would be having a word with Jacob Black very soon and he had better be scared.
'So Charlie gave you the pepper spray too huh?'
Ness shook her head and held up a small taser.
'You tasered him?' She nodded but I could see the small smile on her lips.
'He yelped so loud.' Then we were both laughing.
'What's wrong with Mr Cullen.' Ness was looking over my shoulder at the motionless Edward.
'We got carjacked in Port Angeles.' At the mention of the word car Edward whimpered a little.
'I think he should stay on the couch he's a little traumatised.'
I managed to get Edward settled on our pull out couch. I helped him off with his clothes and couldn't stop myself from admiring his long, lean torso under the tight t-shirt he was wearing.
'Can I get you anything Edward?' I asked gently as he lay down. He shook his head but held onto my hand tightly.
Kissing his forehead softly I switched off the main light, leaving only a lamp on and headed up to bed.
Stopping outside Ness's room I peeked in, she was fast asleep on her back completely spread out, she had always slept that way even as a baby. Tomorrow I would have to talk to her more about what happened with Jacob but I think we had all had enough excitement for one night.
Before I went to sleep I couldn't help but curse stupid cockblocking carjackers and randy teenaged boys.
