Yeah, I suck. I know this. But rest assured that although there may be a few weeks here and there between chapters, I will not abandon or put this on hiatus. It will be finished. Just have some patience, please and thank you.
Now, let's get on with this meeting.
OPMC Chapter 9
EPOV
I watched in amazement as Annie… Bella… devoured her food. Most girls I dated barely picked at their food for fear that I would think they didn't watch their weight or they worried about bad breath or they would come off looking less than desirable.
Bella obviously had no such fears.
When we settled into the booth in the corner – Bella proclaimed it was the best booth- I was worried this would be awkward. And it was awkward but a comfortable awkward if that makes sense. I think it is because Bella herself is awkward or at least that is what she told me.
When the waitress asked for our order, I just assumed we would be getting coffee. So that is what I ordered. Bella gave me a weird look then dove into her order that included a double bacon cheeseburger, cheesy curly fries, a strawberry milkshake and a Coke. The waitress didn't bat an eye which I assumed was because Bella frequented this joint. However, the waitress did ask me if I wanted to amend my own order of just coffee because as she explained, I might be here a while waiting for Bella to eat.
I ordered a grilled chicken salad with ranch dressing on the side and a water.
I know now that the waitress was wrong. Bella had scarfed down most of her supper already and I still had most of my salad on my plate.
Finally, Bella pushed her empty plate away, wiped her hands on her napkin and settled back with her milkshake as dessert.
"Aren't you hungry?" She asked, gesturing to my plate.
"Not really, no. I ate before I left for the bar tonight." Which was true.
She eyed me then eyed my plate.
She set her milkshake aside then pulled my plate towards her and started eating it.
Does she have a tapeworm? Because Bella is a pretty slender girl and she doesn't seem the sort to work out so where the hell does all the food go?
"I have a high metabolism."
I blinked at her, confused.
"You said all that out loud," she informed.
"Oh. Sorry. "I cleared my throat in embarrassment. Can I go one minute without making a fool of myself in front of this woman?
She laughed. "It's fine, Edward. My father asks me that a lot as well. Always says he didn't need a boy in the house with me eating like one."
"What does your father do?" I asked, settling back with my coffee, intent on getting to know her.
"He's the Police Chief of Forks."
"Charlie Swan is your father?" Well, I'll be damned.
"Yeah, you know him?"
"He really went to bat for me at my last parole hearing. Great guy, your dad." See, I could do sarcasm too.
Her eyes widened then narrowed as she looked me up and down. I concentrated on keeping a straight face.
"I call bullshit."
I grinned. "Yeah, I'm too straight laced for that. I helped the department set up their new computer system last year. Your father doesn't know much about technology, does he?"
"God, no. He'd write it all out by hand if he could. Says he repels technology."
"I believe it," I laughed.
"So, it that what you do? Computers?" She asked.
"Yeah, I always had an affinity for fixing and setting up electronics so I made it by career. You?"
"Well, I know how to turn one on, which is more than my dad can do, so…" She shrugged. "No, really. I'm not exactly computer savvy but I can get my work done."
"Which is…" I prompt.
"You know those articles that appear on the internet especially social media that just have a little blurb then you click on it and it's about some viral video or article or what not that doesn't amount to a hill of beans?"
"Yeah?"
"That's me. Well, some of it anyway. I write the blurbs and most of the time articles with my opinion on the subject. For instance, there was this guy who wrote a missed connection ad on Craigslist about some girl trying to kill him for stupidly following her out to a dark, empty parking lot and well, you know the rest."
I feel fire seeping into my cheeks and I find it impossible to meet her eyes.
"You… um… had to write about that?" I clear my throat and wish for the thousandth time this month for a hole to appear.
"Yeah. Hey. Look at me," she softly demands.
I do as she asks because… well, it's Bella.
"I'm not going to lie and say I don't think you're crazy for seeking me out. It's certifiably nuts, but I'm glad you did. This is nice. You're nice. I guess I just want to know where do you want to go from here?"
I thought about that for a minute.
"I don't really know. Look, I'm just going to put myself out there, okay? And I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't run away until I'm done. Deal?"
She nods.
"I've been single for a while now and I've dated around looking for someone I felt a connection with. All I found was vapid women who were concerned with money or looks or money and looks. Eating salads with no dressing, taking selfies while I was trying to get to know them, not being able to hold an intelligent conversation and no, I don't count knowing what happened on Keeping Up with The Kardashians as intelligent conversation."
"Damn, I love that show," she murmured.
"You do?"
"Hell, no," she scoffed. "Sorry, you were saying?"
"So, I had all but given up on meeting anyone until one night I was forced in going out with my brother and a friend. And across the room, I saw you. Well, I tried to see you but I had a vain moment and left my glasses in the car which is why I followed you. Well, that and few beers. But I digress. My point is, I felt a connection with you that I haven't felt with anyone in a long time and I couldn't let that go. That's why I tried to find you. And now, here we are."
She just looked at me.
"Okay, I'm finished so you can run if you want. I won't take out another ad, I promise."
She sighed.
"My last relationship was a couple of years ago so I'm a little rusty at all this. I'm good at being alone. I rarely leave my house. I work from home. I live in a messy one bedroom with my cat, who I talk to like she's human. I have every restaurant that delivers on speed dial. I have my dad, two friends and my boss that I talk to regularly. You seem like a settled guy who knows who he is and what he wants. I'm about as far from settled as it gets. I don't know who I am or what I want."
I nodded, disappointed.
"I appreciate your honesty and I under…"
"That being said," she spoke over me, "I like you and I like that you wanted to find me. No one has ever made an effort like that with me. Okay, at first I thought you were a fucking lunatic but now that I have spent some time with you, I still think you are a fucking lunatic but I'm willing to see where this goes, if you'd like."
"Really? You're not just saying that because you feel sorry for me?"
"Oh no, I feel sorry for you. I'm a spastic handful. You have no idea what you are getting into."
"So, how do you want to do this?" I swear I feel like bouncing up and down in my seat.
"Well, first you can buy me dessert. They have a wonderful apple pie ala mode. After that, well… we can just take it one step at a time."
"Okay, I can do that. Apple pie ala mode and baby steps. I'm afraid our time might be limited though."
"Why's that?"
"I'm going to have to take a second job just to be able to feed you." I teased.
She rolled her eyes. "Just order the damn pie."
I laughed as I flagged down our waitress.
"One apple pie ala mode with two forks, please."
We sat there another hour finishing our pie and talking about a whole lot of nothing but I have to say I enjoyed that more than any other date I've ever been on. When the check came, I grabbed it.
"Jesus Christ, there goes my mortgage. Maybe I'll find a job on Craigslist," I joked, as I reached for my wallet.
She just gathered her jacket and purse while rolling her eyes.
I paid then walked her to her behemoth truck. "Exactly how old is this thing?"
"Myrtle is vintage not old."
"Myrtle?"
"Yeah, I… um… name things. Personify them. It's a quirk that I am told is most annoying by everyone in my life."
"What else have you named?"
"Okay, well… Angelina is my gun because she's sleek and sexy. Myrtle because it was a popular name back when my truck was made. My pepper spray is Jose Jalapeño because a jalapeño will make your eyes water. My laptop is purple so I call it the Purple People Eater or PPE for short. Things like that." She cleared her throat. "So, yeah."
"That's… adorable." I smile widely. "You're adorable."
"Yeah?" She asks, almost shyly. "You don't find me annoying?"
I lean closer to her. "The only thing I find annoying is the fact that I have to leave you right now."
She bridges the gap between us until her lips are a few inches from mine.
"Hmmm. Well, there's always tomorrow," she murmurs.
"Tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I'll cook… er… order take out for us. You can meet my cat." She giggles. God, I love that sound.
"It's a date."
"Edward?"
"Bella?"
"Kiss me," she demands.
Believe me when I tell you that even without her holding a gun to me, I will still follow her orders…
