Chapter Eight – Distraction

BPOV

"Why did we ever agree to this shit?" Emmett whines as he, Jasper and I stand huddled in the corner of yet another mob on Black Friday.

"For the women we love, damn them." Jasper sighs.

"I have no reason, I was roped into this against my will," I complain.

We lost Rose and Alice forty-five minutes ago and they've yet to reappear. We all decided that it was in our best interest to just stay where we are until they find their way back to us. Poor Jasper looks shell shocked. This is the first year he's ever been able to be with Alice on Thanksgiving so he's never seen the insanity Emmett and I have been dragged through time and time again. He laughed earlier when we told him it was like a battlefield.

"It's just a few crowded stores. How bad can it be?" He'd scoffed.

I watch in awe as two women fight over a plasma screen television like it's the last one on the planet. How bad indeed.

Just a few hours ago we were all gathered together at Mr. and Mrs. Hale's house. I'd only met Rosalie's parents one other time before, at her engagement party when we first moved to the city. The house was amazing and it wasn't hard to see where Rose got her tastes from. The Hale family lives in a renovated town house in the North Shore area. I remember feeling intimidated by the ornate home looming above us when Jasper, Alice and I arrived. Of course, that anxiety went away once we went inside.

Emmett was the first to meet us at the door. He scooped me up in a hug like we hadn't seen each other in years as opposed to weeks.

"Baby-Bell!" He shouted, crushing me to his chest.

"Emmett, I need to breathe," I said gasping for air dramatically. He chuckled and set me down. "And don't call me that! I'm a grown woman, not a six year old," I muttered.

"You'll always be that obnoxious little girl to me," he smiled proudly.

"Gee. Thanks."

Rose walked over next, flanked by her parents on either side. Her mother was as striking a beauty as Rosalie herself, it was easy to see where she'd inherited her good looks. The only real difference between the two was the subtle streaks of gray infiltrating her mother's own blonde locks. Her father was tall with broad shoulders and striking blue eyes. They both offered warm smiles as Rosalie reintroduced us.

"Mom, Dad, this is Bella, Alice and Jasper. You remember them from the party right?"

"Of course! We're so glad to have you all, Happy Thanksgiving," Rosalie's mother said.

"Happy Thanksgiving to you too. Thank you again for opening up your home to us, Mrs. Hale." I offered.

"It was no trouble at all, we're more than happy to have you all. Though, please, call me Anna. Mrs. Hale makes me feel old," she laughed.

"As far as that is concerned you can call me Jack," Mr. Hale said with a chuckle.

The dinner was lovely and delicious. They had a huge turkey with all the trimmings, cranberry sauce, potatoes, stuffing and, of course, a selection of deserts. Conversation flowed easily around the table. Rose told her parents about my new job the firm and how well I'd been doing. I was proud of myself that I only blushed a few times at her praises. After dinner, the Hales ushered us into the living room where all sat around on the comfortable couches eating our desert. Anna pulled out some albums of Rosalie as a child, which despite her protests, I think Rose enjoyed immensely.

I was sad at not being able to see my parents for Thanksgiving; it was the first time I haven't been with the two of them and my Grandma Sawn. I made sure to call them before we came to Mr. and Mrs. Hale's house. They told me they loved me and to try and have a good holiday regardless. I'm still hoping to get out there for Christmas and New Year's, but even with my large and steady pay from Cullen Howarth I don't think I'll have enough for the ticket.

We stayed with Rose's family until late into the night. Jack started a fire and we watched a few Christmas movies, figuring it was close enough to the season to break them out. Anna brought in big cups of hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream. Emmett, Jasper, and I sat in a circle on the floor playing board games while Rose and Alice looked at ads for the big sales and planned out their shopping extravaganza. They weren't my family in the traditional sense of the world, but I think even my parents would agree that aside from themselves, I couldn't have found better people to spend the holiday with.

On a holiday when we're supposed to step back and appreciate the good all the good things in our lives, I had a lot to be thankful for. My recently completed education, my new job, my family back home and of course my substitute family here: Emmett, Alice, Jasper, Rosalie… and of course the newest addition, Edward. They'd all done everything they could to make me feel like I belong in this big new place. In the case of Edward and Rose they took a chance on me and offered me a new opportunity. Most importantly, they offered me their friendship. Emmett, who has stood strong and steady with me since we were kids, growing up together in Forks. Alice, who has been, hands down, the best girlfriend a girl could ever dream for. There were Jasper and Rose, the two unexpected additions to our little group who only added to the joy.

Then, there was Edward.

He was probably the most surprising of all. When we met I assumed he'd be nothing more than a boss, an authority figure. I'd gotten so much more than that. He was a true friend, through and through. He encouraged me, even though I worked for him and it would mean leaving, to find what I really wanted to do with my life and run after it. He wanted the best for me and my future. He wanted to help me reach my full potential. To be happy. And I wanted the same for him. Being with Edward felt different than being with everyone else. I couldn't explain it, but it felt different, better even in some ways.

I quickly derail that particular train of thought before it can get out of hand and snap back to the situation in front of me.

The store and the midnight madness.

We crane our necks trying to find Rose and Alice among the throngs of people looking for bargain buys and hoping that we can get out of here sooner rather than later. Jasper clears his throat and points to our left. My eyes must bulge out of my head as I look over and see Alice and Rosalie waving to us with two carts filled to capacity with everything imaginable. Emmett groans while we're still out of earshot and we make our way over.

"Baby, what the hell is all of this?" Emmett whines.

"Well, they had a wicked sale on shoes and I got you some new dress shirts too. I think I threw in some kitchen appliances for the new house, some favors for the wedding… I hope I got enough." Rose replies looking worried.

"We got something for you too, Bella!" Alice chimes in with a smile.

"Do I want to know?"

"Here, you're going to love it!"

I watch as Alice rummages through the mass of items in her cart and produces a simple cocktail dress. It's a deep navy blue made of a soft material with thick satiny straps and looks like it will hit about mid-thigh on me. I hate to admit that I love it, but it looks way too expensive.

"Alice, it's beautiful, but I have absolutely no need for a dress like that…" I start.

"Oh, hush! I'll put it away for a rainy day then. It screams your name and I can tell you love it. You never know when you might need a little boost and this dress? It's pure magic."

After a forty-five minute wait in a line that I swear was assembled by Satan himself, Alice and Rose pay for their things and we head home. It's nearing 8 o'clock in the morning by the time Jasper carries the bags up to the apartment and bids us farewell. Alice and I take one look at the mountain of things to be put away and decide that throwing ourselves down on the couch sounds like a much better plan. While Alice heads off to take a shower, I search around for my phone. In my rush to get ready for dinner the day before, I forgot about it entirely and left it at the house. There's one missed call from Grandma Sawn (I make a mental note to return it later in the day) and a few texts from various friends wishing me a "Happy Thanksgiving."

I scroll through them nonchalantly. My heart stops when I reach the last one in my inbox.

~ Happy Thanksgiving, Bella! Miss you. – Edward

Miss you.

The time stamp shows that it was sent pretty late at night. My head goes into overdrive. How do I respond to that? I note that some deep part of me in the back of my mind is absolutely swooning over the addition of the "miss you," at the end of the message. I decide that maybe it's best to just not respond. I could say I never received the message or that I lost my phone or threw it into Lake Michigan as I'm tempted to do now to avoid the whole situation.

Get yourself together, Swan!

He must have just meant that he missed seeing me around work. The office had closed on Tuesday for those who had to travel for the holiday, so we hadn't seen each other in a few days. We're friends. Friends can miss each other. I'm sure Kate misses me too. Yes, that's all it was. I close the message, chickening out completely for the time being.

"What's got you all flustered?" Alice asks plopping down in the couch in her bathrobe.

"It's nothing," I mutter.

"Bullshit, Swan. What's up?"

"Edward just sent me a text message wishing me a happy holiday. It's no big deal, it just caught me off guard," I shrug. I leave out the 'miss you,' hoping she'll drop the subject altogether. It's a wish in vain, there's no such thing as a dropped subject in the world of Miss Alice Brandon.

"You mean Mr. Good Looking? No wonder you're flustered."

"You're really not helping Alice," I snap.

"Look, I've told you before, Bella, there's no shame in enjoying the view you've been blessed with. It isn't like you're in love with the man and looking for a relationship – he's married. If you're really that worried about it, occupy yourself with something, or someone, else. Give that architect guy a call, he doesn't sound half bad himself," she says with a wicked little smile.

I nod and try my best to look convinced. How can I admit to Alice, when I haven't really even admitted it to myself, that there is so much more than just a physical pull to Edward? Sure, I can't deny the man is mouthwateringly gorgeous, but it's so much more than that. The more I talk with him, the more I'm enraptured by his personality; his compassion for his mother and the way he lights up when he talks about her, his passion for his job and bringing justice to the people who deserve it, his courage and conviction. He's strong, he's determined and, on the flip-side, entirely sweet as well.

Yikes.

I spend the next two days considering Alice's advice. Maybe she's right. I'm not looking to slide any further down the slippery slope that would be Edward Masen, married man. I'm not that kind of person, besides. Maybe all I need is a little distraction. While, I've only seen him a few times since that first day, Jacob seems like a really great guy. I could call him and finally give him that lunch date he's been after all this time.

Except that would mean giving up my lunch with Edward…

I can't even believe myself. We're just friends. This is absolutely ridiculous.

Monday morning comes all too soon and I find myself at the office before Edward, which is odd. I walk over to Jessica at the front desk and she informs me that he called to say he was running late, but would arrive shortly. I thank her despite the attitude she gives me and head to my desk to get to work. I set to work, typing up letters and statements, filing cases, and putting together some reports. I take a quick look at the clock and decide it's time for a quick snack break. When I look up, Edward's standing in front of me.

"Hi, I'm sorry I'm late," he says meekly.

"Don't worry about it. Carlisle sent over some more details on the Weber case and wants to meet with you and Rosalie at three," I say handing a manila envelope. I hadn't realized he was holding his breath, but he lets it out in a sigh and thanks me before walking into his office. I watch him walk away and lose myself in my thoughts.

He didn't mention the message. I suppose that's only fair since I never actually got up the courage to respond to it. I hope I haven't offended him and that was what had him so flustered.

I'm about to take my break when I glance at the phone on my desk. It's almost ten, two hours before lunch. I could call Jacob now and set something up. That would take care of this whole mess once and for all. Then again, maybe he already has plans. Ugh. Why am I making this so damn complicated? It's one little phone call. A phone call that he's been encouraging since the beginning, I might add. I'm not a twelve year old in middle school, I'm a grown woman. I put on my big girl panties and dial before I can talk myself out of it.

"Acadia Architecture, Leah speaking, how may I help you?"

"Um, hello… Could you connect me to Jacob Black please?"

"May I ask who is calling?"

"Bella Swan."

"One moment please."

I hold my breath while I wait. This feels oddly reminiscent of the time in fifth grade when Emmett dared me to call my crush and tell him I thought he was cute – something I still haven't full forgiven him for. I'm being stupid. We are two adults. Two mature adults. This is normal. This is fine. I need to grow up.

"Well, it took you long enough," Jacob finally chuckles from the other line. I smile in spite of myself at the sound of his voice.

"Ever heard of hard to get?" I flirt back. I'm not quite sure where the sudden confidence is coming from, but I'm determined to keep it going. "I was hoping that offer of lunch might still be up for grabs?"

"Of course it is, Bella. How's today at noon? I could meet you in the downstairs lobby."

"That sounds absolutely perfect," I smile even though he can't see me.

We hang up and I finally grab the protein bar from the vending machine I've been craving. For just a moment something feels off and I hope I've made the right choice. I remind myself that Jacob seems like a great guy as I return to my desk to finish up the report I'd been working on. At around 11:45 I see people starting to head out for lunch. I stand up, turn off my computer and throw a few essentials in my bag, checking my face in a little compact mirror.

I hear Edward emerge from the office and turn around to smile at him. He seems much better since this morning, complete with a smile of his own, and I'm glad. I hated to think that I might have been the cause of his anxiety.

"Feeling better?" I ask.

"Much, thank you. Ready for lunch?"

"Um, actually I've kind of made plans to eat with Jacob from Acadia today," I say looking at the ground. It's stupid but I feel guilty about standing him up.

"Oh, right, Jacob… Well, I hope you have a nice time. See you this afternoon, Bella," he says walking away. Something in his smile seems forced as he heads for the elevator, but I try not to let myself dwell on it too much. I sigh and gather my things before I make my own way downstairs.

Jacob is waiting in the lobby, exactly where he said he'd be. He lights up when he sees me and closes the little bit of distance standing between us.

"I was thinking," he begins, "I know this great little deli around the block. Are you up for some amazing sandwiches?"

"That sounds great."

The deli he brings me to is nestled on the corner of one of the many busy Chicago intersections. Its walls are made of brick and it has a very urban feel to it. We order two sandwiches and a couple of cokes and take a seat at one of the tables near the windows. As we wait for our order, we make the usual getting-to-know-you type small talk. A man in a white apron delivers our food to us and tells us to enjoy our meal. I take one bite of my sandwich and almost moan at how good it is.

"Jacob, this is amazing," I laugh.

"I know, right? I found this place soon after I moved to the city. My dad owned a small sub shop in La Push and this is the only place I've ever found whose sandwiches even compare," he laughs. I must make a face at the mention of his hometown because he quickly adds, "Sorry, I got carried away. La Push is in Washington, I grew up on the Quileute reservation there. I forget that not many people know about it."

"No, I know where you mean. I grew up about a half hour away in Forks."

"No way! What are the odds that two small town Washington-ites found each other in the big city?"

We spend the rest of our lunch break bonding over our hometowns. We complain about the near constant rain and lack of sunshine, but also secretly admit to missing how green everything is. The Olympic Peninsula is a far cry from the city when it comes to vegetation. I tell Jacob how Charlie used to bring me to La Push when I was little kid, but admit that I've never been to his father's shop. He makes me promise that I'll stop in on my next trip home.

Jacob turns out to be the perfect cure for my homesickness. We eat lunch together every day for the next two weeks until it feels like we've been friends all our lives. Conversation with him comes easily to me. It's nothing like the effortless talks I've had with Edward, but talking to Jacob is comforting. In many ways he seems to be exactly what I've needed. A small part of me misses my daily lunches with Edward, but I know this is the right choice. When I'm with him, I don't dwell on anything – or anyone – else. It's like I'm in a different world, one with far less complications. Jacob is more than just a distraction, he's a great guy.

Though I admit I haven't fallen head over heels for him, I can definitely see the potential for more. My chance finally comes on the second Friday we eat together.

"Bella I'd like to ask you something," Jacob says.

"Anything, Jake. What's up?"

"Would you like to go to dinner with me tomorrow night?"

"I'd love to," I smile.

I give him my address before we head to work and he promises to pick me up at seven the next night. When I get home and tell Alice she's ecstatic. She insists upon calling Rose and having her come over to help get me ready. I assure her she's crazy, but Rosalie is more than happy to oblige when Alice calls her. This incidentally, is how I find myself stuck in Alice's vanity chair being mooned over by the two of them early Saturday evening. They curl my hair and fix my make-up until I meet there definition of perfect.

"One more thing," Alice says skipping to her closet. I watch as she pulls out the blue dress she bought at the Black Friday sale. "I think tonight's the night for this bad boy!"

I take the dress from her with a smile and head into my own room to change. I hang it on the back of the door and look at it. Suddenly I feel uneasy. I think of Alice telling me the dress was magical and that I should save it for a special night. What could be more special than my first date with the most decently eligible bachelor I've met in a while? Something doesn't feel right about the dress. It's probably just my overactive imagination rearing its ugly head, but I put the dress in the back of my closet. Something just tells me there will be a better opportunity for it down the road.

I settle on a simple black dress and matching pumps instead. I hear Alice opening the door and welcoming someone inside. I glance at the clock and see that it's seven on the dot. Jacob's nothing if not punctual. I give my hair one last pat and give myself a once over before I head out into the living room. Alice gives me an odd look when she sees my outfit, but I just shrug.

Jacob is standing by the door and boy does he look good tonight. He's wearing khaki pants and a button down shirt with a jacket. Any woman would be lucky to have a night out with him.

"You look great, Bella," he says looking me up and down. I fight back a blush as I thank him. "Are you ready to go?" He asks.

"Let me just grab my jacket." I make my way to the coat closet and pull out my black pea coat. Jacob comes over to help me into it like a perfect gentleman. He puts out his hand I slip my arm through his with a wide smile.

"Ladies," he says acknowledging Rose and Alice as we leave.

"So where are we headed?" I ask as we pull away from my building.

"I thought we could do something a little more upscale tonight since it's our first night out. We're going to a place called La Reve."

"I hope I'm not putting you out," I frown.

"Please, I just signed a deal on a new office complex near North Shore, consider this a celebration. Besides, you should always show a lady a good time," he smiles.

We fill the fifteen minute drive to the restaurant with comfortable small talk. I ask him about the new deal he's just signed and he seems excited by the prospect of it. I remember him telling me over one of our first lunches that he'd always been obsessed with building things. When he was younger it was Lincoln Logs and Legos. Then, when he was a teenager, he had a brief fling with rebuilding cars and motorcycles. It wasn't until he was a senior that he ever considered architecture and from the sounds of it, he was good at it.

The restaurant we end up at is beautiful. There's a fountain bubbling in front of the building and an ornate sign displaying the name of the restaurant. Jacob pulls masterfully into a parking spot as close to the building as he can get and we exit the car. He takes my arm again as we walk inside. The restaurant is fashioned like an old style yacht club complete with ornate tables and a stage with a small jazz band playing in the back of the room. The waiters and waitresses all wear stark white uniforms. It seems a far cry from the deli Jacob and I frequent by day. I look at him skeptically.

"Okay, you caught me. This isn't my usual style. I might be overcompensating just a bit," he says shyly.

"Well you're crazy to think you needed to do that, but this place is great, Jake."

"Well then, my lady, shall we?" He asks in a ridiculous attempt at a French accent. I giggle and take his arm again as we head over to claim our reservation.

This is it, my chance at happiness with a guy. An attainable, funny, good looking, single –

"Bella?"

I turn around and am met by a pair of green eyes that make my heart stop.

Oh, why tonight?


I'm incredibly sorry this is late, New Year's became a huge distraction. Never fear, the next chapter has already been started and I'm going to update on Sunday as scheduled. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and here's to a great 2013!

Stay tuned to see what was up with Edward in the next chapter and don't forget to drop a review! They keep me going!

Until next time!