I'm so glad you guys are enjoying this story as much as I enjoy writing it! I am so excited about this story and I've been working on planning it all out. I hope to be able to brighten your days with updates every Monday! I hate Mondays, but I love this story, so I think it will be a lot of fun. I've been doing some reading for this story, and picked up a few books on the mafia and Chicago in the 1950s…so I am hoping that it is as accurate as possible. If you know anything about this time period, please feel free to PM me or email me.

Thanks so much Fran for helping me edit this chapter!

Now…back to it! Enjoy .

BPOV:

With a graphite pencil in hand, I sketch every inch of the beautiful face that is a presence in my every thought. I feel as if my talents could never measure up to what Edward truly looks like. I shade every edge, perfect every line, and focus on the intense eyes that have a way of seeing through me. A shiver runs down my spine as I sketch his eyes, I feel as if he is in the room staring at me. But when I raise my head from my sketch pad, I don't find him.

It's only been an hour since I have left his side and I already miss him. We had left the restaurant hand in hand; it had felt so right to be in his grasp. When he returned me to my mother, I had trouble leaving the car. If Edward hadn't had a place to leave, I think I would have been bold enough to ask to continue our day together. Edward became stressed and taciturn again toward the end of our day, as if something was wearing on him.

"Bella," Mother says, pulling me from my meditations.

I quickly cover my work with newspaper and slide it into my desk. "Hello Mother," I smile calmly, "How was your day?"

"It was fine," she waves her hand dismissively, "I feel much better. Would you like to go out tonight sweetheart?"

"Are you sure you are up for that," I ask, trying to dissuade her.

"Of course, Bella, I'll just run a bath." She makes her way to my door, before stopping in her tracks to appraise me. "You look well Bella. Where have you been all day?"

Her eyes aren't accusing, but there is something in them that I do not want to recognize. I smile and try not to let my confidence waver. My mother knows me better than anyone, and I've never been false with her about anything.

"I went to City Lights. I wanted a few more books."

Mother laughs, looking years younger. "Bella, if we could all be as good of a reader," she teases. "Did you eat when you were out?"

I contemplate what to say, never having been good at lying since my face gives everything away. "I ate in town," I say simply, looking at my lap.

"Well, I'm sure you are hungry again," Mother teases me.

As soon as she leaves the room, I pull the newspaper back from my sketch. In my haste, the graphite lines are slightly smudged, but his handsome face still shines through. There is a darkness that has been created around his eyes; their lines are weakened by the friction of the newspaper, causing an ashy effect around his pupils. The darkness suits him in a way and I find that I'm pleased with the changes the mishap has made.

I put the portrait away, not wanting Mother to snoop about and find it. I smile, knowing that his likeness is close by. I feel as if he is with me although he is far off doing God knows what. I freshen up and change into a more suitable dress for an evening out. My pastel dress with a full skirt is my favorite piece. I feel less, self-conscious in a dress that hides my curvaceous figure. Mother says I have a shape women would kill for, but I would like to be noticed for something other than my appearance. She is my opposite; loving the attention she receives from men.

She comes back into my room with a fresh face of makeup and a tight dress with a sheath skirt. She looks incredible, and she knows it. With a kind smile filled with excitement, she grabs my hand and announces our taxi cab has arrived. She has reserved a seat at the Italian Village on Monroe. It's a bit of a drive from our home, but she insisted that I would love it.

When we arrive, Mother is all smiles and casually flirts with every man within arm's length. Embarrassed, I look away from her, my eyes wandering around the restaurant as I hear her chatter in the back of my mind. I'm shocked when my eyes fall on Edward, sitting across the restaurant with a man who is older and much more severe. He is sipping on a brandy while in deep conversation. I wonder if he can sense my presence, but he seems too transfixed with the man in front of him to notice me.

Although I want to hear what he is talking so furiously about, I also want to avoid any awkwardness that could arise from him seeing me with my mother. To my luck, we are seated far away, in a booth on the opposite side of the restaurant. Mother flirts with our waiter and orders a bottle of white wine. He then looks to me, and I order my signature club soda with grenadine.

"Isn't this place lovely," mother gushes, adjusting her breasts in her dress before scanning the room for potential mates.

I keep myself from rolling my eyes and giggle at her instead. "It's wonderful mother."

As she begins to chatter, my eyes wander across the room and fall once again on Edward. He doesn't notice me, allowing me to spy on his conversation. At his table is an older man with hair so blonde it is practically white. The man looks as if he can barely contain his anger and Edward does not look much different. I wonder what has them so upset. They sit close and ignore their surroundings, too engrossed with each other. Edward spits out a reply to whatever the man has said to him, and my heart feels as if it has stopped completely when his eyes shoot up to meet mine.

My entire face flushes, and I quickly look away. Tears of embarrassment prick my eyes, and when I look back, Edward is engrossed in his conversation once more.

"Bella, what is the matter," mother asks. Truly, I am surprised that she has noticed a change in my demeanor.

"I'm fine," I stutter out with a sheepish smile.

She looks as if she would like to say more, but refrains and continues talking about whatever she had been. Our drinks come, and then our dinner, but I'm much too distracted to pay it any mind. I barely touch my food and instead steal looks at Edward. Finally, the man pays and leaves Edward's side, walking out of the restaurant without a single glance at anyone else who inhabits it.

Edward is not as serious; there is a small smile playing on his lips as he gazes at me from across the room. Feeling bashful, I look away, and for the first time all evening I focus on the plate of food before me. I can feel his approach before I look up and when I do, I stare in shock as he walks toward our table. Mother is too distracted to notice, but I'm already cringing in my seat for I know what she will do when she does.

Before I can address the situation, Edward speaks; his mouth in a comfortable smile. "Mrs. Swan, Miss Swan," he says, looking in my direction, "It seems we are always running into each other."

Mother giggles at his joke and offers him a seat. Edward is polite with her and takes a seat at next to me, but stays a comfortable distance away. I'm grateful for this; I don't want her to know just how familiar we are.

"I don't mind running into you, Mr. Cullen," mother says coyly.

Edward gives her a curt nod and leans back against the vinyl booth. I mean to interject, but Mother begins to talk, about the party…about herself. Edward and I exchange glances, our eyes dancing with mirth, and luckily Mother doesn't seem to notice; much too invested in herself like always. I'm thankful when she slips away to the powder room, leaving me alone at last.

"So, are you following me," Edward teases, finally relaxing at my side now that my mother is gone.

"It was my mother's idea to come here, not mine."

"Well, I am glad you are here nonetheless," Edward says honestly.

I smile at him and inch my hand closer to his beneath the table. Once I gain the courage, I wrap my little finger around his, and this simple touch alone is a shock to my system. He puts his free hand atop ours and gives me a small smile.

"I must get going Bella," he says apologetically before pulling his hand away.

My smile flattens as he stands and steps away from the table. "When will I see you again," I ask, trying my best not to sound desperate for him.

"I'll find you, Bella," he winks at me, and with a bow of his head, he is on his way, leaving me to sit and watch him go.

Mother returns and pouts when she finds Edward is gone. But her interests are not centered on him for long as her eyes scan the room for the next available man. As I play with the cherry floating atop my drink with my straw, I imagine I am somewhere else; somewhere with only Edward. Just the two of us, in a place free of anything troubling, a place where we could live our life together.

For a moment, I feel silly, knowing that there is nothing between us besides a simple connection. But deep down I know that this will lead to something more and I will wait as long as it will take.

Because a man like Edward does not come around often.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this. There are definitely some sparks between Edward and Bella. I am so enjoying this slow burned. I think you guys will love what I have planned for this story! I am so excited about it and so excited to write it. I have the next few days off work, so I'll be typing away! Please review and if you want, friend me on facebook at Lizzie Lee (Highlander Princess) and check out the banners I have for this story. As well as some photos I have used as inspiration.