A/N at bottom, per usual :)

Now That You're Here

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"That perfect bliss and sole felicity, the sweet fruition of an earthly crown."— Christopher Marlowe

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Chapter Ten

A Little Bit of Everything

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The funny thing with realizing that you truly like someone, is how much more aware you become of them. On how much more they make you feel and how every time they talk to you—how even when they just smile at you, it sends your heart stuttering.

No one ever said the heart was smart when it came to wanting what the heart wants: mine being no exception. While I may not speak for everyone out there when it comes to falling for someone, I can say that for me personally, it feels like offering the best parts of yourself on a silver platter and then just waiting to see if they like it. Worst-case scenario they slap the shit out of the platter and leave the contents scattered on the floor for the animals to clean up.

Am I over exaggerating? Probably…

But that was how I felt when we'd walked back from the observatory deck and it was all I could think about as we waited in the lobby for the show to finish.

He'd made me laugh, made me forget for a while. Although it did nothing to help with the way my stomach felt as if were about to take flight every time he smiled at me.

I clung to Edward's arm when they finally appeared at the end; propriety was the least of my concerns. Rosalie's expression had been calculating, yet she'd seemed almost relieved to see us holding hands. Felix, oddly enough, had a calculating expression as well. And perhaps jealously, I'd even smiled a little on the inside at Tanya's sour expression when she'd noticed our clasped hands.

Saying our goodbyes, it was a quick ride back to his office and a quick hug before Rosalie left.

And then it was just the two of us, standing somewhat awkwardly, in front of my sad excuse for a truck.

"Thank you for coming tonight." He scratches the back of his neck, looking down at the side of my truck.

I bite my lip, pulling my shawl tighter against the bitter cold. "It's not like I had much of a choice." I say softly.

He flinches. "I'm sorry. I can't tell you how sorry I am about that, but if—if you ever feel uncomfortable with going somewhere with me, please tell me. I won't force you to go."

Disappointment tugs at me, although I'm not quite sure why. I wasn't exactly hoping he was going to tell me how he felt about me, but then again, I was hoping… hoping for something different. Hoping he'd forget the bargain we'd agreed upon.

What a stupid, stupid thought. If he didn't want to forget it…then what did that make me to him exactly? A client? An employee?

"I had a good time, all things considered." I say.

His green eyes meet mine. "You looked beautiful tonight."

I smile, unable to hide my blush. "Thank you." The butterflies are doing the Viennese waltz.

"Can I kiss you goodnight?" His smile is almost shy.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak.

He leans forward, cupping my face in his warm hands, as his lips press lightly against mine in a sweet chaste kiss that ends before it ever truly began.

"Goodnight Bella." His eyes send my heart hammering.

"Goodnight," I say quietly, unusually breathless.

I get into my car then, my gown at odds with the ancient truck as I pull away from his office.

xXx

I've almost home when it happens.

One minute I'm driving down the highway listening to good ole' Sinatra, and the next thing I know my car has stalled in the middle of the road; in the middle of a deserted, flickering street lamp highway. Can it get any more horror movie than this?

My first thought is poor Jake. He'd just spent hours fixing my car and then this happens. Of course, one moment later I realize I'm the one actually stuck in the middle of Horror Movie Lane with a fossil of a truck. So, screw Jake—poor me.

I hold my phone in my hands, my fingers tapping lightly against the screen as I debate on whom I should call. A tow company was out of the question; there was no way I could afford their prices. Alice would probably be as helpful as Indiana Jones in a pit full of snakes. Edward… Jake. I'd call Jake and see if he could tow my truck back.

The phone rings several times before going to voicemail. "Hi Jake, it's Bella. Although you probably already know that since your phone has caller-id and this isn't the nineties any more—wait, did phones have caller-id then? I can't remember…. but anyways, I know it's late, but my car has died in the middle of a crappy highway. Whenever you wake up, do you think you could come by and pick my truck up. You know—before the cops come and drag it away and then fine me like a bazillion dollars. I'm going to try to get a friend to take me back—thanks Jake, you're the best! Unless my car gets towed…"

Now the dilemma remained on whom to call to take me home. Alice or Edward? They were both fairly close to me and both probably awake at this time of night. I deliberate for several moments before finally calling.

"Hello?"

"Hey, I know it's really late, but my car broke down in the middle of the road and I was wondering if you could pick me up and drive me home?"

"Yeah, of course. Where are you?"

"On Parker Ave—just past the old Mill."

"Oh geez, that's a crappy part of town. Sit tight, I'll be there soon."

"Thanks." I hang up and toss the phone onto the console before leaning my head back against the seat.

I must have fallen asleep, because when I open my eyes I'm not in my car, but in a toasty warm one that's making its way down a completely different road.

I yawn, stretching my hands in front of me before twisting my neck to look at the driver.

"You know you could have woken me."

He glances over and gives me a soft smile before turning his attention back to the road. "I did."

"You did?" I frown.

"Yes, I did." He chuckles. "You wouldn't wake up at first, so I picked you up and then you woke up and said you had feet and could carry yourself, but then you thanked me for being your knight in shining armor, kissed my cheek and passed out."

"Please tell me you're making that up," I say, placing my hands over my face.

"No can do," he laughs.

I look at him through my fingers. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Maybe a little."

"I thought so," I grumble and drop my hands as we pull in front of my shop.

"Thank you for picking me up." I place one hand on the door handle and look back at him.

"It's no problem. I'm glad you called." His brow scrunches, "You know you can call me anytime."

I bite my lip, unsure what he means by that. "Thanks again," I pull on the door handle and then pause, fighting with myself for a moment before finally caving in. "Would you like to come in?"

His eyes widen slightly, but he's nodding his head before I think he even really comprehends it.

He follows me to the door, waiting patiently as I fumble with the locks and then push the door open.

"It's so dark in here. How can you see anything?" There's a small thump and I can only assume he knocked a book off its display.

"You get used to it," I chuckle after the door has been locked back. "Now come on." I grab his hand in the darkened room and lead him up the stairs at the back of the room.

"You know Thomas Edison invented this thing called a light bulb—you might want to try it out."

"Really? I had no idea." I say with a flip of a switch.

"Much better." He grins. He looks around the small apartment, taking in the old worn white walls, blue carpeting, and wooden filigree borders.

"It's not much." I twist my fingers, watching him carefully.

He sits on the grey sofa and stretches his legs out. "No—It's quaint. I like it."

"Thanks…" I say. It's silent for several moments and I feel my face reddening from the awkwardness of the situation. "I—I'm going to go change, make yourself comfortable." I shuffle out of the room as quickly as possibly.

In my bedroom, however, is the dilemma of what to wear. I could go the usual route of sweatpants and my baggy, holey shirt…but then again that just screamed slob.

I pull open one of the drawers from my vanity and rifle around the contents. Several silky items I quickly disregard. Alice meant well in her gifts, but they were too raunchy for my taste—or to be more precise, I was too embarrassed to even attempt wearing them when I was alone.

Near the bottom of the drawer, I grab a pair of green shorts and an old fitted U-Dubs shirt and throw them onto the bed. I grasp the top of the dresser with one hand and pull my heels off with the other. The comfort is instantaneous.

I pull off the bracelet, the only jewelry I'd worn to the Opera and then reach back towards the zipper of my dress, only to find that no matter which way I try, I am unable to reach it.

My face flushes as I pull open the door and make my way to the living room.

He's sprawled out on the sofa in his pants and a white undershirt, his jacket and top folded neatly on the coffee table, the shoes below on the carpet.

I clear my throat, his eyes meeting mine a moment later. He raises a single brow. "There's a zipper on the back of my dress, I—I can't reach it."

He stands up slowly and I turn before I can fully grasp his expression. A moment later I feel warm hands at the nape of my neck. I shiver.

"Sorry." He says huskily. He pulls my hair to the side of my shoulder, his hands sliding down to rest at the top of the zipper. There's a slight pause and then I feel the cold air against my lower back.

"Thanks," I bite my lip. Heart hammering, I wait for him to move his hand off my upper back. We stand there for a moment, in silence, and a few times I swear I hear him taking a breath as if to speak, but then he steps back and my heart drops in disappointment. I hurry to my room to change. Coward.

When I reemerge, I'm in my pajamas. He gazes at me approvingly. "U-Dubs, nice. I had a cousin that went there."

"Sounds like a good person." I grin and plop down onto the sofa next to him.

"So…" he draws out the word. "What do you want to do now that you have me here… all alone." He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.

I toss a pillow at him. "Here I was feeling guilty that you're here stuck in your tuxedo." I shake my head. "I hope that thing is uncomfortable."

He cocks his head. "You know, it kind of is rather uncomfortable. Maybe I should take it off." He stands, his hands going to the buttons on his waistband.

My eyes widen, a flush creeping across my cheeks, even as I grab his arm and yank him back onto the sofa. "No!"

He laughs, stretching his arms towards the ceiling. "Well, what do you want to do then?"

I shrug. "I probably should of thought about that when I invited you here." I purse my lips. "We could watch a movie?"

He nods. "Got anything good?"

I point towards the stand under the television. "They're all in there."

He stands and then crouches in front of the stand, pulling open the drawer. "Not a very big collection."

"Well in case you haven't noticed, I own a bookstore. There are literally a thousand stories I can watch in my head."

"Good point." He browses for a moment longer before lifting up a case for my inspection. "How about this one?"

A yawn rips from my throat. "Sure."

He slides the disc inside and dims the lights before sitting down next to me. Close. He's too close. His thigh brushes against mine and I curl my hands tightly into fits, lest I reach for him.

The screen lights up, the music blaring as the movie begins, but I can only focus on the heat. On the citrusy clean smell. On the smell of him as it fills my nostrils.

I feel something warm, calloused, brush against my right arm and then his hand wraps around mine, enveloping it in his warmth.

My heart thumps, thumps, thumps painfully in my chest; my body tingling with nerves that I can't seem to banish. I tighten my hand in his and then slowly lay my head against his shoulder, releasing a breath when his arms wrap lightly around me.

I yawn again, my eyes closing of their own accord as I relax in his grasp. And as I fall asleep, the movie already forgotten, I realize that I would probably be content to stay in his arms forever.

Quite content indeed.

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What movie do you think they were watching? :D

*Spoiler/ish*

The next two chapters were my favorite to write, but I don't know if it'll be your favorite to read (lol). The proverbial shit, so to speak, is about to hit the fan.

*Runs and hides.*