BPOV
I really didn't want Edward to go anywhere but the way Jake was acting was mortifying – I was glad Edward didn't pick up on the innuendo. I thought you could cut it with a knife. And Leah's question 'Did you go bareback?' had nothing to do with the horses we'd been riding - I could have so fucking strangled her through the phone. I wanted to yell but it would have been so much more embarrassing for Edward to actually know what she was asking. At least she was distracted by a Masen Hale interview coming up in an hour – it could have been so much worse. It still could, I just remembered she does have his number. I watched Edward as he left and hoped he'd be ok after his first foray on a horse, we might have to wait a few days to go out again or I could get Jake to ask him man-to-man if there were any ill effects in the nether regions. He looked excited or scared as he left, I couldn't pinpoint it exactly but I guess doing something new brings both emotions. It's certainly how I feel getting to know Edward.
I called Leah like I said I would and we listened to my now-favorite band give a little interview. Leah was in stitches when it was over.
"Eddie Masen has a girlfriend! About fucking time! Though I wish he picked me. Those abs…" she sounded wistful.
"That's so mean Leah. The poor guy was caught off-guard. And what about Jake?"
Don't worry, Bells. It's not like I mean it. I love Jake. But so far it's been almost look but don't touch. We're firmly entrenched at second base and I really need a home run."
"Well, your boy-toy Eddie Masen doesn't seem like the type to love-'em and leave-'em. The whole band actually sounded pretty down to earth. I'm surprised they haven't let the fame or fortune go to their heads - get hooked on drugs, drive the wrong way down the freeway, that kind of thing. If taking off your shirt causes a YouTube sensation for a band with all-male members you've got to know they're pretty tame."
"But that's why it caused the sensation, Bells. The focus is on the music – with amazing results – but sometimes you've got to have a little dessert with dinner, Bells."
"OK, enough about imaginary men. Back to Jake. Any progress?"
"Baby steps. The bedroom is still off limits. But I can say Quil and Embry were not thrilled to walk in on us on the couch the other day. We were clothed but…" Leah sounded like she was going to be more descriptive. I didn't need to know about Jake's hard on. And from now on I'm definitely picking up the phone before I head on up to the main house. I might even have to invite Embry and Quil back to the cabin.
"Congrats. I wish I could talk more sense into that boy."
"It helped, Bells. Really. I'm going to see how it plays out. Now for you…Jake asked me to ask you over to the farm. Meet Seth?"
"I would like to see the farm but you are so not setting me up with your brother. Besides I really think I like, like, like-like, Edward Cullen." I was so flustered I was sounding high school all over again.
"That's really exciting, Bells."
"Yeah. And you didn't help with your frigging bareback comments – he was standing right beside me for crying out loud. Leah! I'll let you know if things…develop. Don't you dare call him. Today we went running and shared our tales of woe. It was quite sad, really. I think we'll go riding again and I'm taking him lunch tomorrow. It's the least I can do. He's paying rent, working the fields and repairing my porch. I should be paying him. I don't know what he does to take the whole summer off."
"Sorry, Bells. I'll try to behave. You do know you have the summer off too, girl. Not like the rest of us stiffs. And you're also working for free."
"Yeah. But Jake's not charging me to stay with him. I feel bad."
"OK, well, Edward didn't repair your porch, I did. If that makes you feel any less guilty. But maybe not, since he did offer to pay for it – he sounded awfully sincere on the phone. I told him there was no need, so don't worry, Bells. Though I can tell you he will be repainting it. I don't volunteer as much as you do. He has all the tools. Just imagine the paint brush going up and down and up and down in Edward's muscled arm."
"God, Leah. You really need to get laid." I wasn't going to actually tell Leah but her image of Edward brought me a nice warm feeling all over. It would probably be rude if I just went over and watched him work though, or just held a paint brush while I ogled his pecs.
"I know. Maybe you do too."
"I barely know the guy."
"You are so crushing on him. You said so. Besides, is he good on a horse?" Leah. Not that analogy again.
"He's a natural." I knew I was going to hear the snickers, I wasn't wrong.
"Maybe it's time he teach you something. He plays piano, you say? Hum. I bet he's really good with his fingers."
"Cut it out, Leah. I won't even be able to look at him tomorrow."I wondered briefly if Jake would just fuck her as a favor to me. Of course, I would never ever suggest it but Leah's bordering on desperate. And her visuals were not necessarily unpleasant – just uncalled for. I would certainly be looking at his fingers the next time I saw him. I've only known Edward for a few days. I know there are people who are up for one-night stands, I couldn't do it. But I do feel a connection with Edward that I've never felt with anyone before.
"There's a time for a fling, Bells. But maybe it could be more. What do you think of Mrs. Bella Cullen?"
"LE-AH!"
"Just saying. Look at Jake and I. We started out as friends but it's so much more than that now."
"What do you think of Mrs. Leah Black?" I loved throwing it right back at her.
"It has a nice ring to it." I wasn't really ready for her answer. But it makes perfect sense.
"You'd say yes?" I nearly shrieked, then calmed and hinted. "I think I have some pull with Jake…" This is conversation is completely different. This I would DEFINETLY do. They really are the perfect couple.
"DON'T Bells. This isn't the 1900s. I'm not getting married first. He needs to let his guard down – to trust me and trust himself. Then, maybe we'll talk marriage."
"Jake doesn't let a lot of people in, Leah. He's been burned. He does trust you. And he wants you too. I've probably pushed him too much. I'll back off. He needs to talk to you and not me about all this. It's time."
"Bells, he's your friend. He needs you. Don't forget that. You need him, too. But you need a man in your life. So lunch tomorrow with Edward is still on track?"
"Yeah. I've got to get some lunch today and then decide what I'm making tomorrow. I didn't even ask him what he likes."
"The best way to a man's heart…."
"Shut up, Leah. Or maybe you should get cooking."
"I'm hopeless in the kitchen. Jake is the chef. You know that. I won't keep you, but call me. I can at least live vicariously. When you feed Edward something incredibly tasty and he hungers for something more than your cuisine you can tell me all about it." Leah snickered again and hung up knowing I'd yell at her again. Right. Leah talks as though I'm going to beat her and Jake to the punch. I'll have to tell her in no uncertain terms that if she thought her progress with romance or intimacy was slow, she had nothing on me. She had two high school boyfriends and went all the way. Me, I've only been to first base twice and decided to not even take a walk to second. Mostly, I don't even go up to bat if we're still talking baseball analogies. But I'm terrified I'll strike out with Edward Cullen.
Leah's star-struck and still stuck. Bella needs to improve her batting average.
Will Edward overcome his embarrassment and move on?
