A/N: Have you voted for the Mobward Contest? Have you considered writing for the Carlisle Uncovered contest? What about the BDE? That's a whole lot of fun reading to look forward to!

12.

I should keep this girl around.

Since she walked into my garage a few hours ago, I've already finished work on two cars. All alone, I'd have found plenty of ways to waste my time. Not that I'm trying to impress her, flexing my muscles or anything. Alright, I'm not flexing my muscles much. She's been dozing for most of the last hour anyhow.

Speaking of time, it's getting late. The storm hasn't let up any after all, and it's not like either of us can leave, what with that huge split oak lying across my front yard.

"Hey," I whisper, poking at her shoulder gingerly. "Hey miss, wake up."

Damn, I don't even know her name. Why haven't I asked for her name?

Her lashes are ridiculously long. They cast shadows on the tops of her cheeks, darkening the soft pink to a more dusky hue. She looks like one of those pretty little china dolls that Seth collects.

For the record, the only reason I know about all his little collections is because he insists on showing us his haul after every successful yard sale he hits up. That's all.

She sighs out a breath and blinks awake, letting out a startled little scream as she sits up and scrambles away from where I'm still hovering.

"Damn, miss… I didn't mean to scare you!" I'm flapping like an idiot. "Relax, relax, ok? I was trying to wake you up, that's all. That's all, ok? You alright?"

Her eyes are still wide and apprehensive, but she seems calmer.

"Right, look, the storm hasn't let up, it's getting late, and well, I don't know about you, but I'm getting hungry. If it's alright with you, we can shut the garage down and head to my place for the night."

"Your place?" she asks skeptically. "How about you go and I'll just stay here."

"There isn't any substantial food in the garage pantry," I point out. "And this place is leaky and draughty, and I can't afford to have you sue me if you fall sick. I'm not taking that risk."

She's wavering, but not sold yet. I'm hungry, tired, and losing patience fast.

"Alright, how about this… just come along, take a look and decide for yourself if my place is safe or whatever. At least I can lend you some clothes, a hairdryer, that kind of thing." I wave my hands vaguely around, before running them through my hair. Her stuck-up princess routine is getting on my nerves.

"Ok," she says, standing and grabbing her coat and bag. "Lead the way."

I nod, first securing the door, shutting off lights and checking switches, before I lead her to an inconspicuous door at the back of the shed.

"Through here, miss," I gesture, opening the door.

She pauses at the threshold, turns slightly and looks up at me through those long eyelashes.

"Bella. Please call me Bella."

By the time I figure which way is up, she's halfway down the passageway.