Drive-By Flirtation
Chapter 14
A/N: Yes, I know I'm posting later than usual. We hosted a big family reunion this weekend, and I was just zonked. Now that everyone's gone home and I've had some sleep, we're back in business!
Thanks for the reviews for Chapter 13. So many of you were happy to see them resolve their misunderstanding. Of course, we still don't know who the leak is…
All things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer.
After a quick lunch and a few snuggles, Alice and Jasper each made their way back to work. They weren't ready to let anyone at the agency besides Bella and Rosalie know about their budding relationship so they agreed that Alice should go back first. Alice walked to her desk, fully expecting to see Tanya sitting there. Sure enough, the tall strawberry blonde was perched on the edge of Alice's chair. She had a file folder open in front of her, and was so immersed in whatever she was reading that she completely ignored the fact that three phone lines were ringing at the same time.
What Alice didn't expect to see was James, leaning over Tanya's shoulder. She wasn't sure whether he was looking at the file or looking down Tanya's blouse, but either way, the sight of him snooping made her really angry.
"Tanya" she said sharply "what's going on?"
"Nothing" Tanya replied, closing the file and hiding it under the desk.
Alice snorted. Did Tanya really think she was that stupid? "The phones?"
Tanya seemed to suddenly realize that the phones were ringing. She made a grab for the phone and hit the button for line one. "Whitlock Hale Literary, please hold." With surprising efficiency, she managed to put the first call on hold and transferred the other two. She put the phone back down and looked at Alice smugly. "Since you're back, I'll let you handle that call, and I'll go back to my desk."
Tanya pushed the chair back and ran right into James, who hadn't bothered to move despite Alice's glare. Tanya was so surprised she jumped up, and the file spilled all over the floor. Both she and Alice grabbed for the papers.
Alice was just a little faster. I may be short, she thought, but that just means I'm closer to the ground.
She stood back up with the papers in her hand.
Alice narrowed her eyes. "What exactly are you doing with Edward Cullen's file?" She spun around without waiting for an answer. "And you, James, what are you…."
But he was gone.
Tanya put the now empty file folder back on the desk. "There was…." Her eyes lit up as she thought of a story. "There was a phone call for Edward, and I was trying to find his contact information."
"Who called for him?" Alice tapped her foot on the floor as the other woman hesitated. "Tanya?"
"It was someone who wanted to do an interview with him." She smirked, pleased with herself.
"And what's the agency's protocol for inquiries involving any of our authors?"
Tanya frowned.
"Let me put it in words you can understand" Alice said sweetly. "What are you supposed to do when someone calls with a question about an author?"
"Oh" said Tanya. She knew where this was going. "I'm to take a message and give it to the author's agent."
"And who is Edward's agent?"
"Mr. Whitlock."
"Exactly" said Alice. "Now, what's the real reason you were looking at his file?"
"Alice, he's just so, you know…" Tanya looked a little sheepish. "He just so gorgeous, and I know he and I would be great together, if I could just spend a little time with him." She sleeked her hands down her sides. "I mean, look at me. We'd look fantastic together."
Alice didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Tanya, this is a literary agency, not a dating service. The information in an author's file is confidential." She put on her sternest face. "You could be fired for what you did today."
Tanya's eyes widened. "Fired?"
"Yes, but Mr. Whitlock is very understanding" said Alice. She knew exactly how to turn this to her advantage. "If you're honest about what was going on here, I'm sure everything will work out fine. So, tell me what James was doing here."
Tanya's eyes filled with tears. "I don't know, Alice. Honestly. I didn't know he was behind me till I backed up and hit him." She shook her head. "He's so creepy. I didn't even know he was there." She shuddered. "Was he looking at me or at the file?"
"I don't know "said Alice. She actually felt a little sorry for the woman. James was definitely creepy. "Look, just go back to your desk."
Tanya started to walk away, then turned back for a second. "Um…will Edward be here this afternoon?"
Alice just stared at her. "Your desk, Tanya. Now." When she was gone, Alice carefully put the papers in the file folder, checking to make sure that nothing had been taken. She knew that personal contact information for all their authors was in a secure file in Jasper's desk, not in the regular agency folders. So what was Tanya reading? And what was James doing?
She remembered the call on hold, and apologetically dealt with the caller. She made sure her desk was locked and took a quick walk around the office, glancing in James' office. It was empty.
"You won't find him in there" said a throaty voice behind her.
"Victoria" said Alice. "Do you know where he is?"
"I don't make it my habit to keep track of James, or anyone else in this agency." She gave Alice a knowing look. "Except for Jasper. I find him…most interesting, if you know what I mean."
It took everything Alice had not to slap her. Instead, she simply said "Thank you, Victoria. I'll send James an email."
"You do that" Victoria laughed.
Alice stalked back to her desk. "Why am I surrounded by bimbos?" She tried her best to read through her email as she waited for Bella to return. At least one of them was having a good day.
DBF
Bella sighed as Edward pushed her against the car and nuzzled her neck. He smelled like cinnamon and the light scruff on his jaw felt wonderful against her shoulder as he kissed his way down her throat.
"I think we need to stop now, or Jasper's neighbors will be really shocked." His voice was husky, and his breath was warm. "But I really, really want to keep kissing you."
"I want that too" she sighed, reaching her arms around his shoulders. "But I should probably go back to work."
"I'll let you go if you promise to have dinner with me tonight. God, Bella, I couldn't sleep or eat thinking that I might have lost you." His tongue gently licked her bottom lip before exploring her mouth so gently. He couldn't get enough of her. At the same time, he wanted to show his love for her and treat her with the respect she deserved. Making out like teenagers against her car probably wasn't the best way to do that.
"Tonight would be great." She stood on her toes and gently kissed his forehead. "But I have to go home at a decent hour. Would it be OK if I met you somewhere?"
They agreed on a restaurant and he opened her car door. He couldn't resist running his hand through her hair. "I wish you didn't live so far away" he said.
"I've decided to get an apartment here in Port Angeles. Alice and I are going apartment hunting Saturday morning."
His face lit up. "That's great, Bella." He ran his fingers down her jaw. "Anything that will make it easier for us to see each other." He wanted to tell her to forget looking for an apartment. He wanted to tell her that she could move into his apartment. Thoughts of loving her, of waking up next to her in the morning, wrapping her in his arms and bringing her coffee in bed raced through his head. Too soon, he thought, but someday.
"Go back to work, sweetheart, and I'll see you tonight. I'm going to go home and write for a while. " He smiled her favorite crooked smile. "It seems you've inspired me."
Reluctantly, Bella got in her car and started it up. She reached through the window to give his hand one more squeeze. "Enjoy your writing. Somehow, I don't think my afternoon will be nearly as much fun as yours." She smiled. "But I'll be counting the hours till tonight."
As she drove away, Edward grinned. He had the perfect heroine for his next romance – a beautiful brown haired woman with lips the hero couldn't resist. He jumped in his car, fingers itching to get to his computer.
DBF
Bella parked behind the restaurant. She smoothed her dress, wishing she'd had time to change into something a little nicer. Living nearby was going to have lots of benefits. The afternoon had been quieter than she expected. Alice was obviously upset, and promised to call Bella tonight and explain what happened at the office. Something about Tanya and James. Bella snorted. That should be good.
Edward spotted her as soon as she walked in the door. He stood and kissed her on the cheek before pulling out her chair. "I'll have you know that I had an exceptionally productive afternoon. It seems you are truly my muse, Ms. Swan."
"You'll have to dedicate your next book to me" she said, enjoying the flirtation.
He took her hand as he sat across from her. "Maybe I'll have to dedicate all my books to you from now on." His words made her pulse race, and she felt her skin flush.
"Edward, I…"
"Oh shit" he hissed.
"What is it?" Bella followed his gaze, and realized who he'd seen.
"Aro Volturi and Jane Campbell. Of all people." Edward's grip on her hand tightened. "They need to think I'm leaving Whitlock-Hale, not that I'm dating one of their agents."
She frowned. "What should I do? Should I leave?"
"No, they've already seen us, and they probably know who you are. Bella, just follow along with me, and trust me when I tell you that I don't mean anything I'm going to say." His face was grim. "Here goes" he said.
He waited till Aro and Jane were seated at a nearby table. Aro raised his eyebrow in Edward's direction. Edward simply nodded in response. Jane looked at him like he was something to eat.
When Edward spoke, his voice was raised and his face was angry. "Bella, this is not up for discussion. Whatever is happening between me and Jasper is none of your business. Leave it alone."
Bella never fancied herself an actress, but she wasn't going to let Edward down. She just hoped she said the right things. "But Edward, I don't understand. Why would you do that?"
"It's just business, Bella. Nothing more. And it doesn't concern you." He glanced over to see Jane listening intently.
"Doesn't concern me? I thought you were the type of man who honored your commitments."
He whispered. "You need to get out of here."
She matched his whisper. "Will you call me?"
He nodded and raised his voice again. "Stop being naïve, Bella. If you can't understand why I'd do this, then you don't understand the book business very well." He took a deep breath and looked in her eyes, willing her to believe he didn't mean any of it. "Just run back to Jasper. We're done here. We're done, period. Stay out of my business."
The tears in her eyes certainly looked real. She stood, picked up her water glass, and threw the contents in his face. "Go to hell, Edward."
Edward felt the pain of her words in his heart, but he kept his face composed as she stormed out of the restaurant. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around.
Jane handed him a napkin with an evil smile on her face. "People just don't understand what it takes to get to the top, do they Edward? Come, join us for dinner."
"Thanks, Jane, but I think it best if we each go our own way until I've had a chance to make my decision." He fought to smile.
"Business. I understand. But I hope we'll hear from you soon."
He smiled, not trusting himself to say anything. Jane slithered back to her table. Edward watched as Aro lifted his wine glass in a toast to him. He returned the gesture before throwing several bills on the table and leaving.
When he got to his car, he quickly pulled out his phone and dialed Bella's number. It rang four times before going to voice mail. Edward's face reflected his confusion. He tried again with the same result. His heart began to race. Please, she had to know he didn't mean any of it. Why wasn't she answering?