Chapter Twenty-One

As per usual the restaurant was packed. When we walked in the door several of my co-workers looked to stare at me. I was not one to come to Antonio's on my time off, and especially not one to bring a crowd if I did.

I immediately could tell things were busy as I noticed Jen working the hostess booth while dressed in her waitress attire… so it was that kind of night. I paused at the door and turned back to Alice, a pleading look in my eyes. "Al, they're overloaded, this isn't a good idea."

She waved a dismissively in the air and looped her arm through mine, pulling us both up to a distraught looking Jen who had the phone receiver in one hand and was impatiently tapping a pencil with the other.

"I'm sorry you're upset maam, but there is nothing I can do to accommodate a party of that size tonight… no, my manager is not available…" I tapped the top of the desk in front of her. She jumped and her eyes widened at the sight of me. "Actually she just walked in."

I shook my head no as the phone was thrust at me, and then turned a fierce glare towards Alice as I took the receiver. "Hello this is Isabella, how can I help you?"

The woman on the other end was going on about having a reservation for six and didn't understand why we couldn't expand it to fifteen an hour in advance. I let her vent her frustration out as Alice told Jen how many in our party and left with Emmett to go and be seated.

Two minutes later and the rant was still going. "I just don't understand how such an upstanding establishment can be so careless of its customer's needs! We have been going there since you open-" I had turned away from the hostess booth and was rolling my eyes as Edward walked through the door.

His smile broadened when he spotted me, and then faster than I had ever seen her move Jen jumped out of nowhere and offered her assistance.

I decided to end the phone call then. "Maam, I am sorry you are so disappointed. We appreciate your patronage to our restaurant, however we can only plan accordingly in advance for the number you gave us. I understand plans change, but there is no way possible for us to accommodate such a large party so short of notice. Thank you, and goodnight."

I quickly hung up the phone before she could reply back, and rushed over to were Edward was politely responding back to Jen, Jasper and Rosalie just filing in behind him.

"Hey Bella." Jasper greeted, and Rose smiled.

I overlooked Jen's flirtatious smile. "Hey guys. Alice and Emmett are just to the right over there. I'll meet you all in a minute."

Jasper and Rose headed over without another word, but Edward hung back. An awkward Jen stood staring between the both of us, smile still plastered on her face for Edward. I realized she wasn't sure if I had included Edward in my group.

He quickly clarified the situation for everyone though as he leaned in to my ear. "You look amazing." It was quick, and so fast I almost didn't feel the peck on my cheek as he straightened up.

But Jen saw it, and I saw her mouth drop as he walked away, so I'm pretty sure it really happened.

I did my best to hold in my giddiness as I turned to Jen. She was still staring in amazement. "Is he your..?"

Part of me didn't blame her for sounding so surprised that he'd be with interested, heck I felt the same way. Then another part of me lifted my head a little higher as boss mode kicked in. "Jen, what's going on tonight? Why are you working the hostess booth?"

"Sarah called out sick again, and it's been swarming all night here. Antonio has me hosting and waiting on the six larger tables… it's a total zoo." Sarah was a little younger than Alice and her thin frame was sagging with exhaustion. I kicked myself for what I was about to do, but knew I couldn't not help.

"Who has my group's table tonight?" She looked over my shoulder quickly before raising her hand.

"I can take care of my table tonight. And I'll give Amanda a call, there's a chance she may not have left for school yet. Can you just go over and get the drink orders for my table?"

"Yes, thank you so much Bella." She said with a huge smile.

"No problem, just keep your fingers crossed that Amanda's around."

Five minutes later Amanda was on her way in, and I was heading back to my table with an apron tied around my waist. Everyone at the table looked up at me curiously when I approached.

I smiled my biggest, fakest smile. "My name is Bella, I'll be your server tonight. Can I start you with some appetizers?"

Emmett cracked up laughing and held out his hand across the table to Alice. "Pay up Alligator!"

Alice pulled a face as she put a five dollar bill in Emmett's hand and turned to me. "The apron really doesn't work with that dress."

Edward was smiling at me. "Will you be joining us, or waiting on us?"

I looked at him for the first time that night taking in the smart black button down shirt, and how his hair was in more of a polished mess than usual. He looked better than anything on the menu here. I cleared my mind of the thought and answered his grinning face. "Yes… and yes. They're short staffed tonight, so I'm helping out, but just this table."

A thought occurred to me as I caught Emmett's devilish smile out of the corner of my eye. "I will detain your food if you even think about it." I said pointing an accusatory finger at Emmett.

Emmett widened innocent eyes as Rose asked. "Do I even want to know?"

"Em just has a habit of being a pain in the ass." I answered.

Alice elaborated. "When Bella first started working here Emmett used to come in and 'test' Bella's serving skills. He made it a point to be the most challenging customer ever. He'd spill drinks, ask a million questions, request bizarre food preparations and order everything on the side."

I decided to elaborate on that one. "He ordered a glass of water with ice on the side, breaded cutlets with the bread crumbs on the side... not only does the list goes on it gets worse."

"Good times." Emmett said with a proud smirk.

Jasper, Alice, and Edward were obviously amused, while Rose was shaking her head in disappointment.

"What did you do?" Edward asked me with a raised eyebrow.

"I chalked it up to Emmett being Emmett… and accidently spilled a side of hot marinara sauce on him." Everyone except Emmett laughed.

"Alright enough chit chat, I'm ready to order." Alice interjected.

"Pushy, pushy…" I said as I purposely turned to the opposite end of the table to Edward. "What would you like?"

I don't know if I imagined the flirtatious look when he met my eyes, but it was definitely in his voice as he answered my question. "I don't know, what's here that you like?"

Other than you? I thought to myself with a smile.

When Alice spit out her water I knew my inner thoughts were being a bit more vocal tonight than I thought.

Disclaimer: Twilight and all its cool characters belong to lucky lady Ms. Stephenie Meyer.