Author's note; Wow, you are all brilliant. So many reviews for the last chapter and so many hits. I was really happy with all the response. Hope you enjoy this chapter and pat yourselves on the back if you got the name of the guest right!
Beta reader; Many thanks NatalieRB for your help.
Disclaimer; I do not own Twilight.
COOK WANTED
Wednesday night continued…..
"Edward, this is Jacob Black. He is going to be running a new repair shop we're going to set up in Forks." Emmett said.
"Pleased to meet you, Edward." Jacob said.
"And you Jacob." Edward said.
I stood in the kitchen dumbstruck. Jacob Black. I hadn't seen him for about four years. I had become friends with his sister, Rebecca, at Catering College. We did all of our classes together. I had met Jacob, the youngest in the family, only a couple of times. He would visit her when he was on holiday, to check up on her for their father's sake. I remember Jacob being a very warm and amiable person. The three of us had gone out once or twice for dinner. I remembered that we went to a diner where they served large T-bone steaks. We laughed…a lot. I can't believe he's here!
I quickly got my head together and took the plated starters out of the fridge to finish off. I added the garnish and put the accompanying sauce in small dishes, one for each person. I set everything on a tray ready to serve. Esme had gathered everyone to the table. They were all seated now.
I took a deep breath and walked into the dinning area to serve the first course. Everyone was busy chatting about the new car repair shop and the ideas for it and its future. Jacob was very animated about it. I knew that he was very good at doing repairs. Rebecca always spoke proudly of his ability of being able to strip down an engine and put it together again in a matter of days and have it working perfectly. It was his gift. He spent most of his time helping to keep friends and neighbours cars on the road in exchange for books for school or a meal. He had a very healthy appetite!
I made my way around the table. I wasn't surprised that he hadn't taken any notice of me. After all it had been four years!
"Thank you so much, Bella. This looks lovely." Esme said, looking around the table at everyone eating with enthusiasm.
Jacob's head snapped up immediately. He looked at me for a moment. "Bella? Bella Swan?" He said, a broad grin appearing on his face his brown eyes twinkling as he looked at me. "It is you, Bells! I can't believe it! How long has it been?"
"Four years, I think Jacob. You look well." I said smiling back at him.
He stood up from the table, abandoning his food and oblivious to the stares emanating from the table. In two strides he was standing in front of me and the next second hugged me like he had lost and found his favourite teddy bear. I stood a little shocked at this embrace and he squeezed a bit too hard.
By the look on Edward's face, he was shocked too. Oh, no please don't jump to the wrong conclusion!
"Okay, okay. Enough with the squeezing Jacob. I have to get the meal ready otherwise it's going to be ruined." He let go, stepping back with wide eyes. He was still Jacob. Much taller though. From my guess he was at least six foot four. His rich dark hair was neatly tied back into a ponytail. The blush that tinted his cheeks was not quite camouflaged by his russet coloured skin.
"You look wonderful, Bells. It's great to see that you didn't give up cooking. Rebecca said you were brilliant. We need to catch up. Later, okay?" He asked, eagerly as he sat back at the table. Everyone around the table looked a little perplexed.
I went back to the kitchen to make sure that the next course was ready. As I warmed up the sauce and took out the Beef Wellington to carve, the questions began.
"So, Jacob, how do you know Bella?" Edward asked.
"Through my sister, Rebecca. She was friends with Bella at Catering College. Bella was very good to my sister. Rebecca was very homesick at the beginning and Bella helped her through that. We went out a couple of times. They were good times." Jacob said. I could tell by the inflection in his voice that he was smiling. Smiling was something that Jacob did a lot.
"So, what is your sister doing now? Is she working in catering?" Esme asked.
"No. She got married last year. She just cooks at home now and for the family of course, when we visit. She stayed in Phoenix and met her husband there. She'll be so pleased to hear about Bella. I can't wait to tell her." Jacob said.
I peeked into the dinning area to see that everyone had finished their starter. I took the tray back out and cleared the table. Jacob watched me, smiling as I worked my way around the table. I looked over to Edward. He wasn't smiling. Damn. What is going on in that head of his?
I returned to the kitchen and emptied the tray and loaded it with the main course, quickly putting the apple crumble in the oven to cook. I took the tray out to the table and set the dishes in the centre on the trivets.
Almost at the same time Jacob and Emmett said, "Wow, Bella that looks good!"
Everyone chuckled at them. They were like two peas in a pod when it came to food!
I made my way back to the kitchen and breathed a sigh of relief that the main part of the meal was now out of the way. I turned my attention to making the crème Anglaise.
The chatting in the dinning room had turned back to the arrangements for the repair shop. Rosalie was asking questions now. Jacob sounded confident and answered her questions without any hesitation. He obviously knew what he was talking about and Rosalie seemed impressed with him. He made Emmett laugh a couple of times. Those two were definitely on the same wavelength.
The dessert was ready. I kept the dessert warm waiting for a sign that they were finished. Emmett didn't let me down.
"Bella? That was fantastic! Thank you!" He said loudly.
I went in with the tray to clear the table. "Well Bella. I don't know why we ever went out to eat. Your cooking is so much better than the diner food from what I remember. We had a lot of fun together didn't we?" Jacob asked, leaning back in his chair looking at me.
I gave a weak smile. Edward had become very quiet and was now looking at me intently. I was beginning to get the feeling that this evening was not going to end well.
Rosalie shot me a glare at this point. Oh, not that look again! How am I going to sort this out? I wish Jacob would just be quiet.
I took the tray back to the kitchen and emptied it ready for the dessert to go out. I carefully took the apple crumble out of the oven. I poured the crème Anglaise into a serving jug and put both dishes on the tray. As I took it out to the table Jacob sat up in his chair. His face was eager, like a puppy waiting to go out for a walk.
"So, Bella, how long have you been working in Seattle?" He asked, still smiling.
"About seven months now." I placed the dessert on the trivet close to Esme so that she could serve everyone.
"Bella, started working for us a couple of weeks ago." Carlisle added. He smiled at me encouragingly. That's exactly what I need at the moment. Thanks Carlisle.
"Yes, Bella has settled in very well, here." Rosalie added, looking over to Jacob and then to Edward. Edward was shifting uneasily in his chair. Rosalie gave Edward a small smile, acknowledging that she understood how he felt.
I went back to the kitchen. I couldn't understand why Edward was so quiet. Then I replayed the conversation in my head, trying to work out what the trigger was for Edward's sudden mood change.
When Jacob had talked about going out together but hadn't included the fact that his sister came with us. Edward obviously thinks that Jacob and I had dated. From Edward's reaction at the table this was a disaster. Somehow he has to know the truth! I would have my chance once the meal had finished. I had to put this right.
"Thank you, Bella. Would you put the coffee on now please? We shall move over to the lounge shortly." Esme said, giving me a small polite smile from the table. This is all going very wrong. I clicked on the coffee pot and took the tray to the table to clear away the dishes. I looked over to Edward as I did this. I tried to plead with my eyes but he was looking passed me, straight across the table at Jacob. Jacob was totally unaware of Edward's watchful eyes.
"Hey, Bells. You'll have to give me your number. I'll pass it on to Rebecca. I'm sure she'd love to get in touch again. Maybe we could go out again some time." He said a bit too cheerily. Please stop talking, Jacob!
My mind was racing at a hundred miles an hour now. "From what I remember Jacob, when you visited and we all went out for dinner, it seemed to be Rebecca picking up the tab each time. Did you ever pay her back with dinners or car repairs?" I said, hoping this would set the record straight. I felt myself holding my breath, waiting for some sort of reaction.
I saw Edward visibly relax and finally look at me with relief in his eyes. I smiled at him. He smiled back.
"No, I didn't. Anyway I thought that was what big sisters were for. Looking after their little brothers." He said, laughing.
"You are something else, Jacob Black. How does your sister put up with you?" I retorted. "I'll go and get the coffee organised. Would you like me to take it into the lounge, Mrs Cullen?"
"Yes, please, Bella. Thank you for a wonderful meal. You excelled yourself tonight." Esme said, smiling at me, a much happier and warmer smile this time.
I smiled back at her and left the room. I noticed Rosalie give me a little side wards glance and then look over at Edward.
The conversation continued in the lounge. I took the tray of coffee out and set it on the low table. I went back to the dinning table to finish cleaning up. Edward had hung back a little, to allow everyone else to walk ahead into the lounge. He reached over to me and held my hand.
"I love you." He whispered.
"I love you too." I whispered back. We were back on track.
He made his way over to the lounge, sitting in his usual spot so that he could see me. Each time I looked up to him, he would look at me with his dangerous eyes. I blushed. He smiled. The blush was just for him and he knew it.
I finished cleaning up in the kitchen and set the dishwasher on. I quickly checked if more coffee was needed. The pot was almost empty so I set another one on. I noticed that Carlisle was handing a brandy glass to Jacob and Emmett and one for himself. Emmett proposed a toast to the new venture. The men raised their glasses to each other and took a sip of the rich amber liquid. It seemed that the deal was sealed. I felt pleased for Jacob. He deserved a break. He had always worked hard for whatever it was he wanted. The coffee was ready so I took it into the lounge.
Emmett looked over at Jacob. "I think it might be a good idea if you stayed here tonight. You can't drive now you've had this." He said holding up his own brandy glass.
"You're right. You don't mind do you Mrs Cullen?" Jacob answered and looked over to Esme for an answer.
"Of course not Jacob. We have a spare room ready for you. You just relax. Emmett will take you up and show you the room when you're ready. Bella, I think your day is finished now. You still have breakfast to see to in the morning. Thank you once again for a lovely meal." She said with her warm and genuine smile.
"Your welcome. I'll see you all in the morning then. Goodnight everyone." I said and made my way up the stairs. I breathed out deeply, thankful that the evening was over on so many levels.
"Goodnight, Bella." Everyone replied which also included Rosalie. I just hope she has seen that Edward is okay about everything. If not I'll have to speak to her in the morning.
"See you in the morning, Bells." Jacob added, standing up, watching me go upstairs.
I made my way to my room quite exhausted from the whole day. I would've loved to have a soak in the bath but it was getting too late for that. I decided to set my alarm a little earlier than usual so I could wake myself up with a refreshing shower instead. I got changed into my pyjamas and took out the plait in my hair. I snuggled down into bed, trying hard to get comfortable.
There was a light knock at the door. I sat up turning the bedside light on. There was another knock. I got out of bed and walked over to the door. I opened it gently and peeked through the gap. It was Edward. I opened the door fully taking in the wonderful and welcome sight.
"I wanted to come and say goodnight properly." He said, looking very nervous.
"Come on in." I gestured and shut the door behind him.
"I'm sorry, were you asleep?" He asked looking at the disturbed bedding.
"No, I'd only just got settled. You seem to have something on your mind Edward. Come on sit down. What's the matter?" I said getting back into bed. He sat down on the edge of the bed a couple of feet away. He reached out for my hand and held it, tracing circles on the back of my hand with his thumb. I sighed gently. His touch was driving me crazy.
"I don't know where to begin, Bella. I'm so sorry I reacted the way I did at the table. I was a bit surprised that you knew Jacob Black. You hadn't mentioned him when you talked about College. I'm so…"
I put my forefinger on his lips. He needed to stop before he said something he might really regret. "Edward you misunderstood. Simple as that. I must say though, Jacob did make it sound like there was something going on. He has a way with words, a bit like Emmett. Includes some things and misses out the important parts of information. I don't actually know Jacob that well. I only met him a couple of times and I haven't seen him in four years."
"I'm so sorry, Bella. Do you forgive me?" He looked up at me, he pleading eyes searching my face.
"There is nothing to forgive." I grinned and chuckled at him. "You know, thinking about it, it was kind of nice that you were jealous. You looked really hot giving Jacob that death glare." I pulled Edward closer to me. He shuffled along the edge of the bed.
I cupped his face in my hands, holding him still, focusing my eyes on his lips. I leaned towards him and gently kissed his mouth. "I…" I said, kissing him again. "Love…" and again. "You."
He placed his hands around my waist, pulling me a little closer to him. "I Love you, Bella Swan." He kissed my mouth, this time a little harder, breathing deeply. I pulled away gently, resting my hands on his warm chest. I really didn't want this to end up as 'making up' sex for my first time. His emotions were too out of kilter right now. He let out a small sigh moving his hands from my waist, to my face and then running his fingers through my hair. He looked into my eyes pleadingly again.
"Can I stay with you tonight? To sleep. Just to sleep. I just want to hold you. I need to be close to you." He lowered his hands and nervously fiddled with the edge of the comforter.
"Yes, Edward you can." I said, pulling the edge of the comforter back from the bed. He slipped his socks and shoes off, followed by his trousers and shirt, leaving his boxers on. He left his clothes on the floor. He crawled in beside me, putting out his arm for me to snuggle up to him. I lay down, pressed into his side. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders, nuzzling my hair. I draped my arm across his chest breathing in his scent.
"Goodnight Bella. See you in the morning." He said wearily.
"Goodnight Edward. Sleep well." I said, listening to his breathing, growing deeper.
Everything will be okay. I told myself as I drifted off to sleep.
End of Chapter
Authors note; Will everything be okay? Poor Bella has to cope with Jacob in the morning! In the meantime please review. It will encourage me to write the next chapter more quickly. Take care.