Drive-By Flirtation
Chapter 21
A/N: Confusing? You bet! Everyone's got a theory…the question is who's right, and how will they prove it? Actually, that's two questions, isn't it? Many of you were concerned about what Bella is going to do. Let's see how she'll handle it.
As always, everything Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer.
Bree wiped the counter in front of the drive-through window as she waited for her next customer. It was early in the morning, the very beginning of her shift, and she knew she only had a few minutes before the line would start to form. Her brown ponytail swayed back and forth as she hummed her favorite song. It was a love song, of course, because what was better than a little romance? Even if it was just 7:00 in the morning.
She heard the click of the microphone letting her know she had a customer. "Welcome to Starbucks" she announced. "Can I take your order?"
The voice that responded was delightfully sexy. "Good morning…one venti coffee with two sugars, and a grande skinny latte."
Bree busied herself making the order. When she brought the drinks to the window, she was pleased to see the silver Volvo guy. Trying not to swoon, she reached out to hand him the first drink. She nearly squealed when she saw Bella sitting next to him. "OMG!" Edward barely managed to grab the drink from her hands before she clapped in glee. "Are you, like, together now?"
Bella laughed, and Edward thought he'd give anything to hear that sound every day for the rest of his life. "Yup" she answered. "Bree, I'd like you to officially meet my boyfriend, Edward."
"I guess that's better than calling you silver Volvo guy" Bree answered with a grin, handing him Bella's drink. "I'm so excited for you guys." The microphone clicked again, and she frowned. "Sorry, I've gotta take another order. Bye Bella, bye Edward!"
Edward handed the drink to Bella before putting the car in gear and pulling away.
"She's such a sweetheart, isn't she?" Bella took a sip of her drink and made yummy sounds. "Oh wow, this is so good."
Edward started to think of other things he could do to get her to make sounds like that, then realized he'd better pay attention to his driving. They were approaching Whitlock-Hale, and he pouted a bit at the thought of not seeing her all day. "Where do you want me to drop you off? Front door OK?"
He was surprised to see Bella blush. She stammered a little. "W-would you mind dropping me off around back at my car?" Edward frowned. He felt a pang of disappointment. Didn't she want people to know they were together? Was she embarrassed that she stayed at his apartment last night?
Bella looked at his face and realized exactly what he was thinking. She wouldn't hurt him for the world, and rushed to reassure him. "Oh Edward, it's not that I don't want people to know we're together. Nothing would make me happier, actually. It's just that until this whole mystery is resolved, we need to be careful about who sees us together."
Edward sighed in relief. "Of course, sweetheart. I was so caught up in spending the morning with you, that I kind of forgot about everything else." He kept his eyes on the road but his voice gave him away. "Waking up next to you this morning? I can't stop thinking about it."
"Neither can I" she confessed, overwhelmed by his sweet reaction.
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it before flipping on his turn signal and pulling around the back of the building. Bringing his car to a stop next to the little red car, Edward checked the parking lot. Finding it empty, he took Bella's face between his hands and ever so slowly brought her lips to his. The first touch was feather-light, loving but not nearly enough. The next kiss was harder, deeper, an invitation to press even closer. She reached around to rub gently at the back of his neck, along the bottom edge of his hair. The kiss tapered off into a series of tiny pecks before Bella reluctantly put her hands on his chest and pushed herself away. It was like an invisible cord held them together, and all she could think about was how long it would be until they could be alone together again.
Edward took a deep breath. "I think I'm going to be writing some very, very….romantic scenes today." He sat back in his seat.
"Maybe I can give you some more inspiration later on" Bella said with a smirk.
"Maybe you'll let me read to you tonight. In bed." He whispered the words, and she thought she might melt right on the spot. Instead, she opened the door and grabbed her backpack.
"Tonight?"
"Tonight." He blew her a kiss and drove away. She stood there, coffee in hand, and prepared herself to face what was sure to be a most interesting day.
DBF
The office was quiet but Bella could see lights on down the hall. She put her things away, and then made just enough noise to let people know she was there. She picked up a few partial manuscripts she'd set aside to read, shoved them in a folder, and walked down the hallway toward her destination. She poked her head around the corner, pleased to see James was in his office.
"James?" She tried to imitate the flirty voice she'd heard Tanya use whenever Edward was around. "Do you think you could help me with something?"
James turned, slowly, and his eyes narrowed as they swept over Bella. "Of course, my dear. What can I do for you?"
"I wanted to thank you for saving me from my coughing spell yesterday." Bella tried to make herself blush. "And I remembered that you offered to help me with my first few manuscripts." She spread the papers she'd brought on his desk.
James smiled. "Of course, I'd be glad to help you." He moved closer and she backed away from the desk ever so slightly. "There are several important things to keep in mind when looking at a manuscript."
Bella realized, as she listened to him, that he really did know what he was talking about and she was surprisingly grateful for the information he was sharing with her. After 15 minutes, though, her eyes were starting to glaze over and she wasn't any closer to finding out what she needed to know. Time to make a move. "James, aren't you concerned about what's happening around here? With the authors that are leaving?"
Her change of subject seemed to catch him off guard. "Well, no, not really, I suppose. There will always be more authors and more manuscripts. As I was saying…."
"But James, don't you think it's strange that this is happening all of a sudden?" She leaned in a little closer, as if they were sharing a secret. "Who would do something like this to Jasper and Rosalie?"
For the first time, he looked distinctly uncomfortable. "Perhaps it has nothing to do with Jasper and Rosalie at all."
"What could it be then?" She peered at him thoughtfully.
"Perhaps it's…." He stopped, seemingly unable to finish the sentence.
"I'd really like to know what you think, James." She got the distinct feeling that if she pushed him, he'd tell her everything.
A voice clearing in the doorway stopped her.
"Good morning, James. Hello Bella." Victoria purred. "Whatever are you two discussing so early in the morning?"
Bella whipped around to see how Victoria's eyes narrowed at her. "I was just asking James for some advice on a couple of manuscripts. I'll go now." She didn't miss the look that went between the two senior agents.
Bella scooted into the hallway and was nearly to her desk when she realized that in her quick escape she forgot to pick up the papers she'd left on his desk. She went back to get them but stopped when she realized Victoria was still in his office. If she stood just so, she could see them through the space between the partially closed door and the door frame.
"The numbers, James? Do you have the sales numbers?" Victoria held out her hand, wordlessly, and James handed her a folder from his desk. "This will be most helpful, James. We'll talk later…when we can have a little more….privacy."
If Bella had any question about who was leaking information, it was answered by the adoring look in James' eyes. She and Alice had been right all along. The leak was Victoria. James was simply feeding her whatever information she wanted. One more piece of the puzzle fell into place.
DBF
Bella hit the intercom button. "Alice, its Bella."
"I know who you are, silly."
Bella growled. "Work with me, here, will you?" she murmured quietly before raising her voice to its normal volume. "Can I bring the draft contracts for Jasper to review?"
"You know something, don't you?" Alice's normally high voice became almost piercing. "Get up here!"
When she got to Alice's desk, she was surprised to see Rosalie standing there. "I guess we all had the same idea about coming in early today."
"Looks like you beat us all to it" said Rosalie. She motioned Bella and Alice into her office and shut the door. "Ok, spill. What did you find out?"
"We were right" said Bella. "I'm sure of it. Victoria is the leak. She tells James what information she wants, and he gets it for her."
"How can you be sure he isn't just as guilty as she is?" Alice asked.
"There was just something about the way he looked at her. And before she got there, I just about asked him what he thought was going on, and he looked at me like he'd never once considered why she was asking for stuff." She shook her head. "I really think she's just seduced him into it."
"Whoa" said Alice. "That's a scary thought."
Rosalie kicked her desk. "When's Jasper coming in?"
Alice smiled. "He'll be here in 2 hours and 42 minutes."
"How do you…oh never mind" Rosalie said. "As soon as we see what happens with Emmett this morning, we should be ready to take some action." She shook her head. "There's too much at stake here. This needs to be over – today."
Bella and Alice simply shook their heads in agreement. "What next?" said Bella.
"We wait." Rosalie grimaced. "Emmett is supposed to call me as soon as he hears something. Until then, we just wait."
DBF
Bella, Alice and Rosalie sat in the Whitlock-Hale offices. Emmett sat in his apartment. Edward and Jasper sat in Jasper's apartment. And they all just waited. And waited. The hours ticked by ever so slowly, and everyone's nerves were on edge. They had nearly enough information to confront Victoria, but they wouldn't try it until they understood how she was linked to Jane and Volturi Literary. It was too important for them to act hastily. They just needed that last bit of information.
At 11:00, an hour before Michael Emmett's noon deadline, Bella thought she was about ready to jump out of her skin. She sent Alice a quick text.
BSwan: I'm going next door to get a soda. Do you want anything?
ABrandon: I want this to be over!
BSwan: I hear you, but I won't find the answer on my way to the soda.
ABrandon: You never know! Keep your eyes open, and bring me back a diet cola.
Bella laughed out loud and headed to the front door. She was nearly to the reception desk when she tripped on the edge of the carpet and dropped her purse. As she frantically scooped everything back together, she heard Tanya's voice coming from the doorway.
"Yes, I delivered it. And yes, I have your package. I'm on my way to your office right…"
Bella jumped up from behind the desk. Tanya ran right into her and they both landed flat on their behinds. Tanya's packet of papers and Bella's purse both went flying. They both scrambled to grab their things.
"Give me my papers, bitch" shouted Tanya.
"You give me my purse" shouted Bella right back. She reached out to grab her wallet, which landed on top of an official looking paper. Bella picked up the paper and started reading. She clapped one hand over her mouth when she realized what she held in her hands.
"Give me that!" Tanya screeched and grabbed for the papers, but she slipped on Bella's lip gloss and fell again.
Bella scrambled to her feet, grabbing a few more papers along the way, and took off for Alice's desk.
"Where are you…." Alice yelled but she followed Bella into Rosalie's office.
Bella waived Alice past her and slammed the door, turning the lock before sliding down to the floor and trying to catch her breath. "Tanya" was all she could say.
"What the hell" said Rosalie. Bella couldn't talk so she just held out the papers. Rosalie started to read with Alice looking over her shoulder.
"Crap!" shouted Rosalie.
Alice grabbed Rosalie's phone and dialed Jasper. "Jas, get Emmett and meet us in Rosalie's office. Quick, before all hell breaks loose!"
"It's the contract for Michael Emmett, isn't it?" said Bella, finally catching her breath. "And a press release. Is the press release about him too? I didn't wait to read the whole thing."
Rosalie's face was red with anger. "No. That's not what the press release is about." She threw the papers at Alice. "Read it."
Alice's eyes widened. She looked at Rosalie and Bella, then back to the paper. "It's a press release alright. Announcing that Edward Cullen will be joining the Volturi Literary Agency."
"But Edward wouldn't" said Bella.
"I know" said Rosalie. "They're trying to force his hand. And ours. They release this, everyone thinks he's leaving us for them, and even if it's not true, our credibility is damaged, maybe beyond repair. Tell me how you got these."
Bella explained how she ran into Tanya – literally. "This is our missing link, right? Tanya's the go between for Victoria and Jane?"
"Yup, it is. We finally have the connection. Not the why, but the how." Rosalie grinned. "Bella, I've never been so happy that you're clumsy. I'll bet Tanya and Victoria took off as soon as they realized what you had." She turned to Alice again. "Call around. See if any of the news outlets have picked up on this press release. Stop them if they have."
A knock on the door got their attention.
"Rose?" Jasper shouted.
She unlocked the door and Jasper, Edward and Emmett piled into her office. "Come on in, boys. You didn't happen to see Tanya or Victoria out there, did you?"
Edward stepped behind Bella and rubbed her shoulders. "What's going on?"
Rosalie held up the paper. "Didn't you know? You've joined Volturi Literature."
"And I've been offered a very lucrative contract" said Emmett, waving the original copy of the paper in Rosalie's hands. "Way better than what you offered me. Sorry babe."
Rosalie smirked. "Oh, Emmett, haven't you learned? No one can offer you anything better than what I can."
Despite the craziness whirling around them, they all burst into laughter at Emmett's stunned expression.
Jasper wrapped his arm around Alice's shoulders and chuckled. "Oh, Emmett, she'd definitely got your number. Now let's put together all these clues we've got and put an end to this now."