So...sorry for the delay. The last three chapters are being posted before the new ones go up tomorrow.
Thank you guys so much for the warm welcome back!
Bella
I go outside to try and call Emmett to see where they are. I've had a few drinks and I'm feeling pretty good, maybe even ready to sing, and the boys are nowhere in sight.
The phone rings a few times before sending me to voicemail, again. I sigh and decide to call it a night. I go back inside to gather my things from Laurent, who's keeping them safe behind the bar. I signal Laurent for my stuff, when I feel a warm, too-familiar hand on my back. I stiffen at the contact and squeeze my eyes shut. As much as I've tried to get over him, I'm still not ready to see him and her.
"Bella?" he asks, but he knows it's me, otherwise he wouldn't be touching my back. He's never been good at subtle. Jackass.
I turn around and flash him a big, phony smile. "Jake."
"I was hoping that was you." His answering smile is real, but for the life of me, I can't figure out why.
"You look like you've healed well."
"Your boys can pack a punch." He rubs his jaw with one hand as if he's fondly remembering the ass-kicking Emmett and James gave him. His other hand is still touching me, and my skin crawls at the thought that I once relished in his caress.
"That's great. I was just leaving." Laurent hands me my bag and glares daggers at Jake, who has enough sense to cower back a little and remove his hand.
"I've been trying to call you, but I guess you changed your number," he offers weakly.
"Why on earth would you be trying to call me, we have nothing to discuss."
"I miss you," he says, running his fingertips up and down my arm. I shudder at his touch and I take a good, long look at him.
His height has always been impressive, clocking in at just over six-foot four, but there's something different about his appearance. His whole body, especially his face is thinner, and for a guy who loved to make people smile, he has more frown lines than the last time I saw him. Some sick part of me was glad.
"You lost all rights to touch me when you left me for my friend," I hiss, slapping his hand away.
"I'm so sorry about that, Bella. Can we please go somewhere and talk?"
His pleading is giving my ego a slight boost. "Hell to the fucking no." I shake my head.
"Why not?"
"Is that a serious question? You've got to be fucking kidding me. It shouldn't fucking matter, but for your information I'm seeing someone; so it's pointless for us to talk." His face falls at my false declaration.
"Since when?" His eyes narrow.
"It's none of your fucking business. Go home and fuck your girlfriend and leave me alone. We're done here." I brush past him, but he grabs my arm, just a little too hard.
"Excuse me, but I'm going to need you to let go of her arm," a deep voice comes from behind Jake.
"Who the fuck are you?" Jake sneers.
"I'm her boyfriend, who the hell are you?" I look over Jake's shoulder and see a stunning set of green eyes scanning the situation. His jaw, oh hell, it's perfectly angular and dare I say it, I could probably slice cheese on it. His hair is dark brown, it could be different, but it's hard to tell under the disco light Laurent has turned on.
"Jacob Black, Bella's fiance," he lies.
"Oh, cut the shit, Jake." I yank my arm away from the loosened grip and throw my arms around the stranger's neck. His arms pull me in for a tight hug.
"Are you okay?" he whispers in my ear.
"I'm good. Thank you so much," I whisper back. He nods, sliding his hands to my waist. "I'm Bella, by the way." I know from Jake's point of view, it looks like we're having a sweet reunion instead an introduction.
He keeps his left arm around my waist, and extends his right to the current asshole in front of us. "I'm Edward. Nice to meet you."
As good as you remember? Or is it like the time I DREAMED of steak from the most amazing steakhouse, the kind that melts like buttah in your mouth, but then you finally get back to the steakhouse, the food is just...meh?
You guys are better than Ruth Chris' au gratin potatoes.
And that's sayin something.