Chapter 26

The week went pretty well, considering I had to get back into the study groove. I had a good grasp on all things accounting by now, though. I cut back my hours waiting tables to Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. No more lunches either. Victoria happily picked up a few extra hours, but it was obvious we'd still need to hire one more person.

Today, Alice, Edward and I were having another meeting about the menu items. We had a few feedback items to discuss from the staff as well. I checked my watch and noticed I had time to stop for a ginormous coffee from Starbucks. I wouldn't normally give them my hard earned cash, but I was craving a Caramel Macchiato. I took a pic of the lobby and sent it to Alice with a, 'you want?' Her order for three cups came back fast.

I paid and grabbed the carry-all with all the cups, setting it carefully on the passenger seat. I only had two blocks to drive, so as long as no one slammed into my car, they wouldn't spill. Alice met me in the parking lot to help me with it all. "No scones?" she asked.

"Did you request them?" I pointed out.

"Wishful thinking," she said. "Come on, I need to hand one of these to my handsome man before we all sit down. Can you give this one to Edward? He's sitting at our usual booth. "She handed me one of the cups and trotted off to Jasper's car.

I walked in, put all my stuff down at the booth and nodded to Edward. "I need to grab my notebook; I'll be right back down."

"Thanks for this," he said, holding up the coffee. "Can you grab the box of donuts from my desk, please? I hooked us up, but left them there."

"Sure." I ran up the stairs, depositing my things in my office and headed next door to Edward's. I hadn't really taken the time to look around the one time I'd been in here, so I did this time. There were a few pictures of him with Alice and Carlisle and Esme, as well as one of what looked like a much younger him with people that I can only assume were his parents. I grabbed the donuts and was back at the both before Alice even came in.

He opened the box and yanked out a bear claw as soon as I sat down. "Yummy goodness. I got this one for me. Help yourself."

"Let me grab Alice, first." Just as I stood, she joined us.

"Sorry." She tried to look contrite but failed. "Oohh donuts." She reached in and grabbed one, stuffing it into her mouth before we could say anything to her. I took a chocolate one and we got down to business.

"Since her mouth is full, guess I'll start," Edward said. "So far, I think the menu changes are great. We've sold more soup and sandwich style lunches. Jake's been busier at the bar too."

"About that, I have an idea," I said. "As Alice and I are no longer working lunches or dinners Tuesday through Thursday, what about a part time bartender that can also pick up tables if needed?"

"What do you mean?" Alice asked.

"Maybe they can help at the bar on Friday nights, but wait tables on Thursdays? Just an idea. We really need two more bodies in here, but economically, it's not wise yet. I don't want to hire two people then not have enough hours for them."

"Let me talk to Jake and see if that'll work. Worst case scenario? I can jump behind the bar if needed, as well. "

"You know how to bartend?" I asked.

"Cuz has skills," Alice said.

"Really, Alice? Cuz?" He shuddered.

She dismissed him with her hand. "I like it, if it'll work, Bella. Of course, once you and I stop working the floor, the extra money will be there."

"But I like the floor." I pouted.

"And the floor likes you too, Bella," Edward stroked my arm in jest before he could stop himself. I glanced at his hand on my arm, before slightly moving away.

"Plus Alice and I are both here on Wednesdays, as well as Thursdays. We can always help out on the floor too. I can start keeping work clothes in my office as a just in case."

"Sounds like a plan," Alice agreed.

We talked numbers for about twenty minutes before we ended our meeting. When I stood, Edward grabbed my arm. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure." I sat back down as Alice waved and headed to her office. "What's up?"

"Is it true that you've turned Jake down for a date?"

"That's an odd question, but the answer is yes, numerous times. Is he bitching about it, again?"

"No, not at all. I was wondering why?"

"Not sure where you're headed with these questions. What does it matter why I don't want to date him?" If Jake was using Edward to get me to go out with him, I was going to kill him.

Edward put his hands up in supplication. "Call it idle curiosity. He said you told him you don't date people you work with."

"I did tell him that," I agreed.

"Is it true?"

"Partially, but I don't still don't understand why this matters to you. "

"Because I wanted to invite you out," he said, shocking me.

"What?!"

"Never mind," he muttered, standing up.

"Edward, wait." I grabbed his hand, yanking him back onto the seat. "You surprised me, that's all." I took a deep breath. "I told Jake I wouldn't date him primarily because I find him annoying. The fact that he's only a few years younger than I am but acts like a teenage boy sealed the deal."

"Oh." He smiled."So would you like to go out sometime?"

"I suppose it would depend on where you wanted to take me." I winked and got up, walking as normally as possible to Alice's office. I needed to bounce all this off her.

A/N: Thanks for reading. If you've reviewed, I've responded