Author's note; Thank you for your reviews of the previous chapter. Yet more of you have put this story onto Favourites/Story Alerts Lists and Favourite Author's List. My face beams during the course of the day when I read my e-mails. You are all brilliant! So, this chapter is made up of Bella, Alice and Jasper's POVs. We start with Bella and Alice hopefully getting a new job. The plot thickens. Enjoy.
Disclaimer; I do not own Twilight.
Pillow Talk
Moving forward….hopefully
BPOV
As Alice and I walk into the bar, Johnny looks up from the task he's doing, setting down stools. His face beams.
"Bella! It's so good to see you! You haven't been in here for a little while." He gives me a fatherly hug.
"Hi, Johnny. It's good to see you. How are you?" I notice he seems a little stressed.
"Really well. Better for seeing you again. How's Rose?" He gestures for us to sit down.
"She's really well, Johnny. Big news! She's moving to Chicago!" His face is a picture.
"Wow! How come?" He settles down in the booth, sitting opposite us.
"She's met a lovely man and he's eager to whisk her away from here." I gesture, with a flick of my hand.
"So, she finally found someone to look after her, hey?" He shakes his head as the news sinks in.
"Indeed. I know she's going to be very happy." I smile.
"You're gonna miss her though." He looks up to gauge my reaction.
"I will Johnny. I will." I nod, reflectively.
"So what can I do for you Bella and…?" He looks over to Alice and smiles.
"Johnny I'd like you to meet Alice." He holds out his hand.
"Alice this is Johnny." Alice responds and they greet each other.
"Johnny, We're here for a job. It won't be for long term. We're thinking of moving too, so we need something to tide us over before we move on." He listens with interest.
"What, for about two or three months?" He seems relieved.
"Yes. That would be perfect!" He does need us. I sensed his stress correctly.
"Well, you're in luck. Tourist season, I always need extra staff. How do you want to do this? Work together or take whatever is available?" He stands, to walk behind the bar.
I glance at Alice. She nods. "We'll take whatever shifts you have, Johnny." He returns with a piece of paper.
"No problem. I'm covered for today, but tomorrow…." He checks the roster he's holding. "Tomorrow I need someone from ten till seven and I need four till midnight covered." He looks up.
I smile. Perfect! "I can take the early shift Johnny and Alice can take the late."
"Deal. Now, I'll just do the trial run for a couple of days. I know Bella, you've worked here before. I take it Alice, you've got some bar experience otherwise I doubt you'd be wasting my time?" Alice nods.
"I worked in a bar back home, while I was at college. I did that for two years." She smiles.
"Excellent! You know where everything is, don't you Bella? But I'll show you both round quickly, now." We both nod and smile.
After the quick tour of the bar area and the rooms at the back, we return to the booth.
"Johnny, we have some arrangements for this week." I begin.
"Go ahead." This man is the best boss ever, besides Rose of course.
"I'll be going away for the weekend to Chicago with Rose, to see her new place. I'll away from Friday, back Sunday and available from Monday. Is that okay?"
"For you Bella, anything!" He glances at the roster again. "Can you be here for the early shift, starting at eleven Monday morning?" I nod. He smiles and jots down my name.
I look over to Alice. "I'll be going away on Thursday to go and visit my sister."
"No problem Alice. Will you be back for Monday?" He looks up, pen poised.
"Yes." He jots down her name also.
"Great! You can do the same shift as Bella then. On the Tuesday I need one of you for the early and the other for the late. Let me know which one you decide to do, next Monday. Can I just say Bella that it's really great to have you back and it's lovely to meet you Alice? I'm sure you will both be fine." We will. He knows we'll be able to handle the men.
We shake Johnny's hand and wave as we leave.
Alice turns to me once we're outside the bar. "Bella, I'm so pleased that we got the job. We'll even get to work together once in a while." She hugs me.
"You're really looking forward to doing this, aren't you?" I hug her back.
"Yes, I am. When I'm at my sister's, I'm going to talk to her and make my final decision as to where I'm going to move to. In the meantime we get to hang out together more than ever before. This is going to be really great!" The enthusiasm shines from her face.
"It is, isn't it? Alice I hope you don't mind that I took the early shift tomorrow." I say more seriously.
"No, not at all." She reassures me. "I knew there had to be a reason for you to jump in so quickly."
"Yes, there is. Alice, Jasper has asked me to meet him at the bar at seven." Her eyes are wide.
"He said that he wants to apologise." I watch her face carefully.
"Okay." She absorbs the potential of the situation.
"I'll give him half an hour to apologise then I'll go home." Has she understood?
"Don't worry, Bella. I'll take over from there. I think I've got him figured. I know what to do." Yes, she has.
"Really? What have you come up with?" I lean in closer.
"Bella, I have a feeling that he used to be a sub." She says quietly. Bingo, that's what it is!
"Why didn't I think of that? Well done Alice! Do you think you can handle him?" I hope she can.
"Absolutely! Don't give him any leeway when you see him and I will take over. He won't be a problem for long. I promise." I kiss her cheek.
"You're really sure about this aren't you? You like him don't you?" She nods.
"Yes, I do Bella. He's already asked to take me out Wednesday but I think I'm going to take the initiative and suggest we meet up today as well." I nod in agreement.
"Okay, Alice. You seem to have this sorted. You will let me know won't you, what happens?"
"I'll keep you informed. Everything will be just fine, Bella. Wait and see." She winks.
"Thanks Alice. I'd better ring Edward now." I take my phone out of my purse.
"Have a lovely time with him won't you. I'll see you tomorrow at four!" She turns to leave.
"'Bye Alice. Thank you." I wave.
"No problem, Bella. 'Bye." She waves back.
I watch as she walks down the street and disappears into the crowd.
"Hi, Edward I'm on my way to the book shop."
"Okay, Bella. I'll see you there."
APOV
I pull out my phone and find his number.
"Hi, Jasper! How are you today?" I smile.
"Hey Alice! It's good to hear you're voice. I'm fine thank you." He sounds genuine.
"How about we go out sometime today, by way of celebrating the fact that Bella and I got new jobs today?" There is silence for a moment. I wait.
"Really? Congratulations! That's really great! Sure I'd love to do that. Are you free now?" Good, the sooner the better.
"Well, it depends what you have in mind, Jasper." I listen carefully.
"Well, do you like pictures? There's an exhibition on, at the moment, of photographs of New York. Would you like to go and see it with me?" He sounds as though he really wants me too.
"That would be great, Jasper. Where do you want me to meet you?" This could not be better.
"Do you mind if we meet at my hotel. I'm at the AKA. I'll wait for you outside." Good, not far from here.
"Great! I'll be there as soon as possible." I weave my way through the crowds a little quicker.
"Okay, see you soon, Alice. Thank you." How sweet.
"No, Jasper. Thank you."
I smile as I make my way to the hotel. He will be begging to see more of me after the end of today.
As I reach the street where the AKA is, I can see that he's already waiting for me. Good start.
He sees me and smiles. A real smile. He's looking quite relaxed. His hair is being blown around in the breeze. He's casually dressed in a grey t-shirt and blue jeans with a lightweight jacket. As I walk towards him, he meets me half way. Reaching out for my hand, I let him take it. He pulls me towards him and kisses my cheek. He smells good. A mixture of musk and Bergamot. Umm. Nice.
"We could walk to the gallery. It's only a couple of blocks from here." He suggests.
"That's fine with me." He hasn't let go of my hand yet. Let's keep it that way.
As we walk along he asks me about some of the buildings and I point out some of the interesting places along the way. Our conversation is easy and not forced.
We reach the gallery. As we walk in I notice that the pictures are all in black and white. It's a while since I've seen a collection like this. I leave Jasper standing at one picture and wander to another area.
One picture captures my attention. It's one of an elderly woman carrying her groceries in a bag. She's wearing a head scarf and what looks like a winter coat. She's walking past shops with worn out awnings that have seen better days. The picture looks bleak and a little sad. To me this is New York. Not the glitzy and glamorous side. But the reality of living in a very large city.
I'm lost in the picture for a time, not registering who is standing next to me at first.
"Do you like it?" His voice is gentle, as if he doesn't want to make me jump.
I nod. "Yes, I do. Do you?" I turn slightly to look at him and look back at the picture.
"Actually, yes. That's the part of New York, or any large city for that matter, that isn't usually shown. I think people find it too embarrassing to admit that this is what their city is like, just a few blocks away from all the bright lights and busy streets."
I glance at him and slip my hand into his. He squeezes my hand slightly.
"How much do you like this picture?" He asks, not moving his head.
"Very much, Jasper." I smile.
"Okay, I'll buy it then. I think it would look good on one of the walls in my apartment. I can show it to you when it's in situ." I smile. That sounds like a really positive idea.
"I'd have to be in Chicago to do that, Jasper." I retort gently. He nods.
"Indeed you would, Alice. I take it you are going to visit some time soon." He smiles at me.
"I suppose. I'll want to see how Rose is getting on and see the city for myself." We're still holding hands.
"Yes, you'll have to do that. You can't make a decision to move without seeing what the place is like." He says looking into my eyes.
"No, that would be a little dumb. It can't be too bad though. You live there and you seem to like it." I hold his gaze.
"It's where my family are based. It's where I work and where dad's new hospital will be built. I can't see myself living anywhere else." He moves a little closer.
"No, I suppose not. If you've lived in one place all of your life then it can be difficult to uproot." So do I.
"I'll go and organise to buy the picture and arrange delivery. You carry on looking. I'll come and find you when I'm done, then we can go and have some lunch." Again, a little closer.
"I'd love that, Jasper. Thank you." I reach up to touch his cheek, looking into his eyes. He seems frozen to the spot. Not with fear. With confusion, I think. I take a risk and kiss his lips. Softly. He wasn't allowed to kiss my lips last weekend but now it's different. Now I'm different and I want him to know that. This rule doesn't apply anymore. And this feels good.
He smiles and nods, turning to go and pay for the picture.
As I wander around to look at other pictures, I think how well things have gone so far.
The gentle approach seems to be working. I'm sure that slowly but surely, I'll be able to do this.
I turn to see if he's finished. He has, He's walking over to where I am. He smiles and his eyes light up. I walk towards him and he takes my hand again.
"The picture will be delivered to me by next week. When I hang it up, I'll think of you." He smiles.
"I look forward to seeing it again." I smile.
We head towards a café with seating outside, so that we can enjoy the New York, side street atmosphere.
JPOV
"Are you looking forward to starting you're new job?" I'm very happy for her.
Just sitting here looking at Alice is enough to make me realise that since meeting her again, so much has changed. Her kiss was not lost on me. That was one rule that could not be broken last weekend. The fact that she initiated it, made me smile. I wasn't sure what, if anything, I should've done but she took me by surprise and by the time I processed it, the moment had past.
"Yes, I am. Johnny is very nice. He made me feel safe." Good.
I'm sure it was an invitation and I will answer it. But not yet. She seems to want to spend time with me. I know that I want to get to know her better. At least she hasn't given up on me, even though our time together last weekend, was probably not what she's been used to.
"We are still meeting Wednesday evening, before you leave to visit your sister? I think I'll go back to Chicago on Thursday. Duty calls." She looks up at me and smiles.
I'm not sure how patient she's likely to be with me. How many times will it take before she feels rejected by me? What if I can never get over my hang ups? For now, I want to enjoy her company. She makes me feel so relaxed and at ease about myself. She makes me feel normal. Not pressured. She doesn't make me feel ashamed.
I suppose that's down to the experience she's gained.
"Yes, that would be really good, Jasper. I would love to see you before you leave New York. I've enjoyed your company today. Thank you for spending time with me." She's thanking me!
"You deserve to celebrate, Alice. It's a big step for you. I'm glad you rang." I reach over to touch her hand. She let's me and it feels good.
End of Chapter
Author's note; I hope that this chapter came across the way I tried to write it. Jasper needs to be treated gently and with huge amounts of patience. Alice is perfect for the job. The next chapter will cover Jasper's apology to Bella. I'm honestly not sure how long it will take but I will get it done as soon as possible. In the meantime, review, review, review! Take care.
