A/N: Thanks to TwilightMomofTwo for her lovely BETA work. Thanks to each of you reading. If you've left me a review, I've responded unless you have your PM's off or you weren't logged in.
Chapter 29
I had given up on Bella. After a few more text messages went unanswered, I had to finally face the fact that she wanted nothing to do with me, so I kept myself busy at work and watched the days turn into weeks then weeks into months. Trying to keep my thoughts from always turning to Bella, I started running on more days than just Sunday and I spent weekends working or hanging out with Emmett and Rose. Their wedding was about four months away now, and Rose was going into semi Bridezilla mode.
I was also spending a little more time with my parents as well as Alice and Jasper. I didn't realize the shell I'd put myself in after Rachel and I split. It was nice to know I had family I could count on. It also helped to pass the time so I didn't think about how long it'd been since I saw Bella. It had been over three months, but I wasn't counting.
I finally gave in to my mom's prodding and decided to have a 'working' dinner with one of our clients. Bree was the daughter of one of our biggest account holders. She and I had several Skype and teleconference meetings. We'd met in person a few times when she did travel through town, where she'd hint around about us going to dinner or getting a drink. Bree was a beautiful woman, tall with short dark hair, but I had always lived by the rule of 'don't shit where you eat'. As my mom pointed out on more than one occasion, Bree lived in San Francisco instead of San Diego.
Bree and her team were here on Wednesday for a meeting, and would be in town the rest of the week, so I invited her to dinner. On her approval, I made reservations at a steakhouse downtown for Friday night. I considered inviting Emmett and Rose as buffers, but as the immortal words of Rose, "buck up and date a girl, for fuck's sake" ran through my head, I didn't call them.
I picked Bree up at her hotel, and we made idle chatter until we got to the parking valet. She was really easy to get along with and seemed to have similar tastes in music. We made it through dinner with only a slight amount of awkwardness. When we headed into the lobby, Bree turned to me.
"What do you think about taking this night back to my room? Think about it while I use the ladies room," she offered. I didn't answer, choosing instead to sit out front on the bench and wait for her. When I heard the door open, I stood up, thinking it was Bree. Instead I was in for a huge shock, as Bella and some random dude came out the door. She immediately stopped short upon seeing me.
"Edward, hi." She looked around, seemingly uncomfortable. Me, I was too busy staring down the guy she was with. "I've been meaning to call you."
"Why?" I was barely keeping my anger in check.
Bella's date handed the valet his ticket and stood to the side, eying me curiously. "Do you think that maybe we could grab a coffee some time?"
"What could you possibly have to say to me, Bella? I mean, you've had months to call me back or even send me a text. Why bother now?" I turned when I heard footsteps to see Bree heading our way. I handed my ticket to the valet and grabbed Bree's arm when she approached, turning my back on Bella.
I heard Bella huff, but she didn't say anything else to me. She joined her date and got into his car when it was brought around. Mine was right behind him so I helped Bree in and took off. I didn't say a word, just took Bree back to her hotel.
"I take it you don't want to come up?" she asked.
"Sorry, Bree, I don't think mixing business with pleasure is a good idea. Your company is very important to mine, and I'd hate to see anything get in the way of that." I went around and helped her out of the car.
"You know, Edward, you should hear her out. It was obvious to me that she had something to say. I'll see you soon." She kissed my cheek and walked into her hotel.
I drove home, contemplating what Bree had said, but decided I was still too pissed to even consider it.
I received tests from Bella three times on Monday. They all seemed the same:
Call me, please
We need to talk
Please, Edward
These three messages were texted to me on repeat Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, she left me two voicemails with the same desire to see me. Hearing her voice made me think about it; she sounded so forlorn.
On Friday afternoon, she left me one more voicemail. This time she was letting me know in no uncertain terms how much she needed to talk to me and explain herself.
After two glasses of wine, I bit the bullet and texted Bella.
Tuesday at 3 -this is your only opportunity
Her reply was instant.
Name the place
I responded, then shut my phone off.
Peets, near my office
I went to bed but lay there in the dark, trying to think of why she would want to talk to me now.
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