Bella Outtake: Chapter 9- Dinner With the Girl Next-Door

Thanks Sherry and Paige!

God, have I ever been this nervous? Something about Edward makes my pulse race and makes me incredibly tense. Perhaps, it is just the attraction I feel for him. I usually have to get to know a man before I can decide how I feel, but with Edward, I felt a need for him from the moment I saw him. It's embarrassing, since I doubt I am his type, but that doesn't mean I can't be friendly. Though I'm an introvert, I'm not the shy type, and even if Edward is not interested in me the way I am so obviously interested in him, I can still be a friend to him. I know that he needs that now.

It's obvious he knows absolutely nothing about kids. When I first saw him, he looked like a bad boy wrapped in a very delicious package. My shock was uncontained when I saw him move in across the hall, and I was even more shocked when I saw the bundle of joy in his arms. I considered initially that he could be married, although I hadn't seen a ring, because I thought there was no way he was taking care of that baby on his own. But when I found he wasn't, I just knew I had to invite him over for dinner. I reasoned that it was the least I can do for the new and struggling father, but deep down, I knew it was because I was attracted to him and wanted to stare at him all night.

I love to cook, but I seldom do it since I've been on my own. When I had dad and Alice to cook for, I would go all out every night and would try countless recipes from my mom's many cookbooks. Now that Alice is married and has a little girl, and I have finally decided to move out of my dad's house, I don't have anyone to entertain. If tonight goes well, then hopefully that will change. It will be nice to have a man to cook for again. Especially, an extremely attractive and mysterious man.

I spent a few hours editing in the morning, which is incredibly boring when you have so many other things on your mind. I find that I have to look at each paragraph multiple times since my mind just wanders, thinking of more pleasant diversions. Diversions that are covered in tattoos…

When it finally comes time to prepare dinner, I pull out my signature recipe, remembering my mother's words, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." Now that I have accepted the past, I can finally look back on times I shared with her and not feel pain. I smile at her words and feel as if she is here with me in the kitchen as I cook her signature dish.

Lost in my own thoughts, I barely acknowledge the knock on the door. When it finally registers that my handsome neighbor is on the other side of it, I jump and am suddenly frazzled. Looking down at my cotton dress, which is now covered in flour and stains, I groan, making a mental note to get an apron that actually covers me instead of buying one solely on cuteness. I quickly check the mirror and wipe the food particles off of my face, before running to answer the door. I'm sure I will look like a mess, but this is the best I can manage. I wasn't nervous this morning, going to his apartment in a robe before I even managed to take a shower, but that was before I talked to him.

I open the door to find the incarnation of every fantasy I've ever had. I've always had a thing for men with tattoos, although all my past boyfriends have been a blank canvas. I stand and gawk at him, before finally coming to my senses and realizing how rude I am being.

"Sorry, I'm finishing up right now," I assure him with a nervous smile.

"Don't apologize," he laughs.

I gasp as he reaches toward me and wipes the tiniest bit of flour from my face that I had missed in my rush. As cheesy as it sounds, I feel sparks when he touches me. You have read one too many romance novels Bella!

"Thanks for cooking dinner tonight."

"It was no trouble. I love to cook, and now that I've moved out of my dad's house I don't have anyone to cook for," I ramble, before moving aside and gesturing for Edward and Charlie to come in. I've been tidying up all day, knowing that I always feel more comfortable when things are in order. I let them get comfortable as I run back to the kitchen to finish up. Caesar salad, homemade garlic bread, pasta with my signature sauce, and a Devil's Food Cake with whipped cream icing.. I return to the living room to find Edward looking at my old photographs with Charlie in his arms. When he comes across one, I still and feel my throat constrict. It's painful to know she is gone, and though I have come to terms with her passing, I loathe talking about it. I'm always afraid I'll fall to pieces.

"Are you ready for dinner?" I awkwardly ask, trying to keep my composure.

Edward gives me a sheepish smile, as if he knows he has overstepped one of my invisible boundaries. He begins to speak, but I quickly interrupt him, wanting to avoid any question he may have. "I made pasta and homemade garlic bread."

He doesn't press me about the subject, and joins me at the kitchen table, sitting with Charlie comfortably in his lap. I'm ecstatic to find that Edward loves my cooking and eats not one helping, but two. Our conversation is sparse at first, but soon we move onto the topic of our interests and I find that I have a lot in common with this man. More than I would have ever guessed. I feel a connection to him already, just after conversing with him twice, and the feeling is incredible. If nothing else, I have found a friend in Edward.

Dinner ends and I don't want him to leave. I'm thankful I took extra time out of my day to make dessert for tonight. I made my absolute favorite and from the look on Edward's face, I know that he is extremely impressed.

"It's just a modest little cake, but I thought you would like it," I tell him as I place a plate with a large slice on his place mat.

"It looks wonderful Bella," he smiles at me before quickly digging in.

Bella...I love the sound of my name falling from his lips. I watch him eat, well, I watch his lips and wonder if they feel as soft as they look. Charlie falls asleep in his strong arms, and I know that our night is nearing its end.

"I better get going, It's past Charlie's bedtime." He sounds regretful, and it gives me hope knowing that he enjoys my company as well.

"I understand. It was nice hanging out with you, Edward."

"I loved it," he says with a beautiful grin. "I'm right across the hall, so come over anytime you like."

He winks at me and my knees feel weak. Jesus...what this man does to me. I giggle, embarrassed by the effect he has on my body.

"Don't be a stranger Edward."