Chapter 13

As I entered the kitchen I found Charlie sitting by the kitchen table, sipping on a cup of coffee that I suspected had gone cold a couple of hours ago.

"Oh, hey Bells!", he said, trying to sound casual but I could tell he was bursting with curiosity,"Did you get a good night's sleep?"

Charlie had gone to bed by the time I'd arrived at the house yesterday, probably thinking it was a part of his act as the cool and laid back father, but I'd seen his light on as I passed by his bedroom door. He wasn't fooling me, not for a second.

"I did. I had a hard time sleeping though", I said and grabbed a cup from the cupboard and poured myself a cup of coffee.

"Yeah, I figured since it's one o'clock", Charlie said, still trying to sound all casual and friendly, "Did you catch a scary movie or what?"

I figured it'd be best just to give him a few tidbits from the night before and maybe he wouldn't badger me for further information.

"Yes, it was pretty gory actually. It was that new vampire movie. You know I'm bad with blood." Charlie nodded, knowing I was a total flake when it came to blood.

"And we went to this great italian place before the movie. Tablecloths and everything. Real fancy", I continued, being ironic, but Charlie seemed dazzled by the prospect of a restaurant with tablecloths.

"That seems really nice", he said," Did the others have a good time too?"

This was dad code for "did-you-hit-it-off-with-the-Cullen-kid?" and I had to stop myself from frowning at him for being so lame.

"No one was complaining", I said, trying to end the subject.

But Charlie wouldn't let it go at that.

"That Edward sure seems like a good guy to me, and his siblings are all very charming too."

"Yes, they are all very friendly and nice."

"Not that it's any of my business but if I could pick one boy to date my daughter in this town I'd put my money on Edward. There, I've said it", Charlie said awkwardly, still trying to look casual but not pulling the act of one bit.

"Dad!", I blurted out, mortified, "Stop it!"

"Well, I'm just saying…", he started but I cut him off before he could finish his sentence.

"No, dad. Just stop. I know you've been talking to mom and I'm sure you're both worried about me, fitting in and making friends, and I'm doing my very best to adjust. But I don't need the two of you teaming up and trying to marry me off to the first boy in Forks that shows me the slightest bit of interest. I like Edward and his siblings and that's that."

"Bells, I'm not trying to tell you how to live your life here in Forks or who you should hang out with. I'm just saying I know you had a beau back in Phoenix and I'm not as old-fashioned as I may seem at times. I'm just saying that if you'd like to get back on the dating train I wouldn't get in your way of doing that. As long as it's not that Mike Newton boy, he never up to any good and just the other day…"

"Dad", I once more interrupted him", I did NOT have a beau back in Phoenix, I had a boyfriend. And that ended months ago, and I'm fine, no matter what mom says. And if, very big IF I do decide to get back on the dating train you will be the first to know, I promise. Until then I'd prefer to pick my own dates. Okay?"

Charlie cringed so much in his seat I was afraid that the ground would suddenly open beneath his chair and swallow him whole. But then he straightened up in his chair and tried to get back into his casual and laid back dad character.

"That sounds great, Bells. I'm just as comfortable as you talking about these things, but Renee insisted I'd bring it up when she called me yesterday and I told her you'd gone to the movies with Edward and his siblings."

I might have known that this discussion was the work of Renee rather than Charlie and I tried to ease up a bit, seeing as Charlie was just the messenger here.

"Really, it's fine dad. You know how mom is. Too overprotective at times, even though she means well. I'll talk to her later, okay?"

Charlie looked relieved at the thought of not having to report back to Renee himself and took a big sip of the coffee, and then made a face realizing the coffee was cold. Probably he'd forgotten that part of his cool dad act, pretending he'd just sat down to have a cup of coffee.

"I think that would be good. And please don't tell her how I completely blew this conversation, okay?"

"Pinky swear, dad", I said and smiled reassuringly at him.