Happy Friday!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who is following along! The support means more than I can explain.
I also want to thank The Lemonade Stand for putting Stronger Than Blood on their weekly recommendation list! That was a welcome surprise :)
For those of you who answered my question on Facebook, the answer is... Macallan! I mean what else can get him through a dinner with the Denali sisters ;)
Now, let's jump back in and see if Edward can redeem himself the second time around!
BPOV
By Wednesday night, I'd found my groove at Esme's. Even on weeknights, we were completely booked, but the reservations were more spaced out. With it being my third shift, Jessica stepped back and let me take the reins. Although, that may have had less to do with my training than her desire to flirt with the bartender. By Friday, I knew what I was doing.
Taking Angela's lead, I spent my downtime at the library researching the Cullens. After digging through countless articles and hundreds of Google images, I could spot the entire family from a mile away. Particularly Mr. Asshole. I had to admit the man was absurdly handsome. Greek Gods would envy his chiseled features and strong jawline. Even through the lens of a camera, his hypnotizing eyes radiated intensity.
One particular series of pictures had me rushing out of work Tuesday afternoon with the need to get home and release tension. He and his giant of a brother had been photographed on the city streets in fitted T's, showing off their muscular biceps. While Mr. Asshole was less bulky than his brother, the fabric of his short sleeves still hugged his arm in the most alluring way. His low-slung jeans gave me fantasies of lifting his shirt and tracing the contours of his abs with my tongue. I was more than irritated with myself after my solo session. He was an asshole, not someone worth licking!
"So, the Cullens have another dinner planned tonight." Jessica pointed to the notes on our reservation list, breaking me from my memories.
"Do you know which Cullens will be here?" I bit my lip, trying to forget how quickly thoughts of Mr. Asshole had sent me over the edge.
"Do you mean is Edward going to be here?" She laughed. "I have no idea. They just reserve the room. They don't say who's coming. But just in case, try to remember who his mother is this time." She grabbed a stack of napkins and left to set the tables. Brat.
"Oh! Isabella! I am so glad you're here!" A gust of cool air blew through the front door as Esme glided in. Her pictures online didn't do her justice. The woman exuded class and could pass for half her age. I admired her neat chiffon and the expensive gold earrings dangling from her ears.
"Those earrings are beautiful!" I gushed, unable to stop the outburst. My cheeks heated. I could only imagine how unprofessional she thought my gawking was.
"Thank you, dear! They were a gift from Carlisle for my birthday last year. Although, I'm sure my daughter helped pick them out." She winked, putting me at ease. "Isabella, I wanted to talk to you about what happened with my son last week."
"Edward?" I choked on his name. There was no one in the world I wanted to discuss with her less than her volatile son. Wait, what if I was in trouble? What if he'd complained about my insufficiency? Was I getting fired? I berated myself for the way I let him affect me.
"I have to apologize for his behavior. I promise you, we raised him better than that, but he can be a bit… cantankerous, at times." Oh.
"Um, it was just a misunderstanding." Also, you may want to take him to an anger management support group. I bit my tongue. Poor Esme was punished enough, having to deal with him on a regular basis.
"Regardless, if anything happens again, please let me know. I'll knock him around for you." I grinned at her threat. Petite Esme knocking around her full-grown son was something I would have paid admission to see. "Anyway, another family will be joining us tonight, the Denalis. Jessica knows who they are, so please pass the message along. She can help you keep an eye out for them."
"Absolutely, I'll let her know."
"Oh! Before I forget, we are hosting an anniversary party for my aunt and her husband on Sunday. I need someone to help with setup, and to greet the guests as they arrive. I know it's your day off, so the pay would be double. You are more than welcome to stay for dinner and drinks, as well."
I had a mile-long list of things that needed to be done on my day off, but rent was due on Monday. Having a little more in my paycheck at the end of the week wasn't a bad idea.
"Sure, I can make that work."
"Wonderful! I will send you the details before then." She glanced outside as the first car of the evening pulled up to the valet. "I suppose I should stop pestering you and let you do your job! Please grab me if there is anything you need. I'll be here all night!" She strolled away, greeting the rest of the staff on her way to the kitchen. My smile was genuine as I turned to greet our arriving guests.
oOo
The Denali sisters were gorgeous. Statuesque blonds, with ice-blue eyes, and flawless skin. Tanya, clearly back from some tropical getaway, had the kind of golden tan my alabaster skin could only dream of. Irina's cleavage was gravity-defying. She looked like she'd stepped out of a swimsuit ad. My self-esteem plummeted the second they arrived.
Then they opened their mouths. They sounded like two chickens squawking. They complained about everything under the sun. Tanya didn't like the lighting. The smell of seafood was making Irina nauseous. Both of them snickered at Jessica's knock-off dress. Esme was quick to usher them to their private room. Thank God, because I was ready to rip off their acrylic nails and revel in their pain.
"Tanya and Irina Denali are literally the worst people in the world." Jessica tugged at her dress, frowning when the polyester-blend bunch at her hip.
"How can they be so vapid?" I shook my head, traumatized from the entire encounter.
"Maybe the hair bleach seeped into their brains. Did you know their hair isn't even real? From the back, you can totally tell they have extensions," Jessica sniffed, flipping her own curly hair over her shoulder. "I'm going to see if Jared needs anything." She headed toward the bar, looking for an ego boost from her favorite bartender.
The front door swung open, and I plastered a smile back on my face, ready to greet our newest guest.
"Good evening! Welcome to… oh."
"Hello, Isabella." My name rolled off his tongue like honey, making me shiver in anticipation.
"Mr. Cullen."
All my research hadn't prepared me for the encounter. He was more stunning than any picture could capture. Without the scowl on his face, to remind me how much of a jerk he was, I found myself inching toward him.
"Your mother is in the back. Would you like me to show you there?" It took work to remain professional. Fantasizing about him taking me on top of the host desk was probably not the wisest course of action. I was supposed to be avoiding the man.
"No, thank you. I was hoping to speak to you for a moment." He licked his lips, readying himself for whatever he had to say. I bit mine, trying to reign in my libido. "I am sorry for the way I treated you last week. There was a misunderstanding, and I was unaware that it was your first night. I acted completely inappropriately. For that, I am truly sorry."
Mr. Asshole may not be an asshole after all. This wasn't good. My entire reason for avoiding the man was his volatile temperament. I had to find another reason to stay away. How about because he's your boss's son? Oh. Yeah. That was a good one.
"Thank you, Mr. Cullen. I accept your apology," I said in the most professional voice I could manage.
"Thank God! I don't apologize often. I wasn't sure I was doing it right," he laughed, and my breath hitched. The danger that lurked in his eyes vanished, replaced by a child-like brightness that lit his entire face. "I think it's okay for us to be on a first-name basis. We should start over. Hello, I'm Edward Cullen." He reached his hand out, waiting for my response.
"Bella Swan," I squeaked. His large hand engulfed mine. The moment was electric, causing my stomach to flutter and my heart to race.
He cleared his throat. "So, Bella? Not Isabella?"
"Not unless you're my grandmother."
"Or my mother?" He teased with a cocky smirk. I had yet to tell Esme I preferred the less formal version of my name, and I wasn't sure if I should. "Speak of the devil." He looked over my shoulder, the darkness returning to his face.
"Edward? I hope you're behaving." Esme glanced toward me.
"I was apologizing, Ma."
"Good. Isabella, I'm so sorry for cutting his apology short. Edward, I have a few young ladies that are very anxiously awaiting your arrival."
"You know I can find my own dates, right?" He scoffed, earning him a raised brow.
"Can you? The last girl I remember you dating was in high school." She waved him forward, escorting him toward his dinner date.
"What the hell was that?"
I spun around, finding Jessica scrutinizing me with a hand propped against her hip.
"What was what?"
"I'm sorry, but were you not talking to Edward Cullen? And was he laughing? Edward never laughs. He glares. Oh my God! Did you drug him?"
"How the hell would I have drugged him?"
"Whatever. In case you're getting any ideas, don't. His parents are trying to set him up with one of the Denali sisters tonight."
"I wasn't getting any ideas."
Except I was. I was getting many ideas. Most of which involved Edward and me in scandalous positions. I wondered if his large hands indicated the size of other body parts. I wondered if his abs were as lickable in real life. I wondered-
"Earth to Bella! Can you please take Mr. and Mrs. Conner to their table?" Jessica tapped her foot, waiting for me to move.
"Yes, of course! Please follow me!" I let my hair fall over my cheek to hide my blush.
I took the long way to table three-twenty in hopes of getting one last peek of Edward. Through the closed doors of the private room, I could hear the nasal laugh of the Delani bimbos. I rolled my eyes at my ridiculousness. If Edward was the kind of man who cared more about dating a supermodel than a girl with a brain, then he wasn't worth my time.
EPOV
My mother arranged for me to sit between Tanya and Irina. Punishment for being late, no doubt. When I'd agreed to the dinner, I'd forgotten how completely horrendous the girls were.
When we were younger, they were both beautiful. Knockouts that had boys worshiping the ground they walked on. That was before the plastic surgery started.
Tanya's upper lip looked like it was going to pop. She happily explained the entire procedure in detail, making me lose my appetite for the antipasto appetizer. She was thrilled that her doctor was able to give perfect results. She described it as the bee-stung look. I assumed she was allergic to bees.
The angry scar from Irina's chin implant was obviously visible every time she tilted her head. Her breasts were eye-catching for sure. They'd grown about two cup sizes over the previous six months. One sat slightly higher than the other. Call me what you will, but I preferred my women unaltered.
"Eddie, did I tell you about my trip to Cancun?" Tanya asked. Her nasal voice made it sound like an insect was buzzing by my ear.
"No, Tanya. You did not." I took a heavy pull from my scotch.
"Oh. My. God! It was amazing! Okay, so two of my girlfriends, and me, we went on this trip."
"Was it to Cancun?" I dripped with sarcasm.
"Yes! We had this adorable little bungalow. There was a cabana right outside, on the sand. We even had our own Cabana boy! I think his name was Pedro or something, but we all called him Javier because it's sexier."
Kill me now. I looked at my father across the table for help. He was trying to hold back laughter. Asshole.
"And there were these adorable little street vendors outside the resort. It wasn't like nice stuff. It was weird little trinkets and crap. There were a bunch of little girls that made jewelry, so we bought necklaces, even though they were really ugly. Don't worry. We threw them away later. But we got to haggle! It was so fun! We talked them down to six necklaces for only ten dollars!"
I downed my scotch. "Hold on. You were staying in a private bungalow, at a luxury resort, and you couldn't give a child- what? Fifteen dollars for some jewelry? Jesus, Tanya."
"I would have given them fifteen dollars for it," Irina said, sliding a hand down my arm. I shot her a glare. You don't fucking touch me unless I say you can.
"Seriously, Edward? Calm down. They expect you to haggle."
"Can I get another Macallan?" I held my glass toward the server, who was collecting our empty plates. The nightmare couldn't end soon enough.
My mother finally caught on to my distress and put me out of my misery. She asked Tanya a question about some moronic reality show. This put both girls in a tizzy and gave me a chance to escape to the bar.
"Having fun?" Jared laughed as I slid onto a stool.
"Jesus fucking Christ. I'm gonna slit my wrists if I have to go back in there."
"So, what's the deal anyway? Rumor is your folks are trying to set you up."
"It's a long story, but that's the gist of it."
"And they thought the dipshit twins were good matches?"
"I'm pretty sure my father went along with it to torture me. My mother is just a horrific matchmaker."
"Hey Jared, Jessica asked me to bring these over. She's headed out for the night."
I looked up at the sound of Bella's voice. The sweet cadence was a welcome relief after listening to Tanya and Irina for a few hours.
"She is? I've gotta talk to her." Jared ducked around the counter, leaving Bella and me to our own devices.
"What time is it?" I asked, rolling my glass over the bar top.
"Ten-fifty. The last guests just left."
"My God. I was in there for four hours." I slid my hand down my face, still in shock from the torture I'd endured.
"So, I guess that means your date went well?" Bella busied herself gathering up a few cocktail napkins.
"What?"
"Aren't you dating one of the Denali sisters? Jessica said-"
"I'm not datin-"
"Edward?" Irina's high-pitched monstrosity of a voice squawked from over my shoulder.
"Yes, Irina?" I sighed.
"Your mother and I were just making arrangements for the charity ball next month. My mother thinks it's a good idea for us to color coordinate for the event. My dress is gold so-"
"I'll just…" Bella pointed over her shoulder and rushed out of the bar.
"Bella! Wait… God damnit!" I growled.
"As I was saying…" Irina sneered in Bella's direction.
"No!" I stood, slamming my hand down hard enough to make my glass rattle.
"Excuse me?"
"I said no, Irina. Not a word you hear often? It means I will not be going to any charity event with you. Nor will I ever be interested in sticking my dick in your plastic twat!"
"You can't talk to me like that!" Her hands flew to her hips as she pursed her lips.
I leaned forward, my voice dropping. "I can do whatever I want, honey. Haven't you heard? I'm Edward Fucking Cullen." I walked away, chuckling at the dumbstruck look on her face.
It was time to leave, but first, I needed to find Bella. I had an urge to make it clear that not only was I not dating either Denali sister, there was no way in hell I ever would.
The host stand was empty, as was the main dining room. I grabbed my coat and slipped through the front door, making sure the lock latched behind me. Up the street, Jessica and Jared were making out like teenagers. There was no sign of the gorgeous brunette.
"Hey! Lovebirds! Any idea where Bella is?" The two stopped sucking face long enough to answer.
"Yeah, she left like five minutes ago." Jared pointed down the block.
"Shit. Any idea how she gets home?"
"She takes the L." Jessica reattached herself to Jared's face. She was like some sort of succubus.
I took off toward the train station but stumbled to a halt halfway down the block.
What the fucking hell was I doing?
I wanted to make sure Bella knew I wasn't dating a Denali sister.
Why? What difference did it make?
She won't fuck you if she thinks you've got a girlfriend.
That had to be it. Bella wasn't the kind of girl that fucked around with other women's men. Shit, what if Bella was the type of girl that fucked around. The image of her being railed by some asshole made my gut twist. I reached for my gun, ready to shoot someone.
For what? Sleeping with the hostess at my mother's restaurant?
"Get a fucking grip, Cullen!" I tugged at my hair, turning back toward Esme's.
This was insane. I was standing in the middle of a Chicago street at eleven o'clock at night, chasing after some girl I barely even knew.
I needed to get laid. That had to be my problem.
I took out my phone and scrolled my contacts until I found the one I wanted.
"Hey, Vicky! Are you busy?"
Don't kill me!
I can promise, Edward isn't as dumb as he looks. Hopefully, some of those brain cells will kick back on quickly!
B & E will start getting their act together in Chapter 5. I can't guarantee there will be no more bumps in the road, but things will start moving in the right direction. Esme might also be getting some ideas, and we get to meet everyone's favorite Cullen sister!
Make sure to Follow STB to get update alerts!
See you all next week ;)