Bella waited patiently for her date to arrive. He called her to say he was running late, having been held up in traffic because of the parade. Thinking he had found an alternate route, he had somehow driven ten minutes in the wrong direction.
"How late is he?"
Bella looked up at Jacob from her seat on the porch railing and sighed. "About forty-five minutes. He should be here any time."
Jacob asked, "Will you still make your reservation?"
"Not a chance," she said. "It's okay, though. You know I'm not into that fancy shit anyway."
"I don't know. You look pretty fancy," Jacob said, grinning.
Bella was in a thin, white, low-cut peasant dress covered in dainty yellow flowers. The see-through sleeves belled out from elbow to wrist. The skirt had multiple wispy layers of chiffon that stopped just under her knees. Her hair was up and loosely braided around her head. Soft tendrils fell from random places, giving her a sweet, romantic appeal. The same platform sandals she had worn out with Paul completed her look for the evening.
"I don't think this is fancy," Bella said.
"Honey, you look like something out of a fairytale," Jacob said affectionately. She grinned from his praise, looking down at the soft yellow polish on her nails. Her only piece of jewelry for the evening was a thick and plain gold cuff, expertly placed to hide the scar on her wrist. Jacob stared at her wrist as if he could see the scarring there right through the piece of jewelry.
"I hate that you feel you need to hide that bite scar, Bells," he said sadly. She toyed with the cuff for a moment, nodding.
"I don't hide it from others for their sake. I don't want to see it." It was not that the scar was so hideous she felt the need to hide it. It reminded her of the pain she went through when Ed left her. Bella never wanted to be that weak-willed and dependent on a man again. Never again would she make another person the entire center of her universe. Never again would she put her all into something and walk away with nothing.
"I know, Honey," Jacob said. He leaned out of the doorway to kiss her cheek just as a black Mercedes rolled into the driveway. Jacob shot a stern look toward her date, instantly embarrassing her.
"Be nice," she hissed at Jacob as her date stepped out of the car. He was tall and fit but not overly muscular like Jacob or Sam. His dark chin-length hair was pushed back and tucked behind his ears. Her heart raced as he drew closer, wearing an apologetic smile. He was handsome, no doubt. His sleek black sports coat was paired with a soft green v-neck t-shirt and designer jeans.
"Hello," he said, holding his hand out to Jacob. His voice was rich like velvet, smooth, deep and eerie, yet inviting."I'm Alex." Softening his tone, he turned to her and said, "You must be Bella."
He instantly reminded her of Edward. Strike one.
Bella said, "Alex, this is my best friend and roommate, Jacob."
"Nice to meet you," Alex said politely. Bella climbed down from the railing and smoothed her skirt.
Bella asked, "So, where would you like to go, Alex?"
"Well, I know we missed our reservations by now," Alex said. "I'm terribly sorry about that."
Bella said, "Hey. It was just a little bad luck. It could happen to anyone. It happens to me frequently." His quiet laughter made her shiver, and she glanced at Jacob nervously. He tapped his front left pocket, where he always kept his cellphone, silently alerting her to keep her phone close.
"I was searching some local restaurants while stuck in traffic," Alex said, "The one with the best reviews is literally called The Diner. Do you know it?"
Bella could feel the blush across her skin as heat rolled down her chest. Oh, God. Of all the places to ask about.
Jacob tried not to chuckle as he said, "Uh, yeah. It's not actually open right now. They have to do some renovating first."
Alex smirked and said, "Oh. Well, that's a shame. Do you have any suggestions?"
"The Mexican restaurant on the main drag here in La Push is excellent," Jacob said. Bella grinned up at him gratefully for suggesting a place so close to home.
"It is great," Bella said. "And it has an ocean view."
"That sounds perfect," he said. He practically oozed charm as he held his arm out to Bella and asked, "Shall we, then?"
Jacob nearly snorted and pretended to cough as he fought back laughter and waved his hands over his face. Jacob pointedly looked between Alex and her gold cuff.
Great. Alex reminds Jacob of Edward, too. It was too bad she had already used that strike. The glare Bella shot Jacob only made him fight harder to keep from laughing. "Sorry," he choked out dramatically. "Asthma attack. Sorry. I gotta go." A few more fake coughs, and he added, "You guys have fun." Jacob slammed the front door behind him, and Bella had zero doubt he was rolling on the floor hysterically by the time they reached the car.
Alex hovered close as he opened the passenger door for her, and she looked up into his eyes before climbing into the car. His aftershave seemed to compliment his soft green eyes and the lighter tone of his t-shirt somehow. Bella had the sudden feeling that he was not as he appeared. She opened her purse as he walked around the car, checking for the tiny can of mace on her keys. Bella held it between herself and the door and smiled as he climbed in behind the wheel.
Bella directed him to the restaurant as he asked her about the area. She provided what little information she could, apologizing for not being more educated on the history of her current home. Most of what she knew belonged to an entire culture of people - they were not her tales to possibly twist and tell for the sake of small talk.
"You should ask Jacob about the area if you're truly interested," Bella told him as they stepped into the restaurant.
"Oh?" Alex asked, "Why is that?"
"He's the future chief of their tribe," Bella said. "His father, Billy, is the current chief of their people, and he probably knows more than anyone except Old Quil."
Alex grinned and asked, "Old Quil?"
"Yeah. Jacob and I have a mutual cousin," Bella explained as they sat down. "His name is Quil, and we call his grandpa Old Quil. He's the oldest living member of the tribe. I'm honestly surprised Old Quil is still kicking. He is close to a hundred."
"That is impressive," Alex said. The host swung by the table to drop off chips, salsa, and large glasses of water before placing menus in front of them and silently walking away. Bella poured salsa into one of the provided bowls and opened her menu. Alex seemed to follow her lead, looking pleasantly surprised as he tried it before searching through the entrées.
Alex asked, "So, how did you and Jacob become friends, Bella?"
"Our dads became close friends when my dad was still in high school. Billy is close to ten years older than my dad. They met because of our mutual cousins. Jake and I were raised together. He has been my best friend all of my life."
"But you two aren't related to one another?"
"No." Alex nodded as he grinned down at his menu. Their orders were taken, and Bella began nibbling at the chips and salsa.
They continued chatting as they waited, discussing their jobs, families, and many random topics. They had just begun eating when Alex looked toward the windows and gasped. A silver fox stood on its hind legs, scratching at the window like a cat wanting inside. The foxes' large brown eyes stared directly at Bella, and her heart melted on the spot.
Suddenly, it yelped and darted away as a young man with a broom chased after it. While Alex found it hysterical, Bella was angry. Before she realized what she was doing, she was stepping outside. Alex watched her with wide-eyed amusement as she waited for the broom-wielder to walk back.
He asked, "Can I help you?"
Bella forced a polite smile at him and asked, "Do you mind letting me use that for a minute?"
He handed her the broom without hesitation and then howled in pain as she swung the handle, striking him hard across the back of his thighs. He jerked the broom away from her and shoved her back.
"What the hell is wrong with you?"
"What the hell is wrong with YOU?" Bella screamed, "You think you're fucking tough hitting an animal that much smaller than you are? You piece of shit."
"It's just a goddamn fox, lady," he yelled. Bella paid no mind to the pounding footsteps behind her as someone ran toward them.
"And you're just the load your mom didn't swallow," Bella said. She shoved past him to walk back inside, and he gripped her upper arm hard, jerking her backward.
"You can leave," he said.
"Oh, I fucking intend to once I retrieve my purse and date," she said. "And don't think I won't take half your business with me by the time I get home."
"Tourist reviews. I'm so scared," he snickered.
Bella narrowed her eyes at him, taking in his rich caramel complexion and striking, sharp features. She asked, "You live on the Res?"
His long black braid swung forward over his shoulder as he leaned forward and snarled at her. "Why do you care?"
"Because I do, too. With Billy and Jacob Black," Bella said as she calmed down.
He asked, "Are you seriously trying to intimidate me?"
"Nope," came a familiar voice from behind her. "But, I might." A warm chest pressed against her back, and Bella couldn't help but giggle as Paul wrapped his arms loosely around her waist.
The other man asked, "You know this crazy bitch, Paul?"
"Oh, yeah," Paul said, bending down to kiss the top of her head. "She's a good friend of mine. She is Billy's adopted daughter, so you might want to watch who you call a crazy bitch."
"She hit me with the goddamn broom!"
"Yeah, and you fucking deserved it," Paul said and cackled. "I saw that shit. I was right over there." Paul pointed in the direction where the fox had disappeared. "Maybe don't pick on things smaller than you, Danny."
"Whatever," the other man said and stomped toward the back of the building, grumbling.
Bella turned around and gently grabbed Paul by the shoulders. She asked, "Was he okay?"
"The fox?" Paul grinned as he hugged her. "Yeah, babe. He's fine. Don't worry." Paul looked up into the restaurant where her date sat, watching them.
"God, I forgot about him for a second," Bella whispered, making Paul laugh. "What are you doing here, anyway?"
"Well, I was walking to pick up my food, but now I'm worried ole boy is inside spitting in it," Paul said and laughed.
"Ew," Bella said, scowling. "I thought you were going to the parade?"
"I wanted to take you to the parade. I don't give a damn about the parade," Paul said. "Come on." Paul gestured toward the door.
"Thanks for having my back," she said, turning toward her table.
"Anytime, Bells," Paul called after her as he approached the counter.
Alex smirked at Bella as she sat down, and she immediately blushed. He asked, "Is that kind of reaction common for you?"
"No," Bella said. "I'm sorry for that. I have a soft spot for animals, and unnecessary cruelty is disgusting."
Alex chuckled, nodding. He said, "I like passionate women, Bella. Life without a little fight in it is boring. I hope you don't mind that I remained here. I was raised by a single mother who made it very clear that unless a woman asks for my help, she probably does not want or need it. My mom is four foot ten, Bella."
Bella gaped at him in surprise and laughed. "You are what? Around six foot?"
"Precisely," he said, nodding. "Good guess."
"You are the same height as my step-brother," Bella said. You looked about the same next to Jacob as he does." Without the muscle mass.
"I see," Alex said. "So, who is your friend?" He nodded in Paul's direction. Paul was sitting in a booth on his cell phone, waiting on his order to be finished.
Bella said. "I'm friends with many of Jacob and Quil's friends, and most are guys. Paul is one of our mutuals." Alex gave her a dazzling smile, seeming almost relieved. He asked, "So do your step-brother and cousin look like that? The bodybuilder type?"
"Uh, yeah," Bella scoffed. "I'm a little overprotected sometimes, but I never need a ladder."
Alex glanced out the window toward the beach. The sun was getting low, and the sky was a brilliant orange with shades of pink cutting through. "Bella, would you like to go for a walk?"
"Sure," she said, eager to leave the restaurant already. Not only did the employee she assaulted stare at her for the last ten minutes, she frequently caught Paul glancing their way as he waited.
Alex walked up to pay the bill as Bella moved to stand out of sight by the door. She saw him slide the host cash and wave off the change before speaking with him quietly. Alex adjusted his jacket as he walked toward her. The look he gave her held more hunger behind it than any attention he had paid to his food. Bella felt a small surge of attraction toward him as she blushed. Paul's head whipped up as he caught the uptick in her pulse and glanced her way again.
Surely he can't hear my heartbeat over there, she thought, relieved that they were leaving. She briefly wondered if he had sought her out on purpose and pushed the thought away as Alex held his hand out for her. She hesitated before taking it, and he gently threaded their fingers together. He began to walk toward his car, and Bella tugged him in the opposite direction.
"This way," she said and led him the same way Paul had come from. A short trail through a thin patch of trees led downhill and emerged directly on the beach.
Alex asked, "Where are you going?"
"Shortcut," Bella said, grinning. Alex gave her a dazzling smile and gestured for her to lead the way.
(Paul POV)
Paul cursed under his breath as his girl smiled up at the douche in a sports coat and led him, by hand, toward the beach. He should be outside keeping an eye on them and instead was stuck waiting for food he didn't want because he needed a cover story for being there.
When he had been unable to figure out a way to hijack her date, Paul had resorted to using the advantages he had on hand. Checking for his pack's proximity, Paul first phased into the wolf and waited to see where everyone was. Assured that he would not be seen, Paul phased back to human. He pushed back the guilt that always followed when he hid his abilities from his brothers and took slow, deep breaths to calm himself. It had been months since he had shifted into anything other than the wolf, and he chose a familiar form hoping that it would be easier.
The searing pain came as his body contorted, and Paul bit back a scream as he changed from two legs to four. He laughed inwardly at his much smaller form, the silver fox looking somewhat like his wolf.
Paul tossed his flip-flops on top of his clothing. He snatched the bundle with his mouth and darted through the trees toward Jacob's house. Luckily, Paul overheard Jacob telling Billy where Bella had gone. Paul ran as fast as he could, silently cursing his brilliant plan. I should have just run as the wolf and phased into the fox near the restaurant. Lesson learned.
Paul ditched the bundle in the small copse of trees that camouflaged the beach trail rarely used by anyone but locals. He crept cautiously up to the restaurant, watching through the window from the edge of the parking lot.
Devoid of people, he darted across the lot when he spotted her. Again, he wished he was in his wolf form instead, knowing it would probably scare the shit out of her date. Bella, however, would not find it nearly as funny as the whole pack would. Paul stood up on his hind legs and pawed at the window for her attention. He could only grin at her happily as he watched her eyes land on his silver fox. If a heart could truly melt, it would have poured itself from her mouth at that moment.
Suddenly a sharp pain shot through him as something struck him across the back, hard. He yelped as he darted away, chased by none other than one of his old neighbors. Paul raged inwardly over the ass beating he would give Danny later as soon as he found a legitimate excuse. He couldn't exactly tell everyone it was because the guy chased him off with a broom.
Paul found a space small enough to squeeze into to hide. He waited for the footsteps to recede before creeping out and looking for his bundle of clothing. Paul phased back and dressed quickly, groaning from the pain in his back. He tried to calm himself somewhat as he walked toward the restaurant, so angry about the pain that Paul nearly forgot why he was there in the first place.
Paul reached the edge of the parking lot just as Bella swung the broom handle and cracked it over Danny's thighs. Paul cackled as he jogged toward them, assuming by the look on his face that Bella managed to clip his balls, too. His girl opened her mouth and let Danny have it. Paul could not have felt more proud as he reached them and wrapped his arms around her waist.
Paul felt miserable later as he watched her leave with the pale, pretty rich boy. His food was dropped onto the table, yanking his attention away from their retreating forms. He looked down at the styrofoam container tied up in a plastic sack and glared up from his seat at Danny.
"You better not have spit in my fucking food, kid, or I'll give you worse than Bella did," Paul teased him. The pain in his back was quickly fading, and his misery over her seemingly successful date had doused any fire he still felt over the injury. He pulled out his wallet to pay, and to his surprise, Danny waved him off.
"Her date paid for your food and gave me a fat fucking tip," Danny said.
"Oh really?"
"Yeah," Danny said as he looked away guiltily. "Said thanks for the entertainment, and you know how women can be."
Paul snapped, "What's that supposed to mean?" His Bella wasn't just any woman. "Sounds like some sexist bullshit."
"I don't know, dude. He said it, not me."
Paul snatched his food bag and asked, "How do your nuts feel?"
"Still hurts," Danny admitted as he grimaced.
"Good. Remember that next time you decide to hurt something smaller than you. I bet that poor foxes back hurts like a bitch," Paul grumbled.
"I do feel bad," Danny said. "I didn't think about it at the time."
Paul slapped him on the shoulder and said, "Well, we all learn new shit, dude. You swear you didn't spit in this?" He held up his bag and shook it in Danny's face.
"No, man. I wouldn't," Danny said, laughing. "You would tell my fucking mom on my ass, and I'm more afraid of her than you."
"Shit, I would hold you still so she could beat your ass," Paul teased him. Danny chuckled as Paul walked away and quietly followed in the direction Bella had taken her date.
The smell of his takeout was beginning to make his belly grumble. He could not even recall what it was he had ordered. When he stepped onto the beach, Bella and her date were nowhere in sight.
It's probably for the best. Let the girl have a little fucking privacy, ya psycho. Paul quickly found his way to his favorite spot on the beach. An intimate little Alcove along the cliffside with a natural rock wall forming a bench-like seat awaited him. Sitting against the wall kept the person entirely hidden from others on the beach. While most preferred the beauty of First Beach and the massive driftwood pieces that adorned it, Paul came here more often.
I have never brought a girl here. I have never even thought about bringing a girl here, he thought. Maybe he would show it to Bella one day. Paul sat and ate his food, not caring what was on it after realizing it was a huge taco salad. He shoved his trash back into the bag and tied it shut before leaning back. He watched the sun finish setting in silence, trying not to think about where Bella was or what she was doing with Richy Rich.
A familiar giggle rang through the air nearby, and Paul sighed. He stood and peeked around the cliff edge to see where they were, grateful for his perfect vision in the dark and Bella's … well, not.
"Neither of us thought this through," her date said and laughed. His jacket sat around her shoulders, her hand still firmly clutched in his.
"It's around here somewhere," Bella said. "What are the chances that neither of us can see shit in the dark?"
"Bella, if I step in shit…" They laughed as Bella tried to keep up with his long stride.
"Alex, is that it?" Bella pointed to an area at least twenty feet away from the entrance to the copse. Paul snickered, rolling his eyes.
Here's your chance, idiot. Paul removed his clothes quickly and dropped them onto his bag so it wouldn't blow away. Again he bit back a yell as he phased, though it wasn't as painful. He darted toward Bella happily, letting out a quiet bark to gain her attention. Bella turned toward him and smiled as she wrapped her other hand around his forearm in excitement.
"Be careful, Bella," he said, defensively stepping in front of her. Rather than arguing with him, Bella squatted down where she was and clutched onto his calf for leverage. He chuckled at her, and Paul fought back a growl over the besotted look on his face.
Don't get too damn attached, fucker. Paul crouched down and approached her the way he would have as the wolf, his belly to the ground and ears lowered.
"Alex, he's so close," Bella said, entranced. "He acts like a w-dog."
Paul laughed to himself over her near-slip. She held her hand out to the silver fox, allowing him to sniff her. Paul humored her and allowed her to carefully pet the top of his head before darting off toward the trail. He barked at them again and circled to get them to follow him.
God, Paul, you would never live this shit down if the pack knew. His wolf huffed at him in agreement, entirely unamused. He had to bark at them again before they both silently shuffled forward, carefully following him. Paul darted into the trees and waited just past the entrance. He didn't want to go too far when he knew Bella couldn't see a damn thing. Luckily the trail was dry, the dirt lighter in color than the foliage around it.
As Bella and her date entered the trees, she hissed out, "Yes!" Paul darted forward, determined to keep some distance the way any other semi-feral animal would have done. When they finally exited on the other side, the rest of the path was well lit by the parking lamps.
"Thanks, little guy," Bella told the fox as Paul waited for them to reach the lot. He darted back down the trail toward the alcove where his trash and clothing lay waiting. Paul dressed quickly and walked back toward the restaurant to throw his trash away. He groaned as they lingered in the lot, chatting against his car. As if in slow motion, Paul watched as her date leaned down to give her a soft, almost chaste kiss before opening the passenger door for her. Paul pretended not to see them as he jogged past them toward the road.
Luckily for Paul, there was a bar directly across the street. What better way to dissolve the memory of your girl kissing someone from your memory than a fifth of Jose? Possibly even a warm body
Bella's second date had not turned out terrible after all. At least not for anyone but Paul.
