A/N: I'm dreadfully sorry this chapter is so late, my lovely and faithful readers. I'm dealing with things that are beyond my control at the moment, and unfortunately it's not allowing me a lot of time to indulge in writing. In the meantime and in-between time, I adore you all. For real.
I smiled as I read the text from Edward that arrived while I was in the shower.
Good morning, my angel. Leaving you last night was a lot harder than I thought it would be.
Same, Detective. And good morning. My bed definitely isn't as yummy smelling as yours. I miss it, and your body.
And I really did. Even though I'd slept like the dead, I still woke up missing him.
I miss yours too. It's gonna be pretty crazy around here today but I'll call you tonight
Ok xo
My morning was jam-packed, and it began with a meeting with Alice to go over the events and functions coming up that week. There was a vintage jewelry convention on Wednesday, an art auction on Friday, and a Halloween-themed wedding reception on Saturday. I was actually looking forward to peeking in on that one; it sounded like a lot of fun and I loved that the bride and groom had chosen my hotel for it. Luxe was often booked months in advance for various events and I was proud of that fact. From the very beginning, from my first vision of it, I had wanted it to attract people from all walks of life. It was perfect for a week's stay if you were visiting the Tampa Bay area, or a weekend getaway even if you were a local. We hosted all manner of conventions, conferences, private parties, charity galas, really any event you could think of that needed room for a hundred and fifty people.
When Alice and I were done discussing business, I told her about my thoughts on having a little gathering at my place. I knew that Jasper was fast becoming very important to her, she practically glowed whenever his name came up, and I wanted the opportunity to get to know him better. Plus, with Rose entering the picture and the possibility of something growing between her and Emmett, I'd like the chance to see her again, as well. And I'd been so busy lately, both with work and being wrapped up in Edward, that it'd also been far too long since I got to spend any real time with Jake and Seth. The dinner would be a perfect solution and, as predicted, Alice was ecstatic.
"That's a fantastic idea! Okay, I'm gonna go over our calendar, and come up with some possible dates. I know Jazz and Edward will have the same schedule, but it might be tricky to co-ordinate with Rose's hours and then make sure Jake and Seth would both be able to take the same night off. But leave it to me and I'll make it happen!"
"I was thinking Mexican food? I haven't had your queso in forever." Alice made the best spicy queso on earth.
"I'm definitely down for that. Oh, we can do margaritas, too! As soon as I nail down the date, we'll plan the menu."
After going over everything I needed to with Alice, I spent time with Jake at the front desk. I genuinely enjoyed greeting guests; it made me happy to chat with the people who had chosen my hotel for their needs, and to find out how their stay was and if everything was satisfactory. The feedback was very valuable to me.
Next up was my weekly meeting with my head of housekeeping. Carmen was a dream come true when she'd applied for the job back when Luxe was getting set to open. Dark-eyed and Spanish, she was in her forties and the mother of six boys. I quickly learned that she was the perfect person to oversee the housekeepers and keep everything in order, an essential mix of stern and fair. I received many compliments about how clean and well maintained all of our rooms were, and I knew Carmen had a big hand in making that happen. She was awesome.
Right when I was wondering what I might do for lunch, Emmett called and asked if I wanted to eat with him at our favorite little Greek place. I happily agreed, looking forward to the fantastic food and also hearing from my big brother's own lips exactly what was unfolding between him and the lovely Rosalie. He picked me up in his sleek Mercedes and we headed towards South Tampa. The familiar hostess greeted us warmly, and we were soon seated in a table by the front windows.
"You're looking really well, Em," I said, sipping my water as I studied him. "Good weekend?"
"Yeah," he said with a smile.
"And did your weekend involve a certain beautiful blonde?"
His smile grew wider.
"It might have."
"Ok, spill it, big brother," I demanded, leaning forward eagerly. "Edward said you guys were looking awfully cozy in my kitchen Friday night, and then Rosalie just happened to mention that you'd be giving her a ride on Saturday, so I'm gonna need you to fill in the blanks here."
"I really like her, Bells," he said, almost shyly. "You could have knocked me over with a feather when I found her in your kitchen. Jake introduced us and, I mean, obviously she's beautiful. But, she's completely unlike what you'd expect, looking like she does. She's so fucking smart, she doesn't put up with any bullshit, and she's an amazing artist."
"I've seen her work," I admitted, my mind flashing to the intricate ink covering Edward's delectable body.. "It's fantastic. So, did you guys go out on a date?"
"Well, after talking with her Friday I knew I wanted to see her again, so I offered to give her a ride when she brought Edward's Jeep back on Saturday. We ended up spending most of the day together, and we just. . . connected. I don't even know if that's the right word. So, she had to work Saturday night, but she called me yesterday and asked me to come to dinner at her place and let me tell you, Bella, that woman is a fucking amazing cook. She said she learned a lot of it from Edward's mom. She made this whole Asian feast with dumplings and fried rice and spicy shrimp. It was phenomenal." He grinned happily. "She's coming over tomorrow night, Mrs. Mavis is gonna do a lasagna."
"Did you see Jasper when you went over to her place?" I knew that Jasper and Rose lived together.
"Nah, I think he was actually out with Alice."
"Oh, that's right, I forgot. They were going to see something at the Straz. Well," I said, leaning back. "I'm really happy for you, Em. With Edward and Jasper being so close, he really considers Rose his little sister, and he thinks the world of her."
"Things with you and Edward. . . They're serious, huh?" my brother asked.
I nodded slowly, trying to get my words in order before I spoke.
"Yes. More serious than any other relationship I've ever had. And he makes me happier than anyone else I've ever been involved with. And even though it was such a scary time in my life, and meeting him was so completely unexpected, I'm just so grateful to whatever it is that put us in each other's path."
Our waiter arrived just then with our food, and I admired the delicious looking salad and grilled shrimp I'd ordered.
"I know we've both been pretty busy lately, but I gotta say, Bells, I'm really proud of you," Emmett said as he dug into his gyro platter.
"For what?"
"For being so strong. For not hiding away from the world because something terrible happened to you. Far more than one thing, actually."
"What's the point of that?" I asked with a shrug. "You know just as well as I do that shitty things happen and there's nothing you can do about it, so there's no point in dwelling on them. Life is what we make it, remember Uncle Marcus told us that when Mom and Dad died?"
He nodded.
"The older I get, the more I realize he was right," I continued. "Though, I will admit, there were some moments of trepidation early on, when I thought about how quickly Edward's and I's feelings for each other grew. I even compared our relationship to Mom and Dad's. Ya know, how they were always so wrapped up in each other, practically joined at the hip? They both had such addictive personalities, and they were completely addicted to each other, as well as all that other shit. Even when I was younger I knew it was to the point of being unhealthy, especially combined with the fits of jealousy. I swore I'd never become so dependent on someone like that. That I'd never lose my own identity. And now. . ." I trailed off in thought.
"Now?" Emmett prompted.
"Now, I see that this is different, that Edward and I aren't like that at all. I mean, there is definitely the similarity in how quickly our relationships evolved, given that Mom and Dad got married after only dating for two months. I can understand that. . . yearning for the other person. But, having witnessed their interactions for seventeen years, I can honestly say that what Edward and I have is not the same."
"Well," my brother said, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "I'm wondering if there might be something in our, I don't know, genetic makeup? A biological switch that gets flipped when we meet the right person, maybe. Because that yearning you're talking about? I'm feeling a healthy dose of it myself."
"With Rose."
"Yeah."
"Do you know what I think?"
"What?"
"I think she's really good for you. Anyone who makes you smile like you do when you talk about her is definitely good for you, big brother. As for that yearning? I'm not questioning it. We know how many issues Mom and Dad had, but one thing I never questioned was that they loved each other deeply until the day they died."
"I remember being so angry with them after it happened," Emmett said softly. "Even to this day, there are moments when I can't believe they could be so selfish, with the drugs and the partying and the lifestyle they lived, knowing they had us at home. But, they both had their demons. A lot of addicts feel like they're indestructible, and I guess they were no different. There are so many fucked up things they did that make me shake my head, but I agree with you. They loved each other something fierce."
"I think they loved us, too, as best they could, as much as they were able," I mused, taking a sip of my drink. "Their addiction to each other simply wouldn't allow for more."
"Rose had a pretty shitty childhood, too," Emmett commented after a few minutes of eating. I nodded.
"Edward's told me a little about her and Jasper's background. She's as lucky as I am to have such an awesome big brother."
"According to her they used to fight like cats and dogs when they were younger, but not as much anymore."
"Well, I'm really looking forward to getting to know both of them better. Actually, I've decided to host a little get together at my place, hopefully soon. Edward and I, you and Rose, Jasper and Alice, and Seth and Jake. I think it would be a great chance to just relax and eat some good food. Alice is going to go over everyone's schedules and then we can decide on a date."
"Sounds like a great plan to me."
The rest of lunch was spent catching up with each other and the time passed quickly. I got some baklava to go, intending on having a little bedtime treat later; I could never resist the call of the sticky-sweet dessert, it was one of my weaknesses. Good thing I was doing a power yoga session that afternoon with my trainer, Bree. It would definitely kick my ass, but I always felt amazing afterwards. Remembering Edward's comment about me being 'bendy' made brought a smile to my lips. I was looking forward to demonstrating the extent of my 'bendiness' for him.
After Emmett dropped me off, I met with Jackson. I wanted new exterior shots for a few local publications, and we went over some different ideas. He also showed me some of the images from the charity gala and as always, I was blown away by his talent for capturing the perfect moments. He really did just have a gift, and we chose some photos to post on our website. I was still a bit sad to have missed that event.
After wrapping up my meeting with Jackson, it was time for yoga with Bree, so I headed up to get changed, and when she arrived we went out to the terrace, where I'd already set up my mat and had a water bottle waiting. One hour and about five gallons of sweat later, I gave her a tired yet triumphant high-five and told her I'd see her at our next scheduled session on Thursday. A glance at the clock in my kitchen told me it was almost four o'clock, and, thankfully, I didn't have anything else on my calendar for the rest of the day. After taking a leisurely shower, I spent a little while just puttering around and catching up on a few things.
I'd heard from Edward a few times during the day, just brief messages, but they still warmed my heart. He told me he'd probably be working late at the station, but that he'd call me when he got home.
Alice came up at dinnertime and we ordered sushi, eating on the couch and putting on an episode of Chef's Table. As we watched Ivan Orkin craft his amazing ramen, talk turned eventually to Edward and Jasper.
"It does worry me," Alice confessed, popping open an edamame pod. "I mean, the dangerous stuff they face on the job every day? I try not to think about it too much, and it's not like Tampa has the same violent crime rate as like New York or Chicago, but I can tell sometimes when he's had a rough day. I can hear it in his voice when we talk."
I knew Jasper had taken Alice out on a couple of dates, but according to her they also talked on the phone every night, sometimes for hours. Edward had also told me about Rose's kitchen revelations when he'd went to his parents for dinner. Apparently, Jasper was just as crazy about Alice as she was about him.
"I worry, too," I said. "But they love what they do, and they're good at what they do, so I have to just trust that they are being as safe as they can."
"This whole thing with Deveraux is pretty freaky, huh?"
I frowned.
"I'll say it is. After hearing all of that stuff about James that I never knew, I'm really glad I didn'tever meet Deveraux or give James any money."
"James turned into such an asshole," Alice sighed. "I was so happy when you told me you were gonna break it off."
"Maybe if I'd broken up with him sooner, he wouldn't have gotten so violent."
"There's no way of knowing that, Bells. The dude had serious issues."
"Don't I know it. And I still feel foolish for not picking up on that. However, and I said this to Edward yesterday, I can't even bring myself to regret anything, because I might have never met Edward, and I just can't fathom that. I can't imagine him not being in my life."
"You're falling in love with him."
"I'm already there, Ali." the confession fell from my lips. "This weekend was . . . I don't even have words. It was just perfect. We talk about everything and I've told him things I would never normally share with a guy I'm dating, definitely not this early in the relationship. Everything is open, and I feel like I've known him forever. And the things he makes me feel! God, he just takes my breath away sometimes."
"You don't even know how much I love seeing you like this. It makes me so happy!" Alice squealed and I shook my head at her exuberance. "Seriously, Bella! After all the shit you've been through, you deserve this! To be utterly and sublimely happy with your handsome, green-eyed detective."
"And what about his blue-eyed partner, Miss Brandon? Is it the big L between the two of you?"
"Oh, boy, now there's the question," she said with a laugh. "I don't know if it's love at this point, but he's just wonderful. I love spending time with him and talking to him. He's so serious sometimes, but then he can be really playful, too. I really wouldn't mind jumping his bones already." The last was said with a note of petulance.
"You guys haven't had sex yet?"
"Jasper is into 'taking it slow.'" She used air quotes. "He's actually pretty old-fashioned, like a real gentleman. He opens doors for me, pulls out my chair, and ya know when they put their hand on the small of your back?" she asked with a dreamy sigh, and I nodded. "Yeah, he does that a lot. I don't know where he learned such manners, because from what he's told me his parents are both selfish assholes."
"Yeah, Edward's mentioned that to me, as well. Ok, so no sex yet, but how far has it gone?"
"Well, there's kissing, of course. And Lord that man can kiss! Lots of cuddling, some gropage, nothing too heavy, though. I'm so ready to just have my way with him, but he keeps telling me there's no rush, that we have lots of time, that he wants to savor me. Like, he literally told me that! He's driving me crazy."
"Wow." It seemed like there was more than meets the eye when it came to Jasper Whitlock. Seeing Alice look so disgruntled did make me giggle a little bit.
"What's so funny?" she asked grumpily, which made me laugh harder.
"Don't you see? Alice, I love you to death, but the reality is you have a very strong personality, and tend to be the one to call the shots in relationships you've been in up until now. Jasper is a challenge! He's perfect for you!"
"I have the lady equivalent of blue balls, Bella! Maybe he is perfect for me, but if he don't give it up soon, I'm gonna lose my mind!"
It was so out of character for her to say stuff like that and I laughed even harder, wiping tears from my eyes. Alice threw a pillow at me.
"Oh shut up, Miss I'm-Walking-Bowlegged! You have no idea how jealous I am of your stupid sex glow! I spotted it a mile away this morning!" This time she actually whacked me with a second pillow and I almost dropped seaweed salad all over myself. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt and Alice joined in until we were both pretty much incoherent.
"I'm not. . . really. . . bowlegged . . . am I?" I managed to gasp out, in between bouts of giggling.
"You might be a little," Alice snorted loudly, which set me off again. "How many times did you do it, anyway?"
"Four," I confessed breathlessly.
"I hate you!" she yelled, but couldn't keep a straight face at all, and laughter overwhelmed her once more.
Little by little, we calmed down and eventually finished dinner. It was after eight when she left and I was sort of at a loss of what to do with myself. I was restless, but didn't feel like venturing out anywhere. I decided that maybe a movie was in order, and settled down with the Apple TV remote and my baklava from lunch. Ginger and Mary Ann jumped up on the couch with me and soon I found myself engrossed in The Adjustment Bureau, which I'd never seen before but I remembered Alice saying it was good. Matt Damon was pretty fine, if you asked me, but he didn't hold a candle to my man.
My phone beeped with a text about an hour into the movie and I reached for it eagerly, hoping it was Edward. I was disappointed when it wasn't. Disappointed and confused, actually. It was from a number I didn't recognize and the text contained just a single picture. Of my hotel. It wasn't taken from the website or anything, but just a snapshot from street level on what looked like a cloudy afternoon. An inexplicable tingle of unease blossomed in my belly.
Who is this? I typed.
I waited for a reply, tensed and focused, then nearly jumped out of my skin when my phone rang instead. This time it actually was Edward and I sighed in relief.
"Edward," I breathed his name shakily.
"Bella? You sound strange, what's wrong?"
"Something weird just happened and maybe I'm making a big deal out of nothing, but it seems very odd."
His voice changed to no-nonsense cop in a heartbeat.
"Tell me."
I told him about the picture and he asked me to forward it to him, as well as the number it came from.
"And they haven't replied to you?"
"No."
"I don't know, Bella. I probably wouldn't be concerned if it wasn't for the cats, ya know? But, my gut tells me to take notice."
"Your Spidey senses are tingling, huh?" I asked, only half joking. Edward had spoken before about trusting his instincts, how they rarely steered him wrong, so if he was worried then I was worried, too.
"Yeah. Hang on."
Rapid keyboard clicks sounded in the background and I assumed he had moved to the computer in his office.
"It's gotta be a burner phone," Edward finally said, and I could hear the note of frustration in his voice. "I'm not coming up with anything. Which makes the whole damn thing even more suspicious. Don't you have an unlisted number?"
"Yes. You think this is related to the cats?" I asked, but I already knew what his answer was likely to be.
"I hope I'm wrong, but yeah, angel. I do. Let me know if they text again, okay?"
"I will, baby."
"Do you want me to come over? I can be there in ten minutes."
"No, no," I protested. "I'm fine, honest. You've got to be exhausted if you're just now getting home from the station."
"Well, we stopped and ate at the pub first, but yeah, I just got back. It was a really long fucking day. But still, if you're feeling uneasy or-"
"Edward, no. I'm okay. I mean, sure it's a bit creepy that someone sent me a weird text, and maybe this has something to do with the cats and maybe it doesn't. But, I'm not scared to be here, truly."
And I really wasn't. My private security system was state of the art, I certainly wasn't going to let someone in my front door, and I highly doubted anyone would be scaling the building to climb onto my terrace. I knew I was safe. The night staff would be on duty, as well.
"If you're sure," Edward said. "But you'll call me if anything happens?"
"Of course I will, you're at the very top of my list," I said teasingly, trying to lighten to mood a little bit. "So, long day, huh?"
"Yeah. This whole thing with Devereaux is just a mess, so much new info is being thrown at us, it's like people are crawling out of the woodwork now that he's dead. How was your day, angel?"
"Busy," I replied, and told him about my various meetings, and my lunch with Emmett and everything he'd said about Rose.
"I've actually never seen my brother act this way about a woman before, but it's very sweet. I think they could be good for each other."
"I think so, too. It will be interesting to see them together. Are you still planning on having everyone for dinner?"
"Yes, I've got Alice going over all the schedules, so we should have a day picked out soon. I think I'm gonna go with a Mexican theme. Alice makes killer queso and we were gonna do margaritas, plus maybe some enchiladas, rice and beans, stuff like that."
"Damn," he said with a groan. "That all sounds so good. So, ya just hangin' out tonight?"
"Yeah, Alice came over and we had sushi for dinner. She left a while ago. Hey, did you know that she and Jasper haven't had sex yet?"
"I'm actually not too surprised. Jasper is never one to rush into anything, especially when it comes to relationships. He's always been like that, and the man has the patience of a saint."
"Well, Alice doesn't. According to her, she's losing her mind and I quote 'just wants to jump his bones already'."
Edward busted out laughing. We talked for a while longer, but when he yawned for the third time, I knew he was totally beat.
"Baby, you need to go to bed."
"I know, I know. Tomorrow shouldn't be as bad, though. And I'm really looking forward to dinner with you."
"Me, too. Do you think you can make it over here by six or is that too early?"
"Six should be fine." He let out another big yawn and I giggled.
"Go to bed, Detective. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Can't wait. I miss you, my angel."
"I miss you, too. So much."
So there you have it. They miss each other. What's up with the weird text? I want sushi now. . . .