Hello my loves. Hope you're all well. A few questions get answered in this chapter, with a little glimpse into Emmett's POV.

Hope you enjoy.

Normal disclaimers apply


EMMETT POV.

"Order up!" I yelled, rushing around the stainless steel kitchen and depositing the two plates of food on the heated serving hatch. "Clearwater! Stop batting your eyelashes at Ulley. I need three of the shellfish starters ready to go like yesterday!"

Leah rolled her eyes at me but proceeded to sear the scallops for the three dishes. Honestly, if she wasn't so good at her job I would have got the restaurant owner to fire her already.

"YO! Cullen! One of the dinner guests wants to talk to you!" Newton yelled through the busboy door.

"Ulley! Get over here and watch the grill. I want these ribeye's medium rare. Volturi! Take over veg prep from Sam." I cast a glance over my kitchen and its staff, pleased to see it working like a well oiled machine. I washed my hands and made sure I wasn't covered in food stains before going to see who was asking for me. I strode out into the dining room and instantly spied my friend off to the side of the room, sending her a wide toothy grin on my way to ask Newton who wanted me.

"That fine piece of ass over there." He nodded to where Alice was sitting. I clenched my jaw, trying my hardest not to punch the usher in the face for his derogatory comment about my business partner.

I've known Alice for years. She was this bratty little kid who lived in my neighbourhood growing up. Our moms were good friends but had lost touch after Alice's military father was stationed elsewhere. She got back in contact with me a few years ago via social media. She's the one that encouraged Edward and me to move away from the pain of Chicago and start new here in Seattle. We became silent partners in her wedding planning business, providing the catering and floral arrangements.

"Alice. What brings you to this fine establishment this evening?" I ask, sliding into the seat opposite her.

"Well I did try your apartment, but it would appear you moved without letting me know." She huffed.

"Sorry about that. It was a spur of the moment decision on Edward's part. I think we actually live across the street from you now."

"You bought Tyler's old place? About time! Means I can finally visit my house without getting a headache from all the screaming in the street."

"So, what do you want Ali?"

"I need you for a job Emmett." She replied in all seriousness, which didn't suit her spunky personality at all.

"Gee, way to make it sound like I'm an assassin for hire." I laughed. "What do you need?"

"Big wedding. Three weeks this Saturday. The brides choice in caterers dropped out because she was being a diva." Alice took me by surprise by flinging her tiny self over the table and grasping my hand in both of hers. "Please Em. I know it's short notice, but you're the only guy I can rely on that won't try to get into my pants in return." She begged, staring me down with her icy grey eyes.

"How many is it for?"

Alice sat back down and smoothed out her dress, delaying answering my question.

"How many Alice?" I asked again.

"Four hundred and fifty." She replied in an apologetic tone.

"Alliiiiiiice." I groaned, running my hands down my face.

"I know, Emmett. I know. I'm sorry, but I don't know what else to do." She put her elbows on the table and placed her head in her hands, smooshing down her spiky hairstyle.

I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. "Fine." I sighed. "I'll do it, but I want double my usual fee."

"Deal!" She shot up in her seat and held her hand out for me to shake, the bangles adorning her wrist jingling together at the movement. "Now, do you think Edward has enough flowers for forty five table arrangements?"

000

"Hey Em!" Bella called, stepping into our kitchen.

Ever since our barbecue a few weeks back she's been using the gate connecting our gardens more frequently.

"Hi Bella. Sorry I can't stop and talk, I have a big order to fill." I replied without looking up, hurrying to pull the crabs out of the steamer before they overcooked.

"That's why I'm here. A little birdy told me of your plight and I've been asked to assist you." She said, stepping into my line of sight in some chef whites.

I tried to wrack my brain over who we would have in common. Not many people knew I was this busy tonight. Only Edward and Rose sprung to mind. Did Rose ask her? But then how would Rose know Bella? Wait, didn't she mention she had a cousin who was a school teacher?

"So where do you want me?" She asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Bella, I really-"

"Emmett, you need help." She cut me off. "I may not be a gourmet chef but I can follow instructions. What needs doing first?"

"I can't ask you to waste your Friday evening doing this."

"You're not asking, I'm offering, and besides, it's not like I've got anything else to be doing apart from grading papers. I'd rather be a couple of glasses of wine in when I do grade those. At least then I won't have the urge to beat someone at all of the inaccuracies of Romeo and Juliet because they decided to watch the film instead of read the actual play. So, once again, what would you like me to do?"

"Okay, okay." I relented. "Can you julienne all of those carrots?" Without another word, Bella pulled up her sleeves and got to work.

000

A couple of hours later we were sitting on the couch swigging from beer bottles, Ness curled up between us. "Thank you so much for your help Bella. I'd still be at it if it wasn't for you." I said, running my fingers through my pups fur.

"You're welcome. We made a great team." She grinned, clinking the neck of her bottle against mine. "Besides, I couldn't have you being too busy for your lover all weekend now, could I?"

I blanched at her words. "You know?" Did Rose tell her about us?

"Of course I know."

"How did you find out?" I'm pretty sure no one we know saw us out and about.

"It's glaringly obvious. How could I not know?" She snorted.

"We tried to keep it on the down low."

"Why?" She frowned.

"We didn't want to upset anyone."

"In this day and age you should be proud of who you are and who you love. Heck, shout it from the rooftops. You'll get no judgement from me."

I thought her choice of words were a bit odd, but then again I didn't know Bella all that well and she did look a little tipsy.

"Should I be getting jealous?"

We both jumped at the sound of Edward's voice behind us. Ness got down and run over to him in greeting, where he scratched her behind the ears. I opened my mouth to speak but Bella beat me to it.

"Nope! Not at all. Nothing to be jealous of here. I promise you I don't fancy Emmett one bit. He is not my type at all." She hiccoughed. "No offence."

"None taken." I held my hands up as her eyes drifted shut.

Edward shot me a panicked look as Bella slid sideways down the couch, snoring softly. "What the fuck did you do to her Emmett?!" He whisper-yelled.

"Do you honestly think if I did something to her the woman would still be here? She's not a masochist." I said, lowering my tone. What sort of person do you think I am?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to jump to conclusions. I only suggested she come and give you a hand."

"Wait, you asked her to help me?"

"Of course. I saw how busy and stressed you were getting, so I mentioned that you could use a hand in the kitchen."

"Huh, so it wasn't Rose." I mumbled to myself.

"What was that?" Edward asked.

"Nothing. Just thinking I should get Bella home. Can you get the door for me?" I lifted the petite woman off of the couch and marvelled at how light she felt for someone who can eat as much as she can. I carried her outside, through the gate and into her own garden. Edward opened up her back door and Jake dashed out as soon as it was open so he could go and do his business.

I laid Bella down on her couch near the kitchen, as neither of us knew where her bedroom was.

Edward quickly fed Jake and put a table lamp on so Bella wouldn't get disorientated if she woke up in the night. "Should I leave a note? I feel like I should leave a note." He fretted, while I covered her with the odd knitted blanket draped over the back of her couch.

"Just send her a text. She's more likely to read that than a note you leave somewhere." I shrugged, heading for her backdoor. He looked conflicted for a second before realising I was right and following me out. We closed the door quietly behind us. It wasn't locked, but we knew Jake would keep her safe.

"So what exactly did you two get up to while I was tying ribbons around flower arrangements?" Edward asked once we were back inside our own home. I gave him a quick recap of how our evening went up until the point he walked in. "How strong were the beers you gave her?"

"Not strong. Just the usual ones I buy." I shrugged.

"Huh. Maybe she's just a lightweight. Next time just give her the one." He laughed, lightly scratching his chin. "Right, I'm going for a shower. I smell too much like a gardenia to be comfortable. See you in the morning."

"Sure. Night bro." I waved him off and cleared away mine and Bella's empty beer bottles. I double checked on the catering order for the next day and shot Rose a quick text before following Edward up the stairs.


There we go. I hope that's answered some of your questions.

Next up will be Bella's POV again. What's she going to think when she finds out what the boys did for her this time?

Until next time my dears.

Much love x