I know it's been a little over a week since I updated this story. I've been experiencing horrible headaches and just all around feeling terrible. Found out last night that my blood pressure is through the roof, stroke level blood pressure, 145 over 105. Which is odd for me because I've always had good blood pressure, and I'm fairly young (23) so, it's kind of been a cause for concern. But, I think I've figured out what's caused the extreme spike.

If anyone has any suggestions of lowering blood pressure I'd love to hear them! I've been trying to research lowering blood pressure, and it's mostly based on diets of low sodium and losing weight. But, I'm all about herbal teas and natural remedies that'll do these amazing things. So, if anyone has a suggestion, leave it in a review!

Chapter Eight – Second Dates

When I walked into the apartment, Alice was waiting to ambush me. She grabbed my hand and dragged me into the living room, practically throwing me onto the couch.

"Tell me everything!" She said.

I smiled and blushed, "Well, we went to Miller's Bookstore and read for a couple hours—,"

"You went to a bookstore for your first date?" Alice said, slightly making a face.

"Yes, he said anything I wanted to do, and I wanted to go to the bookstore. It's safe."

Alice nodded, "Alright, well, I guess that's sweet."

"It was. We had a lot of fun. Then we went to the coffeeshop afterwards. He had coffee and I had hot chocolate. Then we just talked for hours." I said.

She smiled widely, "Aw! That's so sweet! Are you guys going on a second date?"

"Yeah, he asked me when he dropped me off." I said.

"Where are you guys going?" She asked.

"I'm not sure. We didn't talk about it. I'll call him tomorrow though." I said.

She squeezed my hand, "That is awesome Bella, I'm so happy for you."

I nodded, "Something interesting about him, he owns several businesses. We were talking about the trouble I'm having finding a job. He said if I'd like he could get me a job at one of his businesses."

Her eyebrows raised, "That sounds nice Bella. Maybe he could help you. And you know, if you get a job you'd be able to go back to school like you've been wanting. What kind of businesses does he own?"

"Uh, he owns a restaurant, a warehouse, and he's a landlord. I thought it'd be cool to work in a restaurant. He said it's really swanky." I said.

"Did he say what the name of it was?" She asked.

"Oh, no, I didn't even ask," I said, "Maybe tomorrow when I call him I'll ask. But, does it sound like I'm using him if he gets me a job?"

She shook her head, "No, it doesn't. It'd only be using him if you didn't really like him and you were getting stuff from him. But, you're a really nice person and you don't use anybody."

I nodded, "Thanks Alice, I'm going to go to bed now, I'm kinda tired."

"Okay, goodnight."

The Next Day

Sometime around noon, I decided to call Edward. Alice was working, and I had already cleaned everything up. I was nervous about calling him, hoping he'd be available to chat. I picked up the phone and dialed the number.

He picked up on the second ring, "Hello?"

"Hi, it's me." I said.

I could almost hear him smile over the phone, "Good afternoon Miss Swan," he chuckled, "How are you today?"

"I'm good, how are you?" I asked.

"Uh, tired, I've been up since four. There was a problem with one of my bars and I've been down here doing damage control since. I can't wait to get home and go to bed." He said.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Some jackass started a huge barfight. Everyone got involved and trashed the place. It took the police forever to sort it out, but, by then, my bar was already messed up." He sighed.

"Oh, I'm sorry. That sounds awful. What are you going to do?" I asked.

"I've been on and off with the insurance company, talking to my bartenders and the waitresses. It's been one big mess. I'll have to shut down for a couple weeks to get everything in order. But, I'm going to have to enforce stricter rules. Get more bouncers probably."

"I'm sorry, that sounds really bad. Is there anything I can do to help?" I asked.

"You're so sweet. You know what will help?" He said.

"What?"

"Our second date. I had a place in mind, somewhere that's a lot of fun, that I'm sure you'd love." He said.

I smiled, "Are you keeping it a secret?" I asked.

"Yes I am. But, we'll have so much fun," he said, "Does it make you too nervous not knowing?"

"No, no, it's okay. I'm sure I'll love it. What time were you thinking?" I asked.

"How about this Tuesday, at 12:00. I'll pick you up." He said.

"Okay, sounds good, I'll be ready by then!" I said happily.

12:00

I didn't know where we were going, he didn't say to get dressed up. So, I decided on my usual jeans and a T'shirt outfit. I didn't look sloppy though.

I was waiting on the sidewalk when he pulled up.

"Hi, Bella," he smiled, kissing my cheek, "Ready?"

I nodded eagerly, "I am."

I slide into his SUV, smiling as he got in beside me. He looked over at me and smiled.

"So, where are we going?" I asked.

His smile widened, "It's a place I think, well, I hope you like," he said.

"The anticipation is killing me, where are we going?" I asked.

"You'll find out in thirty-something minutes." He chuckled.

I snorted, "Ugh, okay."

He laughed, "So impatient, you'll like it though. I've never met anyone who doesn't like this place."

"Ugh, stop it!" I laughed, "You're teasing me on purpose. That's not nice."

His smile widened, "Oh, I'll stop."

I watched everything pass as we drove down to where the ocean side of Seattle was. I continued to guess in my head where he was possibly taking me.

When we pulled into a large building, I looked up to see where we were.

"The aquarium?" I smiled.

He looked over to me and smiled, "Yep, the aquarium. You ready?"

We stepped out of the car. He walked around my side and looped his arm with mine. I hesitated for a moment, but, he didn't make a big deal about the contact. We walked to the entrance of the building; he had already bought tickets online so there was no waiting.

Once we entered the first exhibit, I began to lead him. Oooing, and awing at all the beautiful fish. Edward didn't seem to mind my stopping and gazing at the fish. It was all just so beautiful.

"Have you ever been here before?" He asked.

I shook my head, "No. I've only been to a few aquariums with my mom. I've been to the national aquarium in Baltimore. It was so amazing."

"Did you and your mom use to travel a lot?"

"Mmm hmm, as soon as my summer break would start, we'd be gone. Sometimes we wouldn't come home until the day before my school year started."

"Where would you guys travel?" He asked.

"All over. Anywhere the car would take us. We'd save up all year just to travel all across America," I smiled at the memory, "Do you travel?"

"I do, here and there. Not as much as you though," he smiled.

"Where have you traveled?" I asked.

"The farthest I've ever traveled was on a ten cruise to the Bahamas, Cozumel, and Haiti with my family. It was after I graduated college." He said.

"That sounds amazing. Did you guys have a good time?" I asked.

He nodded enthusiastically, "It was the best time of my life. 'Course, I was pretty smashed most of the time. But, it was truly amazing. We did all sorts of things."

I smiled as we entered the touch tank room. I reached over the tank, letting my fingers stroke the stingrays. Edward was apprehensive, his hand jerking back every time one of them would drift to close.

I couldn't help but laugh, "Why are you so scared?"

He made a face, "I'm not scared, I'm cautious. These things killed Steve Erwin. They feel so slimy."

I snorted, "They're not so bad. They feel cool."

He smiled as he watched me pet the stingrays. His face unreadable. I finally broke under his gaze.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing," he smiled and blushed, "I just… think you're really beautiful."

I blushed and laughed nervously, "Uh, thanks."

We stood and walked to the next room. His hand found mine and our fingers looped through one another. I smiled to myself, loving the feeling of his hand in mine.

"This is my favorite room." He said as we entered the jellyfish section.

"Why?" I asked.

"I love jellyfish," he smiled, "They've always been my favorite animal. They're so cool."

I nodded, "They are cool. They look like little plastic bags, but, really, they can be the deadliest animal in the ocean."

"Yeah," he smiled.

I put my hand against one of the tall glass tanks holding the jellyfish. The room was so pleasantly quiet, the lighting low. The room was so calming.

At the end of the aquarium, we sat on a bench near the water, watching the water. We were sitting close, my head practically leaning on his shoulder.

"Have you given any thought to working in one of my businesses?" He asked.

"I thought the restaurant sounded cool," I said, "But, I feel like if you get me a job, I'll be using you."

He snorted, "No, don't think that. Don't ever think that," he said, "You're too kind to use anybody for your own benefit. I'll call the manager of my restaurant. I'll set an interview up and you can go in."

"I don't have a resume or anything."

He placed his arm around my shoulders, "You don't need it. Trust me, the interview is just for shits and giggles. You'll get the job," he smiled down at me, "That is if you really do want it. I don't want to make you feel like I'm pressuring you."

I shook my head, "You're not pressuring me."

He nodded, "Good."

I snuggled closer to him, "You're a really, really nice guy."

"Well, I think you're a really, really nice girl." He said.

I looked up at him, "Thank you."

"For what?" He asked looking down.

I smiled, "For everything. You're one of the few people who've shown me kindness over the years. I never thought I'd meet someone, besides Alice, who's so selfless."

He smiled, "I'm only selfless to the people I really like. To everyone else I'm an uptight jerk."

"There's no way anyone would think you to be an uptight jerk. You're the nicest person ever."

He chuckled, "Well, thank you, I think you're a pretty amazing person yourself," he stroked my hair and looked back at the water, "I really, really like you." He said.

I bit my lip, "I-I like you too. A lot."

He smiled, "Honestly, I thought you wouldn't call me. When you told me about… your past, I just thought I'd never hear from you."

"You're the first person I ever told about that." I said, frowning.

"Let's not talk about that stuff now, we're having an amazing time. No need to ruin it with that asshole and his bitch."

I laughed, hearing him cuss for the first time was funny and slightly caught me off guard. He moved me closer to him and smiling wider. I bit my lip and closed my eyes, listening to his heartbeat. I couldn't ask for a more perfect moment.

This chapter probably wasn't very exciting, but, I hope I made it super cute. Leave me a review and let me know!