Ch. 3 (By gabby1017)

BPOV

Edward reaches for the door, allowing me to enter first. I read the sign that says 'sit anywhere' and lead us to a small table in the corner.

As we sit, a waitress approaches with her eyes down, furiously searching through her apron pocket. Producing a pad and pencil, she looks up and freezes. "Oh, my God."

Edward sighs.

"Miss, please, it's not what you think," I complain. "My boyfriend gets this all the time. He's not who you think he is."

"B-b-but?" she stutters.

Edward raises his eyebrows trying to hide his lopsided smirk.

Taking off my coat and easily showing the uniform, I continue, "Do you honestly think Edward Cullen would be having coffee with me? And look at his dirty jacket."

She hesitates, stares at Edward's stains, examines my ridiculous uniform, and shakes her head. "I'm sorry," she hisses. "He just looks so much like him."

I exhaust, rolling my eyes, "I know. It's so frustrating."

"What can I get the two of you?"

Following along, Edward picks up a menu and naturally drawls, "Well, sugar, may we have two hot chocolates with extra whipped cream?" He leans forward and pleads, "I have a hankering for grilled cheese and tomato soup. Of course, it's not your tomato soup, Baby, but it will hit the spot. You okay with that?"

I nod with a grin on my face.

"Good." He turns to the waitress. "Then later, we'll figure out something sweet." He broadly smiles and places the menu next to the napkin holder.

The waitress walks away.

"So, Edward Cullen wouldn't want to have coffee with you?" he snides.

I cup my hands over my mouth and nose, shaking my head and turning a lovely rose. "I wasn't thinking it just blurted out."

"Well, it was bloody brilliant," he says, reaching across the table and holding my chilled hands. "But ..." he quietly whispers. "Edward Cullen is in awe of you and is quite happy to have a meal with you."

I flame.

"That blush will send this man to his grave."

"I'm sorry."

"And your hands are like ice." He rubs his large hands over mine, gently massaging my palms and fingers. "Better?"

"Thank you."

"I best hold on. They still feel a little cold." He pulls my hands up to his lips and warmly breathes over them.

And I feel the tingle from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. I stare at his hands covering mine, and I sigh. I may go up in flames. And if this is death, then bring it on.

The waitress serves our hot chocolate with swirling mounds of whipped cream. "You two are so cute. I'll have your order in a few minutes."

Edward releases me and takes a sip as I wrap my fingers around the warm cup.

He places his drink on the saucer and gives me this radiant smile with a dab on white foam on his nose. I reach over with a napkin and wipe it clean.

"You're like a little boy."

"There are some things that you never want to grow up from."

"I suppose not."

"I am so terribly sorry about you losing your job."

"This is very nice of you," I choke while my eyes tear.

"I didn't mean to upset you."

"I'll just have to check out the want ads tomorrow."

"Well, answer me a question."

I sit straight. "Sure."

"Can you do freelance work?"

"I've done some small projects."

"What about designing a home?"

I giggle. "Well, I've not have that opportunity."

He leans forward, wrapping his hands over mine. "What if I give you one?"

I believe my pink cheeks just lost all of their color. "What are you saying?"

"I've wanted to build my own home for a very long time. I need a good architect."

The waitress carefully places the round tray on a side table and serves our meal. We both watch in silence as she announces, "If you need anything else, just let me know." She pats Edward on the shoulder. "Ha, Edward Cullen," she huffs.

Edward takes a large bite of his grilled cheese and smiles. "No, not as good as yours."

He makes me smile.

"So, how about you think about this and we have dinner tomorrow night."

"Are you asking me out on a date?"

"I thought I was being quite obvious."

"You don't have to do this."

"No, Bella, I don't have to do anything. Maybe, I want to."

"But the woman you were with?"

"My prissy assistant hired by my mother."

"And you're not dating Rosalie Hale?"

"No, she's dating my brother."

I smirk, biting my bottom lip. "I'd love to have dinner with you."

"And I know the perfect restaurant."

We finish our soup and sandwiches and share hot apple pie with vanilla ice cream. Edward calls for his driver, and he insists on taking me home. He even walks me to my door.

"Are we still on for tomorrow night?" he asks.

"For our first date?" I tease.

"Well, actually, I feel this has been our first date," he informs.

"I guess technically it is," I agree.

He leans down, tilting his head and kissing my cheek. "It's taking every bit of my resolve to be a gentleman."

I swallow.

"Pick you up at seven."

At six fifty-nine, there's a knock at my door. I open to find Edward dressed in a tapered black suit, red silk tie, and polished black loafers. He holds a bouquet of red roses and baby's breath in a clear, crystal vase. "You look lovely."

"This old thing?" Yeah, nothing like a simple black dress and high heels. "Thank you. You look great."

He fluffs it off. "I looked up the meaning of red roses."

"And what did you find?"

I fully open the door and Edward walks into my living room, places the vase on the coffee table, and picks out a single rose without thorns.

"There were quite a few meanings, but they suited my gesture."

"Which was?"

"Well, beauty, courage and respect ... Congratulations for job well done ... And others I would like to explore."

He hands me the rose.

A/N: Wishing you everything and more, Fran. Happy, Happy Birthday... Love you to pieces.