BPOV (by Sunshine1220)
I watch as Tanya stalks away from our table, a self-satisfied smirk on my face. When I turn back to Edward, he's smiling, shaking his head and chuckling.
"What?" I ask.
"Nothing, Bella. You just surprise me, that's all." He reaches across the table and takes my hand in his. "I've never met a woman quite like you, and I must say, it's very ... refreshing."
I duck my head, a shy smile on my face. I still can't quite grasp that a mere twenty-four hours ago I was but a lowly restaurant hostess, earning just enough to get by while I went to school at the Savannah College of Art and Design, and now I'm seated across from a famous Hollywood actor.
Last night, the moment Edward Cullen walked into this very dining room, it seemed the trajectory of my life took a slight turn. Who would have guessed, me, little Bella Swan from Bumfuck, Washington, would go from the one serving him his meal, well, attempting to anyway, to dining with him tonight?
Realizing I'm not used to the focus being on me, he shifts gears. "So, Bella, tell me more about yourself. Where are you from? What are you studying? You did say you were attending the school, yes?"
"I am," I say with a nod. "I'm studying architecture."
"Then it's quite lucky I'm in need of an architect," he says with a wink and his signature smirk.
"You were serious about that?" I ask skeptically.
"Very. It's the least I can do. I can't tell you how sorry I am about—."
I wave him off. "No, it wasn't your fault. If it hadn't been for Tanya ..." I shrug, not knowing what else there is to say.
"Well, whether directly responsible or not, I still feel dreadful about how it turned out."
I gently squeeze his hand still holding mine and offer him a smile. "I'd say it turned out okay in the end."
"I'd say you're right."
Our conversation moves on from there, exchanging stories of where we've been and where we'd like to be. Most of his large family is in England, living in the same family home in which he was raised. He dreams of working with this director or that actor, not for the accolades, but for the experience, to hone his craft. I'm from a small town and a small family, but I have big aspirations; dreams of designing sustainable, affordable housing, centered around community.
"So no giant skyscrapers with your name on a bronzed brick, then?" he asks with a smirk as he sips his wine.
"No," I say with a shake of my head. "I have no interest in making a name for myself."
"I'm afraid if you take me up on my offer to design my house that might not be possible. Surely people will show interest, especially if your designs are half as good as I suspect they are."
"That remains to be seen." I smile and play with the rim of my glass as he goes on to tell me about his short visit to this beautiful city.
He's only been in town since yesterday morning, taking in the sights when he can between the official business of promoting his new movie and his scheduled interviews and appearances during the annual film festival taking place this week.
The dim light of the restaurant gives a modicum of privacy, even though we've gotten the occasional, curious glance of a few other diners. The sun has long since set, so there's no light shining in from outside. It's cozy, and I find myself lost in the daydream that this encounter is more than a fleeting moment in my life; that there might be more to our serendipitous meeting.
I know he's said he wants me to design his home, but I won't hold him to it. So much can happen between now and then, managers, publicists, and the powers that be helping to guide his decisions.
"So is the history of the city what drew you to Savannah? Because I'm trying to work out how a girl from the Pacific Northwest ended up on the other side of the country for school." His query snaps me out of my trailing thoughts and brings me back to the present.
"Partly, yes. I mean, it's beautiful here, but it's also kind of magical."
"I've definitely got that impression since I've arrived," he says as Tanya comes to clear away our plates.
"Could I interest you in any dessert this evening?" she asks Edward without giving me so much as a glance.
He turns to me, a twinkle in his eye. "What would you suggest, beautiful Bella?"
I can feel my cheeks warm at his words, but I sit straight and look directly at Tanya. Her focus is still on Edward, but I clear my throat and speak in her direction. "We'll have the tiramisu and the panna cotta, please."
"Will that be all?" she asks Edward, still looking at only him.
With a huff he answers. "Yes, just as the lovely lady said."
Once again, she stomps off and I'm left wondering how Aro is allowing her to behave this way. He usually scolds the servers if they show even a little irritation with the customers, and she's being blatantly disrespectful.
"Don't let her get to you, Bella. It's not worth it."
I shake my head and turn back to Edward. "I'm sorry, I—"
"No, please don't apologize." Both his hands reach across the small tabletop to grasp mine. "Personally, I'm having a wonderful evening with a beautiful woman, so there's not much that could spoil it."
I give him a smile as he leans in, our lips mere inches away from one another, but before they touch, Tanya is back with our desserts and unceremoniously plops them down on the table; the tiramisu between Edward's elbows and the panna cotta between mine, hard enough that some of the fruit and balsamic sauce splashes off the plate and onto my cheek.
Edward catches the movement and his eyes widen in surprise. I'm not sure if he sees exactly when my crazy switch flips, but it happens in slow motion, and I'm doing all I can to keep it in check.
"What the hell is your problem?" I ask her as quietly as my anger will allow, letting go of Edward's hands and turning to face the bitch.
"Me? I don't have a problem, Swan." Her eyes narrow on me, and I know we need to leave before I do something I'm sure to regret.
"You know what? I think we'll walk over to Leopold's for some ice cream instead. Just bring the check." I dismiss her by turning my attention back to a slack-jawed Edward, but she just doesn't know when to quit.
"Will it be two checks?"
I'm on my feet before my brain can catch up, her ponytail in my grasp as I growl in her ear.
"You just don't know when to shut up, do you? It wasn't enough to humiliate me by tripping me last night, getting me fired, was it? No, you have to ruin one of the best evenings of my life with one of the greatest guys I've ever met by being a fantastic bitch."
Her hand reaches out and grabs for the water glass on the table, and before I can move away, she dumps its contents over my head. The icy liquid running down my back and my front makes me shriek, and all I can do is react. The panna cotta slides right off the plate; the fruity, syrupy sauce helping to glide the glob of gelatinous cream right into her hair. I use my now free hand to smash it into her golden locks.
Unfortunately for him, Edward chooses the moment Tanya reaches for his tiramisu to try and break up the mayhem, and it lands square on his chest. The three of us are covered in confections, and we've garnered an audience. Stunned, fellow diners have their cell phones out to snap pictures, and even a few onlookers have gathered outside the restaurant, now peering in through the windows from the sidewalk.
An angry Aro appears, and I know we're moments from being officially escorted from the premises.
"Ms. Swan, Ms. Denali, I think it's best if you left ... and didn't return," he says through gritted teeth before he turns to Edward. "Mr. Cullen, my apologies for—"
"Save it. While this is a lovely establishment with amazing food, you chose to employ this ... this dreadful woman," he says, motioning to Tanya. "And you chose to dismiss one who's only fault wasn't one of her own, which was the misfortune of working the same shift as this one." He eyes Tanya, disdain clear on his face.
Edward reaches into his pocket and withdraws a few bills and places them on the table before reaching for my hand and pulling me toward the door. The crowd that had gathered at the windows has dissipated, thank goodness, and his driver is there within moments to pick us up at the curb.
"I'm so sorry, Edward. I don't know what came over me, I just ... snapped."
"Hey," he says, his knuckles brushing against my cheek. "I had an amazing evening with an even more amazing woman, and I'll never forget it, as long as I live."
My eyes are trained on his chest as he holds me close, unable to meet his gaze. Then reality dawns on me. "Oh, no! Your suit! This was for the presentation of your award, wasn't it?"
He shrugs. "It's not important."
"Well," I say, swallowing down my nerves. "Maybe you'll come up and let me help you get cleaned off? Maybe grab a shower before you head back to your hotel?"
If I've only got tonight, I'm going to make it count.
...
A/N: To Fran ... You do so much for so many, and we love you for it! I hope we were able to bring a smile to your face with this little story. Enjoy your special day! Happy Birthday!