Chapter 12: Skinny Jeans

Edward's POV

"You tricked me!" I said as I approached Leah, hard at work the next morning, up high on a ladder, putting away stock, mainly paint and décor items that came off that day's truck.

"Excuse me?" She looked around in surprise, and then jumped down and landed gracefully in front of me.

"You could've just told me you wanted to spend the night with Alice," I teased and I followed her to the area where the rest of the stock she was putting away was located on aisle 7.

"Please, I didn't know she was going to come over and I most definitely prefer your company to hers. I just wanted you to spend time with your family, kill me if that's a crime!" She huffed as she grabbed three cans of paint so she could add them to her display in front. I grabbed her with one hand and held up the other with my fingers in the shape of a gun.

"Bang," I snickered as I touched the side of her head. She couldn't help but laugh at my antics.

"Edward, why are you pestering me at work? Don't you have better things to do with your day?" I knew she was only acting annoyed, she was smiling at me. I knew she liked the fact that I was here.

"Nope, this is all that's on my agenda for today." I leaned against her counter and she rolled her eyes at me.

"I have a boss you know, and she's not going like you just hanging around." Leah said as she bent over and grabbed some paint brushes to put behind her register.

"If you're boss comes out she'll be elated to see me. Almost as elated as that old guy is to see you in your skinny jeans!" I smirked because she cringed.

"Ew, Edo, don't be gross!" She pulled her shirt down which did nothing for covering her behind.

"I'm only being honest." I put an innocent look on my face. "Your fifty year old boss is perverse when it comes to her thoughts about me, and so is that old man when it comes to you!" I whispered. "He was thinking 'If I was ten years younger and I had one of those blue pills, I'd-'" Leah covered my mouth with her hand.

"Ewww! Shut up Edward!" She snickered.

"I bet you'll think twice about wearing those jeans again, huh?" I found myself helping stock her shelves, too.

"No, but I'll be sure never to ask you what you or anyone else is thinking." She started up the ladder again.

"Fine, so I'll ask the questions. What were you so busy talking to Alice about all night until this morning?" I didn't feel like I'd crossed any boundaries with my question; apparently Leah thought I had and she shot me a scowl to prove it.

"Just family stuff, no big deal. Alice isn't that bad, she kept trying to help me to see the bright side of things." She concentrated on the box that her supplies were in. She pulled out the last couple of brushes, set them down and began to break down the box.

"You could've talked to me about your family stuff." I murmured as I picked up and started to pick at the last couple of brushes.

"I know I could've but I didn't. What's the big deal Edward?" Leah frowned. "You don't have to be the only shoulder I lean on. It didn't really even feel like I was leaning on Alice either, we were just talking." She walked behind the counter to the register. "Long story short, don't smother me, Edward!" A few seconds later an older lady came to her register to check out. I truly believed that Leah's nose was better at predicting company than my ability to read minds.

"That will be 21 dollars Ms. June. How's your grandson?" She said as bagged the lady's decoration kit.

"He's good; he's been applying for jobs since he didn't get into college. He's planning to attend community college next summer." Leah nodded as she handed Ms. June the bag.

"That's good."

"So what about you, Miss Leelee?" Leah cringed at the old nickname. "When are you going to ditch this little town and start your life?" Leah knew that question was coming; she took a deep breath and got ready to deliver the answer she always gave.

"Ms. June, my mother would kill me if I left Forks. I know she's mad at me, but she doesn't want me leaving this town, let alone the state."

"But you're so smart, sweetie, not that I don't love seeing you every week. I just think that you're better than this." She patted Leah on the cheek. I could see her blush even from where I was.

"Thanks Ms. June, have a good day now." Leah said with extra cheerfulness as she practically ushered the woman out the door. The lady was right; Leah was better than working in an arts and crafts store, a girl with her intellect should be applying at any and every college in her area and moving if need be aspire to be greater. She talked about everything she wanted to see and do, but she was trapped by loyalty. Even though she didn't want to admit it, she was scared.

I followed as Leah walked slowly back to her department. The conversation with Ms. June had left her feeling drained. The old woman always had that affect on her. Leah mourned for the life she really wanted but felt she didn't deserved to have. She felt she was cursed. I didn't want her to entertain any more of those stupid thoughts so I tried to think of something to take her mind off of them.

"Don't you get a lunch break or something? I'm sure you're starved, you always are," I commented and she turned watery eyes my direction.

"Uh, yeah but I've got to wait ten more minutes until Ryan gets here." she said as she cleaned off her counter.

"Oh, another one that will be happy that you wore those jeans," I teased and she huffed a little chuckle.

"Ryan doesn't view me that way. Does he?" she asked and part of her seemed hopeful.

"It wouldn't matter if he did," I stated bluntly.

"Oh really, why is that?" She challenged, putting her hands on her hips.

"For two reasons really," I said as I leaned on her counter, "For one, he's too young for you." She scoffed and rolled her eyes at me.

"Edo, don't go there! How old is Bella again?" she snapped. I felt a jolt of pain and sadness at her mentioning Bella's name.

"She's eighteen," I answered and tried to cover my mood change.

"I'm sorry Edward, I didn't mean to…," she picked at her fingers as she tried to find a way to salvage the conversation, "what was your second reason?"

"Hmmm, oh it was that he doesn't really fit into our plans." Her eyes got big.

"Our plans?" She gawked at me in disbelief.

"Yes, our nights together, and even our days together, you really don't have any time for him. It's all monopolized by me," I teased.

"But Edward, you wouldn't…. I mean, you wouldn't have a problem with me dating, would you?" She asked the question carefully, so much so that I actually had to stop and visualize her on a date and how it would affect me. I know it shouldn't affect me, but I was very selfish about my time with Leah. I really wouldn't like Leah going out with Ryan or with anybody really.

"I don't see how you would have the time." I gave her my world famous gaze, hoping to make her swoon, however I've tried that before and it never seemed to work.

"I deserve to date, Edward, I deserve to have someone hot think… well, think I look sexy in my jeans." She smirked and her eyes sparkled. Her jeans, her whole body in general, weren't as captivating as her eyes.

"I know I'm kind of cold," I whispered, "but I agree you do look very, very appealing in your jeans, Miss Clearwater." I lowered my voice in an attempt to be seductive. I was supposed to be playing with her, but something about this action, being this close, within a whisper of her body made the air in the room become thick. She laughed off her nervousness. It made her uncomfortable too. She went back around the counter to create distant between us.

"Nice try, Edo. But no matter how much you flatter me it won't stop me from dating… if I want to."

"Do you?" I asked, she shrugged, rolled her eyes, and ran her fingers through her hair.

"This is not that sort of conversation I want to have at work!" She was right, it was really unprofessional.

"Fine. Ryan is here, get ready for lunch!" Seconds later Ryan walked over towards us. Once the two of them exchanged their pleasantries we were out the door for the next hour. Now that we'd opened this conversation, I was more than curious if Leah was ready to move on. I wanted to know how she knew she was sure and what she was looking for. I was also worried; if Leah were to start seriously dating, how and where would I fit into her life?