A Whole New World

Chapter 3: Forty-five Minutes

Bella's POV

I've never been so aware of a man's physical presence in my life. I felt a physical response in my body every time he shifted his weight, or moved his hands, like my body was responding to his without my permission or knowledge. I was so new to this kind of attraction. I'm seventeen years old, there have been a few boys I've been interested in at my school in Phoenix. I've had boys for friends and even gotten to the point of talking to a few on the phone, texting, walking to class but it seemed that since I didn't respond to their attentions by falling all over them, they soon seemed to forget about me and opted for someone who was a bit more, "overt and obvious" in dress and body language. But I've never felt this level of connection with someone, even after knowing them for a while.

"So, Isabella, did you leave a boyfriend behind in Arizona?" Paul asked. His fingers seem to tighten around the steering wheel as he waited for my reply.

"No" I said averting my eyes to look out the window, "I've never really had a boyfriend." Was it my imagination or did the level of tension just fall, and then rise back up again.

"Never, really!" Paul responded.

"Really, never." I answered feeling a little hurt. It's not like it's that uncommon. Is it?

As if he sensed my distress Paul rested his warm hand on mine, practically enveloping it. "Hey, I was just surprised because you're so beautiful I was sure you would have guys falling at your feet." He lifted his hand off of mine.

I searched around for a change of subject. "So how did you get roped in to fetching me from the airport? Draw the short straw or something?"

He chuckled, "No I just got really, really lucky." My friend Sam was around when Billy received Charlie's phone call, and Sam knew I didn't have any plans for the night, so he asked me."

"Well thank you, I really appreciate it. I hate standing around awkwardly like a little lost soul waiting to be picked up by one of my parents. It reminds me of being thirteen." I said.

"So, how old are you?" Paul asked.

"Seventeen, I'm a Junior. How old are you? " I figured if he asked so could I.

"I'm 19; I graduated from the High School on the Rez, last year. I was all set to go to Washington State, but then; well I got," he paused searching for the right word, "an opportunity, I was able to start my own business, and a house fell into my lap, so I wouldn't have to live at home with my Dad anymore, so I jumped on it."

"Did it hurt?" His eyes went big, liked I'd revealed some big secret. "When the house fell into your lap" I poked him with my elbow, "did it hurt?" I gave him a cheesy grin, hoping he would get my equally cheesy joke.

He paused and then he threw his had back and laughed and laughed, so hard that tears came. I wasn't sure why. I mean it was possibly chuckle worthy, but this was overkill.

We talked about a lot of other inconsequential things; and some more meaningful ones. I found out his truck was from his business doing landscaping, carpentry, and other handyman gigs in Forks and La Push. And that his cabin was a gift from his Grandfather when he became too old to live alone and left it to move in with one of his daughters. I found out that I want to know a lot more about Paul Lahote.

I decided I didn't want to leave that to chance. So as we pulled into Charlie's neighborhood I screwed up my courage and secured our next meeting. "So, Paul, I was thinking, that maybe you might want to come and have dinner with Charlie and I tomorrow. As a thank you, you know, for going to all this trouble for me." I looked everywhere but at him, mostly at my hands on my lap.

He pulled up to the last stop sign before Charlie's house and turned his whole body toward me. He took his right hand and softly brushed his knuckles down my check, resting a finger under my chin and gently lifted it until my eyes met his, "Isabella, no thanks are necessary, but I would be absolutely honored to share a meal with you and Charlie tomorrow. Just tell me the time and you can be sure I'll be there. I would really like the chance to get to know you better."

"Okay" I answered in a breathy tone that brought pink to my cheeks. "I, I'll just have to check with Charlie about the time." I soldiered on.

"Do you have a cell?" he asked. I nodded, pulling it out of my jacket pocket and handing it to him. I watched him put his number in and then call himself. He handed it back to me and saved my number on his phone, and then placed it back in his cup holder. "Call or text me with the details tomorrow, I'll be there sweet girl." He pulled away from the stop sign, soon we were in Charlie's driveway and he was digging my bags out the back of the truck.

Paul insisted on taking my bags into the house and up to me room, even though Charlie offered to take them. I followed him down the stairs on his way out, where Charlie met him with a hardy handshake, pat on the back, and words of thanks.

Just before Paul reached the front door he turned around searching for my eyes. Once he found them he said, "Goodnight, Isabella." And then he turned back around and went out the front door to his truck and I guess home for the night.

Charlie cleared his throat. I turned around and couldn't help but blush a bit. "So, I see you've made your first friend already, huh?"

"Yeah, Dad, Paul was really sweet to me. I invited him to join us for dinner tomorrow. What time should I have him come by?" I replied as my Dad pulled me in for the biggest hug I can remember receiving from him in a long time.

"I missed you Bells" he whispered in my hair, "I'm so glad you are finally home."