A/N: A great big thank you for all who read and reviewed the first chapter!! You guys really made my week. I hope you enjoy Chapter 2 just as much, because I am really having a blast writing this, even being home sick with two sick kids!! Even bigger thanks to my beta NeverHadDreams for being so sweet and checking up on me (you just really wanted to make sure I was going to get a chapter done, didn't you? LOL)

And once again, I own nothing of Twilight or it's characters (well, except the books and the poster of Edward on my bedroom door). Stephenie Meyer is a goddess, and when I grow up I want to be just like her.

Chapter 2 - Hearts on Fire

APOV

Jasper was making faces at me from his table at the back of the store, trying to make me break my concentration.

"Grande non-fat tazo chai," I called out, slipping a cardboard sleeve around the steaming cup as I placed it up on the counter and flashed the customer a smile. As soon as they had their drink in hand, I turned and stuck my tongue out at Jasper before returning to the front counter. Angela had just returned from her break, looping her apron over her head and tying it around her back before taking over as barista. A few things to tidy up for the end of my shift and I could head home with Jasper, who was quite deserving of some tickle torture after his stunts tonight.

The jingle of the door bell brought my attention back to the front counter where another customer was just coming in. He shivered from the cold, rubbing his hands on his upper arms and then clasping his bare hands and blowing on them as he approached the counter.

"Hi there, what can I get started for you this evening?" I asked politely.

"Alice?"

He caught me off guard at that, and I looked closely at him, trying to deduce if I knew him from somewhere. Cute, but no, I was sure I hadn't come across him before. My hesitation and questioning glare must have tipped him off, because he immediately continued.

"Sorry, I'm being rude. My name is Edward Masen. I'm a new firefighter and my training officer, Emmett McCarty, told me I could find Alice here."

I relaxed my glare only slightly at the mention of my older brother. "I'm Alice. What's my brother getting me involved in now?"

He looked immediately taken aback by my question. "Brother? He didn't mention that. Um, well, Emmett mentioned that you were roommates with Bella."

Huh. So that was it. Emmett was sending pretty boy over to pass inspection. I surveyed him up and down once more, appraising his physical features, noting that he was quite attractive, not really my type, but certain that he would peak Bella's interest. Emmett would be in a better position to judge his character, but if he had gone to the trouble to send him all the way down here, there must be something unique he sees in him, because Emmett knows the rule about firefighters. Heck, he made the rule about not dating firefighters! So why was he suddenly breaking his own rule?

"Well, Edward, tell you what. My shift is almost over, so why don't you order a hot drink to warm you up, and you can go introduce yourself to my boyfriend Jasper sitting back there," I gestured over my shoulder to the table at the back, "and I'll meet you boys in a few minutes." Good plan, I thought. Make him sweat a while with Jasper, while I called my scheming brother to find out exactly what kind of ruse he was plotting involving my best friend.

As soon as Edward had a drink in hand, I ducked into the back room and snapped up my cell phone, speed dialling my brother. I could hear him laughing in the background when he answered.

"This had better be good, Emmett. You know I don't like setting Bella up on blind dates." I started.

"Who said anything about a blind date? They already know each other," he replied. He continued to tell me about their awkward meeting at the bar earlier, and his take on Bella's reaction to pretty boy. "There was some serious weak-knee Bella happening, Alice. Swear to god!"

"Probably had more to to with you squeezing all the air out of the poor girl with your bear hugs, Em," I grumbled. "I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, but I'm not making any promises. If I don't get a good vibe from him, I'm stonewalling your probie."

With that, I flipped my cell phone shut and twirled on my heel back out into the store to find Jasper and Edward chuckling like old friends. Hmm, maybe Emmett was on to something.

BPOV

The light streaming in through the window woke me only seconds before Alice bounded down the hall and burst through my bedroom door. I didn't even open my eyes, and instead threw a pillow over my head and mumbled for her to go away.

"Bella! Look what was just delivered!" she squealed. "Although there's only 11 of them. Remind me not to use that florist."

Curiosity got the better of me and I peeked out from under the pillow to see a beautiful bouquet of matching roses, the same colour as the one I mysteriously found on my windshield the night before. I pointed to my nightstand, and Alice's eyes followed, then immediately lit up as she recognized the single rose that completed the dozen.

"Well, someone sure wants to get your attention. There's a card..." Her voice trailed off as she handed me the note sticking out from the bouquet.

Propping myself up on one elbow, I took the note from her outstretched hand as she continued to bounce up and down on my bed, her nose lingering in the delicate flowers, a sly smirk on her face.

"Lilac roses are thought to be almost mythical in nature,
symbolizing enchantment, desire and perhaps even love at first sight.

You have bewitched me, I am spellbound, captivated by your charms.
I am afraid to blink, lest you disappear into thin air.
Let me return the magic and sweep you off your feet. Dinner tonight? -Edward"

I felt dizzy, suddenly realizing that I was holding my breath again. I read the card over again and my eyes lingered over his name, signed so elegantly. Edward. My thoughts immediately flew back to last night, and I could practically feel the tingling in my fingers when he touched my hand, the intensity of those brilliant emerald green eyes as they lingered on mine. Throwing myself back against the pillow with my arm over my face, I couldn't help the mile-wide grin and the flush spreading across my cheeks. Excitement bubbled up inside me as I all but melted into the sheets at the thought of him. Alice squealed again at my reaction and I felt her bound back off the bed.

"I'm putting these in water. Little Bella has an admirer! We so need to go shopping..." she called over her shoulder as she headed down the hall to the kitchen, her voice tinkling like bells.

And then just as quickly, the excitement turned to worry and my stomach started to churn. What could possibly possess someone as handsome and charming as Edward to ask me out on a date, let alone send me a dozen of the most beautiful roses? What could he possibly see in me? I had no hope of pulling this off, convinced that my awkward clumsiness would have him seeing me for the bumbling idiot I truly was before we even got a chance to make it to whatever restaurant he was planning to take us too. Why even bother? I should just cut my losses and save myself the inevitable embarrassment. Sighing in resignation, I brought the pillow back up over my face and started working out just what excuse I could muster that would sound even remotely plausible. Mid-terms would probably do the trick, and then there was always work, going to visit Charlie, and starting my Christmas shopping even though it was only the end of October.

I barely felt the mattress sink with Alice's weight, tiny as she was.

"I know exactly what you're doing, missie. You are not going to back-pedal your way out of this one, Bella. You are a beautiful, intelligent, sexy, and more than deserving of any man, especially this Edward character. I am certainly not going to let you spoil a perfectly good opportunity to take you shopping for a stunning new outfit to dazzle him with!" And with that she proceeded to throw back the covers and practically dragged me out of bed. "You. Shower. Now." I caught a glimpse of the glare she gave me before literally pushing me toward the bathroom, and I knew there was no point in arguing. Once Alice had a shopping mission, she was locked on target.

Once I was showered and suitably dressed for the mall, Alice handed me the cordless phone and instructed me to call the fire station and accept Edward's dinner invitation so we could get on with the shopping. I stared at the phone in my hand, chewing on my bottom lip, until Alice started tapping her foot on the hardwood floor, hands on her hips, glaring at me with her eyebrows raised.

"Fine! Can I at least have some privacy?" I stammered. Another sly smirk from her as she turned back towards the kitchen, where I knew she would be eavesdropping on the whole conversation. Again my nerves took hold and I had to stop and start dialling a few times before I finally pressed the correct number keys. Someone picked up after the first ring.

"Headquarters, Emmett speaking." I let out a whoosh, silently thanking the gods that he answered.

"Hey Emmett, it's Bella."

"Bella darlin'! How are you on this fine morning?" he boomed, and continued without waiting for my answer. "What could you possibly be calling the firehouse for? To talk to...Edward, perhaps?" The cheshire grin on his face was forming a perfect picture in my mind, as his raucous laughter bellowed through the receiver.

"Um, yeah Emmett. Is he...is Edward there?" my voice came out in a squeak.

"Hold on a sec. I'll check." I could hear him cover the phone and his muffled yell across the station. "Yo, Edward! Your mom on the phone!" I rolled my eyes at his incessant teasing which was not making this any easier on me. "He'll be here in a minute, Bella."

"Great, thanks a million," I replied, my voice laced with sarcasm.

"And Bella?"

"Hmm?"

There was a pause on the other end before Emmett spoke quietly into the phone.

"If you tell anyone I said this, I will completely deny it and hug you 'til you can't breathe. Edward is a good guy, Bella, and I think you should really give him a chance, okay?"

Stunned silence on my part. I had no idea how to react to Emmett's proclamation. I don't think I had ever heard him say anything remotely like that to anyone before. Asking me to give a guy a chance? He was usually the one hulking over, delving out the evil glare at any guy brave enough to even talk to Alice or I. Maybe Rose was making him go soft, or maybe now that Alice and Jasper were practically engaged, he was letting his protective older brother instincts slack off. I was still shaking my head in amazement when I heard someone else fumble with the phone.

"Mom?" That smooth, velvet voice drifted in my ear and I almost dropped the phone.

"Uh, um, no. It's me...it's Bella," I stuttered, thankful that he couldn't see my face flushing.

"Oh! Bella! I was hoping you would call." He sounded slightly winded.

"Did I catch you at a bad time?"

"No, no, not at all. The boys were just introducing me to the '300' workout. You know, from the movie?"

A very ripped, bulging Gerard Butler in a skimpy half-toga flashed before my eyes, and I paused momentarily to enjoy it.

"Bella?" My thoughts instantly snapped back to Edward.

"Uh, yeah, I know the movie..." How lame was that answer, Bell? Get a grip!

"So, were you calling to accept my dinner invitation?" His voice was soft, yet confidant. Again I hesitated, doubting myself. I heard Alice clear her throat in the kitchen.

"Um, yes, sure. Dinner sounds great." I was practically chewing through my bottom lip now.

"Great! I get off shift at five, so why don't I pick you up around six?"

"Six is good." Yep, he would certainly be going over his mental list of qualities. Bumbling idiot...check.

"And Bella?" His voice dropped even lower. I felt myself sinking into the floor, my knees weak just hearing him say my name again.

"Yes?" I squeaked just as quietly.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing you again," he replied, and my heart did it's own little happy dance.

A/N: Starbucks Grande Non-Fat Tazo Chai is my winter drink. Lilac roses are my favorites (although no one has ever sent me any), and that really is what they mean...just check out teleflora dot com. And my 'boys' really do practice the '300' work-out...all I can say when listening to them describe the routine is OUCH!! But I couldn't resist the image of Gerard Butler...yummy!!! This will come into play in later chapters...the work-out, not Gerard! If you're interested in the work-out, I'm pretty sure you can google it. 'Cause I sure ain't doing it!!! I can barely get my lard butt on the Wii Fit, and it's in my living room!

Read and review. Please? Pretty please?? With sugar on top? Just like a Starbucks ginger molasses cookie (that I'm no longer allowed to eat thanks to those pesky New Year's resolution things...grrrr)