I still don't own the characters.

Chapter Two

Bella leaned on the counter, clicking her pen and staring aimlessly at the clock on the wall. Her shift would be over in fifteen minutes. It had been a slow day and it made the time go by painstakingly slow.

"Hey, Bella."

She turned and saw Mike walking towards her. She straightened up. "Hey, Mike. What's up?"

"I'm gonna close up early."

"Can we do that?"

"Bella, we've been slow all day long. I highly doubt we're gonna have a mad rush right now."

"You have the rain to blame for that."

"You can say that again." Mike hopped up to sit on the countertop beside her.

"Hey, I was just wondering. I, uh…I need your opinion on something."

"OK."

"Do you think Jessica would rather get flowers or candy?"

Bella looked at him curiously. "Why do you ask?"

Mike smiled. "Don't you know what tomorrow is?"

She thought for a second and then it hit her. Tomorrow was February fourteenth. "Valentine's day," she said.

"Yup yup," Mike said. "So, what do you think? Flowers or candy?"

"Hmm. I think for Jess, you might want to go with a stuffed animal."

"Oh, OK. Thanks."

"No problem."

"So," he said. "You and Cullen have any plans for tomorrow?"

Bella shrugged. "I'm not sure. Edward hasn't said anything about it."

"Well, I'm sure he's got something up his sleeve."

Bella turned to him. "What makes you say that?"

Mike shrugged. "He just seems like the type."

"And what type is that exactly?"

"The gentlemanly type. Holding doors open, paying for dates, those kinds of things."

Bella thought about it for a moment. She decided that Edward was quite a gentleman. He was proof that chivalry wasn't dead. Just undead.

"Speak of the devil," Mike said.

Bella turned to look out the window. Sure enough, Edward's silver Volvo was sitting outside.

"You go ahead," Mike said. "I'll close up."

"You're sure?"

"Yeah, I can handle it."

"Thanks, Mike." Bella proceeded to remove her work vest.

"No problem." Mike hopped down from the counter. "See ya later."

Bella swapped her work vest for her jacket. She grabbed her bag and headed for the door. Edward was waiting for her at the door, holding an umbrella.

"Thanks," Bella said.

Edward smiled. "No problem at all."

"I would ask how you knew I was getting out early, but I already know the answer."

"Alice's powers really do come in handy, don't they?"

They huddled together under the umbrella and walked to the car. Edward held it over Bella as she got into the car. Once they were both situated in the car, they shared a sweet kiss.

"Miss me?" Edward asked when the kiss parted.

Bella smiled. "I'm always happy to see you."

"I know."

Edward backed out of the parking spot and headed for Bella's house. He drove slower than he usually did because of the rain. They were both quite.

"So," Bella said at last. "What have you been up to today?"

Edward cracked a smile. He glanced over at her. "I can't tell you."

Bella frowned. She and Edward didn't keep secrets from each other. "Why not?"

"It's a surprise."

"Oh. And would this surprise have anything to do with it being Valentine's Day tomorrow?"

Edward shrugged. "Perhaps."

He was still smiling. Bella knew then that he was definitely planning something special for tomorrow. Score one for Mike.