I could see the diner up about a block ahead and I could only let out a groan as I pushed down on the throttle to go through a yellow light. I slowed down for my turn and pulled into a spot in front of the restaurant. A pretty red convertible was in the lot and I saw a few of the cooks out looking at it. Rolling my eyes I pulled off my helmet and shook out my hair.
"Hey Bells…You see this one before?" The voice was from Embry, the head cook. I flashed him a grin, trying to take all of his 6'7 tan body of a god. His cream colored sleeveless tank not helping to conceal his form.
"Only in movies Embry!" I waved and clamored off the bike with a laugh, all the while praying he didn't notice I'd spent an extra minute appreciating his body. I left the helmet on the seat and approached the car, feeling the blush creep into my cheeks. I did a quick walk around the car before meeting him on the back side.
"Isn't it pretty Bells?" His gaze lingered on my slender form and I sudden felt very aware of how tight my jeans were, but that's what made them so good for motorcycles.
"Gorgeous Em, where's Jake?" His grin faltered slightly and my stomach tightened with regret.
"Inside." I gave Embry a last wave and headed into the diner's back door. The diner was busy and the kitchen was bustling. I felt a large hand on my back urging me forward and I skirted the side. Glancing back, I saw Embry eyeing my longingly and I gave him my most disapproving look with a quick throat clear. I might think Embry was good looking, but that was as far as my attraction for him went. He gave a lazy shrug and started to bark out his orders to his under chiefs. I pushed my way out onto the floor and stood against the back wall looking for Jake. Which you would think that it would be easy. Jake is around 7 feet tall, well-built and frequently glowing in joy. I scanned the restaurant a time or two before actually seeing him. He stood up from the crouch he'd been in, like he always does when taking an order, and glanced my way. It took Jake a second to register that he'd seen me because half way through a sentence with the customer a huge grin spread across his face and he let his eyes flick over to me again. Jake finished up and headed my way as fast as he could.
"Hey beautiful, what's up?" His smile caught and I returned it just as easily.
"Not much. You're kinda cute yourself. When do you get off work?" Jake's laugh filled the room as he glanced back at the clock on the wall.
"I think as soon as I finish up with this last table. Wanna wait? I know the perfect place and we can get to know each other… better." He let his eyes drop down and travel back up my body, I snorted a laugh and pushed into Jake's shoulder jokingly.
"Whatever you say kiddo. Hurry up though." Something passed behind Jake's eyes and his smile faltered. I tilted my head in a questioning manner but he shook his head at me.
"Got it Bells. I'll hurry up." Jake walked away, and as I watched I noticed something in his motion was off. I felt bad but when our joking turned into serious relationship talk; I always reminded him of our age difference. Two years older than Jake made me very cautious, despite his constant protests. Jake made me feel very comfortable and I loved having him around, but lately our friendship boundaries had been meshing a lot. I slid up onto a stool at the counter and settled back, watching the people go by. It was a game I had always played with a friend back in Arizona. Whoever caught my eye had a life story, and it was up to me to give it to them. It also usually helped keep my mind off the Jacob situation. I got so enthralled with playing that I didn't notice when the seat next to me became occupied.
"You know, someone might be offended if they thought you were starring." The voice was faintly familiar but still I jumped. The man beside me was the one from the other day. I gave him a weak, shy smile that he was quick to return.
"I was wondering how your leg was, since you didn't show up at the hospital for me to check it?" His face was stoic and he seemed to have an old movie look to him. He could've given James Dean a run for his money. I glanced back to see if Jacob was coming, but again he was no where insight.
"My leg is fine. Some bruising, but nothing too bad. Thanks for asking?" I threw a look back over my shoulder, wondering where Jake was and why he was taking so long.
"Looking for your boyfriend?" I jerked around to face him, my eyebrows raised.
"Boyfriend?"
"Yeah, the tall Indian fellow from the other night?" He leaned forward, almost like he was anxious for the answer. All I did was let out a laugh.
"Jake's my roommate and best friend." A smile spread across his face, and I couldn't help but admire the beauty that it brought to his face.
"So I would be in the clear, I dunno, if I asked you to go out sometime?" My jaw dropped in response and I blinked a few times before stammering.
"ME?!" He chuckled and leaned in closer.
"If I tell you something, promise not to be creeped out?"
"No." I was getting my composure back and some girlish part of me decided to flip my hair back. "But I'll promise to try, does that work?" The man's smile grew even bigger and his green eyes glittered. He was extremely attractive, and I let myself take a deep breath. The smell of his aftershave swirled toward me and I caught myself leaning even closer to breath it in.
"It works well enough for me. I can't stop…"
"Kay Bells, I'm ready to… Oh hey Edward, didn't see you there." Jake stood in front of us and my stomach plummeted. I felt the guilt swelling up inside of me, and looking at Jake brought my growing infatuation to an abrupt halt. I gave Jake an apologetic smile and stood up.
"I better be going. It was nice talking to you again," I hesitated before adding. "Edward." All the while wondering how Jacob knew his name. The crest-fallen look on Edward's face pained me. Who would've thought that someone who had such an amazing smile on his face could look so sad? I turned away and followed Jacob to the door.
"Hey, Bella?" I turned back surprised that he had remembered my name. He got up off his stool and approached me slowly, cautious almost. He held out a notebook and taking it, I realized it was my own.
"Oh wow, thanks. I would have missed this in the morning." Edward nodded and looked back up at me.
"I, uh, I put my number on the inside. I meant what I said, I really would like to go out with you sometime." He said this in almost a whisper, and for a minute I thought maybe he knew about Jacob, but alas he looked over his shoulder at the group Jacob had been finishing up with. They were all staring at us and there was a girl with short hair making her way over to us. She was studying me severely with green eyes that rivaled Edward's. Jacob's hand closed around mine and I let him tug me a little ways towards the door. I was still in a little bit of a shock, but I looked back at Edward one last time to see him talking to the girl who had approached us.
"Hey Edward?" I didn't mean to sound so unsure of myself, but this whole situation made me feel twisted and confused. Edward looked my way hopefully, but the expression was quickly replaced with one of his classic, stoic looks.
"Thanks, I really did need this." I held the notebook in my hands up before turning back to Jacob. Once outside, Jake turned on me and held out his hand expectantly.
"You mind if I drive Bella?" Something in Jake's voice was off and it took me a minute to figure out what it was. He knew that I'd been flirting and it hurt him. Jake just didn't want me to know it. I flashed him my best smile and thrust the keys into his palm.
"You know I always feel safer when you drive Jake. That guy has me all confused. Don't know why he'd bother talking to me, it was weird right?" Jake rolled his shoulders and it was almost like you could see his worry rolling down his back and off his mind.
"Totally weird. If you want I can tell him to back off you?" I looked up at Jake, and just shook my head.
"No it's fine. I don't see any harm in him." Jake studied me a moment before settling himself onto the bike and helping me on behind him.
"Just promise me that if he becomes a problem, you'll lemme know?" I smiled into Jake's back, inhaling the woodsy smell of his jacket.
"Of course Jacob, I tell you everything." I could sense his smile as he eased onto the interstate. I held on tighter, letting my mind wander over the number in my notebook and the gorgeous man it belonged to.