Chapter Five

I had never before felt like this, like some lowly stalker. But as I worked up my nerve to actually go in, I sat inside my car and watched the diner through the driver side window. All that needed to happen now was for the paparazzi to find me. Sighing, I focused on the figure stepping into the diner. It looked like a guy, but these days you never know. I watched Bella's back straightened and as she stood to face the door. The tall blonde stopped pushing the mop and Bella said something. With a mental groan I laid my head on the steering wheel. I had watched Jake leave and now I was spying on just her. Okay, technically I had been spying on her for the last few hours, but I can't remember ever having a crush of this magnitude. I mean, seriously. I have no problem talking to fans or reporters or pretty much anybody and then there was Bella. Bella had my stomach in knots just thinking about going up and talking. Actually doing so, I couldn't even imagine. I tilted my head, leaving it on the wheel, to look in the diner again. This time it was just the blonde lady, moving around and cleaning. Bella and the mystery man had disappeared. I swore at the wheel and moved to open the door, then stopped. If Bella saw me, or if anyone saw me for that matter, there would be a lot of issues; and while I was willing to feel like a stalker, I sure as hell wasn't ready to let anyone else know that. I looked into my review mirror and caught two people moving down the street. Cursing again, I slammed a fist into the wheel. My car would probably eject me if it could right now. I kept my eyes on the couple and they stopped a few buildings down. They were talking adamantly. The shortest of the pair, presumably Bella, looked up this way. I followed her sight to the tall blonde standing outside the diner door. She appeared to be locking up. She and Bella were yelling back and forth and Bella gave her a dismissive wave. The blonde shrugged and started to walk towards her car. Bella was talking to the man again and this time the man leaned closer, his arm blocking her face. Frustration raced through me. Who the hell is this guy? What are they so obdurately discussing? Bella pushed him away and headed back up the street. The man called out to her and she glared back over her shoulder. I quickly rolled down my window an inch.

"Dammit Mike, I told you not to come here!"

"Bella, you didn't give me any other option. We have to talk about it. Jess needs…"

"MIKE!" She turned around and threw her hands up in the air. "What more do you want from me? I send you all the money I can but I have to be able to live!"

"You know that we don't want the money, Bella. Jess needs you. She needs her…" Bella stormed forward and after a few moments of quieted arguing, the man left. She leaned against the wall and just stayed there a few minutes. My heart hammered against my ribs. She was just standing there, at two in the morning, like nothing bad would happen. Just when I was about to get out and go to her, she pushed off the wall and started walking back towards the diner. She passed me slowly and kept going. I looked back at the parking lot to search for her car. The lot was empty and she was rounding the corner. I started my car and pulled out of my spot. Okay yeah, I had reached stalker potential but it wasn't like I was going to do anything.
She got about four blocks before anything happened. I was pretty impressed she got that far, but I wasn't too impressed with the group of guys that came out of the alley behind her. They were very intoxicated. They began cat calling out to her but Bella just kept walking. She didn't pick up her pace, just kept on going like nothing was going to happen. The guys faltered and then after a moment of hesitation, they began to follow her. Now Bella picked up her pace, and I gunned the engine. So much for low profile.
I pulled up next to her and rolled down my window.

"Hey Bella," She jerked her head over at me and her hand went up. She had her fingers wrapped around something. "Hey, it's just me." I flipped on the car light and waited for her to recognize me. It took a minute longer then I hoped but she sighed once she realized it.

"Edward, what in the hell are you doing out this late?" Following you would have been the honest answer, but given the circumstance I replied with.

"I couldn't sleep and decided to go for a drive. I saw you walking and figured I would offer you a ride." I glanced back at the guys who had stopped and were watching our interaction. Bella caught my drift but she was still skeptical. She didn't know me. I reached into my center console and handed out my cell phone to her.

"At least call someone and let them know you are with me or have them come get you." She simply stared blankly at my hand. "Bella, please." She looked up at me and then back at the group of guys. As if she was on fast-forward she snatched the phone from me and hurried around the front of the vehicle. She slid in slowly, and I flipped off the light and put the car in drive. She buckled herself in and then looked at me as I pulled out.

"Thank you." Her voice was soft and she wasn't looking at me. I gave Bella a smile and a slow blush crept to her cheeks. She set the phone into the cup holder, keeping her hands away from me.

"You aren't going to call anyone?" This surprised me. Most girls would jump at the chance of extra precaution.

"No. I trust you." She looked at me sideways, her dark hair falling over her shoulder from her pony tail.

"Why? You barely know me." Bella just shrugged, turning her attention out her window. I tried a different route. "Where can I take you?" Bella just smiled at me.

"Uh, I live about two more miles from here. Take a right up ahead." I looked over at her. She was tiny. Bella had probably walked about half a mile from the diner and she had planned to walk another two?

"Do you do this often?" My voice must have sounded gruff, because she shot me a look.

"Do what?" She looked confused.

"Oh I don't know. Walk almost three blocks home at two a.m. Take rides with almost complete strangers, not let anyone know where you are and I am sure that is just the beginning of the list." My breathing was heavy, and I couldn't remember the last time I was this angry. "You just don't strike me as naïve." Bella looked straight at me again. Her eyes were misty and a stray tear trailed down her cheek.

"Drop me off at the corner up there." She didn't bother looking at me. Guilt ate at me and I felt like a huge jerk.

"Look Bella, I'm sorry. I just don't understand why you would put yourself in a situation like that. I mean you are a pretty girl and most girls…"

"Edward, please. I truly appreciate your generosity, but it has been a really rough night and I wasn't thinking. I don't do this often. Now if you will just do me a favor and drop me off at this corner, I really would like to walk the rest of the way home."

"Bella, I…" She looked at me and smiled. I felt my hand reach out to touch her and she moved away. I slowed the car and pulled up to the corner. "I really…" She held a hand up.

"Look I appreciate the ride." Pushing open the door, Bella climbed out and looked over her shoulder. "I'll see you around." I felt really bad for yelling at her, but that wasn't what made me do what I did next. It was probably the tug on my heart when I watched her walk away. I opened my door and stood up.

"BELLA!" She stopped and turned back, her face hidden in shadows. "Bella, I'd really like our next meeting to be planned." She cocked her head at me.

"I work most lunch to dinner shifts."

"No, I didn't mean…" Stammering idiot. "I meant, outside of work." My heart hammered in my chest. "Like a date." Bella took a step forward and the street light rained down on her face. She was beautiful.

"A date?"

"Yeah, food and entertainment. Just the two of us." Bella bit her lip, and studied me, contemplating the idea.

"Weren't you just lecturing me on safety?" My heart plummeted. "I mean, you're right. I hardly know you and I need to be smarter about things like walking home and strange men." A door slammed down the street and both of us looked towards it. "I have to go." She moved down the street a little farther.

"Bella!" She waved over her shoulder and kept going.

"BELLA?! BELLA THAT YOU?" A voice boomed from somewhere down the street. I watched Bella start to jog as she disappeared. "BELLA?"
"It's okay, I'm here. I'm fine." Bella's voice was gentle, soothing. It reminded me of my mother.

"WHAT THE HELL!? DID YOU WALK?" The man was angry and rightfully so.

"No need to yell. I took a cab. Had the man drop me off at the corner." Bella was a terrible liar.

"I have been worried sick, Bella."

"I know Jake. I'm sorry. I have to go get the money from my room. The driver is waiting." I heard Bella move past him. She was going to come back.

"No Bella, I'll get it. I'm just happy you took a cab for once and didn't try to walk again." My blood ran cold. Bella had a reason to lie and I didn't know what Jacob would do if he saw me.

"Jake, no. If you pay for it I will make it my priority to walk home every night." Her voice was firm and I could tell this was an honest threat.

"Bella…"

"No Jake. Now come inside." I heard footsteps and I waited a few minutes. Bella came into light, continually checking over her shoulder. She came up to the car and thrust her hand out over the roof. I simply looked at it and the wad of cash she held out to me.

"Take it. Please."

"Bella, no." She looked so desperate.

"Edward, come on." I shook my head and ducked down into my seat. "Edward." She pulled open the passenger door. "I owe you for the ride." She dropped the wad down in the seat and I grabbed at her hand.

"Go out with me." I looked deep into her eyes, wanting her to see how desperate I was. "Please, Bella."
She shook her head. "Please." My manly pride screamed in shame. I was begging.

"I work tomorrow. From one to close." Bella turned away. "What you do with that info, isn't up to me." She smiled back at me and I felt my heart lift. There was hope.