Chapter Three: After Thoughts

Disclaimer: Hi my name is Anita. I wish I was Stephenie Meyer.

Thanks to those who reviewed chapter two and put up with my dodgy updates. (In order): angelluvu4eva, Twilighter-Emma, ilovejasper20, Jess – Loves forever, Emily-Serena (dot)C, penguinlover1901, Hawktalon(dot of(dot) Windclan, bbbff1996, klutzygirl34, TeaCullen, Lady Saruman, kdscutie, yay!(anon), Mineymai,TWIingTooHard, Paigeyx3Popcorn, and Now and Forever(anon).

Oh now I feel really guilty. 17 REVIEWS AND I MAKE YOU GUYS WAIT. Okay I'm slack.

EPOV

As I walked back across the street I turned my head to look back at Bella's -sigh- restaurant. I didn't see her through the window so she must have already gone back into the kitchen.

Bella has all the qualities I love in a woman. She's intelligent, kind, independent, stubborn, beautiful, trustworthy and humouress.

I laughed at that last point thinking about her slip up with the check. Was she honestly checking me out or was it a basic mistake which had no meaning?

For once in my life I was a tad confused. I hadn't come across someone like this before. Tanya didn't qualify. She was just plastic surgery on legs with an expensive handbag.

I needed some advice and I knew just the person to ask; Jacob Black. Jacob and I have been best friends since we were both freshman at Forks High in Forks under near constant rain. My dad used to joke about us being a pair of girls about how we confide in each other. But we're best friends.

I opened the door to the music store that I own; Piano Forte. Yes I know that 'Piano Forte' means piano but I'm a simple man and I play the piano.

One of the few employees I have was covering for me today as I needed to clean up my apartment before my parents come over for dinner. I gave up though and decided to have lunch... which was fortunate.

"Thank you Angela for coming in today. I didn't know my parents were coming until last night. Should check my answering machine more often," I said sheepishly. I really should.

"That's alright. I had no plans today. My fiancé is out of town on a business trip till Monday. Had to occupy myself of face the wrath of a friend 'helping' me plan my wedding."

I waited while Angela served a customer. "Ah I see. I'm just going to go head round the back to use the phone for a moment."

"You don't have to ask Mr. Cullen. It's your store."

"Yeah but still. Oh remember. Don't call me Mr. Cullen. Angela I've known you for four years when we met in college."

"Right. Tend to take work seriously," Angela replied.

"See you later Angela."

"You too Edward." She pronounced my name deliberately slow and laughed to herself. I smiled.

Once, in the back room amidst a few musical instruments, I found the phone extension I had in the on my office desk. Stupid me left my mobile phone at home on the charger. I dialled Jacob's number and waited until he picked up. He didn't until the twentieth ring.

"Hello?" he sounded puffed.

"What were you doing Jacob? Running around your TV?" I laughed.

"No. I was painting the bedroom. Nessa wants it some blue colour. Can't complain. Look's nice. Reminds me of that screwdriver we once used to pick the lock at Mike Newton's house."

Vanessa., or Nessa as Jacob calls her, is his college girlfriend. They have been going out now for almost three years and have FINALLY decided to move in together. Jacob's apartment was the biggest.

"Oh good times. I actually need some advice ... Lady advice," I said after pausing.

"Well I'm listening. Fire away." I could hear Jacob sit down on his 'favourite' chair to get comfortable.

"I went to this new restaurant that opened today and was served by the most breathtaking girl ever. Inside and out! In fact... she was the owner of the new restaurant... meaning she could actually have brains!" I coughed out Lauren Mallory after that bit. Lauren... had none and I was not being harsh. She asked me how to spell orange on our first and only date. Why did she need to know?

"That's brilliant. Been six months since you've been with Tanya. I'm so happy. My boy is finally finding newer, more intelligent fish out in the sea. Speaking of which, my dad came over this morning to show me this GIGANTIC fish he caught today. Man let me tell you that thing wa-"

I interrupted Jacob, "back to me here. I just don't know where to go next," I slumped into the chair in the corner and ran my fingers through my dishevelled hair. Note to self: Possibly get a haircut?

"Alright. This needs to be planned out in person. Meet me at the Starbucks near my place at four thirty," Jake said and then hung up.

"Alrighty," I said to myself as I put the phone back onto its cradle. Looking at my watch I saw it was almost three. Enough time to go home, have a shower and clean up the bit I had been procrastinating. I must be back by six to start attempting to cook dinner for my parents who will be at mine at seven. They're never late too. My mum is like the Queen of Being on Time. She doesn't believe in being fashionably late or whatnot.

I waved to Angela as I left. "Don't forget to close at five. No need to come in tomorrow. I'll be working," I said over my shoulder.

"Gotcha. Have a good night Edward."

"You too. Say hi to Ben for me when he returns tomorrow." with that I went out and closed the door to Piano Forte and began the eight minute walk back to my apartment.

BPOV

We never did make it to the Ice Creamery. Instead Rosalie had a bar of chocolate stashed away and we all shared and I told them of my 'experience' that day. We were interupted a fair bit though with one of us going out and serving people. Wow... it's still only the first day and my restaurant is bringing in the business. That or the word has spread about the the 'hot' staff and owner.

Now it was just after four and Alice dragged me to a Starbucks for a cool drink. Rosalie decided to stay back at the restaurant to show the other two waitresses, Jessica and Kate, around the restaurant and specific instructions I have. I trust Rosalie to shape them up.

"Bella you walk too slow!" Alice whined as we turned a corner and thankfully I saw the green Starbuck letters. Green... like Edward's eyes.

"Stop thinking about your 'smoking hot' customer and walk!"

"How do you know I was thinking about Edward?"

"You've got the dreamy eyes. You never had them when you met Laurent. I would know. I was there when you two met. Hell I introduced you and set you both up."

"Look how that turned out," I retorted back.

"Look I did not know that he had a very weird obsession with Hilary Duff!" Alice cried out and raised her arms in defeat, in which she dropped my hand from her tight, pixie grip.

"Oh bite me!" I said with a smile.

"No I rather bite Jasper," Alice smirked.

"Oh god... too much information!" I yelled.

"Well then. Let's order!" Alice said as we reached the counter inside Starbucks.

"Hi what would you like today?" the cashier, Eric, asked Alice and me. I didn't fail to notice the wink I got.

"I would like a grande Iced Caramel Macchiato," Alice said.

"And you Miss?" Eric turned to me and gave me a smile which caused me to shudder.

"I would just like a Chocolate crème Frappuccino," I said back. I always have the same one. My favourite. Just the chocolate fix I need at the moment. (A/N: Favourite Starbucks drink lol).

"With cream?" he asked.

"Yes," I replied.

"Make that two." I stiffened. Damn... I would be able to tell distinguish that velvet voice anywhere. Even in a crowded shopping mall.

A/N: Hope you all liked this chapter. I liked a few bits. Oh another cliffy. Given that my other story is just chapters of one shots together that kind of flow... I have a fetish for leaving cliff-hangers. It would mean a lot if you review.

IMPORTANT: All Fanfictions I read have Bella being friends with Jacob first. So I decided to different and have Edward be friends with him first. Do you like this idea? Hope I fit the characters in good. Oh Jessica will be an alright character in this story. No bitchiness.