Chapter 8

Dates

EPOV

When we got to the car, I opened the door for Bella and she looked at me funny. I brushed it off, and got into my side of the car. As I pulled out of the garage I looked at her and she was smiling at me. That's good right? I asked myself.

"What?" I asked her.

"You opened and held the door for me" she stated.

"Yes, is that a bad thing?" I asked back.

"No, it's just no one does that for me often. It felt kind of weird but in a good way," she said then looked at the road.

"Well, I hope you get used to it. So what would you want to do?" I asked her.

"You asked me to dinner and you have no plans?" She said to me pretending to be shocked.

"I wanted to do something you'd like so things won't be to awkward for you." I stated to her.

"Oh, since you put it that way. Maybe we could pick up something at D' Angelos then eat it in the park and maybe go for a walk. That's if you're not too tired," she said.

"That would be fine with me." I said and we made our way to get our food before heading to Boston Common.

After pulling out of her office parking lot I then made my way to D' Angelos on Stuart Street since we were to go to the Common after. We decided to half a Number 9 quesadilla and Chicken Cobb salad. Then I got a Honey Dijon chicken sandwich and she got a chicken Caesar wrap. We both had iced tea for our beverage.

We drove over to the park and found a bench to sit on while eating our dinner. When everything was set up we started eating in silence. After about 5 minutes I decided to break the ice. "So, how has your week been?" I asked her.

"Well, it's been trying but it's nothing unusual. Oh, I meant to thank you for sending someone to accompany me to the site. It was well appreciated but unnecessary," she answered me then took a bite of her wrap. Oh, I forgot about that, Mary was so nice about it.

"Well, I just wanted to make sure you were going to the right place. Mary was more than happy to go with you." I said picking up a quesadilla.

"Why did you not tell me you were a doctor?" she asked me. I thought of how to answer that.

"Well, I didn't think it was relevant to our meeting. Do you feel bad or offended that I didn't tell you I was a doctor?" I asked her.

"No, it's just another thing new to me. Usually people with titles will take every chance they can to let you know it. That was very humble of you." She explained. We finished our dinner in silence began cleaning up.

After we threw our trash in the bin she turned to me and said, "Are you still good for that walk? You look tired."

"Yeah, I was up early but it's no biggie. My morning shift did not have a heavy work load." I told her.

"Would you mind if we stop when we spot a coffee shop? I have recently developed an addiction to coffee after dinner." She said.

"That would be no problem. I could use a cup myself." I said to her. We just kept walking and found a Starbucks across the street and made our way there. We stepped in and went to line up. When we got to the counter the barista greeted us and asked for our orders. She got a tall caramel macchiato and I ordered a tall cafe Americano.

When she told us our total, I noticed Bella already had a bill in her hand. I grabbed her hand to stop her. "I got this. I did ask you out after all." I said. She pulled her hand from my grasp and handed the bill to the girl. She looked at me and said, "You paid for dinner. Let me get this one." At that point I couldn't argue anymore. So I just nodded. We got our drinks and headed back to the Common.

We started walking around really no plan on where we were headed. She caught me looking at her with a smile on my face. "Is there something on my face?" she asked me.

"No, why would you think that?" I answered.

"Well, you're staring. And since you have been so polite and gentlemanly I'm sure you're aware that it's not polite to stare." She said to me and looked away shyly.

"Yes, I am aware. I just find you attractive that's all. There's something about you that makes me want to get to know you more. I hope you will let me." I said to her with a hopeful look in my eye.

She stopped walking then and looked at me with wide eyes. When she got her bearings back she said to me, "Wow, no one has really said anything like that to me before. May I ask you a personal question?"

"Depends on the question. May I decide whether to answer or not after I hear it?" I asked of her.

"I guess that's fair enough." She said, so I nodded and gestured for her to continue. "Do you expect this to go somewhere?" she said motioning between us.

"Honestly, I hope it does. But I also want to take it slow. No rushing into anything. Just like a go with the flow sort of thing." I answered and she nodded. "May I ask why you asked that question?"

"Well, honestly, I'm not sure if I'm ready for another relationship. It's not like I have sworn off love. My past relationships just seemed to be rushed ones, though they lasted, and were good I want my next one to be well thought out, not just a spur of the moment decision." She replied, and at that moment I thought, Could she be on the same page as me?

"I believe that is a valid reason." I answered. We kept walking and talked about our childhoods. I found out she was an only child and was neighbors with Rose and Alice and they were best friends ever since. She loved reading classics, her favourite was Wuthering Heights, she liked to draw, and was fascinated with the architectural structures of Europe, so she chose architecture as a profession. She also prefers to stay home rather than go out.

I shared some of my past as well. I told her that Emmet, Jasper and I were really close. Jasper's dad was the younger brother of my father who worked with the WHO so he got to stay with us so he could have a proper education. His mother passed when he was 15 due to Leukaemia. His father is now based in Geneva but he opted to remain with us. I told her I play the piano and the guitar, and I also like reading, I have read the classics but I prefer non-fiction books. I left out that I compose music in the hopes of surprising her one day with my own work inspired by her.

"Edward, it's getting late. Would you mind if we start heading home? I do love the time we spent together but I don't think I'd be good company in a bit?" She turned to me, a shy smile on her face.

Though I did not want to let her leave, I could see in her eyes how tired she was. So I agreed and we made our way back to the car. I opened her door for her again then moved over to my side and got in the driver's seat. "Where do you live?" I asked her.

It took her a while to answer and when I turned to her I noticed her eyes were already falling. So I put a hand on her shoulder and shook her lightly. "Bella, can I get your address?" I asked again.

"Oh, I'm sorry. We live at 330 Beacon," she said.

"We?" I asked.

"Yes 'we' meaning me, Rose, and Alice." She said smiling.

"Oh, ok." I said then turned back to the road. It was about a ten minute drive but it seemed that she managed to fall asleep. So I tapped her shoulder gently. "Bella, we're here."

"Gosh, sorry about that. Thank you for a wonderful evening." She said then started to get out of the car. I grabbed her hand and she turned to me, looking puzzled. I got my thoughts together and said, "I had a good time, I hope we can do this again." Then I lifted her hand to my lips and kissed her knuckles and released her. I waited till she got into the building before I left.

When I saw she was safely inside, I pulled out of her building and made my way home.

BPOV

I got into my building and into the elevator. When the door closed I was alone with my thoughts. First he opens the car door for me then at the end of it all he takes and kisses my hand. Could someone like that really exist? And to top it all off, he was gorgeous and a doctor.

I got off at our floor and walked to our condo. I found Alice already bouncing on the couch and Rose making some tea in the kitchen. Before any of them could say something, I held up my hand and said, "Not tonight. Tomorrow, I'll tell you everything." And with that I went into my room, took off my clothes and fell onto the bed.

I woke the next morning, got into my bathroom to wash up, and then put on my robe. I went to the dining room to find bagels and croissants on the table along with a pot of coffee. Their up to something, I said to myself. Then Alice busted out of her room.

"Ok, Bella, tell me everything!" she said clapping her hands and bouncing up and down on the chair.

"Can we wait for Rose so I don't have to retell the story?" I said just as Rose stepped out of her room. "Wait to tell me what story?" she said.

"About Bella's date!" Alice replied excitedly.

"Oh, that story. Ok, Swan, Spill!" she said.

"Is this breakfast a bribe?" I asked them.

"Well, since you told us last night you would tell us the story today it's not." Alice said but she had a glint in her eye.

"You're planning something pixie! What is it? Tell me or I won't tell you my story." I said to her. Rose was just giggling at us.

"Humph! Ok fine, we're going on a triple date tonight!" she said grinning.

"And who may I ask will my date be? No one has asked me out for tonight." I said to her.

"Well, that depends on how your date went last night. So your turn to spill" she said to me.

"I think it went ok. We got dinner from D'Angelos then ate it in the park. Then we looked for a Starbucks, and walked around some more." I said.

"What did you talk about?" Alice asked, looking very interested.

"Well, we talked about our childhoods, hobbies, things like that." I paused deciding if I should share the "where this is leading" part.

"What else. I can see there's more. Quit editing Bella," Alice said impatiently.

"Ok, fine, I asked him if he thinks this will lead somewhere. He said he honestly, he hoped it would. Then I told him I'm not opposed to love and my want of going slow and he agreed and he seemed to have the same views. So it seems that we're on the same boat." I said.

"Oh, YEY! Then Edward is your date tonight," Alice said before biting into a bagel.

"What? He hasn't even asked me. And I'm not asking him," I said to her.

"He'll ask you, just wait." She said then pranced off to her room leaving Rose and I.

"What are you thinking Rose?" I asked her.

"Well, Bella, I think this guy is good for you. Just a gut feeling. But if he wants to take it slow like you, then it should be a good sign. I think you deserve to be happy after what Jacob did to you," Rose said.

"Thanks Rose. Let's just see how this will go. Come on, let's get ready for work." I said and we stood up. After getting ready I packed up the extra food and brought it with me to give to Angela, Ashley, and Melanie.

The morning was basically the same. I finalized the measurements on my drafts and checked what had to be done on other projects. At about 11:00 Angela called over the intercom, "Bella, Edward Cullen is on line three." Oh, I wonder why he's calling.

"Hello?" I picked up the receiver.

"Hi, Bella. Are you busy? I'm sorry to bother you at work," he said.

"Hi, no I'm not actually. What can I do for you?" I said.

"Well, the guys and Alice and Rose are going out tonight and I was wondering if you would want to go with me," he sounded a bit unsure.

"Well, Dr. Cullen, it seems my friends were positive that you would be inviting me. So yes, I would like very much to go with you" I said with a laugh.

"I think those four are trying to make sure we end up together. Ok, so I'll see you later. Will it be okay if I pick you up? Maybe around 7:30?" he said.

"Yes, that will be fine. But isn't that a bit early?" I said.

"Well, yes, but I thought maybe we could get dinner first then meet up with them at the club. If that is fine with you of course." He told me.

"That is fine with me. I'll see you at 7:30" I replied.

"Ok, it's a date. Oh, Bella, would you mind if I ask for your mobile number? It sounds funny but I didn't get to ask it from you last night," he said with a laugh.

"You could have asked it from Mary. But sure, my number is 555-3489. Just include your name when you send me a message" I informed him.

"Oh, I didn't think of that. Ok, I'll see you at 7:30," he said then put down the phone.

"What's with the smile? Was that Edward on the phone?" Alice asked, catching me off guard.

"If you must know, yes, that was Edward" I replied simply.

"So I take it you have a date." she stated with a wide grin.

"Yes, Alice I do." I said then she started jumping up and down again.

"Oh, we have to get you ready. What time is he coming?" she said. Well, when she looks like that better not argue with her.

"He's coming to get me at 7:30," I answered then she looked puzzled. "He wants to take me to dinner first," I added.

"Oh, that is so sweet, but gives us less time. So we have to leave here at exactly 5:00 pm. ROSE!" she shouted after she left my room. I hoped the time with Edward would make up for the torture I was about to endure.

As Alice had promised, she was dragging me out of the office at 5:00 p.m. When we got home she shooed me into the shower. I took a long bath and when I got out, my outfit for the night was laid out on my bed. It was a royal blue dress that fell just above the knee and she paired it with black sling-back shoes whose heels were about two and a half inches. I made a mental note to remind Edward of my clumsiness, especially when in heels.

She saw I was done and pulled me into her bathroom. She did my hair in curls then applied a little make-up. I guess Bella Barbie for tonight was not so bad. "Ok, you're done. Now go put on your dress" she told me. I looked at the clock and it was 7:10. As I was walking to my room I heard a knock on the door.

"I'll get it, no go change!" Alice said to me. I put on my attire for the night, and then checked myself in the mirror. I didn't look too bad. I gathered my things and made it to the living room. To my surprise Edward was seated on the couch chatting with Alice. "Oh, there she is" Alice squealed. Edward turned to look at me and I saw a smile creep up on his face. He then stood up and made his way to me.

He took my hand again and kissed it. "You look stunning tonight." He commented. I could feel a blush coming up. "Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself." I said, and he really didn't. He was wearing dark jeans and a white button-up with sleeves rolled up to his elbows. "Shall we?" he asked tugging slightly on my hand. "Yes, we shall. Bye Ali, thanks and we'll see you in a bit." I called out to her.

"Oh, you're welcome Bells. We'll see you at The Place." She said with a wave before retreating to her room.

Edward and I got into the elevator then walked up to his car. He again opened the door for me and I slid in to the passenger's seat then I watched him get into the driver's seat. This is when I remembered I did not tell him my apartment number. "Edward, how did you know my apartment number? You never asked me and I never told you." I asked him.

"Apparently Emmett knows, since he took Rosalie home last night. I took a chance to ask them first. If he or Jazz didn't then I would have asked you. Luckily for me he did, I wanted to surprise you., he said with a smile.

"Ok, then, where are we having dinner?" I grinned, a little excited.

"Are you ok with Japanese? Maybe Sakura-Bana? At least it's on the same street as the club so we can take our time eating," he suggested.

"Yes, that would be great." I said as he continued to drive. We parked the car and went to the restaurant. We had an assortment of sushi and sashimi. I also had a bowl of miso soup. Our conversation went around different college and graduate school stories, funny moments, as well as embarrassing ones. We just kept laughing and laughing. It felt so good just because he was so easy to talk to. My phone suddenly beeped in my bag and it was a message from Alice.

B- We're at the club already. Don't be too late. =) –A

"Edward, they're already at the club. Maybe we should get going before the pixie sends out a search party," I told him. He laughed at me and nodded. He settled the bill, took my hand and we headed out of the restaurant. We walked a few minutes and made it to the club. Edward did not bother with the line. He walked up to the bouncer, said something and we were welcomed in.

"You come here often?" I asked him as we deposited our coats.

"You could say that." Was all he said so I decided to let it go, for now. Edward pulled me towards the VIP area. There we found Rosalie and Alice with the guys. Rose was wearing a short, sea green, satin dress with a low neck line and black peep toe heels. Alice was wearing a one shoulder dress which was black at the bottom that faded to white on the way up with black sandals.

"Bella! You're here," Alice said in her usual hyper voice.

"Yup, we're here," I said. Then I felt Edward's breath in my ear. "Can I get you something to drink?" he asked.

I put my mouth to his ear and said "I'll have a Kamikaze." He nodded and made his way to the bar. He then returned with our drinks and we took a seat on one of the couches. We were making small talk when Emmett decided to do shots. We had about three rounds each and by that time I knew the alcohol was starting to get to me. I told Edward I was going to get some water, but being the gentleman that he wass he said that he would get it for me.

Rose and Alice were looking at me with smiles that rival ledthe Cheshire cat's in Alice in Wonderland. I just smiled back at them. Edward returned with my water and I took a big gulp. I turned to Edward and he was staring at me. So I told him to come close and I whispered in his ear, "It's not polite to stare." He just smiled at me and turned his mouth to my ear, "I can't really help it since you look incredibly beautiful tonight. And if you were thirsty you should have told me earlier."

I smiled back and I again brought my mouth to his ear, "The alcohol is starting to get to me. I always drink a lot of water when I feel like this." I said. He just smiled at me and nodded. Then I felt someone tugging on my arm. "Bella, let's dance," Alice said. Before I could protest she pulled me out of the chair as I grabbed Edward's wrist. Alice began to tug harder and I looked at Edward with pleading eyes. She let out a laugh and stood up making our way to the dance floor.

When we got to the dance floor, I faced him and put my arms around his neck and pulled myself up on tip toes to whisper in his ear, "I'm not too good at dancing especially in heels. I need someone to catch me if I fall." I I blushed stepping back down. I looked up at him and he nodded and smiled at me. He then bent down to talk in my ear, "Don't worry; I'll catch you if you fall. Would you like me to assist you?" he asked. I didn't know what I wanted so I just nodded yes.

He took my hands and put them on his shoulders, after which he put his hands on my hips. The song then changed to the remix version of Dangerous by Kardinal Official. I started to move my hips but I was a bit shy having Edward so close. I guess he noticed I was a bit tense cause he then whispered, "Just let it go Bella. It's just me". That was easy for him to say. But I tried my best to just enjoy the music and him. I imagined myself dancing in my shower to my favourite tunes. The next thing I knew, we changed position and I was straddling his thigh and one of his arms was wrapped around my waist pulling me a bit closer to him. He didn't seem to mind so I didn't either.

This was a good end of the week release, just enjoying the time with my friends. The song changed again and Edward turned me around so my back was to his chest. He put one arm around my waist then took one of my arms and brought it up and placed it behind his neck leaving his arm there as well. I placed my other arm over his that was around my waist. We just moved to the music and for some reason it felt right, like we were a perfect match. I had to admit I was starting to get turned on and I could feel so he was as well. I was glad we mentioned the going slow thing.

After another couple of songs, he released me and asked if I wanted a drink. I nodded and pulled him to the bar. I grabbed a stool and sat down and he stood behind me putting his hands on the bar, his arms were on my side as if protecting me from something. The bar tender came and I ordered a gin and tonic and a glass of water, he ordered a screwdriver. I then felt him push himself to me but I didn't mind it. I found myself leaning in to him.

Just as the bar tender gave us our drinks I felt someone pulling on my arm. It was Alice. "Bathroom, NOW!" she shouted over the music. I looked at Edward and excused myself making my way to the bathroom with Alice.

"What was that Isabella Marie?" She spat out at me but with a grin on her face. Before I could answer Rose entered and said "Are you guys already together and just refuse to tell us?" she asked. "No lying Swan!" Alice added poking me in the chest. They were looking at me, their eyes in slits waiting for my answer.

"No Rose, were not together, and what was what Ali?" I said to them.

"Don't play innocent Isabella! I saw you two dancing. It was short of dry humping," she said as she crossed her hands over her chest and started tapping her foot.

"Yeah Bells, I have never seen you like that. Not even with us in the apartment." Rose concurred.

"Well, he told me to just let go, so I did. I imagined dancing in the shower," I told then shrugging my shoulders.

"I guess I'll accept that... for now," Ali said and Rose just shook her head while smiling and we headed out to get back to the guys. We got back to the couches with the guys, had a couple more rounds then I decided to call it a night.

"Edward, I'm kind of getting tired. Would you mind if we leave?" I asked him over the music.

"No I don't mind." He said.

"Ok, let me just tell the girls." I said and went over to Alice. "We're going. I'm beat" I told her. And she just nodded. Apparently Rose went to the floor with Emmett so I tapped her on our way out. We grabbed out coats, Edward helped me into mine before putting his own on. When we were set we made our way to the car.

Once outside I grabbed his arm because I was a bit woozy. He seemed to notice. "Are you ok? Would you want me to carry you?" he asked me.

"I'm fine and no I can still walk I just have to hold on to you." I answered. We got to the car and he helped me inside. He got into the driver's seat and we made our way home.

"Can you get up to the apartment? Would you want me to help you?" he asked me once we reached the building.

"Yes, please."I said. He got out of the car and went over to my side and helped me out. We went into the building, and then got into the elevator. The elevator opened to our floor and we made our way to my door. I opened the door and stepped in, Edward followed.

I turned to him and said, "Thank you for tonight. I had a great time." He smiled back at me, "I had a good time too. We should do it again sometime." He said then kissed me on the forehead. I hugged him good night and saw him to the door. "Text me when you get home. Just so I know you made it home ok." I asked of him. He nodded with a smile then bade me good night and promised to text me tonight and call tomorrow. I went into my bathroom, brushed my teeth, pulled on my jammies then snuggled into my bed and fell asleep.