Chapter 5

Edward waved and let his arm drop back to his side as the cab pulled away from the curb. Foiled again. Why was it that each time he met this woman they never seemed to have enough time? He signed and turned to head back to where he'd parked, and then stopped in his tracks. She'd forgotten the ice-cream. A slow smile spread across his face as he headed back to the market. He was definitely going to call her now.

He took a leisurely drive home, and put away his purchases. After considering Bella's ice-cream for a moment, he put it inside a larger container and buried it at the back of the icebox. There was no guarantee that Emmett wouldn't find it, but it was worth a try. Picking up his cell phone, he began to scroll through to find her number, and then stopped. There was no telling just how serious things were with her parents. Perhaps he should give her some time.

The next hour was a slow hell. There was nothing on television worth watching (he knew, he'd scrolled through over a hundred channels on cable), and in desperation he finished signing the last of the Bitten publicity stills. The only problem was, each time he looked at a picture, it reminded him of the interview where he'd met Bella.

Finally he decided a reasonable amount of time had passed, and he dialled the number that Rosalie and Emmett had been tormenting him about all week. He leaned against the counter, waiting for the call to connect. As soon as he heard her voice he straightened up, pushing a hand into his pocket.

"Hi .. is that Bella?"

"Speaking,. What can I do for you?" She sounded wary.

"It's more about what I can do for you."

"Listen, if this is about insurance I'm already covered. Have a nice …"

"Wait, don't hang up! It's Edward." So much for being smooth, how the hell that line had ever worked for Emmett he'd never know.

"Edward?"

"Yeah."

"As in … Edward Cullen."

He couldn't help but laugh at her confusion. "Yeah, that'd be me last time I checked."

"Wow."

"Look, I was really sorry that you had to take off this morning, but you left your icecream behind at the store."

"Did I?" He could hear some rustling noises as she checked her shopping. "Oh holy snapping duckshit, you're absolutely right."

"What did you just say?"

"I said, why yes Edward, you're absolutely right."

"That's what I thought you said." He couldn't believe her lack of verbal filter, but it charmed him nonetheless. It was refreshing, if somewhat startling in its earthiness at times. He didn't realise how carefully people spoke around him until he'd met someone from the 'outside' world.

"Thanks for the heads up about the ice-cream, I'll head back to the store later to pick it up."

"Actually, I picked it up for you, and thought … god this is crazy, I feel like I'm back in high school! .. I thought that maybe we could bump into each other again soon so that I can deliver it to you." He wiped his hand against his thigh. His hands felt clammy. This really was like being back in high school.

"Really? Oh that would be … Hang on, I'm a bit confused though, how did you get my number?"

He hung his head and sighed. He knew the moment of truth had arrived.

"I kind of called in a couple of favours last week and got your number from the publicity department." He paused. "I actually wanted to call you a week ago."

"And you didn't?"

"I … uh …"

"It's okay," she laughed. "I'm teasing!"

"And you got me." He couldn't stop the relieved grin from appearing.

"So you really went through all those people to find me, and you've been walking around with my phone number for a few days?"

"Um, yeah."

"That's so …."

He laughed. "Stalkerish?"

"I guess that's one way of putting it. I was going to say it was really sweet of you to call."

"I think I like your version better." She didn't think it was weird. This conversation was going better than he'd hoped.

"No charge." Bella replied, echoing his comment from earlier that day.

"So, the ice-cream handover."

"Right, let's talk business."

"Where would you like it delivered?"

There was a pause while she considered options, and he bit his lip, waiting to see what she would suggest.

"Tell you what," she said slowly. "How about you bring it over at 7pm, and join my friends and I for a home cooked meal?"

"Serious?"

"Yeah, why not?"

"Well … that would be …" he paused. "Actually that would be great. Are you sure I'm not getting in the way of your plans?"

"Not at all, we've always got room for one more. How about you? I would've thought a hotshot star like yourself might be booked up."

Edward grabbed his planner that he kept on the bench and flicked it open. There were a couple of scribbled notes in there from his manager, but nothing that couldn't be moved.

"No I'm good. Are you sure your friends won't mind me tagging along?"

"Oh Edward, I know they won't mind. And they don't bite … it'll be a nice relaxing evening, just four of us."

"That sounds great." He replied, and he realised that he meant it.

"So, did everything get sorted out earlier?"

"You mean with my folks? Yes it did, thanks for asking. It turned out my mom as appendicitis so she's in surgery this afternoon."

"Oh I'm sorry to hear that."

"It could have been a lot worse that's for sure. I'm just glad she's being looked after." She laughed. "No doubt she'll be playing the sympathy card for maximum benefit, but Dad will fuss over her enough for me as well. I'll have to head over and see them soon."

" Do you see them very often?"

"Not as much as I should, my work takes me all over the place so I haven't had much of a home base for a few years now."

"I know the feeling." He replied dryly.

"Oh I bet you do, although you'd be doing it on a grander scale!"

"True, but the sense of dislocation is probably the same." He hesitated. "Listen I should probably let you get back to what you were doing, but how about you give me your address and I'll see you later tonight."

"You mean you didn't find that out too?" This time he could tell from her tone of voice that she was joking.

"I guess I'm newer to this stalking business than I thought."

The address was carefully noted down, and Edward hung up feeling elated and nervous all at once. Was this a date? It was hard to tell, but he was going to see her again, something he was going to make would keep happening.

Edward was making himself a snack in the kitchen later when Rosalie strolled into the kitchen and took a seat at the table, flicking idly through a magazine.

"You're whistling." She commented.

"Was I?"

"Yes." Rosalie tapped her fingernails on the table as she gave him an appraising stare. "You were."

"Huh" He shrugged and picked up a sandwich, offering it to Rosalie. "You want?"

"No, I'll get one later."

"m'kay" his reply was muffled as he took a big bite.

"You seem to have your appetite back too."

He stopped chewing and swallowed. "I wasn't aware that I'd lost it." He grinned. "Did I put it in a safe place for a while?"

"No-oo." Rosalie cocked her head. "But you certainly seem to have a bit more zing in your step," She narrowed her eyes. "have you called a certain someone?"

He tried to act casual. "Maybe."

"Ha!" Rosalie leaned forward. "And?"

"And what?"

Rosalie glared for a moment, leaning back in her chair. "Fine, if that's how you're going to be, I'll call in the big guns." Without breaking her gaze she pinched her thumb and forefinger between her lips and whistled. Edward winced at the noise.

"Sup babe?" Emmett appeared in the doorway.

Edward gave Rosalie an impressed glance. "You trained him to do that?"

"Don't change the subject."

Emmett sauntered in dropped a kiss on the top of Rosalie's head. "What have I missed?"

"Our boy here made a phone call." Rosalie made this announcement in a sing-song voice. Edward groaned. So they were going to start up again. Used to the spotlight of fame, he found the spotlight of family infinitely more uncomfortable.

"Finally, I thought he'd never do it." Emmett patted Rosalie's shoulder. "He's becoming a man."

"I know, he's growing up so fast." Rosalie pretended to wipe a proud tear from her eye.

"Oh shut up the pair of you."

"Maybe not that fast."

"So c'mon, how did it go?" Rosalie wasn't going to drop the subject anytime soon.

Edward sighed and gave them both a mock glare. "Is there any way I can get out of this conversation with my dignity intact?"

Rosalie and Emmett exchanged a glance, and Emmett pulled out a chair, sat down.

"No," said Rosalie briskly. "You might as well tell us everything and get it over and done with."

And so he did.

"You're shitting me. You've been moping around all week …" said Emmett in tones of disbelief.

"Em, I have not been moping! Rose, tell him I haven't been moping."

"Well I've seen you happier …"

"Hey c'mon, whose side are you on?"

"Yours Edward, you just haven't worked that out yet."

"Hey I'm talkin' here!" boomed Emmett. Rosalie and Edward stopped squabbling and looked at him. He sighed and continued. "So you've had her number all week because you couldn't grow a pair and call her, and then you manage to bump into her at the Market?" He shook his head. "You've got the luck of the Irish. What are you going to do now?"

"If I tell you do you two think you could back off for a while?"

They exchanged a glance. "It's possible," shrugged Rosalie, "but we couldn't possibly guarantee anything until we find out what's going on."

"Fine." Edward huffed, or tried to. He gave up and grinned at them. "I'm having dinner with her tonight."

"Really." Rosalie was still watching him with a considering gaze.

"Yes, really. Why, is there something wrong with that?"

"Well I thought you already had plans for a start."

"Nothing I can't cancel."

"Hmmm. And you don't know what she's written about you yet."

Edward paused. She had a point there. Still, he didn't get the impression that she'd write a hatchet piece. Over the years he'd gotten used to reading all manner of articles about his career, from the gushing fan articles to the outright libellous.

"I like her, I think she's the real deal."

"Really." She kept watching him.

"Really." He laughed. "Come on Rose, what's this about?"

"Check this out." Rosalie flipped a magazine onto the countertop.

"What?"

"Your girl's article is in there."

Edward glared at Rosalie, "She's not my girl" he replied as he flicked through the pages, adding a silent 'yet'.

Edward barely heard Rosalie's dismissal as he found and scanned the article. The accompanying pictures were more of the same, the usual publicity stills and various pictures purchased from TMZ. It was what had been written that captured his attention. He read the article quickly, then went back and began to slowly read it a second time.

"So … are we going to get to meet her soon? Seems to me that you're a bit keen on this one."

"Shhhh!" Edward replied. He was still occupied with the article, occasionally giving a quiet grunt of amusement at her turn of phrase. Bitten Then Smitten. He could just hear her saying it. He was completely absorbed.

So, Rosalie just sat and watched him as he read, and she got her answer.

o * o * o * o

After calling her parents and making sure Renee was alright before going into surgery, Bella had spent the afternoon relaxing around the apartment, and preparing for dinner. It was nearly 7pm, and she looked up from the cooktop to see Angela plumping pillows.

"Angela what are you doing?"

"Cleaning up."

"The place looks fine, stop worrying so much."

It was true. Bella cast a quick glance around the living room and nodded to herself with satisfaction. Angela had a style that both welcomed and relaxed. The furniture was comfortable, pictures and curios vied for wall space, and of course – because she was one of Bella's best friends after all – there were books everywhere.

Angela stopped plumping the cushion and set it down, considered it for a moment and then arranged it to her liking.

"How can you be so calm? We've got an internationally renowned star coming here, in my home, and you're just standing there …" she waved a hand at the saucepans, "cooking, like it's no big deal."

"If I put electrodes on your brain we could probably power Tokyo. Will you just relax? I'll be able to stay calm if you can stop yourself from having a meltdown."

Bella was about to stir one of the curries and realised she had just done so moments before. Great. Now she was starting to fidget. She pushed herself away from the kitchen leaned against the living room doorway, watching Angela fussing and muttering to herself.

"Is that what you're going to wear?"

Bella looked down as Angela gave her the once-over. She had on her favourite jeans, and her favourite t-shirt. It was periwinkle blue and had a white dragonflies pattern scattered across the front. Her feet were bare, and her hair hung loosely around her shoulders.

"What's wrong with it?"

"Nothing, you look kinda hot in a scruffy relaxed way, but … " Angela cocked her head. "I thought you would have gotten a little more dressed up?"

Bella laughed. "I told him it was dinner at home, and this is what I would normally wear."

"But … he's Edward Cullen!"

"I know Angela, and right now he's probably more nervous than we are."

"I knew I should have painted a feature wall." Angela was fretting as she fluttered around the living room, tweaking and rearranging. She checked the cd player and flicked on some music at a low volume level, then lit a stick of incense and stuck it into a holder.

"What time is Ben due over?"

Angela stopped in her tracks. "Shit. Ben."

"Precisely. Ben, you know, tall guy, love of your life. What time did he say he'd be here?"

"Soon."

Bella tapped the wooden spoon on the edge of one of the pots and set it down. She'd decided on an Indian curry theme and had made four dishes. Movie star dinner guest or not, they were going to have leftovers for days. She had always been one for over-catering.

"Did you tell him that Edward is coming as well?"

"Sure." Angela sighed. "What are the odds that I'd have the love of my life and the lust of my life in the same room at the same time?"

"Maybe it would help if you thought of Edward as being just an ordinary guy."

Angela's eyebrows went up in disbelief.

"Is that what works for you?"

Bella had to shrug at this. "Not at first, but it's getting easier. It's like he said, he's just a guy earning a living, and he just happens to get a lot of attention for what he does."

They both jumped slightly as there was a knock on the door, relaxing as the door was opened and Ben's smiling face appeared, spare key in hand.

"Hey guys, it smells fantastic in here!"

"Hey yourself." Replied Angela as she turned to him with a smile.

Ben wrapped his arms around her and gave her a long squeeze.

"Ohhh that's better. Work has been really hard today, but seeing my girl makes it all okay."

"Glad I could help" Angela's voice was muffled as she tucked her head under his chin and kissed his throat. The two of them stood wrapped in each other's arms, swaying slowly to the music. Bella smiled and started to stir the rice again, waving the wooden spoon at Ben in silent greeting as he looked over and winked at her.

"So who's your date tonight Bella?"

"Uh," Bella stuttered. She hadn't actually thought of it as a date. Was it a date?

"He's a guy I met through work. We bumped into each other this morning at the market, and I managed to leave my ice-cream behind." She shrugged. "He offered to drop it over, and I invited him to stay for dinner." She quickly replayed that in her mind. It seemed to work.

"Cool." Ben nodded in acceptance and turned to help himself to a beer in the refrigerator.

"What, no third degree?" Bella was surprised. That had seemed a little too easy.

"Nope, I'll leave that to my girl." This was said as he sidled up to Bella at the oven, and peered hopefully over her shoulder. He yelped and snatched his hand back as Bella swatted him away from the nahn bread.

"No snacking until dinner, you know the rules!"

There was a knock at the door, and Angela gave a quiet squeak that Bella quelled with a look.

"I'll get it."

She walked towards the door, wiping her palms on her jeans, and opened it to see Edward standing shyly on the front step. If Bella had thought he looked good before, he looked even better now. Soft jeans and a charcoal cotton shirt unbuttoned to show the column of his throat.

"Hey Edward, come on in."

"Thanks." He stepped inside and extended the ice-cream towards her. "I believe this is yours?"

"Oh thanks, I think you've just earned yourself Angela's undying gratitude because she's the one I bought it for."

"Ahhh so you're the connoisseur," Edward flashed a smile at Angela as she stood clutching Ben's arm for support. "Hi," he extended his hand. "I'm Edward."

"…" Angela opened and closed her mouth without making a sound, and shook Edward's hand with a star struck smile.

Ben looked mildly surprised at Angela's reticence, and leaned forward with a welcome smile.

"Hey Edward, I'm Ben." They shook hands. "You want a drink?"

"Sure, that'd be great. Whatever you're having is fine by me."

Ben's easy-going acceptance of their visitor had Bella looking at Angela with an eyebrow raised in silent query. Angela, her eyes as wide as saucers, simply shook her head.

"Sure c'mon we'll get you sorted." Ben led Edward towards the kitchen, and as the two men moved away, already talking easily, Bella grabbed Angela's elbow.

"Are you okay?"

"Edward Cullen bought me ice-cream." Angela looked at Bella in amazed delight. "Do you know how many women would pay for that experience?" They both looked up at a burst of laughter from the kitchen, and her face softened. "And that's my boy in there with Edward Cullen."

"Sure is, and it sounds like they're getting on well."

Angela gave her a mischievous look. "You know why?"

"Because he's a lovely guy who just takes people as he meets them?"

"That too, but I don't think Ben has a clue who Edward is."

"Are you serious?"

"I know – go figure. The man's a contradiction. He works in Hollywood and has no idea who the stars are, he's a studly geek … " she looked regretfully at Edward's back then brightened as she watched Ben laugh, "and he's all mine."

It turned out Angela was right. Ben being none the wiser about the object of Angela's unrequited lust, fell easily into conversation with Edward. Within moments he had spied Edward's iPhone, and they were chatting animatedly about the latest Mac technology. Hollywood didn't even get a mention.

Bella inspected the pots a final time, and announced that everything was ready.

"Anything I can do to help?" Edward had appeared at her elbow, sniffing appreciatively.

"Sure," said Bella without turning. "Grab a dishcloth and carry that pot there to the table. Just put it where there's a space and we'll be ready to serve in a few minutes."

"Yes ma'am."

Ben and Angela were likewise drafted into service and soon they were enjoying their meal, interspersed with laughter and talk. To Bella's delight, Edward had meshed in seamlessly with her friends. Angela was still inclined to be a little shy – as was to be expected – but it seemed that Ben and Edward were becoming fast friends. Bella couldn't help but notice how often Edward laughed, and how his smile always reached his eyes.

When the meal was finished, it seemed only natural that they continue their conversation over some drinks in the living room. As Edward sat down on the sofa, Bella curled up on the opposite end, tucking her bare feet beneath her and carefully cradling her glass of wine.

Ben flopped down onto the other sofa with a groan and Angela snuggled up beside him.

"Ohhh full of goodness." Ben tilted his head back and made slobbering noises as he rubbed his belly. "God that was good."

"I'll second that." Added Edward, chinking his wine glass off Bella's in a toast. "You're a great cook."

"It was my pleasure." Bella smiled and ducked her head. The evening had been thoroughly enjoyable so far. Ben's complete lack of guile where Edward was concerned had meant that their famous guest had been able to relax quicker than expected. Angela had a few moments of looking like a deer in the headlights when Edward addressed her directly, but soon even she had lowered her guard and was laughing and joking along with the rest of them.

The evening was winding down, and the conversation meandered lazily from one topic to the next. Bella gave Edward a sidelong glance. Like her, he had ended up barefoot with his feet up on the couch. He had also untucked his shirt, as the evening had been just as casual as Bella had promised. He looked, Bella realised, ready for bed. She looked over at Angela, who looked as if she had reached the same conclusion.

"Ben," she said in a slightly strangled tone as she considered Edward with a somewhat glazed expression. "I think it's time for bed."

"Huh? Yeah I guess it's getting a bit late. Bella do you need a hand with the dishes?"

"Now honey." Angela stood up, practically yanking Ben up with her, and they made their hurried – and slightly bewildered in Ben's case – goodnights before disappearing into Angela's bedroom.

Now it was just the two of them. Bella cleared her throat in the sudden silence, and took a sip of wine.

"Well … uh, I'm glad that wasn't weird."

They looked at each other and laughed quietly.

"You know, I saw the article you wrote."

"Really?" she was surprised.

"Well Rosalie found it and showed me. It was … really good."

"Were you expecting something else?"

"I don't know what I expected, really." He reached over and hesitantly placed his hand on her knee as if to emphasise his point. "But you wrote about me as a person, instead of the big Hollywood star." He gave her what Bella was starting to call 'the Look'. The one that triggered a rush of warmth in her belly that spiralled lower. "You made me sound normal."

"Well you are."

"I know, but there are a lot of people out there that would believe the illusion." He sighed. "I love the fans, but sometimes I think they'd rather meet me as a vampire than believe I'm a guy just like anyone else."

"Well I could have written a Hollywood fluff piece, but that's not the kind of writer I am. Fortunately the magazine wanted something a bit different as well."

Edward paused. "From what I can remember of the interview though, there was a lot more you could have put in that article." Their meeting had been brief, but he had revealed a lot. "You could have made yourself some more money."

"Don't think I don't know that, but again, that's not the kind of writing I do." She wanted to reassure him. She felt compelled to make him understand how she wrote. "I'm really interested in people Edward. Not the labels, not the hype. I want to know what makes them tick. I know I got a lot of information, but to be honest it felt more like a conversation between friends rather than an interview." She could feel the blush starting. "And I wanted to keep that side of things for myself."

He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Bella held her breath as he leaned slower, his hand still cupping her face.

"Thank you." He pulled her gently towards him, until their foreheads were resting against each others, then Bella felt the ghost of his lips as he brushed a kiss against her cheek.

"Anytime." She replied quietly.

Bella's admission had broken an invisible boundary that she hadn't realised was there, and she felt curiously liberated as she and Edward continued to talk quietly. No longer were they the interviewer and the subject. This morning's coffee had triggered a subtle change, and she could feel the relationship progressing towards something more, the problem was she didn't know what it was becoming. There was just no way he could be interested in her, five foot four inches of average.