Disclaimer: SM owns it. I do not. I play with the characters ;)
Thank you to -Mrs. Robert Pattinson- and mrsstumpy for adding DG to their Story Alerts!
Sorry for the delay. Between a new semester starting at school and the stomach flu, I didn't have time to read or write...boooo....but I'm better now. However, I am stuck. I have a general idea about what is going to happen in the story, but I want to know what you want to see happen. Where do you see E and B's relationship going? HUGE thanks to lmjohn for her wonderful suggestion that spawned the double date ;). So, onward to Chapter 8....and send me some suggestions....please :)
****
Bella's doorbell rang at 6:45.
"Seriously?" Rosalie questioned, "Doesn't he know girls are always late?"
"Rose," Bella warned.
"Yes, I know. Bella Swan does not know how to be late for a date."
"It's rude," Bella replied.
"Is not," Rosalie argued, applying the finishing touches to Bella's lips. "Now, blot and go let him in. I'll hide out here so it doesn't get awkward. Have fun and be safe."
"I always am," Bella hugged her sister. "You have fun on your double date. Tell Jasper I said hey and you guys be careful."
"Always am," Rosalie grinned before Bella left, closing her bedroom door behind her. She stumbled slightly and silently cursed Rosalie for making her wear heels. Her doorbell rang again just before she flung the door open.
"Hey," he smiled, holding out a bouquet of pink daisies to her. "I know it's cheesy, but it's protocol."
"Thanks," she took the flowers and headed to find a vase. "You can come in," she said, "Standing in the hallway is probably creepy." She heard him laugh as he stepped in. She watched him over her bar as she filled the vase with water. He was meandering around her living room politely. She glanced over and noticed her bedroom door was cracked. Rosalie was spying.
"You have a nice place," she finally said.
"Thanks."
"Yeah, I didn't get to see much last time…you know, it was so dark and all," he turned and smiled at her. She knew he was teasing and she smiled back.
"It's not much, but it's home for now," she said, turning the water off and putting the flowers in the vase. He was now looking at the pictures that decorated her walls. She took this opportunity to drink him in. he was wearing brown pants and a white button up shirt and black shoes. Through his shirt she could make out his adequate muscles.
"Muscles you've felt before, mind you. Muscles that were glorious," a voice in her head purred. At that moment he turned to her again and shot her a smile that went straight to the juncture of her thighs and she wanted to go run her fingers through that unruly hair as she kissed him senseless.
"Um, let me grab my purse and we can head out," she said, placing the vase on the counter beside the sink. Her knees were wobbly as she ducked quickly into her bedroom.
"Sweet sex on a stick, he looks good," Rosalie whispered.
"I know," Bella whispered.
"Bells, please keep him so I can stare at his hair," Rosalie grinned, "And that look he shot you…. I think I need new panties just watching that!"
"Rose, you've got his brother," Bella said.
"I know. Yumminess runs in the family."
"Okay, Rose, give me my purse so we can leave," Bella chastised her sister.
"I threw some lube and protection in there so, be careful when you open it," Rosalie handed her a small, black purse. Bella shot her a withering look. "What? You might need it. You'll thank me later," Rosalie grinned and pushed Bella to the door.
"Ready?" Edward smiled at her when she exited her room. She nodded and they headed out the door.
"You look amazing, by the way," he whispered in her ear as he walked close beside her.
"Thank you," Bella said cooly as goosebumps broke out on her neck. Rosalie had lent her a white, long-sleeved dress that had black horizontal stripes running across it. It fit her snuggly and Rosalie had topped it off with a pair of black, platformed suede ankle boots.
"Those are interesting earrings," Edward commented as they exited the building. Against Rosalie's wishes, Bella had chosen small, black, heart-shaped studs. There was a sort of lightening bolt in the middle of the hearts, causing them to look broken. "Heart breaker?" Edward asked with a chuckle.
"Maybe," Bella grinned at him as they got to his car. He held open the door and she placed her hand on top of it as she got in. he looked at her ring and cocked an eyebrow.
"Classy dress, edgy accessories – I like it," he smiled before closing the door and going around to his side. Bella looked at the ring on the middle finger of her right hand. Jasper had given to her for her 18th birthday. It was black ?? with a rhinestone ?? and silver (white gold?) snake weaving around it. Jasper knew she loved unique jewelry and he wanted it to remind her that no matter how pretty a person was, they could still be a snake. Deep down she really hoped that Edward had no snake-like qualities.
****
"I can't believe you and Rosalie are already trying to hook me up with her brother," Alice crossed her arms over her chest as Emmett drove her car to Rosalie's house.
"Come on, Ali, we've got to get my Jeep anyways. I need to repay Rosalie for fixing it. She already had plans with her brother. It's cool just to combine everything," he said.
"And you forced me to let you drive my car. You look ridiculous, by the way. You should not be scrunched up in my Porsche," she said.
"You drive like a crazed maniac. Besides, it's a late model Porsche. People only notice people in newer models," Emmett said.
"People always notice Porches, no matter what model. You still look like an ape in a clown car," she giggled.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Keep laughing. I guarantee you'll be thanking me for bringing you along."
"Really? Want to wager on it?" Alice asked.
"Sure."
"Alright. If I like this guy at the end of the night, I take over all house chores, including your room, for a month. If I don't like him, you take over chores."
"You really want me cleaning?"
"You know you're gonna lose."
"No, I'm just checking to make sure you're ready to wager this. All you do is complain about my cleaning."
"Okay, fine, addendum – you have to take over chores and clean the way I clean," she said.
"Deal," he agreed.
"So eager?"
"Yup, eager to sit around while you clean," he grinned.
"Don't count on it," she laughed as he pulled into the apartment complex.
****
"Why PT?" Edward asked as he drove to the wine bar. The first couple of minutes had been quiet and he wracked his brain to come up with a question that wasn't on an Internet survey.
"Um, I don't know. I love helping people," she said, "I know that's the clichéd and cheesy answer, but it's true. I also have always had a fascination with how the body and muscles work."
"So, if your internship is at Carlisle's practice, is this your last year?"
"Yeah. As soon as I finish the internship in 3 months, I get to graduate," she said.
"That's good," he said before they lapsed into silence again.
"Why do you call your dad Carlisle and not dad?" she asked after a minute. He inhaled deeply. "Too personal? I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. I mean, we haven't ever really been close. I'd rather not talk about it right now."
"I understand," she said, "So, what exactly do you do?"
"I'm a CPA," he said.
"Wow, that's a hardcore job," she said.
"Not really. I enjoy it."
"Any majorly rich clients I would know?" she grinned.
"Carlisle," he laughed, "He's the biggest client and takes most of my time. The rest of my clients are lawyers, other doctors, some teachers. No one major. I deal with normal people and try to keep my services priced normally. Everyone needs a break, you know?"
"Yeah. Lawyers and doctors, real normal people," she teased, "So, you like helping people too. You get it," her tone was serious again.
"Yeah, I guess you can look at it like that," he smiled. The silence filled the car again. It wasn't an awkward silence; it was comfortable and for that, Edward was thankful. When he had stepped into her apartment and looked at her, his thoughts became muddled. He tried to form his words carefully so that he didn't get tongue-tied. She was exquisitely beautiful. He felt his palms get sweaty every time he looked at her and his mind shot back to their night together. He fought to control his body's reactions to her. He felt so helpless when she smiled, even though all he'd been seeing were small, amused smiles. He pulled into the parking lot of The Purple Café, turned off the car, tossed Bella a smile, and headed to get her door for her.
"This place looks nice. I've never been here."
"Really? I love this place. It's great. I hope you like it," he placed his hand on the small of her back as he escorted her inside. She didn't flinch away, but she did stiffen up and look at him. He smiled at her and she relaxed a little bit as he gave the hostess his name. They did not have to wait long and were led to a small table near the back.
"So, you're a wine connoisseur?" Bella asked.
"I dabble," he grinned, "I do enjoy a good glass of wine and they have an excellent selection and sampling here. I know you're more of a hard-core liquor drinker, but maybe I can coax you out of your shell," he teased.
"Maybe," she grinned, "but I doubt it."
"We'll start with samples from your tasting bar" he told the waitress when she arrived for their drink order.
"And after that, I'll have a glass of Riesling," Bella said.
"Ooo, a woman after my heart," Edward grinned. "I'll have the same," he told the waitress before she left.
"I know more than hard-core liquor," Bella winked.
"So I see," Edward said, "And I can't wait to see more."
****
"You two match," was the first thing Alice said when she and Emmett walked into Rosalie's apartment. Rosalie stood next to them by the door and Jasper sat on the couch with the TV remote in his hand. Alice gestured to Jasper and Emmett who both wore khaki pants, wafers/boat shoes, and polo shirts – Emmett's was yellow and Jasper's was light blue.
"Great minds think alike," Jasper smiled as he stood, "I'm Jasper Swan," he shook Emmett's hand.
"Emmett Cullen," Emmett smiled, "This is my twin sister, Alice."
"Pleasure to meet you," Jasper smiled at Alice.
"The pleasure's all mine, really," she returned the smile. She was already caught up in his blue eyes and blonde curly hair.
"Hi," Rosalie hugged Emmett.
"You look smoking hot," he whispered. Rosalie was wearing
"Thanks," she smiled. "So do you. I think we right to bring them together," she nodded toward Jasper and Alice. They had moved closer together and were having a quiet conversation. Alice was blushing, but smiling. Emmett smiled at Rosalie.
"We should head out," he said causing the two to break apart. Jasper looked at Emmett who cocked an eyebrow.
"I was just telling your sister that I didn't expect her to be so beautiful, being related to you and all," Jasper grinned. Alice blushed again. Emmett looked at her. She seemed befuddled and he'd never seen her shy with anyone.
"Well, I must say, Jasper, you already have a way with her because I've never seen her speechless," Emmett laughed. Alice's head shot up and she glared at him.
"I'm not speechless. Can we go?"
"Of course. We're taking the Jeep so I can ensure Rosalie did a good job," he said.
"You're just jealous that a girl fixed your big, manly vehicle. It's okay," Rose patted his arm as she led the group out of her apartment.
"I am jealous, but I also just want to brag that a hot girl fixed my car," he playfully smacked her rear as she walked by him. She yelped a little then laughed at him. Jasper rolled his eyes at Alice who giggled at him.
"Alice, I'm going to have to borrow that top," Rosalie said as everyone loaded into Emmett's Jeep. Alice was wearing
"Your boobs will definitely look better in it than mine," Alice said.
"I think your boobs look great," Jasper said. Emmett looked at him in the rearview mirror. "Sorry. I crossed the big brother line there."
"Don't let it happen again," Emmett smirked.
"Calm down, Em. Technically he's younger."
"By two minutes. I'm still your brother."
"Don't remind me," Alice teased as they drove to the Japanese grill.
****
"How was your crab salad?" Edward asked as he and Bella exited the restaurant.
"Fabulous! I can't believe I haven't been here. I have to bring Rosalie and Jasper," she said.
"I'm glad you liked it," he grinned.
"What other fabulous Seattle secrets do you know?" she asked as they walked across the parking lot.
"Not many. I was thinking we could just stroll along the shops at the port," he said. She looked at him with a gleam in her eye. "You know a Seattle secret?" She shrugged.
"I know a spot down by the Sea-Tac airport. We can watch the planes," she said.
"Is that something you would like to do?" he asked.
"It's something I find fun," she said.
"If we're watching planes, isn't that like going to the movies? We won't be able to talk."
"We can talk between planes. We have the option there. We can talk or we can just sit and enjoy the view," she smiled.
"Oh, I very much enjoy the view. Sea-Tac it is then," he grinned, leading them to the car.
****
"So, Emmett and I want the scoop on Bella," Alice said over dinner.
"Alice wants the scoop. I'm cool with leaving Edward's relationship alone," Emmett said.
"I don't want to meddle, but I do want to know that my brother is not going to get hurt," Alice said. "You understand," she looked at Rosalie who nodded. "I mean, she's not crazy or anything, right? I'll be honest, I didn't get good vibes from her at the bar. It's like she's angry at the world." Jasper and Rosalie looked at each other. "I'm sorry. I'm not trying to be a bitch or cross any lines. I know she's your sister. Edward is damaged in his own way too. I just….shit….I don't know," Alice stopped. "I'm sorry," she whispered as everyone stared at her.
"I think Alice is trying to find something that can help Edward get to know Bella. You know, like something he can get her or do for her that no one else would think of," Emmett tried to help Alice save face. Rosalie and Jasper were both quiet. Alice looked at Emmett who rolled his eyes at her. Jasper finally cleared his throat.
"Bella may act like she hates it, but she really does love the cheesy, romantic stuff," he said.
"That's great because Edward is a hopeless romantic at heart," Alice perked up.
"But, Bella doesn't like when guys come on too strong," Rosalie said.
"Edward is not ballsy by nature," Emmett laughed. "What about, like, unique stuff – stuff no one else may know. Or, what if he messes up? How does he fix it?"
"Well, it depends on the mess up. Minor mess ups, he just needs to give her space, maybe send her a sweet note. Major mess ups, he needs to move on immediately. Once you cross Bella, you don't go back," Jasper said.
"As far as stuff no one else knows…. Bella absolutely loves whales, tropical places, and pineapples," Rosalie said.
"Our dad has a condo in Florida," Alice shrugged.
"No," both Jasper and Rosalie dropped their utensils. Emmett and Alice looked at them.
"Uh, Bella hates Florida. Tropical means Hawaii or Mexico or the Bahamas – by way of somewhere other than Florida," Rosalie said.
"Why?" Alice asked.
"Bella's story to tell, not ours," Rosalie said. The table fell into silence again.
"So, Edward could show up looking like Jimmy Buffett and be good to go," Emmett finally said, causing the whole table to laugh before lapsing back into easy conversation.
