CHAPTER ELEVEN

DINNER AT DINER

"Monte Carlo?" I asked, peering at the flier some guy shoved into my hands. "That's our prom theme?"

Jasper read the flier over my shoulder, his arms wrapped around my waist from behind, "Gambling, tuxedos and James Bond."

Rosalie glared into the distance, "They're here."

Edward started picking Bella up from home and taking her to school in his Volvo. Apparently, her truck didn't meet his safety requirements. Everyone stared at them as they walked through the parking lot. Bella looked uncomfortable with all the attention she was getting, being at Edward's side.

"Poor girl is going to blush herself to death one of these days," I murmured.

Dad smiled at Bianca in his lap as she messily ate her kids hamburger. It was Friday night and it had become somewhat of a tradition for us to join Charlie and Bella for dinner at the diner every week. Cora was certainly glad to see Dad more often, and he was too. But lately she had been shaken up with all the killings going on near town. Waylon was killed not too long ago. It was scary to think that vampires – human drinking ones – were so close.

Bella bustled into the diner, "Sorry I'm late. Biology project."

Cora set down a steak in front of Charlie, a chicken Fuji apple salad in front of me, soup in front of dad and seafood in front of Bella.

"Ordered you the seafood combo," Charlie said.

Bella peered at him, "Order one for yourself next time. You should cut back on the steak."

Charlie looked at her sarcastically, "I'm healthy as a horse."

Cora hadn't left. She looked pale, worried, "Say Chief," she let out a shaky breath, "boys want to know, you find anything down by Queets River today?"

I turned slightly to look behind me, seeing loggers listening aptly at the counter.

Charlie answered, "The suspect's moving east. Kitsap County Sheriff is taking over from here. They're putting extra guys on."

"Hope the catch him fast," Cora answered heavily. She moved off, after catching eyes with my father.

Charlie caught sight of something outside and nodded at Bella, "Your friends are flagging you."

Bella looked to see Mike and some other guys horsing around outside, making faces at her. Charlie took a bite of his steak, "It's okay if you wanna join them. I'm just gonna turn in early anyway."

"Me too," Bella said.

"It's a Friday night. Go out. The Newton boy's got a big smile for you. Nice family, the Newtons."

"He's a good buddy," Bella dismissed him.

"What about any other of these hooligans?" Charlie asked idly.

"There is... someone, but... dad," Bella blushed, "We're not really going to talk about boys, are we?"

Charlie looked just as awkward about it as she did, "Just... you should be around people. Not just Heather, no offense Heather," I shook my head at him, mouth full of chicken, "None taken."

Charlie looked back at Bella, "I feel like I leave you alone too much."

"I've never minded being alone. Guess I'm a lot like my dad that way."

Charlie smiled at that.

Dad looked at me, "What about you, Heather? Are you going to the Cullens... again?"

I blushed, "I'm not over there that much, am I?" I was suddenly worried that I wasn't around enough for my dad. That I was losing time with him.

Dad shook his head, "I just expect you're there with everything going on at home. Bianca seems to enjoy spending time with them. Carlisle says you're both joys to have around."

I smiled down at my salad, "This weekend the weather's nice so they're going camping. I was thinking of taking Bianca down to La Push. She loves Embry just as much as she loves Jasper."

Dad accepted that answer. Cora came over and set berry cobbler in front of Bella and Charlie, "Berry cobbler, two forks." She then placed a Oreo Sunday in front of Bianca, "Sunday, three spoons."

It was sunny that Saturday when Bianca and I met up with Jacob and Embry at the beach. We all played in the water for what seemed like hours. Bianca was having a blast, telling Embry to make her fly. He lifted her into the air and sung her around, "You're flying, you're flying!"

Bianca cheered and squealed and begged for more.

I smiled at the scene. Jacob came up behind me, "You know Embry likes you, right?"

I was startled, "What?"

Jacob smirked, "He has a crush on you. It's kind of obvious. How can you not see it?"

I shrugged, "Maybe I don't want to. I have a boyfriend."

Jacob sighed, "Embry knows that. Look, I'm not blaming you or anything. I'm not trying to make you feel guilty. I just could see that you didn't notice and wanted to give you a heads up so you do anything that could unintentionally hurt his feelings."

I nodded, "Don't worry. I won't."

Hehe thanks for REVIEWING! So here's a chappy.

KEEP REVIEWING!

RegalGirl94