Disclaimer: Twilight still isn't mine. Though I did get the BD1 dvd for my birthday this week...
A/N I've been enjoying your reviews. Seems like you're all cheering for them to move forward with their mutual attraction. Well, here goes...
Oh, and missrebecca is awesome as ever.
Chapter 5
Bella
Are you done yet? – E
I grinned as I quickly typed a reply. He was so impatient!
Still cleaning up and storing gifts. – B
I pocketed my phone and picked up a stack of boxes, following Alice to Victoria's suite, where the gifts would be stored until we could ship them to Seattle after the wedding. On our way up, my phone buzzed again. Before I got to read the message, it buzzed again. By the time my hands were free, I had three messages waiting for me.
Just wanted to let you know I found a nice coffee place nearby. - E
Still busy? :p – E
Hellooooo…?
If I hadn't still been calling him Mr. Salty Goodness in my head, it would have been annoying. As it was, I couldn't keep myself from sending him a snarky response.
Contrary to popular belief, I only have one pair of hands, and up until 5 secs ago they were full of heavy boxes, Mr. Impatient :p – B
Within seconds, he texted back.
I apologize. I'm just looking forward to having coffee with you. – E
I couldn't help but smile.
Apology accepted. What place? – B
'What are you grinning about?' Alice asked.
'Nothing,' I hurried to say.
'Yeah, right. You've been glued to your phone ever since… I called you away from Edward!' She squealed in realization. 'Are you texting him? You are, right? Oh, this is exciting!'
'Alice, calm down,' I tried to interrupt her, but to no avail.
'Are you seeing him later? Oh, I never thought you'd actually hit it off! I mean, it was just a wild guess, I don't know him that well, and I thought you might like the view, but to see you guys taking this forward…'
'Alice!' I yelled, finally managing to silence her and get a word in. 'We've just met. Yes, he's attractive. Very attractive,' I amended when she gave me a look. 'But we've only talked for a bit and I've gotten a handful of texts.'
'But you're meeting up with him, right?' she asked, a hopeful expression on her face.
I sighed, 'Yes. We're meeting for coffee later. But that doesn't mean anything.'
'Yet,' she stated confidently. 'Come on, Bella, I've seen the way you've been looking at him. How he's been looking at you. There is definitely some chemistry there.'
There wasn't much else to do but shrug at her observations.
'We'll see, Ali. Though I do admit I'm intrigued. There's something about him…' I mused.
She clapped her hands together and let out a tiny squeal, before arranging her features into a serious expression.
'When are you meeting him?'
'Once I'm done here.'
'What?' she practically shrieked. 'Then what are you doing here? Go!'
She all but shoved me out the door and I snickered as I made my way to our suite down the hall. On the way, I checked my phone and found another message.
Peach's Corner Café on Hopkins & Galena. I'm the guy in the leather jacket on the patio ;) – E
Are you serious? It's freezing! – B
They've got space heaters. And hot drinks. You'll be fine. – E
If you say so. Give me 10 mins. I need to get out of this dress. – B
Don't tease me, woman. – E
Oh you ain't seen nothin' yet ;) – B
I bet. – E
Stop it. I didn't mean anything by it. – B
That's what you're saying now... – E
Whatever. I'm gonna change into something weather appropriate and will be there in about 10mins. Unless you keep distracting me. – B
I'm distracting you? – E
Uhm… duh! – B
Let me make it up to you with a nice cup of coffee. – E
You can if you let me get changed, silly boy. – B
Point taken. – E
Putting my phone down now. – B
Okay. See you in a bit. – E
Shaking my head and smiling to myself about the exchange, I zipped out of my dress and walked over to the wardrobe in my room. Upon arrival, Alice had insisted I unpack my suitcase to prevent wrinkly clothes. I was just happy I didn't have to dig through said suitcase every day. I quickly located a pair of skinny jeans, my favorite The Clash shirt and dark blue hoodie. After glancing in the mirror, I decided to leave my hair down and simply applied some lip gloss, before slipping on my black Converse and leather jacket.
He's going to think you're intentionally matching him with the leather.
Well, it was either that or my wool coat, which really was more appropriate for dressy occasions. Besides, I looked good in the jacket, and I wanted to show him the Bella outside of work. I grabbed my phone and a few essentials, then made my way downstairs to meet Edward, debating whether or not to text him to let him know I was on my way. In the end, I decided to make him sweat for a little longer.
'Hi!' he smiled, and got up as he saw me approach his table.
'Hi,' I answered, not sure how to greet him.
Should I shake his hand, hug him, or…?
He seemed to sense my hesitation and motioned to the seat across from him.
'Did you find the place alright?'
'Yes. I have an app on my phone. Have you been waiting long?'
He shrugged, 'A while. Three coffees and a danish.'
'Well, that should compensate for that rum, then,' I winked. 'But sorry I kept you waiting. Someone kept on texting me, and before that, we had to stop a random hotel guest from running off with one of the ornaments from the bridal shower.'
Conversation flowed easily after that and I found out that Edward had a great sense of humor and a wide interest. Honestly, I had been a little worried that he would be so into his line of work that we wouldn't have a whole lot to talk about. As it turned out, we shared a love for reading and crime TV-shows. Also, we were both only children and loved to travel.
'How did you end up becoming a wedding photographer?' Edward asked at one point.
'I guess it's something I've always loved. My father gave me my first camera when I was ten and I couldn't stop taking pictures. My mom suggested a photography course at the local community center, and that helped develop my technical skills. In college, I majored in Photography with a minor in Business, and by then I had already been helping Alice out with a lot of projects. Some of them got featured in the college newspaper, and that landed me a couple of freelance gigs. But I love working with her, so… yeah,' I finished.
'And you always have a camera on you?' he pointed to my camera bag.
'Yes. You never know when a perfect shot comes up. Plus, I still want to scout for some more locations for the bridal shots. I've done some research online, but I need to see them in person to make sure they're what I'm looking for.'
'Any sites in particular you have in mind?'
'Not really. All?' I laughed.
'Well… I've been coming here for years, so I know the area pretty well. I could show you around, if you'd like? Catch two birds with one stone?'
I didn't even hesitate in answering him.
'Sure, that'd be great!'
He motioned to the waitress for the check and minutes later, I found myself in his car.