Disclaimer: SM owns Twilight and its characters. Songs from the last chapter were Secret by Maroon 5, If I Can't Have You by Kelly Clarkson and Born on the Bayou by CCR.
My phone woke me from my dream of Edward's hands on me. We were just getting to the good part too. His lips were on my neck and his hands, oh god, his hands. They were everywhere and just starting to unbutton my shirt. Whoever is calling better have a damn good reason to be interrupting this magnificent dream. I groaned and rolled over to grab my phone and uttered a groggy hello.
"Bella?" The voice said. Who were you expecting to answer when you called my phone dipshit?
"Yeah. Who's this?" I was trying really hard not to sound annoyed, but I don't think I pulled it off. I wanted desperately to get back to my dream.
"Um, it's Emmett. Sorry did I wake you? I thought one in the afternoon would be a safe time to call. Sorry." He chuckled a little. Now how could anyone be mad at that?
"It's alright. Had a rough night last night and didn't get much sleep. So what's up Emmett?" I tried to make my voice as cheery as possible.
"Well I was hoping that I could maybe see you tomorrow. I know you have the karaoke thing in the evening, but I thought we might grab some coffee."
"That sounds great Emmett. I was going to go to the bookstore in the morning so I could meet you at Cherry Street Coffee if you want?"
"Yeah, that sounds great. How about 11, does that work?"
"That's perfect. I look forward to it Emmett."
"Me too Bella. See you tomorrow."
"Bye." My inner 16 year old wanted to squeal. Emmett was really cute and fun from what I'd seen at the bar last night. I had a feeling that any time I spent with him would be a good time.
I got up and went into the bathroom to do my usual morning routine even though it was the middle of the day. I had a full day ahead of me with only a few hours left in it.
Once I was dressed and relatively ready for human consumption I made my list for the grocery store then sorted my laundry. I decided that I would do my shopping first since I didn't like being at the grocery store late at night. You never know what kinds of weirdo's were hanging around the grocery store late at night. I know I sound paranoid, blame it on my Police Chief of a father. He always made sure to instill a fear of "weirdo's in the big city" in me since I was a little girl. He hates that I moved here, said that the crime rate here was unacceptable for any daughter of his, to which I informed him that the crime in Phoenix surpassed anything in Seattle and he never worried about mom and I being there all by ourselves. He usually harrumphed at me but then the discussion was over.
The grocery store was relatively empty this afternoon as I shopped. I was in the produce section picking out some tomatoes when someone came up behind me and grabbed a vine to inspect.
"Hello Bella." A male voice said behind me. I turned quickly to see who was talking and was pleasantly surprised to see Jasper standing there.
"Oh hey Jasper. How are you?"
"I'm good, better now. Do you live in the area? I've never seen you here before." He asked.
"Oh yeah. I usually come early in the mornings during the week, but I overslept today. How about you? You must live close by." Happy with the tomatoes I had in my hand I placed them in a bag and put them into my cart.
"Yep, right around the corner actually." He rubbed the back of his neck and seemed a bit nervous. "So, uh. I talked to Emmett and he says you guys are meeting for coffee tomorrow morning." The nervousness made complete sense now. I knew from the way he acted last night, with the kissing and all that he might be interested in me and if he spoke to Emmett than he probably thought I was some slut who kissed just anyone, which is not the case at all. I'm actually attracted to Jasper and would like nothing more than to kiss him again. And again. And again.
"Oh, yeah. He called this afternoon actually and asked me to meet him. He seems like he's a lot of fun." I was trying to make it seem like it wasn't that big a deal, because it really wasn't.
"He is. You'll probably never stop laughing." He shifted nervously. What is with this guy? Why is he so nervous? "So, is this a date then?" He must have read my mind because I wasn't sure if this coffee thing with Emmett was a date or not.
"I don't think running into you in the produce section actually qualifies as a date Jasper." I teased, hoping to break him out of his nervousness. He laughed and my plan seemed to work.
"I know that Bella. I was talking about this coffee thing with Emmett. Is that a date?"
"I know what you meant and no, I wouldn't call it a date. It's just…well…it's just coffee." I told him honestly. It's not like Emmett actually used the word date when he asked me and we're meeting there after I ran some errands.
He got a huge smile on his face as the words came out of my mouth and he looked…relieved. He asked for my number last night so what he said next shouldn't have surprised me.
"Bella, I was wondering if maybe you'd like to go out to dinner with me on Friday." He was nervous again waiting for my response. He was just too damn cute.
"What, like a date?" I asked coyly.
"Yeah, exactly like a date. What do ya say Bella?"
"That sounds nice Jasper. I would love to go on a date with you.
"Great. Fantasitic. Perfect. Okay! I'll pick you up at 8 then?"
"Great. Fantasitic. Perfect. Okay!" I teased him by using his own words and he smiles even wider.
"You're a funny, funny girl Bella. I guess I'll see you tomorrow then." He backs up, almost running into the bananas.
"Don't you need my address?" I ask him. He stops, but then I realize what he said about tomorrow. Isn't tomorrow Thursday? "Wait, tomorrow? Tomorrow is Thursday, not Friday Jasper."
He laughs and comes back over to me. "Oh, yeah, an address would probably be helpful. And we're coming to the bar again tomorrow, unless you don't want us to."
"No, no that's fine. I love hearing you guys sing and it makes my job easier." I grab a piece of paper out of my bag and write down my address for him, then place it in his hand. "I'll see you tomorrow Jasper."
Jasper never takes his eyes off of me as he backs away again and again almost runs into the bananas. He waves and I am left to finish my shopping on my own.
"Why on earth did I get so much shit?" I ask myself on my second trip from the car to the apartment with my groceries. I still have at least one more trip to make, oh well, this can be my workout for the day I guess.
"Well hello there pretty lady." Jacob's voice came from behind me. I screamed and almost dropped my groceries.
"Holy hell Jacob, you scared the shit out of me." He just laughs at me, asshole.
"Sorry B. Didn't mean to scare you. Do you need some help with that stuff?" He asks.
"Actually, yeah, there are a few more things in my car if you don't mind." Oh thank God. I really didn't want to have to haul more shit up these stairs.
"No problem. It's the least I can do for scaring you so badly." He turned and walked out of the building and to my car outside. God bless Jacob Black. He likes to scare me shitless most days, but he's a great guy. Hot too! If it weren't for the fact that I am hopelessly attracted to Edward (A manwhore who doesn't know you exist), shut up!, and the fact that Jacob is gay as well as attached to Paul (another hottie) I would be all over that.
Jacob and Paul live one floor below me, they moved in about 6 months after I did and after an unfortunate accident where I tripped over one of their boxes just outside their door and sprained my ankle we've been the best of friends ever since.
In the kitchen I'm putting away the groceries in the bags that I have already brought in and Jacob comes in with the rest. "Thanks Jacob. You can just put it right there on the floor." I continue putting away the food, but I can feel his eyes on me. "What Jacob?"
"Oh nothing. You just seem different today. What's going on B?" Damn him for being observant.
"There's nothing going on. I don't know what you're talking about." That's right, act dumb. That always works. YEAH RIGHT!
"I'm not buying it B. You know you can't lie for shit." He comes closer to me, invading my personal space. "You're going to tell me eventually. We can either do this the easy way or the hard way B. Which is it going to be?"
"Seriously Jake, I have no idea what you're talking about. I really need to put this stuff away." I tell him.
"Okay, don't say I didn't warn you." With that his hands are tickling me without abandon and I am writhing around trying to get out of his grip.
"Jacob…STOP! Oh my God! JACOB! OKAY! Okay." He finally halts his assault on me and I catch my breath.
"Good, now spill!"
"Alright, well I met a couple of guys at the bar last night and I'm meeting one of them for coffee tomorrow. I ran into the other one at the store and we're going out for dinner on Friday."
"You hussy! Dating two guys at the same time. I didn't know you had it in you B. Good for you." Jacob pats me on the back, but it's so hard that I almost fall forward. Thankfully I catch myself on the counter. "It's about damn time you got back on the horse woman. It's been too long."
"Yeah, yeah. Don't get too excited there Jake. It's just coffee and dinner. I'm not really sure about it though. They are like best friends or something."
"Do they know that you are going out with the other?" Jacob asks, he takes a grape from the bag and pops it in his mouth.
"Yeah they do, but its weird isn't it? I mean dating best friends; it's almost like dating brothers." I chew on my bottom lip nervously waiting for his answer. Jacob is always the friend who gives it to me straight, so I know that if he thinks there is something wrong with this then he'd be the one to tell me.
"I can see how you're weirded out B, but as long as they both know what's going on ahead of time I think you're cool. My only advice would be to pick one as soon as you can. This kind of shit ruins friendships." I nod in understanding. The last thing I want to do is ruin their friendship.
"Thanks Jake." He gives me a hug and kisses the top of my head. He's so damn tall it's all he can reach of me without either picking me up or bending down pretty far.
"What's going on in here?" We turn and see Paul staring at us with a big smile on his face.
"Group hug." I tell him. He of course is all in for a group hug and he envelops both of us in his arms and I feel like one of those stress balls that look like the top is going to pop off because it's being squeezed too hard. "Guys! I can't breathe." They release me and I gasp for air.
"Sorry B." They both say at the same time. They're so cute there's no way to stay mad too long, no matter what they do.
"So what's going on in here? Jake are you stealing all of B's food again?" Paul asks spying the groceries on the counter and the half eaten grapes on the counter.
"What? NO! I was helping her putting stuff away."
"Yeah, I can see you're helping her put it away. Too bad it's being put away into your stomach." I laugh at their banter. They are like an old married couple. I wish I could have that someday, but I probably never will. He messed all that up for me. I doubt that I'll ever have a normal relationship after what he did to me.
Fucking prick.
"Jacob we have to get going. We're going to be late meeting Jared and his new "friend" for dinner if we don't get out of here soon and you aren't even dressed mister. Get that cute ass moving." He slaps his ass and winks at me. Again I find myself in a fit of giggles. I really do love these two.
"Sure, sure. I'm going; you don't need to get violent Paul." He rubs his ass and looks back at me and waves.
"See ya Jake. Have a good night." I'm still putting shit away, seriously why did I get so fucking much? You would think that four people live here, not one.
"You okay sweet pea?" Paul asks as he wraps his arm around my shoulders.
"Yeah, I'm good. I have a date tomorrow and another one on Friday."
"Wow, that's awesome B. This guy must be something special to get to spend time with you two nights in a row."
I lower my head, I'm starting to feel less and less okay with going out with both of these guys. If I'm being honest I am more physically attracted to Jasper. He's tall and not bulky, just like I like. The shaggy blond hair and blue eyes are beautiful and that southern drawl that I've heard come out once or twice is pretty damn hot too. Emmett is cute, don't get me wrong, but he's just so…big. I do love those dimples though and let's face it; the guy has an ass you could bounce quarters off of. Jasper said he was funny too and if there is one thing I need right now, it's funny.
"What's that look?" He asks.
"Well, it's kind of." Paul isn't like Jacob. He has made it very clear that he doesn't think it's morally right to date multiple people at the same time.
"You can tell me sweet pea. What's going on in that pretty little head of yours?"
"It's two different guys." He looks confused so I need to make it a little clearer for him. "Tomorrow's coffee date is with a guy named Emmett and Friday is with a guy named Jasper. Oh and their best friends." Paul is wearing that same look of confusion and I'm not sure what to do at this point.
"HEY Bell, you in here?" My neighbor Tanya calls from the front door. Maybe I need to start locking the door, since my friends seem to just waltz in whenever they please. What if I was entertaining a guy in here? Does nobody knock?
"In here Tay" I could hear her footsteps as she made her way into the kitchen.
"Hey I was hoping I could convince you…" She takes a look at Paul and his confused face that apparently is frozen in place and turns back to me. "What's with him?"
"Oh I told him that I have two dates this week with two different guys and he just kind of stayed like that." I shrug my shoulders like it's no big deal and finally finish putting the groceries away.
"Okay then! So listen, Demetri gave me some extra spending money today to go, and I quote, "buy myself something nice", which as you know means…"
"Buy sexy lingerie" We both say at the same time. This happens about every other month or so. Demetri, Tanya's husband, gets tired of the lingerie she has and makes her buy new stuff. Personally I think that all her old stuff is torn to shreds and she just needs to get new stuff to replace the ones that have been destroyed. Yeah, they have a very…passionate sex life. I've actually heard them going at it a few times and they live upstairs at the other end of the building from me. YEAH! I know.
"Can't tonight babe. My creative juices are flowing and I need to get this song that's been in my head down before it disappears." I look at Paul and he's still standing there with the same expression on his face. I'm starting to get a little worried. What I told him wasn't that bad, was it?
"Bell, when's the last time you had any of your other juices flowing? Trust me, if you have two hot dates this week, you're going to want to wear something sexy underneath those clothes instead of those God awful granny panties you are usually sporting."
"I do NOT wear granny panties. Just because I don't wear the crotch less shit you do doesn't make my stuff granny panties." I know she's just trying to get a rise out of me, she always does this. It's how she gets her way.
"Bell! Come on. Please?" Great, now she's batting her eyes at me. There isn't a way to win this. Maybe if I go for a little bit I'll still have time to sit down and write.
"Fine, but I don't want to be out too long. I really need to get this song down." I tell her as I walk into my room to change. Fuck I need to do laundry too. Oh well, I guess I'll be up all night. Not like I haven't done that before.
"What about him?" She asks, gesturing over to Paul.
"I don't know. Slap him or something. Doesn't that usually work in the movies?" I hear a resounding slap come from the kitchen and I laugh.
"What the hell Tay? What did you hit me for?" Paul shrieks. Yep, I said it, he shrieks. He's definitely the woman in the relationship.
"You were comatose Paulie. It was Bella's idea." I hurry to get dressed because I know those two are going to storm in here any minute and I don't need them seeing me in my bra and panties, cause damnit, Tay is right, I'm wearing granny panties. Hey don't judge, it's laundry day.
I walk out and Paul is rubbing his cheek. I can see a distinct hand print where he's rubbing and I hold in the laugh.
"Don't you dare laugh Bella." Shit he called me Bella, he never calls me Bella. "Now, tell me what the hell you are thinking dating two boys at the same time. And best friends no less. Have I taught you nothing?" He's practically yelling at me like I'm a child.
"Paulie give the girl a break. Her love muffin needs some special attention. If she wants to date two boys at a time then let her." Tanya is currently filling my purse with my essentials so we can leave and Paul is just glaring at her.
I see his point though; I shouldn't be dating two guys at the same time. I'm leery about it too, but it's just coffee with Emmett, coffee isn't really a date, right? RIGHT! And they both know that the other is taking me out, so it's not a secret or anything. I could just see how it goes, it's not like I am going to fall in love with both of them. They are to completely different guys; all you have to do is look at them to see that.
One other thing that I don't dare tell my best friends is that neither of them are Edward, his best friends yes, but they aren't him. He's my dream man, with the exception of all the women he takes home.
You've never even had a real conversation with the man, how can you possibly think that he's your dream man? Wake the fuck up Bella!
"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you about this sweet pea. Someone always gets hurt in these situations." I noticed Tay give him a look that said "shut the fuck up" out of the corner of my eye, he noticed. "That's all I'm going to say. Have a good time. I need to check on Jakey and get going. We are already late for our dinner plans. See ya Tay. B, have a good evening."
"By Paul." Looking over at Tanya it's apparent that she's waiting on me. Her foot is tapping so I know that's my cue to get my ass moving. "Let's go Tay."
"T, that is fucking HOT! Demetri is going to cream his pants when he sees you." Tanya has come out of the dressing room wearing this almost entirely see through bra and panty set. The matching garter is just sexy as hell and I can only wish that I could pull something like that off. Tanya is just gorgeous with her long strawberry blond hair, blue eyes, long slender legs and naturally large breasts. She could seriously be a Victoria's Secret model if she wanted to. Add a killer personality to all that and she's every man's wet dream.
There is only one other woman I've met that could compete with her and that's my college roommate and one of my best friends Rosalie Hale. I haven't seen her in a while though. That reminds me that I need to call her and Alice, my other nest friend. With Rose in New York working in engineering and breaking hearts all over the big apple I hardly get to talk to her anymore. Alice is in San Diego taking the fashion world by storm. She says she's too busy for men, but I know she's lonely there and I wish my girls would just move back home already. I miss them.
"Bell, what do you think about this one?" Tanya asks as she comes out in another phenomenal set. It's a beautiful dark purple color. Ruffles are all over the cups of the bra as well as the front and back of the panties. The set is adorable, but not something she usually buys. Demetri tends to like things a little more risqué.
"It's adorable Tay, but it's not really something I think Demetri would like. You should get it though." I tell her honestly. She's scrutinizing herself in the mirror and I can tell by the look on her face that she isn't going to get it just because of her husband.
"I think you should buy it Bell. This would look so cute on you." She walks back into the dressing room and a couple of minutes later she's throwing the set at me. "Try it on, and I wanna see Bell. No trying it on and then taking it right off."
"Tay I have no one to wear this stuff for. It would just sit in my dresser and collect dust, much like my vagina does." We both laugh, but I know I'm not getting out of trying this on.
"Just try it on. You have two dates this week, you do so have someone to wear it for, so put the damn set on and let me see you shake your cute little ass in it." Figuring I might as well just do as she asks I schlepped myself into one of the free dressing rooms and took off my clothes. I began muttering incoherent babble, mostly how much I hated Tay for making me do this and the thought of spending…wait, how much is this…I grabbed the tag and my eyes almost popped out of head.
"Tay, this is $400. I cannot afford $400 for two pieces of lace."
"Can it Bell and just try it on. Just because you try it on doesn't mean you have to buy it for fucks sake."
I guess it couldn't hurt to try on the scraps of material. I'd show her that it wasn't me and then we could move on. I slipped on the panties then the bra and took a look in the mirror. Huh, not half bad. The bra actually makes my breasts look firmer and bigger, giving them a nice lift. My ass didn't look too bad in the panties either.
"Come out Swan, I know it doesn't take this long to put on a bra and panties." Tanya was banging on the door at this point and I was certain that at any moment she was either going to break the door down or just climb under the door. How embarrassing.
"Okay, okay. Geez woman." I stepped out and she gasped. I wasn't sure if it was a good gasp or a bad gasp so I gave her a questioning look.
"Holy shit Bella, you looking fucking hot. You HAVE to buy that." She grabbed my elbow and spun me a around to get the full effect, then she whistled at me. Yeah, she fucking whistled. Weirdo!
"Tay, I can't buy this. In case you've forgotten I host karaoke night at the local bar two nights a week."
"AND sing on occasion. You can afford it and trust me when I say if you wear this on your dates those boys aren't going to know what hit 'em." I rolled my eyes. I wrote my own songs, sure, but singing them in front of people has never been my strong suit. Tanya and Demetri own a Jazz lounge downtown and I have, on a couple of occasions been forced to sing there when one of their regulars call in sick, it's not like I can count on that money and hosting karaoke doesn't exactly pay too much. If it weren't for the trust fund I got from Granny Swan I don't know how I would even pay my bills.
"Tay I cannot afford this, its $400. I'm serious. As much as I love it I just can't." I went back into the dressing room and put on my own clothes. I could hear Tay grumbling, but couldn't make out what she was saying.
"Ready?" She asked when I came back out of the dressing room.
"Really? You're done? I thought we'd be here for at least another hour." I was shocked to say the least. She usually spent hours here and I would have to drag her ass out kicking and screaming.
"Yeah, I'm done. I got a few really hot pieces. I'm hungry now though, so let's go grab a bite at that little café near the water. My treat." I wasn't going to argue over a free lunch.
"Sounds good, let's go." I started walking to the car but noticed she wasn't behind me like I thought, I turned and she was in the same spot I left her in, her mouth agape and eyes wide like she just saw Brad Pitt walking down the street. "Tay, what are you doing? Come on."
"Hold on, I need a moment." She said her hand to her chest.
"What's wrong? Are you alright?" I asked. I was actually getting a bit concerned.
"Yeah, I just…geez…I must be going crazy or something."
"Why, what happened? Talk to me Tanya." I urged.
"I think I heard my best friend actually agree to me buying her lunch without an argument. I must be hearing things though, because that NEVER happens."
"Ha ha, very funny. I could tell by the look of determination on your face not to argue and I'm starving." I told her honestly. Plus I could tell by the way she was fidgeting slightly that she wanted a favor and favors for Tanya are never ever pretty for me.
We got in the car and she turned on this crazy 80's radio station. We knew every song on the ride to the café and were singing, LOUDLY! With the top down on Tanya's BMW it was a little embarrassing with everyone staring at us like we were crazy people, but I didn't care, we were having a great time.
We were at the café and had already placed out orders. I was having a chicken Caesar salad and Tay ordered her usual Panini. How she ate that shit and stayed thin I have no idea. Yet another thing to be jealous over.
"So I have a favor to ask you." Tanya tentatively took a sip of her water, never taking her eyes off of me.
"I knew it! What do you want?"
"Well, one of the guys that have a regular set at the club is out of town this weekend and I can't find anyone to cover for him, so I was hoping…" She stopped herself and gave me the puppy dog eyes.
"No, absolutely not!"
"But Bellllaaaa." She whined. More puppy dog eyes and now the bottom lip was making an appearance. Shit. "Pleeeeaaassee? It's just two shows and the pay is really good."
"I can't Tay. I'm sorry, I just…I can't do it." To be honest, there is no real reason why I can't do, just that I don't want to. All those people listening to me singing my own words, it's terrifying.
"Bella, look at me." I lifted my eyes to look at her and saw pride shining from her eyes. "You are an amazing singer and songwriter. You CAN do this. I believe in you and Demetri practically begged me to ask you to fill in for Reggie. Please. Please do this for me and for yourself."
"I don't know Tay."
"Look, I know you're scared, but you're always scared right before you go up and the last couple of times you did it you just, I don't want to say soared because that's just lame, but that's what you did. You could see it on your face, the high, the energy from the crowd. You were eating it up. Plus, it's really no different than singing at karaoke night; it's just your own stuff. You only have to do two, three songs tops."
I thought about it for a minute, our food had come and I was eating and thinking, making her sweat. I knew I was going to do it after what she said, but the least I could do was torture her for a little bit.
"Okay, fine. 3 songs tops and I'm doing Saturday and Sunday nights only. Friday is off limits, I have a date with Jasper."
"Yay." She said and clapped. She was practically bouncing out of her seat. "I knew you were going to do it. You had to make me sweat though didn't you?" I shrugged and laughed at her. "Oh, I almost forgot to tell you, Demetri's brother Felix is coming into town next Saturday."
"So the real reason you're buttering me up comes out." She's always trying to set me up with guys she knows. I've heard a lot about Felix over the last 6 months. He's tall, great build, super sweet and most importantly…single. He also lives in New Orleans, so he's geographically undesirable. Tanya's response is always that he'd be a good lay and I could just leave it at that. My hoohah apparently needs some male attention according to her, and Alice…and Rosalie.
"Oh, that reminds me. Here." She shoved a bag at me from the lingerie store we were just at and I already knew what was in it without looking. I just stared at her, then at the bag, then her, then at the bag. "Just open it."
I opened it and sure enough it was the purple ruffled scraps of material I tried on. "Tay, you didn't need to do this." I'm not very good at accepting gifts, especially ones that cost this much money and she knows it, but she just waved me off like it was nothing.
"Now you have to go out with Felix." A smug smile spread across her face.
"So what, you're pimping me out now? Give me expensive lingerie to wear out with your brother-in-law? That's presumptuous." Tanya looks mildly offended until I start laughing, then she starts laughing with me.
"Just go out with him okay? He's a nice guy. I think you'll like him."
"No, Tanya. I'm putting my foot down on this one. I already have two dates this week and Felix lives in New Orleans. He's geographically undesirable. I've told you this I don't know how many times. I'm not going out with him. Just…NO!"
"You're no fun Bell." She finally relented and the rest of the afternoon went by really fast. I got back to the apartment and started my laundry and got to work on the new song. It was coming along really good, but I was having a hard time trying to figure out a word that rhymed with Edward. Yes I am writing a song about Edward. I know, it's pathetic, but the man is just so beautiful and it's not like he's ever going to hear it anyway. Maybe I can try it out at the club on Saturday.
"What the hell am I thinking? I can't put his name in there." I said out loud to myself. "UGH!"
I changed the name to something generic that way no-one would know that it's actually about anyone in particular. I don't know anyone by this name so it kind of works out perfect. I looked at the clock and saw that it was actually four in the morning, wow the evening really got away from me. At least my song and all my laundry are done. I slipped into bed and got some much needed sleep.
I ended up skipping the bookstore before coffee with Emmett. I slept in a little later than I expected, but that's alright. I can just go to the bookstore later. I didn't need the book right away, I just wanted to start reading this new series I had heard about. It looked really good and I couldn't wait to dig into it. I pulled up to the coffee shop and looked at my face in the mirror. Happy with girl staring back at me I grabbed my bag and got out of the car.
I spotted Emmett as soon as I walked in the door; it's kind of hard to miss him. He was seated in one of the back booths. He looked really handsome in his red polo shirt and khaki shorts. The smile and dimples were in full force when he saw me and I just had to smile back.
"Hey gorgeous." Emmett got out of the booth to meet me half way and gave me a big hug. It was nice. I had a feeling I was really going to like Emmett, even if we didn't make it as a couple I just knew we'd be great friends.
"Hey yourself handsome." I kissed his cheek as we pulled out of the hug.
"Shall we?" Emmett gestured to the growing line to order our coffees; I nodded and let him lead me to the line. "So what do you like Bella?"
"I love their vanilla lattes. They are sinful. What about you?" I had discovered them when I first came here. I was looking for something just as good as the ones back home, but could never find anything that could measure up. I tried so many different coffee places when I moved here I think I hit everything in a 10 mile radius. It's Seattle so of course there are a ton of coffee houses in the area. I finally found this one as soon as the latte slid down my throat I knew my search for the perfect vanilla latte was over.
"I like the cappuccinos personally. Would you like anything to eat? I'm fucking starving and could probably eat a god damn horse." The old lady in front of us turned and gave Emmett a dirty look and I think I snorted. What? It was funny.
"I could go for a scone or something Emmett." I finally responded after the old lady turned back around.
"Good, I didn't want to look like a pig on our first date. Although I guess you can't really call this a date since its just coffee. You know what that means don't you Bella?"
"I'm afraid to ask." Emmett laughed a booming laugh that had everyone in the coffee shop glaring at us. It's was mildly embarrassing, but I just decided to go with it.
"It means that if you don't find me to be stalkerish today you're going to have to let me take you out on a real date."
"Stalkerish, really Em?" I chuckled; he was rather charming in a little boy next door kind of way.
"What? That's a word." We made it up to the front and Emmett placed our order. The barista immediately got to work on our drinks; they probably wanted to get us out of their store as quickly as possible.
The coffee date with Emmett turned out to be really great. I was laughing my ass off the entire time. We had finished our second cups of coffee, but it was obvious neither of us wanted to leave yet.
"You want another latte Bella?" Emmett asked, gesturing to my now empty cup.
"Um, I think if I have another cup of coffee I am going to turn into the Tasmanian devil. Two is my limit I'm afraid." More than two cups of coffee and I turned into a jittery mess. Coherent words were also no longer an option after that either and I had to work tonight, not being able to speak or sing would not be good for me, especially with me working tonight.
Emmett laughed, drawing attention to us again. I had realized an hour ago that this is just how Emmett is and I was growing to love it. He was really fun, so his boisterous laugh didn't faze me anymore.
"Okay. I guess I should probably let you get home seeing as it's.." He checked the clock on his phone and his eyes widened. "Christ, it's four o'clock. I guess time really does fly when you're having fun."
"I guess it does. Thanks for this Em, I had a great time." I told him honestly. This was one of the best dates I've had in a long time and all we did was drink coffee and talk.
"Me too Bella. So when can I see you again?" He actually looked shy as he asked and I found it endearing.
"Well I'm busy this weekend, but how about next Friday?" I suggested.
"That works for me. Will you let me take you on a proper date now?" He asked.
"And what exactly is a proper date Em?"
"Well, let's see." His finger was tapping his chin in contemplation. "Dinner, maybe a play afterwards, and then we'll see where the evening takes us." He waggled his eyebrows then laughed and I knew he was kidding. Thank goodness, because I wasn't sure I was ready for that with him yet.
"That sounds good Emmett. Give me a call later in the week with details." I kissed him on his cheek and let him walk me out to my car.
"See you tonight Bella. I'll call you later." He grabbed me and pulled me into one of his Emmett hugs and I wrapped my arms around his waist. His hold relaxed slightly, I looked up at him and smiled. The look on his face told me that he wanted to kiss me. I figured I might as well; see if there was a spark.
Emmett's hands moved slowly from my hands, up my arms, to my shoulders and rested on my neck. His thumbs caressed my jaw; his eyes never left mine the entire time. The butterflies in my belly were going full force in anticipation.
"Can I kiss you Bella?" It was utterly adorable that he felt he had to ask. I nodded and his lips met mine. It was sweet and soft, something that was a contrast to all that was Emmett, well not all that was Emmett. He's pretty damn sweet. His tongue teased my bottom lip and I opened my mouth to taste him. He tasted like coffee and chocolate. It was divine. The kiss slowed and we parted.
"Wow. Bella, you're amazing." I could feel the blush rising up my chest all the way up to my forehead; I let my hair fall forward to hide my face. "I'll see you tonight at Eclipse Bella." With one last chaste kiss on the lips we parted. Emmett opened the door to my car for me. Once I was in he closed it behind me. I rolled the window down and thanked him again for a wonderful afternoon. He backed away from the car as I pulled away.
I wasn't sure what I was feeling at that moment. I liked Emmett, but I'm not sure I felt the spark. The kiss was undeniably amazing, but it didn't shoot sparks all the way from my head to my toes.
I drove back to my apartment just thinking, I was pulling into my parking space without even thinking. Deciding to stop over thinking things I resigned myself to let things go where they were going to go. I had my date with Jasper on Friday and I was going to see both of them and Edward in just a few hours.
I took a shower and got myself ready. I dressed in a pair of skinny jeans and a purple and white gauzey top. My hair was straight and make-up light. I never liked to overdo it when I was working, but I wanted to look cute even if it was just for work. Oh who was I kidding, I was dying for Edward to notice me. Even with dating two of his best friends all I could think of was him. What the hell is wrong with me? I have two perfectly good men vying for my attention and all I can think of is the manwhore with bronze hair and a crooked smile that makes my knees weak. I needed help; professional help.
Thanks for reading, please review, I love hearing what you think. I hope you all liked this chapter. The next one is already in the works and should be out really soon. I'm loving writing this story so far.