AN: This was one of my favourite chapters to write, I hope you enjoy!
Chapter Seventeen
I checked my watch for the hundredth time that morning and stood on tiptoes, attempting to see over the crowd of people waiting impatiently at the gate. A swarm of people surged through the automatic glass doors pushing trolleys or dragging suitcases behind them and I craned my head for a glimpse of Karin.
Finally I spotted her, looking like a total movie star with a white scarf wrapped around her head and overly large sunglasses perched on her small ski jump nose. Her lips were a dark red and she wore very tight skinny black jeans and a baggy grey cable knit sweater that hid her too skinny frame. Despite her height, she wore stiletto ankle boots and dragged a large suitcase behind her.
I waved like a crazy person, unable to keep the beaming smile off my face. She saw me and removed her sunglasses, her massive dark eyes filling instantly with tears as we collided in a hug.
We both babbled over each other with greetings and questions and exclamations about how well the other one looked. Finally, we caught our breath and I took her suitcase, leading her out of the arrivals lounge towards the carpark.
"Ok, so Bella, don't completely freak out, but Henry has been a total mess lately," Karin said. I groaned, but she continued before I could speak. "He's not ready to let you go and I got the feeling he's about to do something drastic to win you back."
"What!" I exclaimed, completely exasperated. "But Karin, I was so clear with him. I couldn't have been more clear that it was over."
"Bella you know what he's like."
I grumbled and pulled out my phone, scrolling through the numbers. "Well this is just perfect," I muttered angrily, finding Henry's number and hitting dial. It went straight to voicemail. "Henry, it's Bella, you need to call me, it's important." I ended the call and glared at my friend. She beamed back at me.
"So, what are we doing today?" Karin asked cheerily, taking my arm as we walked back to my car.
Karin and I spent the day exploring Seattle. We went to Pike Place Market, where Karin watched in wonder as the vendors tossed whole salmon to each other across stalls, and we wandered through the fresh fruit and vegetables stands. I took her to the original Starbucks where she declared that 'Americans had the worst taste in coffee, ever'. Karin was a coffee barista back in London and I laughed at her disgust as she sipped on her grande non-fat latte. We visited the iconic Seattle Space Needle and had a decadent lunch down by the fish markets, gorging ourselves on overpriced seafood. Finally we returned home for Karin to have a nap before we headed to the gala that evening.
Throughout the day, I'd been checking my phone incessantly, worried I would get a call saying the florist hadn't arrived or the caterers had made a mistake with the date. Of course I knew that Susan, who was head of marketing and on-site today, was more than capable, but I felt like my reputation would make or break with the success of tonight's event. I kept waiting for Henry's reply as well. I couldn't believe that he still thought that he had a chance with me. In England, our relationship had never gone any further than physical. I made it clear that I wasn't in love with him and that I didn't see a future together. And yet, months later, he still wanted to see me, I just couldn't understand it.
Mel came over in the early evening to get ready with us. I breathed a sigh of envy at her velvet green dress that clung beautifully to her curves and contrasted magnificently with her pale skin and long red hair.
Then Karin came out of the bedroom, looking stunning in a one shoulder red dress, her dreadlocks scraped back and her brown eyes huge in her dark face.
Mel and I both sighed in envy. "Karin you look amazing," I breathed, silently wishing I could have her elegant six foot frame and her graceful beauty.
I wore a simple navy dress that cinched tightly around my waist and flowed down to my ankles. Alice had dropped it off last week with a wink and a grin. "It will go perfectly with your Louboutins," she'd said.
Mel poured each of us a glass of champagne as we crowded into my small bathroom, fighting over mirror space as we applied mascara and lipstick.
"I'm nervous about tonight," Mel said quietly.
"Why?" I asked immediately, looking at her. Mel wasn't the type to get nervous.
She shrugged but then admitted. "I'm worried Married Man might be there."
"Who's Married Man?" asked Karin as she applied the final touches to her dramatic eyeliner, making her eyes look almost too large for her face.
I quickly filled her in and then turned to Mel. "Why would he be there tonight?"
"Well, he's sort of affiliated with the library, that's how we met."
"You should have told me sooner," I said, "I could have checked the guest list for his name."
She shook her head. "It doesn't matter. And anyway, I'm going with Chris, who is absolutely divine, and even if Married Man is there, I'll pretend not to even see him."
I laughed and explained to Karin about the jaw dropping good looks of Chris, Jacob's flatmate.
"Does he have another friend for me?" she asked, fluttering her lashes and grinning. I laughed but half hoped that Jacob wouldn't be comparing me with Karin; there was no contest between which of us was the more beautiful.
As I applied the final touches to my lipstick, a horrible thought struck me and I grabbed the counter top, suddenly feeling sick. Jacob had never met Karin before – what if she was his imprint? What if they imprinted right in front of me and I lost him forever?
"Bella, what's wrong?"
I shook my head, and smiled stiffly. I was being stupid. I couldn't get scared every time Jacob met someone new. There would be a whole room full of women that Jacob had never seen before tonight, he could imprint on any one of them! Would this be my whole life now, worrying every time that we left the house that Jacob would find his soul mate walking down the street?
I downed the last of my champagne and forced a smile at the girls. "Come on, we can't be late."
ooo
Marcus greeted us as we arrived at the library. We were early, the first to arrive and I hurried inside to check that everything was in place and ready to go. The tech people were finishing their last audio check, and the band was setting up. The wait staff were at the bar, pouring glasses of champagne and beer, ready for the arrival of the first guests.
I chatted quickly with Susan, ensuring that all was on track and then breathed a sigh of relief, really seeing the venue properly for first time. The library conference room was transformed with flowers and balloons. It looked incredible, and I was proud of what I'd achieved.
"Here," said Mel, handing me a glass. "You deserve a drink." She raised her own glass in a toast. "To Bella," she said, and Karin repeated the sentiment. We all laughed and drank.
Guests had started to arrive and I was swept away by Marcus, who seemed intent on introducing me to everyone. I finally managed to pull myself away and found Mel, who was standing with Chris, Jacob and Seth.
"Where's Karin?" I asked.
"Ladies room," Mel replied, one hand clenching Chris' tightly.
I tilted my head back to look properly at Jacob, who was wearing a new dark grey suit with a navy blue tie. I had never seen Jacob in a suit before and felt my heart race as I ogled the way his broad shoulders filled his jacket and the way his pants fit perfectly around his hips.
Jacob brought his hand up to my face and traced his thumb over my cheekbone, making my breath catch in my throat and my heartbeat race. My skin burned where he touched me, and if Chris, Seth and Mel hadn't been looking on, I would have grabbed Jacob and pressed myself up against him.
His dark eyes searched mine and his full lips curved up at the corners. He was freshly shaved and his hair was still damp.
"Are you guys done just staring at each other?"
I jumped at Seth's voice and blushed, taking a quick step back away from him.
"You look beautiful," Jacob murmured quietly, still not drawing his eyes away from me. My stomach clenched again as he reached out to take my hand in his. His skin was soft and warm against mine.
I waved at Karin who was making her way back from the restrooms and she smiled and hurried over. Yet again, I wished I had her grace, knowing that if I attempted to wear the stilettos she had on, I would end up flat on my face.
Jacob and Chris turned to greet her, and then Seth, who had been helping himself to a canape, looked up.
It happened in an instant. Seth's whole body froze as he met Karin's eyes. Then he began to tremble, his breath coming quicker and harder. His eyes did not leave hers.
Karin gazed at him in confusion, but there was something else there as well. Both of them seemed locked together in this moment, oblivious to those around them. Jacob's hand was suddenly tight on mine and instantly I knew what was happening.
I released Jacob and grabbed Seth's arm with both of my hands, pulling on him hard. He didn't seem to feel me. He was smiling strangely, and even more bizarrely, Karin was smiling back. I shook my head and pinched him hard.
"Ow!" That seemed to break the spell. Seth turned to glare at me. "What was that for?
"Seth," I said, a clear warning in my voice. "This is Karin, my friend from England."
Karin held her hand out to him, her eyes still not leaving his face. It was clear she was equally infatuated with him. Seth took her hand in his and held it for too long. I sighed and pinched him again.
"Seth can I talk to you for a moment?" Without waiting for him to reply, I dragged him over to a quiet corner, Jacob not far behind.
As soon as we were out of everyone's earshot, Jacob cuffed Seth hard around the head. "You idiot," he said quietly, his voice resigned. "What did you have to go and do that for?"
Seth rubbed his head where Jacob had hit him but he couldn't wipe the silly grin from his face. "She's perfect," he breathed.
"You didn't have to imprint on her," I hissed. "Seth, she's my best friend!"
"I'm not even a bit sorry, Bella," he said. "She's incredible. I need to get back to her."
I watched in disbelief as Seth strolled back over to the group, and held out his hand to Karin who took it instantly. "Would you like to dance?" he asked her quietly. She handed her glass to a passing waiter and led him onto the dance floor, where they locked their bodies together and gazed intently into each other's eyes. Jacob and I slowly made our way back to the others.
"Well that was weird," Chris said, watching the pair sway slowly to the beat of the song.
Mel wasn't paying attention. She was squinting through the crowd, searching for someone. As the beat in the song grew louder, she lent in to me and whispered in my ear. "I think I saw him. I saw Married Man."
It was my turn to grab Mel's arm, although admittedly I was gentler with her than I had been with Seth. She turned to look at me and I could see tears brimming in her eyes. I hated Married Man. He had led her on and made Mel believe they'd had something real. She was clearly still in love with him. I wanted to find him and slap him in the face. Although of course, I had no idea who he was.
"Go and dance with Chris," I said to her. "Remember, you're here with him and he makes you happy. Forget MM, he's not worth it."
She nodded and took Chris' hand, following Seth and Karin on to the dance floor. I turned back to face Jacob, who was also peering through the crowd, a bewildered look on his face.
"What now?" I asked, exasperated at the non-stop drama thrust upon us all evening.
"Ok, this is weird," he began, turning back to me. "But I think I just saw Laura and her sister."
My jaw fell open comically and I shook my head. "No way, you must be imagining Jake. I wrote the guest list and Laura's name was not on it."
He shrugged, "You're right, I'm probably just seeing things." He cupped my face in his warm hand and smiled. "But someone else has just arrived and you'll be glad to see them."
Within seconds, Alice had arrived by my side, Jasper tailing closely behind them. They were movie star fabulous and turned heads as they parted the crowd.
I squealed and hugged them both, apologising quickly to Jasper who had never been fond of my physical contact. "You came!" I gushed excitedly.
"Of course," Alice replied, her light voice tinkling with laughter. "We replied yes, didn't we?"
"Oh I am so glad, this has been such a strange night."
"Hey Shortie," Jacob greeted Alice and I was amazed when he actually lent down and hugged her delicately. He nodded at Jasper. "Dude."
"This is Jasper," I told Jacob, rolling my eyes. "You've met him heaps of times before. Will the three of you be ok together for a few minutes? I need to do another round of the guests, make sure I've said hi to everyone."
I slowly made my way around the now crowded room, greeting people I knew and introducing myself to those I didn't. Many wanted to talk to me about their latest books or question my choices for the books of the month. A group of authors cornered me to float the idea of a month dedicated to dystopian novels, starting with the classics 1984 and Brave New World and moving into the modern teen fiction sub-genre. I promised them I would email them all to set up some dates and finally peeled myself away.
Needing a break from people, I excused myself and located the restrooms. As I walked down the quiet corridor, someone behind me called my name. I turned and saw Cole hurrying forwards. He was dressed smartly in a black tuxedo, his blonde hair swept back out of his face. I hesitated, remembering our last meeting and not wanting to have an awkward conversation with him.
"Hi Cole," I greeted him, forcing a smile onto my face.
"Bella, I wanted to see you again. I want to apologise for the other day."
I shook my head, "It's fine, you didn't know."
He took a step closer and I felt my breath hitch nervously in my chest. The hallway was deserted and quiet, and up close I could see that Cole's eyes looked blurry. He had a glass of wine still in his hand and I wondered how many he'd had already that evening.
"Bella," he came closer still and I stepped backwards, my back pressing into the wall. Alarm bells started to go off in my head.
He leaned in closer, grabbing my shoulder with one hand and I could smell the alcohol on his breath. I was frozen to the spot, and Jacob's words rang in my head. Punch him if he tries to kiss you again.
I tried to shake his hand off me, but he dug his fingers in tighter.
"Cole stop, you're hurting me!" I said, my voice raising in panic. I put both my hands on his chest and pushed as hard as I could. He stumbled backwards, but now he looked angry.
"You led me on, Bella," he slurred, coming at me again, this time grabbing the back of my head.
And then, in an instant, he was gone, thrown across the hallway where his body slammed into the wall and he slid down it. His glass of red wine spilt over his shirt looking eerily like blood.
I gasped and covered my hand in my mouth. Jacob, Alice and Jasper all stood in the hallway. Alice's lips were pulled back in a snarl and Jasper rested one hand on her shoulder to calm her. Jacob was shaking so violently that I was afraid to touch him.
"Jasper please," I begged him, my eyes on Jacob afraid that the animal would erupt from him.
A calm washed over me and Jacob's shakes slowed then stopped. I ran forward and grabbed him around the waist, burying my face into his warm body. He turned and wrapped his arms around me, murmuring quietly.
Glasses askew, Cole lay on the floor, groaning and trying to catch his breath. I was still in shock, unable to believe that this quietly-spoken man, who I had come to know and like these past few months had just forced himself on me. Cole was my friend, how could he do this?
"Cole?"
I whipped my head around as Mel hurried up the hallway, her eyes fixed on the man on the floor.
"What happened?" she asked desperately.
"You know him?" I asked her bewildered.
She hurried over to him and squatted down on the floor beside him. "Of course I know him," she replied, grabbing his arm and pulling him to his feet. He was having trouble standing, still clutching his stomach, clearly winded from the force of being thrown at the wall. Mel faced me and met my eyes with such intensity that I understood.
Cole was Married Man.
AN: Next chapter is intense with a lot of action! I'll try and get it up ASAP. Hope you all enjoyed and please leave me a review x
