Over 150 reviews between all three sites I'm posting on?! You all seriously rock. I cannot believe how well received Coffee Girl has been. I honestly want to cry from all the love.

I was asked about how long the story was going to be, and originally it was outlined for thirty…now there are thirty-three outlined chapters, but I've gotten a few more ideas for additional things, so it might reach forty. Who knows… I just write what Bella tells me.

Thank you to my team: Brie, Jen, Kelly, and Kim. Love you ladies!

Today's Hollywood star is Neil Patrick Harris...aka The Dick. His dry sense of humor leaves much to be desired because he comes across as cocky and not funny when you pay him a complement. He wasn't friendly in the least, and if I wasn't so nice I would have fucked with his coffee. Ever see the movie Waiting? Yeah, he's one of those and this was back in 2001 when he wasn't doing shit in the industry. It was just a sad experience, especially for someone like me who grew up watching Doogie.

Chapter Two

I was floored by his comment. I knew I wasn't the next Mariah Carey, but my voice was still pretty good. I was shocked by the gall of this man-this boy.

"You were singing when I interrupted you. You sounded like an angel." His cheeks and ears turned a lovely red and I couldn't help the smirk that overcame my face.

Oops. Talk about putting my foot into my mouth. I tended to be overly sensitive when it came to my voice and he triggered the knee jerk reaction before I allowed him to finish speaking.

"I'm no angel, but thanks. I like to write, but I have no desire to get up on stage and sing for a living. It actually freaks me the hell out. The thought of hundreds of thousands of people judging my every sound…" I shivered at the thought; it wasn't a pleasant feeling, either. "But songwriting is my passion."

The timer on the drip coffee beeped and broke our connection. I quickly turned to change it out and nearly fell again. I could tell it was going to be one of those days.

"Careful there, Bella. I've never been good at rescuing damsels in distress before," Edward said in a teasing tone as I worked on changing out the coffee.

"Don't worry, I've always been able to rescue myself." With the coffee brewing again, I grabbed my replacement milk jugs and headed around to the other side of the counter where Edward was standing.

"Do you like working here?"

I nodded. I really wanted to know what was up with the twenty questions and why he was so intrigued by what I did.

After I wiped down the counter and checked that all of the other supplies were full, I turned and looked up at the Greek god. I crossed my arms under my breasts, drawing his eyes directly down to the girls.

"Eyes up here," I exclaimed. When he complied, I continued. "What's with the twenty questions? Do you really care or are you looking for your next girl to bed? 'Cause I have to tell you, I'm not like that."

"I wasn't...I'm not," he stuttered before setting his coffee down and pulling his hat off his head, his fingers tugging at his wild and untamable hair. His cheeks flamed and I could honestly say I'd never seen him look cuter.

"Good. I just wanted to make sure. I have morals." A few, at least.

His blush was finally receding when he found his tongue and responded. "Morals are good. My mom taught me those too."

Was he flirting now? This man was going to give me whiplash while I tried to figure out what game he was playing.

"So you're a mama's boy. Do you still live at home too?" I was teasing, but when he told me he did, I almost felt bad. I wasn't trying to make fun of him. "That's actually kind of sweet. Are you waiting for Mom to approve of the woman you want to marry before you set out on your own?"

"Something like that," he muttered under his breath, but I caught it.

The bell on the door chimed, letting us know we weren't alone anymore. "Hey Bella, I'm so sorry about this morning. Jessica is gone. I can't believe she did this again after her third warning," Angela ranted as she walked in, so focused on her rant that she hadn't noticed our guest.

"It's cool. It hasn't been busy yet. Just this dude who can't get enough of my coffee making skills."

She looked back and forth between Edward and me, recognition of whom he was written all over her face. "I...ah...um...I just going to go put my stuff away, and...I...ah...I'll come back out and take over so you can take a break."

She turned and made her way back to the storage room. I turned back to Edward, who was obviously amused by my boss' reaction to him. I arched my eyebrow in question, and he just shook his head.

"You know, my mom always said I should find a girl who could make the perfect cup of coffee because then I would always start my day off right and that I should marry her… she was right. And I think I found her." I was stunned speechless, completely frozen and unable to move as he picked up his coffee and headed back out the door. "Until next time coffee girl." And then he was gone.

I collapsed down onto the closest chair, confused beyond belief.

What the hell was that? I wondered.

I didn't know exactly how long I sat there before Angela came back out, waving her hand in front of me to get my attention.

"Sorry, Ang. I kind of spaced there for a minute...or ten."

"It's okay, B. Everything okay?" she asked, and for once she had a reason to be concerned about my spacing out.

"I think Edward Cullen just told me he was going to marry me." It was really so odd to say that out loud and I was so sure I heard him wrong that I started laughing. "That's ridiculous, huh? The most desirable bachelor in Hollywood under the age of thirty saying he wants to marry the twenty-one year old coffee girl next door." It still sounded absurd repeating it again, even in a different way. "Let's get back to work; the rush should be starting soon."

With one last look out the door, I hopped up and got back to work. It was going to be a long day for sure.

~o~o~o~

After work, I headed over to my college campus. California State University, Northridge had been my home base for the past three years. With all my required general education classes out of the way, I was happily focused on classes in direct correlation with my major. Today I had Vocal Literature and the History of Rock and Pop Music; they were two of my favorite classes, but my mind was elsewhere. It was stuck on Hollywood's It Boy.

Thinking about him wasn't going to help me; besides, it wasn't like I actually believed what he'd said to me. Marry me? It was crazy. Guys like him dated other actors, if not supermodels like Miranda Kerr. In the real world, the girl next door never landed the movie star.

Focus, Bella! I loved when the voices in my head spoke…I just had to be careful not to answer them out loud. That would definitely lead to a ride on the crazy train, and not the one Ozzy sang about.

As we were excused from VL, I had to ask Eric if I could copy his notes; I knew the boy had a crush on me and I used that fully to my advantage...this one time. I wasn't one of those people who used others to get what I wanted; as I told Edward, I have morals. I would do the work later when I wasn't on a Cullen high.

"Sure, Bella. I'll email them to you," he said as he pushed his glasses back up his nose.

"Thanks, Eric. You really are a lifesaver. I had a crazy day at work and just couldn't focus on Banner's monotone voice. I swear he makes Ben Stein seem as if he has a personality."

Eric snorted, and I couldn't help but giggle. He was cute, but totally not my type.

"Listen, you, uh, maybe want to get some coffee with me?"

Seriously?! Of all the things he could have asked, that was what he chose...coffee.

"Eric, you do realize I work in a coffeehouse. I have coffee growing out of my ears." I would have said ass, but I was afraid I would send him into cardiac arrest if I talked about my ass. "Between classes and work, I hardly ever get to rest. I don't date, either, but thanks for asking."

"Oh, okay."

I honestly felt bad. "Catch you later, Eric. I'm off to HRPM now. Let's hope I can concentrate in there!" I began my trek through the building but stopped and turned. Eric was still standing in the same spot. "Bye, Eric!" I shouted with a smile on my face. He really was a good guy. He waved, and it made feel a tiny bit better about turning him down.

The CSUN campus as it was affectionately known as was huge, but I was lucky that all my music classes were grouped together in the Cypress Hall, so I didn't have far to go. I had spent the thirty minutes before classes began double checking over my Women of the 80's paper.

Madonna, Whitney, Cyndi, Pat, and Tina. Those women ruled the pop charts while singing about love and men, about friends and celebrating. Even sex was making its way onto the mainstream radio playlists. The eighties were definitely a period of enlightenment. Now I just needed to be enlightened about Edward Cullen and his thought process of my coffee making skills so I could go on with my life as if we'd never met.

College was important to me. I didn't need his kind of distractions. But I still ended up having to borrow notes from Kate in my second class too. After I thanked her and said goodbye, I walked out and headed over to the Sierra Quad where I plopped down on the grass in the shade.

What was I doing? I wondered.

I truly wasn't one of those of those girls who lusted after Hollywood stars. They came and went from the coffeehouse in Encino all the time. Sure, the other stars weren't as big, and they were mostly on television shows, but I didn't let the differences in our bank accounts affect the way they treated me. They just didn't flirt the way Edward had, and that was what I realized to truly be the problem.

I allowed him to get under my skin, to make me think of possibilities I had no right to think about. I was a girl who grew up in a blue collar family in the valley. I had a Los Angeles County Police Officer for a father and a homemaker for a mother. Our quaint three bedrooms and two bath track style home. I never wanted for anything, but it wasn't like I had high expectations either. Simple was best.

I didn't know what kind of childhood Edward had; I only knew about his latest movie and the fact that he was single, thanks to Jessica's obsession with him. She had been the one to keep me up-to-date on the coming and goings of Edward's life. Now that she wouldn't be working with me I'd get a reprieve from the constant barrage of Edward this and Edward that. The girl was nothing if not his number one stalker. Fan was just too nice of a compliment for someone like her.

I always thought his movies were good. He had just wrapped on the Starry Night trilogy that made him a household name. He played the brooding musician to a tee. It was so heartfelt and achingly beautiful. You could feel the loss of his true love when she died at the end. He was a very talented actor, and I was sure he would have a long and successful career.

I cleared my mind of all things Edward and got up and left campus. The drive back home wasn't very quick since everyone was off work and trying to do the same thing I was.

I had chosen to live at home because it saved money. College, even with scholarships, grants, and loans, still cost a pretty penny. I had a bunch of homework and needed to stay on top of everything; I couldn't let a Hollywood heartthrob keep me from reaching my goals.

When I finally pulled into our driveway, I sighed in relief. I really hope Mom hadn't burned dinner again. I didn't feel like having pizza, or waiting the additional forty-five minutes it would take for it to arrive.

I sighed and pulled my backpack and apron out of the trunk and then prayed Edward was out of my thoughts for good. But subconsciously, I hoped he would show up at the coffeehouse again soon. I didn't like the idea of never seeing those verdant green eyes again anywhere but on the big screen.

No cliffy, but I cannot promise there won't be in the future. Anyway, thanks for reading, reviewing, sharing, and whatever else all you lovely people do. Questions are always welcome! See you on Friday, but be on the lookout for two different teasers on Fic Tease and Fic Central, Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.

xx Dee