Chapter Two

Jasper

After lunch that day which I managed to force down not wanting to be parted from a girl I found fascinating. Bella wasn't the most beautiful girl I had ever seen, nor was she the most elegant but there was a freshness about her, she was like the girls I had known as a human, feminine but strong and capable of rolling her sleeves up and getting her hands dirty. I was going to enjoy my job here because of her. The thought I would see her every day gave me a good reason to get dressed every morning and come to work.

She showed me the most important areas of town, not the most salubrious but the areas I would be taking most of my photographs. The seedy side of town was like many others I had seen, the kind of places Peter and Charlotte used as their hunting grounds, the haunt of junkies and prostitutes. What I found most refreshing and a little startling was Bella's attitude to the street walkers. She didn't look down her nose at them or shun them, she had a kind of rapport with the girls and I realized she would be a good reporter because of this.

The girls and even most of their pimps would be willing to talk to her when others probably even the cops would get the cold shoulder. She introduced me and I found myself the center of attention among the girls, most of whom looked as if their best days were behind them but when I followed her example and spoke to them as if they were just girls I had met at a mall their wary looks and strained attitudes gave way to sly jokes and even some propositions which I brushed off as kindly as I could.

As we drove back to the paper in her car Bella gave me the thumbs up,

"You're going to be OK Jasper. You know how to approach people, you don't look down your nose at the less fortunate and they appreciate that. Not to mention every girl there was hoping you might smile in her direction, you're quite a hit."

I laughed at that,

"I'm not sure I'd be safe cruising that area alone, I might get attacked by them."

"Yeah, but they'd be after your body, not your money or cell phone."

I glanced at her, I wasn't used to hearing such frank appraisal of my attributes although I was well aware I would attract the females, it was part of my makeup as a vampire.

"You think? Maybe I should come in disguise."

"I wouldn't bother, they can smell one of those instinctively. Anyway, you won't usually go out alone. The photos are important but readers like to hear what was going on too."

"Will I be going out with you?"

Whoops! I sounded far too eager even to my own ears, what was this girl doing to me?

She shook her head and I detected a hint of sorrow in her voice,

"I'm afraid not. I usually go out with Benny, you'll be hooked up with Cynthia but she's OK."

The rest of the day I spent meeting the rest of the crew and finding my way around but I made sure to be close to Bella as she prepared to leave for the day. I was admittedly trying to hide from one of the secretaries called Betty who had made a beeline for me and already asked me out not wanting to take no for an answer. Bella grinned as I shut her door quickly and stood against it possibly looking a little hunted.

"I take it you met Betty?"

I nodded,

"Does she ever give up?"

"Afraid not, at least not until you are taken and even then she might try. Has she asked you to the Forks town barbecue yet?"

My hunted look must have increased as I shook my head because she burst out laughing.

"OK, I hate to see a grown man hiding in the closet so I guess I'd better tell her you are coming with me. It'll give me a chance to introduce you to any important people you don't already know and you can introduce me to your family."

I felt elated at the thought we would be spending an afternoon and evening together but I had to ask,

"Won't your boyfriend object to my presence?"

She smiled,

"I guess if I had one he might but Jake and I broke up a long time ago, right now I'm not seeing anyone, how about you?"

Was she really interested or was this just her being polite?

"Like you I'm unattached."

I felt a thrill of something coming from her, could she be pleased that I was without a girlfriend? Now that idea thrilled me too. I felt very drawn to this girl and having not felt this before I decided to see where it would lead.

"Is there anything I should know about the barbecue? Any dress code? Should I offer to help or bring something?"

She grinned mischievously,

"I'd bring a thick jacket, it's sure to rain but as for the rest, just come as you are. I promised to make some salads so maybe you could help me transport them…..or….maybe not."

She was glancing out the window at my transport.

"I have a car too you know. The bike is just faster and more fun."

"It might be better if you kept that to yourself in my dad's hearing or he'll have a fit."

She blushed then aware of the import of her words,

"I just meant…."

"I understand. Should I look on this as a work assignment or….."

She hesitated then blushed again,

"How about a little of both?"

I was elated, she hadn't cut me out so maybe I stood a chance with this strangely enigmatic girl. I wasn't sure but I would talk to Rosalie about it, she could soon tell me if I was seeing way too much in a few simple words.

Bella

I felt somehow bereft when Jasper had left raising a hand in salute as he rode off like some leather clad god. I had to admit it, I was interested, what woman with a still beating heart wouldn't be? He was handsome, sexy, interesting and a good conversationalist, all things that would make Jake hate him and probably make my dad suspicious but being the doctor's foster son would count for something and Charlie was always on at me to find a guy and settle down. I know he had been disappointed when Jake and I broke up so maybe he would be happy to think I might have found someone new. Of course, this was all speculation, I had no idea how Jasper really felt and he might well have just been polite. Tomorrow he would probably have a good excuse not to go to the barbecue at all or might bring another member of his family so I would understand it was purely business.

Dad was already home when I got back and trying largely unsuccessfully to cook dinner. Something he did from time to time, once he forgot the last disaster. This time we had an only slightly burned fish casserole. He looked slightly embarrassed but as I pointed out the smoke detector hadn't actually gone off this time.

"The new guy I was telling you about started today, Jasper Hale."

"I remember you bitching about having to show him the ropes, how did it go?"

"Actually he was OK. Turns out his foster dad is the new doctor."

"He's Carlisle Cullen's boy?"

He grinned knowingly.

"What?"

"Well, if the others are anything to go by I'd guess he's quite the heartthrob. Deb's hasn't stopped going on about the new doctor and his two sons she has seen, they made quite an impression on her and I've met Carlisle and his wife Esme. I have to say they look more like movie idols than your average country doctor and wife. I invited them to the barbecue so you'll see them there."

"I asked Jasper to come too."

He grinned and suddenly I felt self-conscious,

"You shouldn't get too attached to this son, I hear the others are red hot."

"Dad, I am not attached, we'll just be working together so don't you start any rumours, especially with Jake."

That wiped the smile off his face,

"I won't.