Chapter Sixteen

Bella

I was torn, Edward had done nothing I could complain of except getting physically too close to me and as Jasper said he was a bit of a loner who had few friends so perhaps he just hadn't understood the concept of personal space. I understood what he said about becoming a part of the family, I knew how important that was to Jasper and I didn't want to cause any problems, I loved Jasper and liked the others. Perhaps I was reading too much into Edwards faux pas. I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, after all, he was Jasper's brother and I hated that I couldn't take to him or trust him.

The evening was fine, Emmett, Rose and Esme were home soon after we arrived and Carlisle was already there when we arrived with a warm welcome for me. I liked him, he was like a kind of trendy father figure who was very sweet and understanding and surely if Edward had been acting strangely or inappropriately towards me he would have noticed and said something to his foster son. He and Esme seemed delighted that Edward was going to accompany me to the concert while I was wishing that Alice was here to join us. Emmett was a darling taking my mind off the fact Jasper was away with his usual charm and boyish humor while Rose acted as if we had been friends forever. I really liked her, probably because she was Jasper's twin. Again if she had noticed anything strange in Edward's behaviour surely she would have stepped in. I decided I was being over touchy and promised myself to give Edward the benefit of the doubt.

I spoke to Jasper on the phone and reassured him that I was fine, feeling guilty that my words had made him worried about me.

"I'm fine and Charlie's coming over for dinner."

"No more anonymous gifts?"

"No, nothing."

I had decided not to tell him about my strange dream of finding my Walkman and book tampered with, after all, it had been just a dream, hadn't it?

"How is your job going?"

"Fine but the client is demanding so I'm going off to a new shooting location this evening. I'm sorry I won't be with you tomorrow evening but I know Edward will look after you. I love you darlin'."

"I love you too Jasper, stay safe."

"I will and I'll ring you again on Sunday so you can tell me all about it. OK? I have to go now Bella, I'm sorry."

I enjoyed Saturday talking to Esme about the Winter Festival and watching as she and Rose turned the blank interior of their client's new loft apartment into a beautiful modern living space.

"When I get a place of my own I want you two to design the interior."

They smiled at me knowingly,

"Oh, I think that's a given. I usually offer my services as a freebie to the family Bella although I hope you'll decide to spend at least some of the time with us."

Family! I loved that idea and watching how they treated Charlie as part of the family too when he came over for dinner I knew what it meant to be a part of a real, a large family that was close in every way that mattered.

By the time we left for the concert I was beginning to think I had imagined everything, Edward had been friendly but not pushy and joined in with Emmett, Rose, and myself playing Trivial pursuit which I was pretty good at until it got to the sports questions. Partnered with Emmett this was no longer a problem and it was neck and neck to the very end where Edwards knowledge of music was enough to give them the edge.

During the drive, he chatted pleasantly about the game putting me more at my ease until he asked me one question,

"Which do you think is the better book Bella, Gone with the Wind or The Great Gatsby?"

I froze, why had he chosen those two book titles? I hesitated,

"I guess they both have their strengths and weaknesses. I'm still reading Margaret Mitchell, why?"

"I just wondered, I guess I'm interested in which era you find more appealing."

"Oh, well they were both glamorous in different ways and I like the characters and their interactions. I suppose they both showcase impossible love."

"Yes, but if you had to choose."

He sounded very insistent and I began to wonder why it mattered to him.

"I think the glamour of the 1920's appeals to me, the Civil War and the devastation it caused are very depressing."

"Yes, that time brought into being many monsters."

It was an odd comment and I decided to ignore it, relieved when he changed the subject to music although his contempt for the guitar and the folk/country music he insisted it was mostly associated with made me realize what a snob he really was.

When we finally arrived I was glad to leave the confinement of the car and the nearness of my companion. I had begun to feel claustrophobic and a little uneasy in Edward's company again and I hated it. He took my arm as we went inside and although my first reaction was to pull free I could see why he had done so, with the crowds it would have been so easy to become separated. We had great seats and I soon became immersed in the music and atmosphere almost forgetting who my companion was. He didn't say much but I was aware he had moved closer and slipped his arm around the back of my seat, was he coming on to me?

When the music was over Edward told me Jasper had instructed him to take me to dinner and although I protested I was fine and ready to go home I found myself steered through the door of a nearby expensive Italian restaurant.

"I remembered you telling me you were partial to Italian food."

I didn't recall ever mentioning the fact but if I didn't want to cause a scene all I could do was to smile, nod, and take the seat he offered.

"Don't look so put out Bella, enjoy the evening, your freedom, and the ambience."

The restaurant was beautiful and the meal when it came was superb, if only the company had been different and just what had he meant by enjoying my freedom?

There was a short silence as we ate before he spoke again,

"What on earth do you see in my brother Bella? He's hardly in your league."

I looked up from my plate surprised by his question.

"I'm sorry?"

"Don't look so shocked, you are a beautiful, bright and charming woman. You deserve the best things in life, the perfect partner."

"And you don't think your brother is that man? That's not very loyal is it?"

"Loyalty only reaches so far. I'll be honest with you Bella, Jasper is a very troubled young man, you only see what he wants you to see, the surface veneer."

Now he sounded pompous, he was even younger than Jasper!

I answered him coldly, my anger rising by the moment,

"If you are talking about his parent's death and his experiences in the foster care system before Carlisle and Esme gave he and Rose a home then don't bother. What happened in his past is immaterial to me, it's what he is now that I care about."

He smiled pityingly at me,

"If you only knew the truth Bella, but everyone's too scared to talk about it."

I laughed out loud at this absurd comment causing him to scowl,

"Edward you are so full of shit it's unbelievable. You really expect me to accept that Carlisle and Esme are scared of Jasper? Give me a break!"

I got up making for the door leaving him to pay the bill and catch me up,

"I'd like to go home right now."

Fuming I almost ran to the car which was parked in the now almost empty venue car park, what an arrogant little shit, I'd been right about Edward Cullen from the start and I should have listened to my own feelings. As I approached the car I could see a figure standing there and slowed. I was alone in this parking lot which was incredibly stupid but then the figure turned and I recognized Edward, how the hell had he beaten me here? He smiled and opened my door for me but as I tried to get in he pulled me close.

"Admit it, Bella, you feel something for me. I knew you did the first time we met. Forget Jasper, he's not worth worrying about. You and I are a far better match."

As his face came close, he was about to try kissing me, I pulled my arm back and landed a stinging slap on his face which only hurt me, it had been like hitting a brick wall.

Edward's smile slid from his face and his eyes tightened with anger.

"You should listen to me Bella, I could be all that was standing between you and a monster. Now get in the car and belt up."

I did as he said, my hand was painful, my fingers stiffening already. What was going on? No one could move fast enough to pay the restaurant bill and beat me to the parking lot without even looking out of breath and when I had hit him there had been no give. His cheek had felt hard and cold, like granite. I suddenly felt very uneasy and just wanted to get home and away from Edward, so I could think and feel safe.