For beachcomberlc because, just because. For Julietoo, for similar reasons.
For the rest of you, to hopefully make you smile.
This was not edited by any sort of professional.
The next morning...
Edward, having tossed and turned all night reliving the stupid things he had done and kicking himself for neglecting to obtain Bella's phone number, was grumpy. He did not want to open his eyes and start a new day. He wanted to burrow under the covers and hibernate until Bella Swan forgot who he was. Not even the lure of fresh coffee tempted him nor did the idea of a hot shower. What finally forced him from his blankets was the ringing of his cell phone across the room.
He grumbled out a greeting only to be met with the dulcet tones of Miss Swan herself. Like the suave and sophisticated gentleman he was, he responded with the most obvious of questions.
"How did you get my number?"
While this could be an innocuous question if asked in the correct tone, when barked in a gruff, first thing in the morning voice, and a shocked and panicked tone could leave the caller with the impression that their call was not welcomed. Thankfully Miss Swan herself did not read too much into either Edward's tone or his question and she cheerily continued with the conversation.
"Jasper. I spoke with Alice this morning and he was there so I asked him. So listen, we're not open for a full day today and I was wondering if you'd be free for coffee later, maybe four-ish?"
"Yeah, sure, that would be great. I'll meet you at your truck?" Edward voice and tone were now that of an eager young man.
"Perfect. You know I spent all morning trying to figure out where I met you before the Gala. It's been bugging me but I'll get it eventually. Don't tell me if you remember, I like to ferret out mysteries on my own. See you later then."
The noise he made as she hung up was similar to that of a schnauzer when it's favourite toy is taken away. It was a piteous noise indeed.
The next evening...
As a first date, it was close to perfect. Neither were too boastful nor were they too disparaging when discussing their pasts and achievements. He did not object when she paid the bill. He asked for a second date, she agreed. They found each other witty and fun. Not to mention very pretty. He kissed her a little too long at her door but she really enjoyed it.
Fifteen minutes after he arrived home his phone rang.
"City Council? Really, Edward?"
The next week...
"Hey there, my name is Alice Brandon. This is Emmett McCarty. We're looking for Bella Swan. Have you seen her by chance?" Alice had a shit-eating grin on her face. Emmett was scowling.
"Ha ha, very funny Alice, I haven't been that absent." Bella replied as she tied her apron on to start the day.
"We haven't seen you at all this week, outside of work. You disappear as soon as the last pot has been cleaned. We're about to put your face on a milk carton." Alice watched as Emmett turned the grill and the fryers on to heat.
"Well, it's not like we hang out together every night anyway." Bella bent to get several containers out of the half fridge.
"No, but we do once in a while. Come out with us tonight. Bring the new toy. The six of us can bond or some such shit."
"What do you want to do?"
"The OMSI has an After Dark tonight and Jasper got tickets for all of us. He and Rose are working on Eddie now. We get to persuade you. Are you persuaded, hunh, are you, are you?" Alice bounced up and down on her toes, poking Bella in the shoulder with every 'are you'. Bella swatted her hand away before Emmett and his sausage fingers could join in the fun.
"Sure, sounds like fun."
The following month...
His grip on her hips was almost painful as he nibbled his way down her neck. Her hands had a death grip on the back of his shirt. Containers and utensils rattled as the pair bumped into one cooking station before settling against another. He pressed tight against her, loosening his grip to let his hands wander up her body. She pulled at his shirt gathering the material in her fists until she was able to remove it. She tossed the garment away and splayed her hands against his bare chest.
He brought his mouth back to hers as he slid one hand inside her jeans to grip her ass. He smiled when he found that she was wearing a tiny thong and not the granny panties she wore last time. To him that meant she planned ahead for tonight. Tonight they were going to christen his truck. Hers had already seen plenty of action.
With one last squeeze he removed his hand from the back of her pants and found the button that held them closed. He slowly lowered her zipper and started to push her jeans off.
Breathy sighs of passion escaped her until her naked butt hit the edge of cold metal counter. With surprising strength she reversed their positions and pressed him up against the cold counter. She yanked his dress pants and boxers down with one tug.
"Did you get the stuff I mentioned? You know, the good kind?"
"Shit, no, I forgot."
"Damn it. Fuck it all to hell."
"It's okay, Baby. We don't really need it, we can be careful."
"No, no, no. There is no such thing as careful."
"We can do without it just this once."
"Are you kidding me, no we can't."
"Ssshhh. It's okay."
"No, it's not. I'm not mad but..."
"I know, I know. Okay, let me calm down a little."
"I'm sorry, Baby. I know you were looking forward to this."
"I know. You were too, weren't you?"
"It was all I thought about this week. Are you sure you don't want to try without? I've got the other stuff. We could use that."
"No, it wouldn't be the same. I'd be worried the entire time that we weren't properly protected, you know. Let's just go to my place."
"Sure, I just need to write myself a note. You know, a reminder. There, I'll get some and we'll be protected for next time."
"I'm sorry, I know it's a pain but I am not fucking around in food truck without Johnstone's Disinfectant Spray. That shit kills every bacteria possible."
The year after...
Gastrnomical Magazine April 2015 – Jacob Black, former contributing editor, guest contributor and television host.
I can't believe it has only been one year, but what a year it has been. When I was first given the assignment to go to Portland to cover the food truck phenomenon there, I didn't want to go. Honestly, the only thing I thought Portland had to offer was Seattle envy. But boy was I wrong. Very happily wrong.
Last year at this time I brought you two trucks, featured in separate editions, both competing for the University of Portland's Best of the Best, Bella's Bonny Scottish Fare and Cullen's Irish Jig. I never thought that British cuisine would reign supreme on the west coast of the United States. Both trucks tied to win the Best of the Best and the hearts of Gastronomical Magazine reader's alike, as well as my own. I still occasionally dream of oatcakes and shortbread and awaken drooling each time I do.
Those articles catapulted both trucks to the stratosphere of food truck fandom and landed me the hosting duties of a television show, Street-meat travels. As you know, we travel around North America looking for the best food trucks we can find sampling along the way. This year we are going to expand our travels to the British Isles because we've heard rumours that London has jumped on the food truck train as well. Hopefully by the time we get there Dublin and Edinburgh will have joined in as well. One can only dream of Paris, Lisbon, Barcelona, Munich and others. But, no matter how far we roam, Portland will always be at the heart of Street-meat Travels.
However, it is with a heavy stomach and empty spoon that I announce the closure of both Bella's and Cullen's trucks. Six months after winning the joint award both trucks closed down for good. Joyfully, in the wake of the closures came the Epicurean Union. That's right Ladies and Gentlemen, the six owners of my favourite trucks have banded together in business. And a wildly successful business it is.
The main restaurant is located near Portland's famous Farmer's Market on North Broadway. The large space is delightfully and whimsically decorated with cosy spots to gather and eat. Recipes from all over the world are served cafeteria style with Chef Jasper Whitlock overseeing the day to day operations. The Epicurean Union truck rotates it's landings daily and features a modified menu of both Vegetarian and Carnivorous offerings. Chefs Swan and Cullen run the truck together. All three collaborate on menus and planning. Marketing, financials and supplies are tackled by Brandon, Hale and McCarty.
One region or country is showcased each month with the most famous foods of that area taking centre stage. Chef Bella Swan turns it vegetarian, Chef Edward Cullen tucks it into a handheld version and Chef Whitlock keeps it traditional. For example, last month they featured the Börek or Burek, a rolled pastry from eastern Europe. Claimed in many European countries as their own, the burek can be either sweet or savoury, small or big, round or square. But delicious is the one thing every country can claim of its burek.
Next month, Chef Whitlock tells me, the focus will be on Kofte. I, for one, can't wait and neither can my personal trainers, Leah and Seth.
Other big Epicurean Union news is the engagement of Alice Brandon and Jasper Whitlock, the birth of Rosalie and Emmett McCarty's twin girls, Sage and Rosemary, and the general happiness of all six (now eight) of my favourite Portlanders. I hope to hear Swan/Cullen wedding bells in the future and I'm working on getting properly ordained just in case they need me to officiate. Hint, hint, hint.
AN: When I was a kid I could not tell time with a traditional clock. My mum had one of those flip dial clocks and I would run to her room to find out what the time was. That is my excuse for posting this so late and why a few days turned into a few weeks.
That's it. A short story. There is no more, I think. I know there could be more. I know some of you will want more. But that is all I have for now.
Thank you for reading. I really do appreciate each and every review (all of them, even the WTF ones) and each and every reviewer. I'm sorry if I have neglected to answer or let you know that.
I have never been to Portland, in fact I've only ever been to Buffalo and Niagara Falls, New York so if I have it wrong, forgive me.