Under My Nose

Edward Cullen sets a deadline of six months to find his true love, before he turns thirty. Leaving his successful restaurant to drive a mule-drawn carriage in the French Quarter of New Orleans, he searches for the meaning of true love, because he has yet to understand it. Will he know when he finds her or will she be right under his nose? Can bubbly, buxom Bella tantalize his taste buds with beignets and an abundant

booty?

Chapter Eleven:

EPOV: January 3

Yeah, I lean my chin on the top of her head, while she strokes my back so gently. We don't say anything, but our breaths match in a raised rhythm.

Her hair is soft and silky to the touch; I sigh into her, and her scent intoxicates me.

She barely whispers, "Are you okay?"

I don't want to, but I pull back to see her concerned face. "I'm fine. You gave me a lot to think about, Bella." Hmm, more than you could possibly know.

"Edward, don't make it an ego thing. Just use your assets to your advantage." She bites the inside of her cheek, and I pull it free.

I want … I can't … not now. I break from her and grin. "Okay, I'll call you in the morning."

"Late morning?" she chimes. "Some of us need beauty sleep."

I softly say, "You're fine the way you are."

Man, does she blush.

"Thanks. Aunt Sally says," she impersonates her aunt, 'You're magnificent, JujuBee!'. Oh God!"

"Yeah, I meant to ask you about that. Why does she call you JujuBee?"

"They are her favorite candy, besides chocolate. She says I am purely sweet." She rolls her eyes. "Now, that's unconditional, sickening love."

"My mom is like that. The sun sets and rises with my brother and me according to her." I complain. "Okay, I'm going to head out and I'll call you around noon."

"That's fine, and thank you for dinner. Next time, I pay!" She points a finger at me and leans up to kiss my cheek. I close my eyes with her lips on me and take a slow breath. I kiss the top of her head because if I look at her, I will lose control.

I back away, move down the steps and get on my bike. I shout, "Noon!"

She giggles. "I'll set my alarm for "11:55, okay?"

"And no falling out of bed!" I laugh.

"Oh, I've already done my falling!" she admits.

I wish.

I arrive home, parking my bike in the alcove, and surprised to find Jasper's bike still in the corner.

The restaurant is dark, so I take myself up the stairs. Before I can get my key into the lock, the door flies open. Disheveled hair and angered, wild eyes, Jasper lays into me. "Where have you been? I've been waiting for hours. You don't answer your phone, and you don't let anyone know what's going on?"

I saunter past him. "What the fuck is with you? You're acting like my father."

"Oh, you need to call your parents later. They are worried about you." He looks down.

"Jazz, you called them?" I shout.

"Well, if you picked up your phone, I wouldn't have," he answers smugly.

"You gotta be fucking kidding me!" I rant and look at my watch. "It's only after two."

Jaspers corrects me. "Closer to three! That's two nights in a row."

"For Christ sake, why are you stalking me?" I walk into my room, and Jasper follows. "I was out."

"What were you doing that you couldn't call?" Jasper waves his arms around.

I close my eyes, talk a breath and collect myself before I deck him.

"Jazz, what's with this crazy behavior?"

Alice walks in dressed in a robe. "It's crazy to be worried about you?"

I look from Alice to Jasper, put my hands on my hips and look down.

Alice softly says, "Edward, we're not used to you taking off and not calling to tell us where you will be."

"Alice, I told Jazz I was meeting up with Bella, when we went over the receipts."

Alice turns to Jasper and gives him the evil eye. "And why didn't you tell me that? I thought he was totally missing, you moron," she spits. Jasper tries to defend himself, but she cuts him off. "Zip it." He opens his mouth. "Sssh." He pleads and she runs her finger over her throat and speaks through clenched teeth, "Not … a … word from you!"

Jasper sits on the edge of my bed, hanging his head.

"I'm sorry, Edward. He was all upset that you weren't home by one and called me to come over here."

Then, she realizes I said, 'Bella'.

"Oooooo, so you were with Bel-laaaa," she elongates and smiles up at me. I beam, and she explodes into the hugest smile. "Edward, are you blushing?" She giggles. "I think you are blushing."

I try to hide my smile and protest, "I'm not blushing."

Alice screams in excitement, "You are so. Oh my God, you found her."

She runs to me, jumps up and hangs on me, screaming in laughter, "Oh thank God, you didn't even have to search for your lost love too long." She screams some more. "This is great!".

She jumps off me and onto the floor, jumping up and down and shaking Jasper. "This is so amazing." Another scream escapes out of her mouth. "Oh my God, I'm so happy for you." She waves her hands at her side.

Jasper smiles at her, and then looks at me.

I hang my head.

She stares at me with a frown. "What?" She throws her hands up. "Why aren't you excited, Edward? What did you do?"

I sigh and rub my neck. "Alice, she only likes me as a friend."

"I can't believe that." She takes a very long look at me. "Well, maybe since you look like a homeless person," she complains.

I moan. "She's not like that, Alice. I get the feeling she's not impressed by looks or money."

"Isn't that what you want, Edward. What you've been bitching about for months?" Alice rants and impersonates me, " I don't want a woman who hangs all over me. I want someone to let me be the man." She huffs, "So the first girl who doesn't fawn all over you, you deem untouchable? You are such a wuss."

"Alice, why should I go after her, when she's clearly not interested?" I defend myself.

"And how do you know she is not interest, Mr. All Knowing?" she spits.

"Because she's nice to everyone," I answer.

"Oh my God, I never thought you were this stupid. When did you become clueless?" Alice glares at me.

Jasper speaks up. "She did walk away from him."

I wave my hands and gesture towards Jasper. "Exactly!"

Alice looks at me and then at Jasper. "Why did she walk away from you?"

"She thought I had made fun of her," I barely whisper.

Alice's eyes bulge out. "What did you do?"

"I sort of laughed at her." I hang my head … again.

"You're lucky she didn't take your balls with her." She shakes her head back and forth. "Edward, you need help."

I frown. "Like a shrink?"

She bores a hole in my head with her stare. "No, but that's a distinct possibility." She paces. "You need help with her."

"Hey, I did apologize, and gave her a yellow rose." I defend myself again. "And the florist took off all the thorns, too."

Alice smiles and questions in a weird way. "She did? Why's that?"

"I explained what happened, and she said no thorns fit my behavior." I admit.

"You're fucking clueless, Cullen. You apologized, and declared love at first sight or love without heartbreak. I don't remember exactly which one!" Her hands go on her hips.

That does worry me. "Do you think Bella would know that?"

Alice restates, "Do you think she would know?"

I start to pace. "It's possible, but I know her aunt would." I stand and look at Alice. "And how do you know this?" I question her.

She breathes heavily and clutches her chest. "Edward, I live for love, for God's sake." She takes a long breath. "When you do see her next?" Alice prods.

"I said I would call her at noon."

Alice continues, "And what do you have planned?"

I sigh. "We're going costume shopping. She thinks I need a makeover."

"If you don't date her, I will!" Alice swears. "You know her all of two days and she's got your best interest at heart. You clueless fool; she likes you!"

I sit next to Jazz and stare at him. "Tell her."

Jasper leans forward, places his arms on his thighs and looks up at Alice. "Darlin', I do believe you are right."

"What the fuck, Jazz? You saw her walk away. You said she was the first to do it." I breathless ramble.

"Edward, she wouldn't spend time with you or accept your apology unless she did." Jasper smoothly sits back up.

"Then, let me help you, Edward," Alice pleads. "I want you to be happy. You know I would do anything for you. Let me see for myself. You know I know these things."

I softly smile at her. "Yeah, okay. You guys could meet us for lunch."

Alice goes ballistic and tackles Jasper on my bed. "This is going to be great." She looks at me. "Edward, I can hear wedding bells." She giggles.

"That's the ringing in your ears. Now, both of you get off my bed and get the fuck out of here."

They both get up and head for the door. Alice turns and smiles, singing the Wedding March.

I wake up early. Yeah, right. I didn't sleep a wink, too many what-ifs bouncing in my head, worrying if this idea will work.

I know Alice won't do anything to sabotage me. She always does the right thing. I just feel fragile about not knowing where I stand or if I stand.

But the one thing I do want is to be close to her. Bella draws me in like no one has ever done. I want to get to know her. I want her to know me. If we are only friends, then so be it, but I feel this pull.

A knock at my door pulls me out of my reverie, but before I can get to it, I hear Emmett slam in. "Hey Edward, you up?"

I walk out to the living room as Emmett closes the front door.

"I had a few cancellations, so I'm free for lunch. I'm craving hot dogs." He smiles. "You feel like going to Dat Dog. My treat." He grabs and hugs me.

I break away from him before he gets it into his head to give me a noogie. "I already have plans."

"And?" He crosses his arms over his chest.

I clear my throat. "Alice wants to meet Bella."

"I don't talk with you for two days and there's a Bella?" he questions.

"I met her in the Quarter," I mumble.

"Don't tell me she took a ride with you?" Emmett chokes.

"She works at Cafe du Monde. I went in for a coffee." I shrug.

Emmett smiles. "Really?" He stares at me, and I fidget. "I want to meet this woman who makes you a pussy."

"Shut the fuck up!" He irritates me. "You don't get to meet anyone."

"Edward, I'm your brother and you'd rather have Alice and Jasper meet her?" He feigns injury. "That hurts, man."

"Well, Jasper already met her." Emmett gets defensive and I explain. "He came by the stables when Bella was with me."

"You took her to the stables? Edward, what a way to show a girl a good time. 'Hey, meet my ass!' This homeless look has rotted your brain." He roars with laughter.

I combat. "That's getting fucking old, Em!"

"I don't know if I should laugh or cry. I know Mom will cry."

"Fuck, I forgot to call Mom," I moan.

"And Mom's going to meet her, too?" he complains.

"No! Jazz called her, looking for me. Long story." I quickly try to avoid any more conversation. "Look, I've got to call Bella in an hour, and I have a few things to do."

Emmett settles himself on the sofa, grabs my remote, flips on the TV and gets comfortable; his feet up on the coffee table. "You do what you gotta do. I'll be right here." He looks at the screen, crossing his feet at the ankles.

Defeated, I sigh and leave the room. Emmett laughs.

Finally, I tell Emmett I'll meet him for lunch, and he admittedly tells me if I don't show up, he will call our mother. That's blackmail of the dirtiest kind.

As I cross over Canal Street to Dorgenois, I see Bella waiting on her front steps and I glide into the driveway. She walks to me with a huge smile on her face, holding a small box. Her hair hangs down her back in a long braid thingy. I look at her shoes, and they are high-heel sneakers. But what catches my eye is her black, biker, hoodie sweats. Bella belongs to a female biker group.

"Hey, Edward!"

"Hey, yourself. I like your hoodie." I point and pull my helmet off.

She kids, "This old thing?" and giggles.

I question. "B.A.B.E.S.?" I read the logo, "Boston Area Bike Enthusiast Sisters." I nod my head. "But I thought you lived in New York?"

"I did, but I liked this group to ride with every other weekend. So, I'd head down to Boston and hang out with my girls, sort of like a biker sorority." She extends the small box to me, and I open it to find a bell. "Now, we have this belief that each biker needs protection from evil road spirits. You know, the little suckers who play havoc with our bikes. So, for this protection, we keep a bell on our bike to ward off these evil spirits. I have one on mine, so I thought you might like one. The ringing allegedly drives the spirits wild and sends them away."

I smile at her. "Really?"

She stands firmly. "Yeah!"

"Well, thank you, and I have something for you." I hand Bella a bag from on my seat.

She looks at me with a puzzled face and takes out a Harley helmet with the Harley name in a pink, crystal medallion on the front. "I have the same one back home." She shakes her head at me. "Thank you." And forcefully lunges and hugs me. I'm still on my bike and juggle my own helmet, trying to wrap an arm around her.

"This was so thoughtful of you." She whispers into my ear.

I gripe, "Well, you won't wear my helmet."

Again, she whispers in my ear, giving me chills, "Thank you, Edward."

I pull back. "Okay, put that damn thing on and let's get going." I sigh.

She hops on the back with the helmet on. "You don't seem that thrilled about lunch."

"My brother is joining us." I start the bike.

By the time we get to Dat Dog, I see Emmett sitting across from Alice and Jasper at one of the picnic tables in the outside patio area, laughing hysterically with one another.

There aren't any parking spaces between Dat Dog and the Music Exchange. I do a U-turn and find a spot on the other side of the street.

Bella and I enter the patio and Emmett looks in our direction. Actually, he doesn't look at me; he gives Bella a full sweep with his eyes, taking her in from head to toe. This makes me feel very uncomfortable.

We reach the table and both Emmett and Jasper stand.

Before I can say anything, Emmett gives her a huge smile. "Well, hello there, Bella. It's nice to meet you." He extends his hand, gently shakes it, and plants a kiss on her knuckles. "I don't do the suave, French thing Edward does, but I can sweep you off your petite feet with my English."

She giggles. "I'm sure you can, Emmett."

Jasper moans, "Don't listen to him." He motions towards Alice. "This is my woman, Alice."

Alice beams, "Hi Bella, so nice to meet you."

Bella squeezes Alice's hand and smiles, "It's really nice to meet you. Edward said you helped pick out the carriage. It's beautiful."

Alice looks down at Bella's shoes. "OOO, I love them."

And Bella smiles, "Thank you. What size do you wear?"

Alice quickly answers. "A six."

Bella lifts a foot up. "Well, you can borrow them anytime."

I can see a friendship is born, as they begin to talk fashion.

Emmett whispers in my ear, "Now, she looks like a lot to handle for you, Eddie, my boy. Maybe I should take her off your hands." He looks her up and down.

"She's not like anyone you've ever fucked!" I steam.

"How do you know?" Emmett taunts.

"Just keep away from her, Emmett." I warn.

Jasper, the peacekeeper, interrupts, "Okayyyyy, let's eat lunch." He separates Emmett and me. "Do you know what you want?"

Bella sits next to Alice and looks up at Jasper, "What do they have, Jasper?"

"Oh, Bella, you haven't eaten a hot dog, until you've eaten one from here. I always get the Guinness Dog," he laps his lips.

I add, "It's a Guinness sausage that's steamed and served on a toasted bun with Andouille sauce, bacon, tomatoes, sharp cheddar, green and white onions and, creole mustard. It's really good."

She thoughtfully looks at me. "What do you usually eat?"

"I get the a couple of beef hotdogs with mustard and relish, Cheddar Bacon Ranch Fries and a Root Beer."

"Ooo, that sounds good, but only one." She starts to get up.

"No, sit. I'll get it for you." I look at Alice and nod. "You want the Crawfish Etouffee` Fries and a plain dog with a diet coke?" She nods. "What do you want, Emmett?"

"My usual, but hey, I said I would pay," he argues.

"I'm quicker," I say.

Emmett agrees, "Yeah, well, they know you and all." I kick him. "What?"

"I'll go get the food. You behave!" I warn Emmett, again.

I walk to the line just outside the door and watch Emmett sit next to Bella.

By the time I walk out with a tray of drinks, there is a crowd around our table with people cheering and laughing.

I can't believe what I see. Bella sits between Emmett and Alice, while Emmett and Bella are thumb wrestling. Both of them huddle close together with a mock, hand size, wrestling ring over their hands and both of their thumbs poke through the center of the ring. Each thumb wears a Luchador, wrestling mask over the top of the nail. Emmett's is blood red, while Bella's is royal blue.

Emmett struggles, as Bella pokes and prods his huge thumb. They move, crashing into each other's sides. She laughs hysterically along with Emmett. I watch in horror. Jasper has tears running down his face, he laughs so hard and Alices raises her arms, getting the crowd to cheer.

The crowd starts to chant, "Bel-la! Bel-la! Bel-la!" People bang on the tables with their fists and stomp their feet on the ground.

And Emmett screams like a woman, as Bella pins his thumb down.

Jasper stands and yells, "And the winner of the First Thumb Wrestling War is Bella Swan."

Alice stands, pulling Bella up and holding Bella's arm up straight. The crowd roars as Bella takes a bow. She and Alice hug.

People walk away from the table, as I lay the tray down.

Emmett shouts, "Man, Edward, you missed it."

I stare at him in disbelief.

Okayyyyy. Is Edward upset with Emmett or Bella? And whose idea was the thumb wrestling?

A/N: Thank you to my Beta, Sunflower Fran. I appreciate her time, her proper grammar and quick pen. Another great find by PAD!

To Robseve and Postapocalypticdepository (PAD), my pre-readers that give their unselfish time and creative input. Both of these ladies are inspirations and true friends.

Now, let me rec Postapocalypticdepository stories, since she so graciously rec'd mine.

Never Judge by the Cover: 9056924

Boys Will Be: 8868006

Rude Awakenings: 8876785

It's a New Dawn, It's a New Year: 8862243 (complete)

And thank you to all the readers, whether you review or not. I enjoy every comment and suggestion. Yes, NOLA (New Orleans, LA) is an exciting place to live. And to combine the old world with the new is a challenge, but the humor is quite a serious business. My objective is for all of you to smile, after each chapter.

Next up: BPOV