Chapter 20

Bella was making coffee in Armchair Books. She had been practicing her barista skills and had improved a lot. She was able to make a pretty heart and rosetta figures, and the coffee didn't taste like shit anymore. Her first-ever customer wanted a skim latte with an extra shot, and she was just frothing the skim milk.

She was so excited: She was selling her first self-made coffee. She gave the coffee with a latte heart to the customer and asked her to give her feedback about the coffee.

The customer tasted it and raised her thumb, "very good."

Bella beamed. Oh Yeah! I rock!

Peter was in the storage room to get more take-a-way cups. Bella had made sure he used biodegradable cups and hoods. They sold coffee out quite a bit because the café area was relatively small and like Bella had realized on her first days back in Forks, Armchair Books sold the best coffee in town.

She was thinking about Paul and last night when she wiped the steam wand. The night had been intense, and her words of loving him had just popped out of her mouth. She hadn't planned to say it, and she hadn't even known she felt so strongly about him. But just right at that moment, she realized that she loved Paul.

And how Paul had responded to her words made her heart flutter. Paul had cupped her face between his hands and kissed her and said he loved her too, repeated that at least ten times. She was sure she'd seen moisture in his eyes too. She for sure had shed a tear or two.

Things had developed quite fast between them. Their first date was like a month ago, and they were already speaking of love, being in love. It was insane, it was too soon, but did it matter?

Paul had asked her to go with him to the bonfire on Friday. His friends had asked him, and he wanted her to go with him. If she went, it would be their first public date. She couldn't quite understand why she felt uneasy about going public together. Jake would most likely be there, and Embry and Quil and maybe some of her friends from Forks. Would it bother her if they saw them together? No, it wasn't that. She guessed it was just that she loved the cocoon they had built around them, and going out public would make them public. And people would start talking and asking questions. Not that it mattered. She just wouldn't want to label them when people would ask.

She had settled the moving date; it would be the 21st of September. Then she would be facing the problem Ailani mentioned four weeks ago: What would she do about Paul when she moved to Seattle. Well, there wouldn't be much to do about it: She would live in Seattle, Paul in La Push, and they would have to try to make it work in the long-distance if that was what they decided to do.

Paul had contacted the Culinary Arts School in Port Angeles and met the counselor that was able to help him to start his studies to get his certificate. They were able to adjust his experience even though it was unofficial, but there were quite many big names that gave their references to Paul, and he was able to use them to get some courses marked as done. And if he worked in a restaurant during his studies, he might get his certificate sooner.

There was still a lot of studying, from food science to food safety and Food procurement, just mentioning a few subjects, but he didn't have to start from scratch. After two years, he was able to either apply for a master's program at UW or start working. She was happy for him; finding a new direction for his life or getting back on track would probably be more exact.

All this meant that Paul would be tied in Port Angeles at least for the next two years, and she would be in Seattle. But they would make it work if they wanted to. Would they be exclusive? The idea of Paul cooking for someone else and fucking anybody else than she made her mad with jealousy. And when she thought about her fucking anybody else - Well, it was apparent they would be exclusive if they were "they" when she left. After last night she felt they would be.

Oh hell, she would go with Paul to the bonfire and have fun. It would be nice to see other people, too; she had been quite exclusive with her time, spreading it between work, her dad, and Paul. She could ask Angela if she would like to meet up. If the weather were nice, she and her kids could come to the beach during the day. She wasn't working on Friday, so it would be a good time to catch up. Paul, on the other hand, would be working so she wouldn't be so easily distracted by him. He could be so very distracting. Bella blushed.

She decided to text Angela right away and ask if she would like to come. Answered came without delay: "We're coming" with a grinning emoji.

"Yay!" Bella shrieked and smiled at the customer who came to make an order for coffee.

Friday was a nice and warm, almost hot day. Bella was lying on the blanket at First Beach, waiting for Angela to show up. She was enjoying the sun, God how she had missed the sun. It was ridiculous how far apart days like this were here when in Hawaii, they were a norm. Yeah, she remembered missing the gloominess of Washington state. She couldn't remember why, though. Oh yeah, she wanted to miss the sun. What a moron she was.

She started to hum the song Let her go. "You only miss the sun when it's starting to snow," she sang and giggled to herself.

"Hey, Bella!" She heard someone shouting.

She lifted her head a bit and looked in the direction she heard her name called from and saw Jake running towards her. She waved her hand but didn't sit up; she was too comfortable lying down.

Jake came to her blocking her sun, and stood so close that water drops sprinkled over her.

"Shit Jake that water is cold. Move away," she shrieked and pushed his legs to get him further from her.

Jacob laughed and sat next to her.

"No, it's amazing. Have you been in?"

"Nah, not yet. I must admit that Hawaii spoiled me. Water was so warm there."

"Should we go cliff diving? No time to think if the water is cold or not."

"Sounds like fun, but I'm waiting for a friend to show up."

"Oh, who?"

"Angela and her two kids. I think you met her years back, Angela Weber then; she's Cheney now; she married Ben right after high school."

"Ah. I haven't seen you around much. I heard dad talking to Charlie. He told that you hang out with Lahote," Jacob said.

"Yeah, so? I've been working too and spending time with my dad."

"I just don't like that you're with Lahote."

"Hey Jake, don't. He might be an ass, but do you think I would spend time with him if he was only that, huh?"

"I guess not," Jacob said with little embarrassment in his voice.

"And you know we were never more than friends," Bella continued. "And friends are good. Really good if you ask me. I have you, and you have me no matter what."

Bella was feeling overly outspoken today and wanted to lay it all out there. No more awkward hugs or moist open-mouth kisses on the cheek. Jake was her good friend, but if he continued to pull that shit on her, she wouldn't want to be around him. And she had an inkling Paul wouldn't put up with that either.

"Yeah, Bells, you are right. I'm not going to lie to you and say that I wasn't hoping for more cause I was. Although deep down, I knew it wouldn't happen. But one can always hope, right?" Jacob said with his familiar grin.

"Of course, we are adults here, and it's good, to be honest with each other."

They stayed silent for a while.

"So, you and Lahote, eh?"

"I guess so, now at least. We like to hang out, and he is actually a really cool guy. But we'll see how things turn out after I move to Seattle. He is staying here," Bella shrugged.

It was then that Bella heard two small children screaming in delight, and she saw Angela, Nora, and Joshua coming.

She got up to sit and waved, so Angela saw she was there.

"Do I see you tonight at the bonfire?" Jacob asked.

"Yes, I'll be there."

Bella had spent a few hours with Angela and the kids at the beach, and after the little ones had gotten too tired and were ready for their naps, Bella had left with them and met Paul at his place.

After a quick shower and dinner, they drove to the beach, and Paul rushed to open the door for her. He looked a bit nervous.

"What is it?"

Paul pushed Bella gently against the closed door and enveloped her between his arms. He widened his stance, so he was at the same eye level as Bella.

"You've heard about me from Jacob, I'm sure. I mean the way I've been with women before and that there's been quite many of them," he said, looking her in the eyes. She saw uncertainty and desperation in his eyes.

"Yeah, I have. And you've told me about that yourself too. And you know what. I don't care. The man I know isn't like that, and I guess that is all that should matter, right?" Bella nuzzled his neck.

Paul sighed.

"The thing is that some of them might be down there tonight, and they might come on to me. There had been few who just keep coming back no matter what I say or do," Paul told her.

"Poor baby, that must be so hard," Bella mocked him.

"Don't fuck with me. I know I sound smug as fuck, but I'm serious. And I want that you don't let them spoil our night. You have to know that I don't give a fuck any of them."

"Yeah, baby, I do. Don't worry." And she didn't worry about his past hookups. It was pretty simple, really; if he wanted to be with her, he wouldn't care about other women. If it turned out that he was interested in other women, well, it would hurt like a bitch, but she would move on. Well, that was the rational part, at least.

Paul leaned to kiss her. God, she loved his kisses. It was so easy to get lost in them.

"Let's go and see who's down there," Bella said and grabbed his hand.

"We would love to catch up with Lauren, eh," she giggled.

"Well, well, look at that, Lahote is walking hand in hand with a chick," Rayfe laughed, not believing his eyes. "Who's the chick, by the way. She's hot."

Rayfe was lounging with his buddies Colin and Brady by the fire. He was bored and was looking for some fun time. That chick looked like lots of fun.

"She's Bella Swan, Chief Swan's daughter," Colin said.

"All right. Sweet. How come I haven't seen her before?" Rayfe inquired.

"She moved back from Honolulu about two months ago," Colin told him. He felt his friend's interest spike and sighed.

"Hey man, you better leave her alone. She's with Lahote."

"Oh, is that right?" Rayfe sneered.

"Shit, man, really. You don't want to pick a fight with Lahote."

"Oh, I don't know about that. That chick looks like lots of fun."

"Whatever, it's your funeral," Colin gave up.

Rayfe set his eyes on the chick. She really was damn gorgeous. Her long legs and deliciously round ass with a narrow waist made his mouth water. And the hair that was falling to her ass and those tits.

"Fuck," he murmured to himself.

She seemed to be on good terms with Black, Call, and Ateara. Lahote didn't seem to be too happy about that. The fucker. If he thought he would be the only one getting it on with the hottest chick seen around here in years, he had another thing coming.

Oh, she knew Clearwaters too. He watched Leah hugging miss sweet ass Swan and asking her to dance. She went leaving Lahote looking like a lost puppy. What a wuss. But hot damn that ass.

Rayfe went to get himself a beer.

"Whats' up, Young?" Sam came up to him.

"How's my sister doing?" Rayfe asked.

"Emily's doing just fine. What are you looking at?"

"Oh, I'm enjoying the sight of a mighty fine ass, new one around here." Rayfe took a swig of his beer.

"Shit, man. She's kinda new, but she's not for you, man. If you want to have your balls still attached to your body, you keep your hands off Bella."

What the fuck. Why does everybody keep saying that? It started to sound like a challenge to him. Not that he had any illusions about what would happen if Lahote decided to do just that; detach his balls from his body, but he wasn't without charm himself and was well-liked among the ladies. This was a free country, and if Bella liked him more than Lahote, it was her right to do so. He smirked.

He would get his chance with miss Swan.

Paul was aware of Young eye fucking Bella. He knew the fucker and could guess his intentions. He started to regret coming here tonight. He wasn't up to getting into fights, and it was the side of him he hoped to keep from Bella. But there was no doubt in his mind that he would kick that motherfucker's ass if he tried anything with her. He would kick anybody's ass who would try anything with her. Yeah, he was a possessive fucker.

Jared came to him and gave him a beer.

"So, it looks like you and miss Swan have gotten all cuddly and cozy," the fucker chuckled.

"That's one way of putting it," he replied, not offering anything more.

"Hey man, Colin came to tell me that Young has his eyes on Bella. Just thought that he's such a tool that he might actually think he could have his chances with her."

"He's a fucking tool, alright," Paul sneered. "I've noticed him eye fucking Bella. But thanks, man, it was decent of you to tell me. I fucking hate to get into anything now. I don't want Bella to be any part of that shit."

"I hear you, man. I'll keep my eyes open too. If that prick tries something, I could do the ass-kicking for you," Jared laughed.

"Nice man," Paul laughed too. They tapped their beer bottles together.

"Although she looks like someone who doesn't take shit from anybody, you should be safe from getting into anything too nasty," Jared chuckled. "She'll do the ass-kicking for you."

They walked to Sam, Emily, and Kim. He waved to Bella, who was dancing with Leah and some chicks from Forks. He hoped she would like to leave soon. He felt angsty. There were a lot of people dancing, and people were starting to get drunk. Paul looked around with distaste, and this had been his standard plan for Friday nights: to get drunk at the beach or a bar somewhere and find someone to fuck.

And as a clue, someone was calling his name, "Oh Pauly, is that you?" a high-pitched voice shrieked. His skin prickled with annoyance.

Fuck, he really didn't want this shit now.

He acted like he didn't hear and turned toward Jared, who had an amused look on his face. Jared glanced over Paul's shoulder to see who was shouting his friend's name.

"You sure can pick them, Lahote," he snickered.

"Fuck you. Like you didn't stick your dick in everything that moved before Kim," Paul spat back.

He felt a woman's hand on his arm, and he glanced at the owner. Oh fuck, you gotta be kidding me; it was that fucking Lauren. She was drunk and probably on something else too.

"Hey sexy," she slurred, "haven't seen you for a while."

She slid her hand up and down Paul's bare arm. He moved away from her touch.

He looked at Bella and saw her watching him with that mischievous smile of hers. She knew all there was to know about him and Lauren. She showed him her thumbs up and blew a kiss.

A smile spread onto Paul's face. Fuck, he loved her. He had fallen fast and hard, and he still couldn't believe her telling it to him a few nights back. She fucking loved him. He had lost the rest of his man card when she had said that to him. His stomach fluttered thinking about that night. It had been hot as fuck, and all he wanted to do right now was to take her home and repeat it. His body reacted to her, and he started to move toward her.

The bitch next to him assumed he was smiling because of her and wrapped her arms around his arm, tugging him closer to her.

She rose to her toes and whispered to his ear, "what do you say, you and me and my place."

She smelled terribly of pot and alcohol.

"Fuck off, Lauren," he said and jerked his arm free from her grip.

"What's the matter, babe? Don't you remember how much fun we had last time?"

"Jesus, you are delusional," Paul huffed.

Jared was laughing his ass off. He was clearly enjoying the show. Paul showed him the finger and freed himself from Lauren, who was trying to grab his arm again. Lauren swayed and almost fell.

Lauren's friend came to get Lauren away and whispered something to her.

"NO! what do you mean he doesn't want me? Of course, he does," Lauren shrieked drunkenly and fell to the sand. Her friend crouched to help her up.

Paul needed to get the fuck off the scene, and it was then when he saw Rayfe walking toward Bella, who was now laughing with Leah and two other chicks. Rayfe said something to Bella, and she nodded and said something back. They chatted for a while, and then Bella turned to leave, but Rayfe grabbed her arm, preventing her from going.

Paul felt his blood boil, and he saw red.

With a few long strides, he was at them, and he grabbed Rayfe from his t-shit and pushed him away from Bella. Rayfe fell to the ground.

He heard Bella squeaking in surprise.

"Don't you fuckin dare to touch her!" Paul snarled.

Rayfe was by no means a small fucker; he was as tall as Paul and as build, but he had none of Paul's skills when it came to fighting, and right now, Paul was vivid with rage. It was irrational in many ways, but he was unable to control his anger. No one fucking touched his woman!

"Chill out, man; I was only talking to her," Rayfe shouted back.

Paul could see fear in his eyes. That's right fucker, and you should be afraid.

"If you fucking touch her ever again, I'll kill you."

"Hey, Paul, it's ok. Don't mind him," Paul heard Bella say, and he felt her hand on his arm. He relaxed instantly at the contact. He turned to look at her and saw fear in her eyes.

Fuck.