Chapter 17 - First Dates & Riff Raff

Edward had made reservations at one of the best restaurants in Seattle. He not only made reservations, he reserved a private dining room. It was lovely with a spectacular view of the river and the city lights.

Rose always talked about this place, and how you needed to make reservations a couple of weeks in advance. I was almost certain that someone was bumped from this room in order to give it to Mr. Movie Star. The perks of being famous were pretty sweet, I had to admit.

Chapter 18 - Haircuts & Pepper Spray

“Well, what do you think?” Edward asked.

“I don’t know Edward. I kind of liked running my fingers through your unruly mop. I may not be able to date you anymore. Maybe Carrot Top is single? Might be worth a shot.” I said as I giggled.

“Very funny Miss Swan.” Edward said with a grin.

We were talking on Skype, and Edward was showing off his World War II era military haircut. It was shorn close on the sides and back, but there was still enough left on top to be able to ‘run my fingers through’ when I see him in Aspen.

Chapter 19 - Aspen & Cold Showers

“Something to drink?” The blandly beautiful flight attendant asked. It would be my second glass of wine, I wasn’t a very good flier. I already had a nervous nature, and flying seemed to increase that exponentially. I needed to be careful or I’d be a drunken mess by the time I met Edward.

I accepted the wine happily. I had to admit that flying first class did reduce my stress level somewhat. Not that I flew coach, or even flew at all that often. The few times I’d flown with Rose, she refused to sit in the ’cheap seats’, therefore we always went first class.

Chapter 20 - Handcuffs & Power Suits

It was Super Bowl Sunday. My brother and Rose were in Florida to attend the game of course. I didn’t want to go, I was still exhausted from the Aspen trip last weekend. So today I found myself alone and lonely.
I had the idea to drive out to Olympic National Park. I wanted to find the lake where Edward and I had spent our very emotional afternoon. I needed to feel close to him again.

Chapter 21 - Valentines & The Masters of the Universe

I never used to care about Valentine’s Day. It seemed a rather silly holiday from the perspective of someone who had no desire to have a boyfriend. Now that I did have one, I’d have to admit that my opinion had altered somewhat.

My boyfriend. Such a simplistic term to apply to one such as Edward. A more apt term might be soul mate, or maybe keeper of my heart.

Chapter 22 - Chipmunks & Oscars

I watched as Wendy tapped her French-tipped acrylic nails rhythmically on her desk, while leafing through a stack of papers with her other hand.

She had asked me to be at her office by four because she had some things to discuss with me. It was now 4:10, and she hadn’t said anything beyond ‘Hello’.

She put down the papers looked at me, narrowing her eyes as she thought.

“Okay Isabella, here’s the thing. There’s something I need to tell you, I’m required to by law, but I don’t want you to freak out.”

Chapter 23 - Perjury & Sweet Dreams

Thursday, March 11

Once again I was seated in court, although this time I was at the defendant’s table with my attorney.

Rose was unable to come with me today. She made up some excuse about a project for work, but I knew she was up to something. She’d been very secretive. The more I thought about it, I realized I probably didn’t want to know.

Emmett was seated behind me with Chip, whose full name, I discovered, was Brian Carter. The courtroom was beginning to fill up with others who were also on the docket today.

Chapter 24 - Vandalism & The Apocalypse

“Edward!” My embarrassment over my brother’s question was momentarily forgotten as I ran into Edward’s arms.

“What happened? I didn’t think you’d be done for a couple more days.”

“I finished my scenes late last night. I’ve had my bag packed for two days hoping this would happen. I hired a private plane to fly me up here early this morning.”

Chapter 25 - Makeup Kisses & Confessions

I tore through my apartment, grabbing things to pack in my suitcase after taking the shortest shower in the history of my life.

Edward arrested?

I didn’t even have enough sense to ask Alice why he‘d been arrested, before I told her I’d be there as soon as I could, and hung up.

I was haphazardly throwing items in my bag when I turned and saw Emmett standing in my bedroom doorway.

Chapter 26 - Waxward & Sexward

Edward came over the next morning, and we decided to hang around Alice and Jasper’s house for a while. We didn’t want to go out in public until we had some idea of the reaction to Tanya’s statement.

Alice had taken the week off of work, sort of. She was on the phone a lot, and did work on her computer part of the morning. The rest of the time she spent rummaging through my clothing, and shaking her head and ’tsk tsking’, before informing me that I couldn’t be seen in public in some of those things that I called clothes.

Great, another Rose.

At least I could forgive Alice, fashion was her life after all.

Chapter 27 - Big Hair & The Lucky Beyotch

The next morning I was kicking myself for letting things go too far in the pool. I had just told Edward that we would take a step back, and there I was practically throwing myself at him, dressed in a bikini no less.

I was in the bathroom again, seemed to be a good place for me to think. I certainly couldn’t think clearly when I was in the same room with Edward. That boy made my brain fog and my body tingle.

A part of me wanted to throw all my insecurities, fear of the unknown, and worries about the future right out the window and ask Edward to make love to me.

Chapter 28 - Captain Jack & Drunkella

I kept hearing chimes.

Why did I drink so much? Bella, Just Say No.

I could feel Edward beside me, but I couldn’t force my eyes open.

There are those damn chimes again. Hey, I know that sound.

I then realized that sound signaled an incoming text.

Who the hell texts someone at, um, whatever the hell time it is, when they’re on vacation?