Chapter Eleven

~Learning the Ropes~

BPOV

The remainder of Monday night progresses well, despite the fact that Edward is avoiding me at all costs. At least I agree with him on one thing, Kate really is fantastic. She's funny, personable and goes above and beyond for the patrons; I'm sure it's why Edward respects her so much and entrusts her with training me.

I stand next to her as she takes down the food and drink orders and then follow her around like a little puppy. She takes her time with me, realizing I have absolutely no experience whatsoever. Kate explains procedures to me with great care, helping me feel very solid for when I'm on my own with customers.

I listen to her describing certain dishes to the patrons in such amazing detail that she has my mouth watering in the hopes that I'll get a taste. She's already told me that it's important that I have the cooks make me a sample of each dish on the menu. Each shift, I should try a few new things so that I can add my opinion to a description in order to help the diners make the best possible choices.

Last Call is a boisterous and lively establishment. Everyone, workers and patrons alike, seem to just be in a cheery mood…it's infectious. Most of the people who walk through the doors are on vacation. They're not here because they expect white glove service, they're here to kick back and relax. People just seem to be less stuffy and more whimsical in their approach to their lives at that moment. I love it. It's fun and friendly and I feel lighter than air surrounded by such a welcoming spirit.

Kate introduces me to every table we approach together and the regulars' reactions are always, "Hey Bella! How are ya? You're new to Last Call? Well, we love it here!" Emmett was right. Even after one night of work, I'm seeing how this experience will help get me out of my blue funk of sadness after losing Aunt Didi.

Boss's work is never done!

At midnight, Edward approaches me for the first time in about three hours.

"Bella, it's pretty quiet around here. I think we've kept you long enough for your first night. You can go ahead and clock out."

Oh you'd like that, wouldn't you, buddy? I should stay here and attach myself to your hip just to piss you off!

Alright, maybe that's a bit extreme, but still…I have to figure out how to crack through his hard-ass approach to me.

"Oh, okay. I'd be happy to stay a bit longer if you or Kate need me."

"Nah, we'll be fine. Be back here tomorrow at 4 in the afternoon, okay?"

He's not going to budge. And with it being my first night of work, I really shouldn't push the envelope. I'll let it lie for now, get a good night's sleep, and be back in full force to kill him with more kindness tomorrow.

I nod with a resigned smile and stash my tray behind the bar on the top shelf. I feel Edward watching me the whole time, but I'm not going to give him the satisfaction of acknowledging his attention. I unwrap my apron from my waist and toss it into the towel bin just beyond the doorway into the kitchen and make my way over to the office to clock out. Once I finish, I grab my purse and start for the door, calling out my goodbye to Kate along the way.

I catch Edward's eye as I'm walking out and his voice stops me mid-stride.

"Hey Bella…thanks for your help…

… You looked good out there tonight."

My heart bursts like the Grinch's with that measuring device thingy. Those words make me feel like maybe I melted a little bit of his cold heart tonight.

Playing it as cool as possible, I give him a small smile, an even smaller wave and turn to leave. I can't help but notice that I put a little more swish in my hips as I head for the door.

~~~~~L~A~S~T~C~A~L~L~~~~~

James and I are working opposite shifts for the next two nights. He's here during the day and takes off by 5:30, whereas I start my shift at 4 pm and work till one. I'm loving watching him behind the bar interacting with the customers. He's friendly and gregarious. Every customer who approaches the bar and grabs a stool gives him a friendly handshake and starts chatting him up. I overhear James asking personal questions about husbands, wives, kids and jobs. It's clear to me that James is very well-liked and well-respected. It's like a scene from "Cheers", except instead of it being 'Norm' who everyone knows, loves and shouts for when he walks in, it's James. Honestly, it makes him even more endearing.

I'm seriously swooning for this guy.

Not to mention the knee-buckling kisses we sneak from time to time. Today, as I walk in for my shift, James hops over the bar 'Starsky and Hutch' style, follows me into the office and pins me to the bookshelf with his hips. His face inches away, I'm mesmerized by his baby blues that are glued on me. His arms encase my head and he goes to town seductively lavishing my mouth, earlobes, neck, and collarbone with his soft lips and finger caresses tracing my jawline and my shoulders.

Bella & James

"Nnngh. I've been waiting to do that to you all…(kiss)…day…(kiss)… long. My brother is such a party pooper that he won't schedule us to work together." I silence him with my lips. Let's not waste precious time with chatter…kiss me, you fool! I thread my fingers through his short blonde hair and momentarily allow myself to drown in the desire he's stirring inside me.

Our tongues start a dance together that's beyond unfair. Clearly we're starting something we can't finish at the moment. But for now….mmmmmph. He's driving me wild.

Suddenly, we hear a throat clear and chuckle from Kate, alerting us to the fact that we're no longer alone.

"Don't mind me, lovebirds, I just need to clock in and I'll be on my way." James and I start laughing as he gives me a few more pecks and releases me from his fantastic clutches. Once I clock in, he grabs my hand and we walk through the office door, back out onto the bar floor.

"What's so funny, you two?"

Edward.

Right there.

Damn, that luscious scruff of his.

I see him glance to where my hand is joined with James's. Next, he's staring at me intently, maybe noticing my flushed skin, swollen lips and attempts at catching my breath from laughter and bliss. His face becomes inexplicably downtrodden.

Hmmm. That seems odd.

"Nothing, E, just bumped into Bella in the office." I watch James hip bump Edward to drive his next point home. "Making her feel welcome; you know how it is," he adds with a wink. "Hey! Tori'll be here soon…better get ready for your long-awaited reunion!" James punctuates his response to his brother with a shoulder slap as he turns to me smiling. He gently places another kiss under my ear and walks off to the bar.

Normally I would have gotten spectacular goose bumps from the kiss-on-the-neck-under-the-ear move…but right now, I'm sort of frozen in place. Edward and I have our eyes locked for a solid ten seconds when suddenly he brushes past me and heads into his office, shutting the door behind him with more than a little oomph.

Tori? Tori who? I didn't get a memo on there being any Tori.

I'm guessing maybe she's a waitress who's been gone for a while? She's gotta be, right? I walk back over to the bar to find James restocking newly washed glasses of all shapes and sizes.

"Hey James, who's Tori?" I blurt out. I know curiosity killed the cat, but…I just need to know. It doesn't change anything, I just need to know. I need to know, okay?

"Oh! Tori's Edward's fiancée. She's a hair stylist who travels quite a bit."

My heart sinks at the word fiancée. And what the hell is a traveling hairstylist? Is that like a traveling salesman from back in the day? Does she go around the world bringing cute haircuts to all the good little boys and girls?

James's voice snaps me back to the present conversation. "She's working on a movie actually. She's the personal hair stylist for Lauren Mallory."

"THE ACTRESS?" I scream out, not realizing just how much my voice carries until I see James flinch and smile.

"Yeah, why? You know her?"

"Um. Well, I certainly know who she is! I don't know her, know her of course. She's a big Hollywood actress! That's amazing!"

"Yeah, well…Tori's mom is the cousin of Lauren's agent. They hooked Tori up with Lauren a couple of years ago when she was just starting out acting in commercials and a few TV spots. She and Lauren became instant best friends. Then, once Lauren hit it big, she begged Tori to travel with her to movie locations. Tori jumped at the chance and she's basically been on the road for a little over a year, now."

"Wow! And you said she's…ummm… engaged to your brother?"

"Yup! They're getting married in December. Big Fourth of July bash up at her parents' house in Harvey Cedars to celebrate their upcoming nuptials. I was actually gonna ask you if you wanted to go with me." His million dollar smile flashes my way.

"Uhh, yeah. Yes, of course! July 4th is my favorite holiday. I love the fireworks." I have great childhood memories of seeing fantastic fireworks displays that would light up the sky over the art museum in Philly. Another precious memory I have of my Dad and me together; yet sadly, they're few and far-between.

"Great, then! Double win for me! A beautiful girl by my side and Mom won't feel the need to harass me for being single."

James promptly gets bombarded with a group of construction workers who've just walked in, so he winks at me and I take that as my hint to officially start my shift.

As I walk away, I feel a pit forming in my stomach.

What's that about?

Edward has a fiancée.

But really, what does it even matter? I'm dating his brother for crying out loud! I have no need to be concerned about what Edward is doing…or whom Edward is doing.

Yikes. Pit just got quite a bit heavier.

I hold my hand over my stomach and dash to the bathroom to splash some water on my face.

Why does the thought of Edward with anyone really bug the crap outta me? My mind starts to race with all the possible answers.

Maybe because Edward's the first person in over three years who isn't coddling you?

Maybe because he doesn't cater to your every whim because he feels so awful for you?

Because you know if he did, just like everyone else, he would then do anything for you so that you don't break down into hysterics?

Maybe that's why you're so intrigued by him?

This anti-relationship that has sprouted between you two is the first thing that's made you feel like you're really alive and fighting for something. Could that be it?

All good theories, and quite possibly on target.

But UGH! What is it with him blowing me off EVERY time I've inquired as to how he knows me? I mean, does he not realize that HE ALONE, is the ONLY person who has a key to my past? A puzzle piece that can be dropped into place and give me another answer or two!

My inner voice reminds me that he's not a mind reader. I haven't told him anything about what's happened to me.

Up till now, he's just been Edward. My jerky, stick-up-the-ass, secret-withholding, Mr. Hottie-Not-So-Nice boss...this mess, I could somehow deal with.

But now…he's Edward with a fiancée.

Not cool.

I narrow my eyes at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. Okay, you. Pep-talk time.

First, you're dating James and you're happy about this.

You need to put aside your errant thoughts about his out of control, sexy as hell brother and focus on the guy out there who has been making your toes curl in REAL LIFE…NOT in your dreams.

Next, Edward knows you from the past and you WILL figure out what it is and why he seems so passionately dispassionate about you. Okay Bella, time to pull up those big girl panties and kick Operation: Melt Icebergward into high gear.

Tori's a non-issue. He can keep his fiancée…as long as I get my answers about my life.

When did I become so freaking ruthless? I sound like one of the evil Disney queens vowing to get revenge on the sweet, innocent princess.

Not that Edward is a princess. Far from it, actually. He's more of the handsome, brooding stranger who blazes in and saves the day, sweeps the lost and lonely girl off her feet and…

I make a mental note to start cutting out crayons and Disney movies from my Tristan diet.

Edward can have Tori. I can have James AND, after I finally make Edward spill what he knows about me, I'll have a piece of my memory back!

NOW we're talking. This is a solid plan. What could go wrong?

~~~~~L~A~S~T~C~A~L~L~~~~~

Because it's a week night, Kate's able to take time with me and show me how to punch the orders into the computer. First I enter my pin, then plug in the table number; simply touch the names of the dishes that the customers order, and press finish! It couldn't be any easier.

I'm actually having fun running back over to the computers whenever I have a new order to process. I accidentally punch in the wrong order only once, but luckily that customer had ordered an appetizer with his meal which he was currently enjoying. When I realize my mistake, I let the cooks know of my error and they're able to quickly create the correct sandwich the guy was expecting momentarily.

They make the BLT to perfection, and I run it out to the customer who is none the wiser. It works out for me too, because the 'mistake' ends up being a snack that Kate and I share during our respective breaks we're permitted during our lengthy shifts.

And let me tell you what: that chicken BLT club sandwich is so freaking moist and flavorful, it knocks my socks off. Kate gives me a bear hug when she hears that I had punched in her favorite sandwich by mistake. I thought the cooks would get annoyed with me for the error I made, but they say it's 'nothing' in comparison to some of the doozies they've seen over time. I'm thankful for their kindness and eat every scrumptious bite of my portion.

Even though the food orders print out in the kitchen for the cooks to see for themselves, the drink orders still need to be placed at the counter with the bartenders. I volunteer to be the bar runner so Kate can just deal with the cooks and the food. Starting next week, I'll be on my own and will have to be able to handle it all myself, but for this week of training, Edward and Kate thought it best for me to stay focused on one task at a time.

Every time I approach Edward for a drink order, I make sure to have a smile on my face and a chipper tone in my voice. He was pretty quiet for the first couple of hours, but as the night wears on, he's loosening up a bit, saying a few things to me each time I come back to him.

Crown Royal Manhattan, Charles Swan's drink of choice.

"Another Royal Manhattan and a glass of White Zin for table twelve, please."

Edward locks eyes with me for a moment and then shakes his head as if jolting himself from a memory.

"What? What was that look for?" I ask, my teeth biting down on my bottom lip, hoping to make some pleasant conversation.

"Umm, nothing. Just a familiar order, I guess. And hearing it from you made it… surreal…that's all."

I chuckle nervously, not quite understanding Edward's angle. "Why is it surreal? Because I'm the newbie and I don't know all the lingo yet?"

White Zinfandel, Renee Swan's drink of choice.

"No. Because that's what your parents like to drink, isn't it?"

"W—what?" I stutter and stiffen.

"Your parents, Bella. Your dad's drink of choice is a Manhattan made with Crown Royal and your mom never drinks anything but White Zinfandel. At least that's how it used it be when I—."

"Wait, stop! You know what my parents liked to drink? How do you know this?"

He huffs and reaches up to grab another wine glass. "Nothing Bella, just forget it."

My eyes shoot wide open and I start whisper shouting at him, "No! Don't tell me to forget it! If you have some—"

"Hey Bells, you have those drinks? The lushes over at twelve are panicking 'cause they just took their final sips," she laughs.

Kate interrupts what might've been the beginnings of a mission of self-discovery. I realize I can't get into it now, though. Clearly, this is neither the time nor the place to dig into what Edward knows and doesn't know about me. It's almost 7:30 and even though the dinner crowd is thinning out, the bar is starting to fill up with Phillies fans getting ready to watch the game starting at 8.

"Yeah, Edward was just filling the order, I'll be right there, Kate."

"Okay, I'm going over to check on nine and ten; see you in a minute." Kate turns and heads into the dining room and I look back over at Edward who's roughly plunking a maraschino cherry into the Manhattan.

"I'm sorry I got ramped up just then, but I really need you to talk to me," I confess, throwing myself at the mercy of his court.

He sighs, clearly exercising patience and decorum.

"Bella…there's nothing of significance to share. I recognized you when you first came into the bar Memorial Day Weekend. In my business, it helps to remember names and faces. I remembered you briefly from another party that I worked several years back when I was just getting started in the business. You were there with your parents and that's what they drank. I was just showing off for you; photographic memory, remember? Forget I said anything. I didn't mean to upset you. I'm not a stalker or anything." He rolls his eyes and places the drinks on my waiting tray.

"I never said or even thought you were a stalker, Edward. I just…I…," I sigh and close my eyes feeling frustrated tears threaten. I take another deep breath and open to see Edward staring at me, through me even, with what seems like x-ray vision.

"If you don't mind, I need to talk to you privately when you get a chance. It's very important." I speak with clarity and sincerity in the hope that he takes pity on me and sees it as looking to him for help rather than looking for a fight.

After what seems like the longest pause in the history of long pauses, he speaks.

"Okay. You know where to find me."

Internal fist pump for me! That's progress, right? He's telling me that he's willing to listen. I suppose if I want to do any kind of decent digging, I'll have to give him the same kind of overview that I gave to James regarding my family. Of course, now that I think about it, I barely skimmed the surface of my story for James.

I smile and turn toward the dining room concentrating on my walking so as not to spill a drop.

Oh boy. I'm gonna have to give James some more information if I want to be able to get into it with Edward. It's only fair. As the guy I'm dating, James has a right to know my background story before his brother.

Now I just have to figure out what to reveal and when, in order to not garner pity and constant coddling from either of the Cullen Brothers.

Mission: juuust shy of impossible.

EPOV

I lied to her. I opened my mouth and out-and-out lied to her face. If she seriously is acting like she can't remember seeing me day in and day out for four long summers, then why am I gonna embarrass myself and try to remind her over and over again how we SHOULD know each other? I have SOME dignity, not a lot it seems, but enough to know when to say when!

And honest to God, this would be a helluva lot easier to do if she wasn't acting so damn friendly all the time. I mean come on, if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck…chances are it's a damn duck. But, in this case, she's not acting like the inner ugly duckling I always knew…she really is more of a swan.

HA! The irony of her last name. Too bad she wasn't swan-like when she really was a Swan. Maybe marrying that snake changed her for the better.

I can't begin to understand how, though. He was such a bastard. There's not a snowball's chance in hell that Alec reformed himself enough to turn the both of them into decent human beings. It's only been five years, for cryin' out loud! Mother Theresa would've had her work cut out for her if she had fifty-five years with Swan, and THAT woman was practically sainted!

~~~~~L~A~S~T~C~A~L~L~~~~~

"Where the hell is that guy? I need a refill. Yo, Alec? Where's your servant?"

"Hahahaha, I don't know. He's around here somewhere. Jeeves? Hellooo? Jeeves, spit-spot ole chap! Front and center! Where are you?"

Even from across the pool deck at the pavilion, I hear the drunken fools bellowing for me, trying to clap and snap their fingers in order to get my attention. They're so wrecked right now, I'll be lucky if I'm not cleaning up a puddle of piss and vomit shortly. Jesus. There isn't enough money in the world for this shit some days.

"Can I help you fellas with something?" I plaster on a semi-smile, knowing I'm still on the clock for another twenty minutes.

"Oh Jeeves, there you are. My friends and I need a refill. Lots of them, as a matter of fact. Go ahead and refresh our supply here, wouldja?"

"We don't keep liquor in the hotel, you guys know that. The alcohol you brought here is from your family's collection."

"Bullshit, you don't have alcohol! I see you walking around with it all the time serving other customers! Now go get us another bottle of Jack!"

"Listen Alec, you and your friends have had plenty to drink. You know full well we don't sell alcohol here or anywhere on the island for that matter. What you see me walking around the pool deck with belongs to each individual cabana owner. We keep their stash in a safe place, just like we do yours, and bring them what they need when they need it."

"Well, I want you to bring me what I need, when I need it, too! That would mean that my friends and I are out of Jack and we need a couple more bottles. Now, get your lanky ass back into the hotel and do what my father pays you to do!"

I know I'm fighting a losing battle, so I just turn and walk out of the cabana. Not quickly enough though, because the next thing I know, I'm shoved from behind and land hard on my hands and knees, scattering my freshly folded towels. The unforgiving concrete tears my skin away, leaving me looking like a 6 year-old kid learning to ride a bike. I can hear Alec and his goon squad cracking up behind me.

As I stand up, I'm met face to face with Isabella. She says nothing to me; just has an inquisitive look on her face, most likely trying to figure out what went on in the cabana that led to me being pushed down out here. If I detect any trace of sympathy from her, it dissolves when a huge smile graces her face at the exact moment I feel another set of hands on my back, plunging me into the pool. While submerged, I hear Alec shouting at me, "Keep your filthy fucking eyes off my girlfriend, Jeeves."

Once I surface and swim to the side, I hoist myself out and grab a pool towel from the pile I'd been carrying. There's dead silence around the deck, except for the cackling, resonating from inside the Swans' cabana. I bend down to pick up the rest of the pile and, as I straighten, I see Isabella standing in the doorway. No words are spoken. She simply rolls her eyes and shakes her head as if to say, "What a loser".

I shake the memory off and look across the dining room to see Bella laughing with some customers; a smile gracing her face like she's the most innocent and virtuous girl in the world.

It's shitty flashbacks like that one, however, that steel my resolve. She was a bitch. She was spoiled. She was untouchable in every sense of the word. I have no interest in becoming her friend now. If she can do the job here well enough, then fine. She'll serve a purpose for me. And that's where the relationship ends.

For the sake of my little brother though, my Spidey-Senses are up. Last week, she mentioned she was married. Then she totally ignored my comment on Monday about her husband. I wanna know what the hell's going on. I want to make sure James isn't getting played. If she wants to talk to me, I'm all ears. But she better be willing to answer some questions of mine, too. My brother's feelings and our livelihood are too important to me to have her waltz back into my life and royally screw with them.

There's no way I'm lettin' you do it, princess. Not a chance in hell.