Don't Fight It

Chapter 13

"Would you go with me?" I asked.

"Really?" she asked, sounding surprised. "You want me to meet your ex-girlfriend?"

"I want you to meet Irina. Chances are good that you'll end up meeting Tanya as well."

"Okay," she said with a shrug and went back to the book she was reading.

The rest of our day was spent hanging out quietly, exchanging kisses and cuddles.

By the following week, I was a bit nervous. Irina and Tanya would be arriving in Seattle on Tuesday, and I knew that they wanted to meet up in Port Angeles.

I'd begun to rethink inviting Bella along. It wasn't that I didn't want her there with me, I did, but I was afraid that Tanya would do or say something to Bella. So, I went to Esme for advice.

"I did the right thing telling Bella about Tanya coming for a visit, right?"

Esme nodded. "I think you did the right thing. Imagine how you would have felt if Bella went to meet an ex-boyfriend and didn't tell you about it."

I would have been considerably upset if that had happened.

"I'm just afraid that Tanya is going to be mean to Bella, and I won't stand for that. Perhaps, I shouldn't have invited Bella along."

Esme gave my shoulder a squeeze. "I'm sure it'll be fine."

"Let's hope so," I muttered.

Tuesday afternoon, Bella and I drove up to Port Angeles, both of us a bit nervous. I reached over and squeezed her hand, which she clutched tightly.

"Nervous?" I asked.

She nodded her head.

"Me, too," I admitted.

I pulled my car into the parking lot of an Applebee's and got out, rushing around the car to open Bella's door.

I took her hand in mine, gave her a kiss, and we made our way inside. I told the hostess that we were meeting a couple of people and almost immediately I was greeted with the sounds of squealing coming from Irina and Tanya.

Keeping my hand firmly in Bella's, I gave each girl a one-armed hug before introducing Bella to them.

"Oh, it's wonderful to meet you!" Irina squealed before giving Bella a hug. "Edward's told me so much about you."

Bella's shoulders relaxed a bit as she returned Irina's greetings. However, I tensed a bit when Tanya stepped forward to introduce herself to Bella.

"It's nice to meet you, Bella. I have to say, I haven't heard much about you," she said in a snarky voice.