Eye Of The Tiger

Chapter 32

Rosalie glared at the overly friendly host who was blatantly flirting with Bella. It's not that should could blame the poor guy but it was very obvious they were on a date. She gritted her teeth and pushed him out of the way when he tried to pull out Bella's chair for his surprised look she told him with a low growl."I can get the chair for MY girlfriend if you don't mind. She doesn't need you or your help!"

She felt a sense of satisfaction when the boy gulped and stammered something about a waiter coming soon. As she took her seat she saw that Bella was giving her a smile.

"What? He was hitting on you. We are here together. He should keep his flirting to himself." As Rosalie realized what she said she began to apologize. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that. I'm not trying to claim ownership of you or trying to imply you can't take care of yourself. It's my vampire instinct and I've been trying to keep it in check but it's becoming harder and I'm really sorry"

Bella raised a hand stopping Rosalie's apology."Rosalie stop worrying so much. I think it's cute that you get all worked up trying to protect my honor. I would rather you be rude than murder someone and as I've told you before they are just human. They don't know any better. Maybe it's because I grew up feeling never quite human myself I can forgive them."

"I thought you didn't know you were a shifter until you were ten?"Rosalie was sure that's what Bella told her.

"I always felt different from the other kids. First because of my looks then later when I realized who my family was. I've never been treated normal in my life. My grandparents were very understanding and always told me that it was human nature. They told me that I was meant for greater things than being a plain boring human girl. Even though they didn't know I was going to be a shifter they always treated me as I was something better than what humanity had to offer. That sounds like I'm conceited. I mean in the way that my differences made me unique and dwelling on people liking or disliking me wasn't worth the effort. That doesn't mean I don't understand your frustration. If I took a moment to really think about it it would probably bother me just as much as it does you. As for your natural instincts don't suppress them if you can express them safely. You need to be true to yourself even if that truth means you're rude and a little over protective. I like those parts of you and that's what they are a part of what makes you you and I happen to like you very much."

Rosalie gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you and I happen to like you very much also."

"You like cats of course you like me." Bella said giving her a wink.

"What are you going to get? This menu looks impressive."Rosalie didn't know much about human food but the restaurant had good reviews so she imagined the food was good.

"I didn't even think about the fact that you don't eat. Are you going to even get something? I don't want you to force yourself to eat it." Bella said.

"I thought of that." Rosalie said proudly. "Since you have a shifter's appetite I thought that you could pick out two meals and when you finished yours you could just eat mine."

"I don't know if I should be flattered or insulted that you notice how much I eat." Bella mused."But since I know you meant well I'll go with flattered."

Just then the waiter came up and asked for their order.

"I'll have the mushroom ravioli and she will have the New York strip rare with mixed vegetables and potatoes." Bella said handing the menus over and dismissing the waiter.

"What were your grandparents like?"Rosalie asked."You said your grandfather was a senator and that he never wanted to be president."

"My grandpa Arthur was an amazing man. He was a senator for over 6 terms. Politics was all he ever knew and he was very proud to carry on the family name." Bella smiled thinking about him. "The reason he didn't want to be president was me. He had been offered the chance by his party many times over the years and had been planning on running after my mother finished high school. It was only four months after she graduated that she found out about me."