My internal musings was disturbed by Sue returning to the counter with a now empty tray. I snuck a glance at the clock to see Sue only had a few minutes remaining in her shift.

"Bella, I'm gonna head out now. Do you mind cleaning up their table and giving them their check?" Sue questioned while taking off her apron and placing it beneath the counter.

I was fighting an internal battle on whether or not to ask Sue to stick around for a few more minutes but just by looking at her, she looked as if she was about to fall over from pure exhaustion.

I nodded without saying anything, not trusting my voice.

"Thank you so much Bella. You keep the tip, you deserve it." She gave me a gracious smile and ripped their check from her notepad before putting on her jacket, grabbing her purse, and swiftly exiting the diner.

I internally sighed and spared a glance over at their table. They were still in the middle of their meals, each looking in my direction every few seconds, so I had a few more minutes to collect myself. I spent the next five minutes hiding in the kitchen pacing furiously.

Come on Bella, you were able to face him yesterday, what's so different about today?

Maybe because he actually knows who you are.

I shook my head of any negative thoughts and marched my way to the dining area. No backing out now. As I approached their table, most of them were finished eating. Only a few still picking at their food.

I placed the check at the end of the table which got everyone's attention. "Umm, no rush on the check."

I mumbled before attempting to race back to my safe zone. I use the word attempt because before I could make my escape, Emmett spoke.

"Uhh, here. You can take it now." He scrambled with his wallet and pulled out a black debit card and placed it into the folder holding the check. He slowly lifted it up towards me almost as if he was scared I would run away.

I nodded and took it from him, careful to not touch him. I successfully made my way away from the table towards the bar area which held the cash register. As I was waiting for the ancient machine to accept the transaction the name on the card caught my attention.

Emmett McCarthy

McCarthy? What the hell? The last I checked we had the same last name, Swan. He really covered all bases to stay hidden from his past, even going as far to become a different person. This just further supported my idea that he wanted nothing to do with his past… including me.

I finally finished up with the cash register and walked back to the table.

I made sure to hand it straight to Emmett. "Here you are, Mr. McCarthy." I stressed the name and spat it almost as if it was venom in my mouth.

He looked at me with sorrowful eyes.

"Bells…" He began while I just shook my head "I guess you really covered all the bases when you left. You really didn't want to be found, huh?"

I didn't wait for an answer as I picked up a few places that were sitting at the tables and made my way towards the back.

Before I was safely in the back I heard his fiancé begin speaking "What exactly is she talking about, Emmett?"

I spared a glance back at them to see his fiancé looking towards me. I quickly disregarded the plates into the sink and made my way- for what felt like the billionth time that night- towards the dining area.

The group of five were all standing and slipping their coats back on. Emmett saw me and started to walk in my direction. I stayed were I was behind the counter, wanting to have something to separate us.

"Before you start ripping into me- which by the way I totally deserve- I just want to say that I love you with my heart, Bella. I would do anything for you, don't forget that. I may have changed my last name but I will always be your brother, I will always be a Swan." He had the check in his hand and he slipped it towards me before looking me in the eyes one last time and then he slowly made his way towards the exit with his posse in tow.

I watched them retreat into the cold air and watched them until they were out of sight. I then opened the check and slammed it shut with wide eyes and threw it back onto the counter. I took a few steps back and stared at it as if it were going to bite me.

After getting my breathing under control, I gently picked the folder back up and opened it. I picked up the bills and began to count. My heart started thumping harder at each bill I counted. I finally finished and I felt as if I couldn't breathe.

300 dollars.

300 fucking dollars.

What kind of job did he have that he could just spare 300 dollars? Was he a drug dealer? I picked up his bill along with the cash and noticed something on the back. It was messy scrawl that I would recognize anywhere. When we were younger, Emmett would help me with my homework every night. Always adding his own notes into my homework. I glanced over the back of the receipt.

Please call. Followed by ten digits. I scoffed. Did he think he could buy me with 300 dollars and his phone number? Well he had another thing coming.

So, kind of short chapter but I'm trying to get at least something done. I don't want to include too much of what Emmett is thinking right now. I want to include that later in the story. Edward will soon be introduced to Bella. Sorry if you guys are waiting for that, but I thought it would be more realistic if Bella is too caught up in her estranged brother's sudden reappearance in her life to notice his incredibly attractive friend. But I promise that sparks will fly soon between them! Thanks for reading. Review!