A/N Before we start, I'd like to say I'm so excited about this new story. This idea has been kicking around in the back of my head for a while now. I'm really hoping you guys will like the concept and decide to stick around. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 1

It was another lazy Sunday afternoon. Bella leaned across Tanya to grab an ice cube, dragging it softly across her lips. Summer had hit Seattle full force this year—it was a crisp 68 degrees outside, and, evidently, inside Bella and Tanya's apartment.

"What the fuck is up with the air conditioning?" Tanya whined.

"It must be broken," Bella muttered absently. "I'll call Jake."

"Forget about it, Edward will be here any minute. I'm sure he can work something out," Tanya sighs, leaning back and sipping her iced water.

"You're finally letting me meet him?" Bella asked with wide-eyed mock-surprise. "What's the occasion?"

She shrugged, "Figured you two would probably be meeting tomorrow morning anyway."

"Slut," Bella teased.

"Bitch!" Tanya responded, as usual. This was their thing.

Edward was Tanya's new boyfriend. Or play thing, whichever you prefer. Tanya had been going through boyfriends her whole life and the summer after freshmen year at College would be no exception. Bella almost felt bad for the guy. She hadn't met him yet, but if he was like any of the other boys he would be a pretty face and nothing more. Tanya's men were increasingly shallow. Bella always told her to aim higher, that she deserved better. But Tay never listened.

"Pass another cube," Bella responded.

The girls sat quietly on the balcony, grateful for the wind. Soon they were both lost in their own thoughts. Then suddenly Tanya squealed, startling Bella.

"He's here!"

Bella turned to see a silver Volvo pulling into the parking lot. She crinkled her nose. "What kind of pretentious loser drives a Volvo? I bet he also buys premium gas and asks for more soy in his coffee."

"Be nice," Tanya warned. "I really like this guy! And he's not pretendous!"

Bella was still laughing at Tanya's mistake as she jumped up, running down to meet Edward. She didn't even bother asking what Bella was guffawing about. Oddly enough, Bella had never seen Tanya act this way about a guy before. She looked out the window just in time to see their reunion.

The guy wasn't quite what Bella expected... He was tall and lanky, in other words, not on steroids. His hair made him look like he just rolled out of bed, yet somehow he made it work with a grey pea coat. Everything about him screamed sophistication, all but that 'Come fuck me smile' and lazy eyes.

Bella stopped herself before she could examine any further. Their apartment was on the second floor, so she got a pretty good view. But this guy was screwing her roommate and long-time best friend. She could not be attracted to him.

Even though they had only seen each other the night before, Edward scooped her up in his arms and planted a movie-worthy kiss on her lips, followed by three more chaste kisses. Feeling rude, Bella got up from her perch on the balcony and went about opening all the windows in the apartment. Soon the front door was flying open and Tanya was prancing through it.

"Bells, I'd like you to meet my new boyfriend, Edward. Edward, this is my roommate, Bella."

Bella turned towards them, prepared to be the best friend any girl could ask for. She could sweep her attraction under the rug till Tanya dumped him. She stopped that thought instantly. No, it was wrong for her to want him. He was probably just another pretty face. Just like all the others.

That was before she looked into his eyes; emerald green, surrounded by thick lashes that were wasted on a boy. Behind them Bella could see an old soul. Her mouth popped open and she lost all trains of thought. He was so unbelievably gorgeous; it was easy to see why he'd be with a girl like Tanya. All of Tanya's boyfriends were attractive. But this guy... he was something else entirely. And that threw Bella off to no end.

Definitely not pretentious, she thought.

"Pleased to meet you, Bella."

God, his voice is sexy. Very husky, very manly. Fuck, I really shouldn't be thinking these things.

"Likewise," Bella breathed, gripping his outstretched hand. The second their hands touched, a spark shot through her. She wasn't sure if he felt it, but it was definitely there. And she hated it.

They went to sit on the couch. Bella suddenly felt very conscious of the fact that she was only wearing a long Rolling Stones tank top and her underwear. It had been so hot and she didn't think anyone but her and Tanya would be here.

Fuck it, she thought, sitting on the couch and curling her legs under her.

The whole time they chatted Bella tried to keep her eyes on Tanya. Until the other girl got up to use the washroom, leaving Bella and Edward completely alone. Bella was prepared to ignore him entirely. But then he complimented her on her Rolling Stones t-shirt, claiming they prompted him to become a musician.

"Really?" Bella squeaked, then composed herself. "Which instrument do you play?"

"Lead guitar and vocals," he responded with a smirk.

"I bet you also write your own stuff."

"You're an excellent guesser, Miss Swan," he confirmed huskily. Bella hadn't realized, but they had been leaning closer and closer.

"Maybe you're just easy to read," Bella responded, surprised with how easy it was to talk with him.

"I see you've been doing a lot of that."

She raised her eyebrows in question.

"Reading," he responded. "I know those Tolstoy novels don't belong to Tanya."

"Oh," Bella answered, turning to see the pile of worn books she'd left on the couch before Tanya woke up. Then Tay had complained about the heat, dragging Bella out onto the balcony with a bucket of ice.

"That reminds me. Our air conditioners broken," Bella muttered absently. She glanced at Edward, deciding. "I'll call my friend Jake, he's a wiz with that kind of stuff."

"I can do it."

She looked back at him, searching his eyes. She could see that Edward was good to his core, but there was something else there. Something hidden beneath the perfection.

"That'd be great, thanks."

Tanya came back, just in time to show Edward where the damn machine was. Then she came back running, with a secret smile on her face.

"So, what do you think?"

"He seems really nice, Tay. I'm happy for you," she responded with a forced smile, hoping she didn't sound too jealous.

"Good! Because you might be planning our wedding someday," she winked.

Then, blessedly, cold air started blasting. "Yes!" Bella exclaimed, forgetting her worries for a moment, and both girls started clapping.

"We're going out for a bit, don't wait up," Tanya said at around 8:30.

After exchanging formalities, Bella retired to her room. She was glad to finally be rid of Tanward. She hadn't had a single second alone to herself since... Suddenly it came on, hard and fast; the cravings. How long had it been? 10, 11 hours? She wondered if there was a line left on the sink.

...

When Bella returned to her room, she realized just how spent she was. The high had all but vanished, now she was looking for solace. From her bed, as a matter of fact.

After you've spent a night in bed with someone you love, it's apparently never the same again. So Bella was taking as many nights alone in bed as she could. Being single was a luxury for Bella, although now monogamy didn't seem like a bad idea. At least, it didn't after seeing Tanya and Edward all lovey-dovey.

She tried not to think about how about how her best friend had everything she ever wanted in a man. Now that he was officially dating Tanya, there was nothing she could do about it. A guy was strictly off limits if he dated your best friend. Tanya had made sure Bella was certain of this when they were younger. It's not like Bella wanted her sloppy seconds, anyway. Besides, Edward was clearly infatuated with Tanya. A guy like that could never be interested in plain Bella Swan.

Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something about him...

He was something else.

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A/N Please review!