Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I don't own twilight! And this story is inspired by the movie Friends with Benefits! Enjoy!

BPOV
"I think I've found the perfect guy to fill that job at GQ." I say to Alice as a cradle my cell phone between my ear and shoulder as I am frantically changing in the back seat of my company's car. Only one of the many drawbacks of doing things at the last minute.

"Why do you sound all short of breath? What are you doing? You're not having sex are you?" Alice's voice screeches through the phone.

"God, no, Alice! His flight landed early so I'm scrambling!" I explain as I wiggle my skirt over my thighs. Not an easy feat to do when in the back seat of an smart car. I was basically humping the air, a move that didn't go unnoticed by the driver who keeps looking back at me through the rear-view mirror.

"Oh, well stop, that sounds ssooo wrong. So has the guy agreed to fill the position?" Alice asks.

"No he's not sure on the job yet, but I will convince him. I always do. Annnnddd I am even picking him up in a hybrid! He's from LA, so I figured he'd be into that kind of bullshit." I reply to my best friend. I, Isabella Marie Swan, Bella for short had been following Edward Cullen since the beginning of his successful career. I knew with everything in me that Edward was perfect for the job. With his unique and exciting outtake on today's issues, Edward Cullen was going to make me a lot of money.

"Hang on a minute Alice," I noticed we are only a couple of blocks from JFK, and I am only half-way ready. I still needed to change in to the top that, according to Alice went great with the skirt and did wonders for my skin tone. What-the-fuck-ever! I see a top and if I think it goes well with a skirt, then I buy it. I don't worry whether the top is in season or if it will make my skin glow as if I was kissed by the sun or some shit like that. Anyways, I really needed to change and I was so over the leery looks the creep of a driver was giving me, so I resort to drastic measures.

I dig deep into my arsenal of tricks, and paste on the most innocent look that I could find the energy to must; pout included, and ask my question, "Sir? What building is that?" I ask pointing to what obviously is the Empire State Building.

"The Empire State Building" The driver states confidently in a Brooklyn accent.

"No, no, no, no the really, really big building with the antenna on top of it, and the windows…" I say as I hastily throw my current top off my body and replace it with the fresh one.

The driver repeats his previous answer but throws in a dubious look with it. There's nothing easier for a New York native to spot than another native, and with me being a New York girl born and raised, I know with certainty that he has seen through my little ruse. Like I give a flying two fucks, I just wanted Creepy McCreeperton to stop staring at me. Well I am changing clothes in the back seat, but that's beside the point!

"Oh yeah! You're right, King Kong…and all that jazz." I say as my way of dismissing my earlier behavior and effectively ending the conversation.

"Changing in the back seat again." I hear Alice tsk as I return my cell phone to its previous resting place.

"Hey, it was either that or show up wrinkled and ruffled."

Alice sighs reluctantly, before letting it go. "How much longer do you have?"

"Not…much" I say as I try to straighten my hair back into the bun I had thrown it into this morning. "I should be pulling up to the airport now." I say as turn my gaze to the window.

"Ok, well call me and let me know how everything works out."

"Will do. Talk to you later Alice."

"Bye, Bells!" I hang up the phone just as the driver announces that we have arrived.

/*O^O*\

I make a mad dash through JFK as soon as my heels hit the ground, only slowing down when I make it to the baggage claim area. Once I'm there I realize how unprepared I am, I mean I don't even have a sign to greet the poor sap with. Not having a clue what this guy may look like, I call upon my stellar improvisational skills. I look around and see that a greeter has meet the person with whom they are greeting, seeing my opportunity, I ponce.

"Oh, Hi! Are you done with this?" I ask as I take the sign from the short, middle aged driver. "All meet up? Great! Welcome to New York Miss…" I come up short once I see the unusual name on the sign. "Polte…Penderghast." That's right Bella, just smile and nod. Maybe then they won't think you're a crazy person. Pfft! Yeah, fat chance!

Short on time, knowing that my newest prospect will be walking through the un-boarding gates any minute, I pull out my trusty lipstick tube and quickly spell out Edward Cullen.

But just so as my luck would have it, as soon as I am done writing the name, a strong gust of wind comes soaring through the never closing doors of the terminal, sending my makeshift sign flying onto the baggage carrier.

Desperate times calls for desperate measures, I always hear. I was not about to let that sign get away, so I discard my heels and hop onto the carrier after it. Social norms be damned!

"Can you hand me my bag?" I hear as I am jumping over luggage. I turn to see a man in his late thirties looking at me expectantly.

Why the hell not? I can't possibly look any more like an idiot. "Sure. Which one is it?"

"The one with the straps." I retrieve the bag and had it to the guy. "Welcome to New York, Sir." I say like the good little greeter that I am. Then the race is back on.

With my purse perched precariously on my shoulder and my heels in hand, I start my never-ending trudge toward my sign. I had just successful landed my hand onto the sign, when I thicker, more masculine hand grabs the sign.

"That's me." A voice as smooth as the finest velvet calls out.

Which I think momentarily puts me in a daze, because my intelligent reply was, "Which one? The red or blue?"

"Oh, no, not the luggage. I meant the half-assed sign with the lipstick. That's me, I'm Edward Cullen." I turn to face the voice, and am treated to one hell of a sight. In front of me, still holding onto the sign as am I is what easily could be the most gorgeous creature on this earth. Standing at about 6'2", piercing green eyes, hair extremely messy with a very odd color to it, at roughly 178 lbs., this man is handsome enough to make me drop my panties and hand them over to him on a silver platter. In…the…middle…of…the…airport! Without any shame or guilty, I would throw him down in front of all these people and have my wicked way with him! I wonder if Mr. Sex hair would mind if I mounted him in a busy airport terminal? Snap out of it Bella! When did you become such a hussy! You're here to get this guy to agree to a job, not suffocate him with your pussy! Well now, there's a thought.

I snap out of my perverted mind, and try to savage any once of dignity and professionalism that I may have left, and greet the man that I am sexual assaulting in my mind.

"You're Edward Cullen." I say, stating the obvious.

"I am." Edward replies, holding up my sign as confirmation.

"I'm Isabella Swan, but I prefer Bella."

"And you are picking me up from the airport, I assume." He says cheekily, right before he relinquishes a deadly crooked smile. Ugh, I swear my panties are practically bowing down to that smile. The white flag is being raise; my panties have surrendered.

"Yes, I am." I say, getting lost so in his hypnotic green eyes that I didn't notice the carriage was taking me backwards.

"Do you always pick people up like this?" He asks gesturing to my baggage ride.

"Yeah, well you know I like to keep things interesting." I say as I jump down from the baggage carrier. "Welcome to New York!" I repeat the greeting as I put my heels back on.

"Thanks. You're not exactly what come to mind when you think headhunter." He smirks, towering over me with his height.

I match his smirk with one of my own, that only gets bigger as I state, "I'll take that as a compliment, but I prefer executive recruiter. Headhunter sounds a wee bit creepy."

"Well," he steps a little bit closer to me and I try with all my might not to inhale his scent, "you did stalk me for 6 months…kind of creep." He finishes in a sing-song voice, as he reaches for his bags.

"Here, let me get that for." I offer, as I take his bag.

"You really are going to carry my bags? You're that girl?"

I scoff at his accusation. "No, I'm going to change your life…I'm that girl."

"Well, I'm not that kind of guy who let a girl carry anything for me."

"Oh, so you're a sexist. Do you let girls open the door for themselves?"

"No, I'm a gentleman, and no I don't let women open doors for themselves. It would make me less of a man."

"Sure sure, Mr. Man. You can carry your bags." I relent and let him carry his bags as we make out my way out the door. "Are you ready for the start of your awesome new life?"

"My life is already pretty great."

"Oh, really? Because you wouldn't be here if your life was already pretty great." I smirk as I we wait for the car to arrive.

"It's a free trip to New York; I'd be a fool to give that up." He says as he turns to face me.

"Well you must have been an idiot for the last six months.

"Yeah, well, some people would've said longer; maybe all my life."

I laugh because I find that he's comfortable to be around. I can be my snarky, witty, and crass self and he would be able to keep up. That's hard to find in someone I've just met. We would be great business partners. Business, right, because that's what this is all about; a job offer. I really can't sleep with a new client. Despite how badly I want to.

EPOV
"This is a huge opportunity Edward. Art director at GQ magazine, this is it, the big leagues!" Says the brown-haired beauty on my left. Bella, even her name is beautiful. No, really it is, in Italian.

Stepping into the airport, fresh off a 5 hour flight, and after pissing off an uptight tease of a flight attendant, I mentally prepared myself for the change of scenery that is New York, and prayed that I would be able to find a cab quickly. What I didn't expect was to be greeted and escorted, and I say greeted loosely, by the best known head hunter on the East Coast. What I really didn't expect was for her to be riding on the luggage claim barefooted and chasing a makeshift sign, with my name written on it with in lipstick. And I certainly didn't expect her to be so damn beautiful. Standing about a whole foot shorter than me, Ms. Bella Swan was assertive and head strong, with chocolate brown eyes so deep that I can't help but to get lost in them. Even now, as she stares at me expectantly, waiting for a response to her statement, I lose my self in her eyes.

What the fuck, asswipe? Stop staring in her eyes like some creeper! Answer her.

I shake myself out of my stupor, and try to come up with an intelligent answer. But before I can speak, she opens her mouth and says something sarcastic.

God! Her mouth! Her lips looks so soft and pouty, and I could only imagine how they would look wrapped around my c—Focus!

"I mean no offense to your little blog on the internet." She says almost apologetic. Almost.

"Hey, my little blog got seven million hits, just last month."

She scoffs. "I could put up a video of me mixing cake batter with me boobs, and get seven million views."

"It's already been done." I say in a childish, taunting tone, as if I was saying ha ha.

"Really?"

"Yes, Duncan -my tits- Hines. com." I smirk, as her bell-like chuckle fills the car.

"Look, Edward, there is no question that you are talented at what you do but…This is GQ. It's an opportunity of a lifetime."

"But…New York is so crowded…I need my open space." I defend, albeit weakly.

"And LA isn't? What with the basketball players, hippies, celebrities, tourist…the Kardashians." I laugh as she cringes on the last one.

"C'mon, what's really stopping you?" She asks once I have sobered up from my laughter.

"I…I-I don't know…" I hesitate, and look to Bella, and sees that she has a look of stone cold determination. I might as well get this out since it seems that she won't just let this go so quickly. With a sigh, I finally air out my fears. "I just don't want to be the guy who takes something legendary and-excuse the expression-screw the pooch."

"Well, don't be the guy who screws the pooch. Be the guy who makes screwing the pooch legendary."

The fact that she said that with a straight face impressed me. She was a persistent little thing who didn't take no for an answer, and I respect her for that.

"Listen, how about this; how about we get some coffee before the interview, yeah? No, wait, I'm sorry, not coffee. We'll get some green tea, healthy, organic, hemp bullshit that you LA' ers like so much."

I smirk at her boldness once again. A girl who isn't afraid to say what's on her mind. Refreshing.

We stop in front of this shop, and go into this funky colored store that smelled of weed. Bella ordered a drink, and me an order of this healthy green tea, organic hemp bullshit that apparently all Californians like. Bella also informs me that the GQ headquarters was two blocks down around the corner, so we could just walk. I saw no reason to object, so I agreed. Two blocks later the reason slapped me in the face like a sweaty jock strap on a summer day.

"It's really hot in New York." I complain as I feel a sweat coming on.

"It's hot in LA. Look at all those forest fires." Bella says, ready to defend her beloved NYC at all cost.

"Yeah, it gets hot in LA, but that's humidity. If it 90 degrees in LA than it feels like 90 degrees. 90 degrees in New York feels like 200,000."

"Yeah, look this talk about weather is really interesting, but lucky for me, we are here." She showcasing to the building in front of us with a Vanna White flourish. I could've sworn I heard her mutter pansy underneath her breathe. I decide to let it go, so that I could prepare myself for the interview.

"So…good luck." She says, look at me with hope in her eyes.

"You know, whatever happens…happens, right? I mean, I already told you, I don't really want this."

"Well, just do me a solid? Act like you do so that I look good?" She asks as she relinquishes her brown eyes.

" I can do that." I relent. I could not say no to her big doe eyes. Those things could be deadly.

"Ok," She perks up a bit. "Go get 'em."

"Ok, this is great by the way." I say handing her the organic hemp drink as I walk toward the building.

I could tell she took a sip, curious to find out if I was being truthful or not, because as I the door was closing I heard her detest the drink out loud, and spit it out along with a slew of profanities. I chuckle to myself. That's what she gets for calling me a pansy.

I arrive at the reception area, only to be shamelessly eye fucked by the secretary as I introduce myself and inform her that I have a meeting with the editor-in-chief. The secretary, Gianna her name plate reads, rises from her seat in what I suppose was seductive, and walks in front of me, asking me to follow her as she throws a little more sway to her walk. If it wasn't for the fact that I had sworn off women for the time being, I would've reveled in her blatant seduction acts. Gianna stops just outside a set of double doors, and leans in to whisper in my ear. Informing me that If I needed anything, simply to come looking for her. Cliché much? I merely nod, and try to prepare myself for the impending interview that could quite possibly change my life.

Aro Volturi, a man I had heard of numerous of times, his success spoke volumes. After finishing an extensive internship, once having graduated with a master's in journalism from Columbia University, at the tender age of 32 Aro became the youngest editor-in-chief at GQ. The man was truly an inspiration to aspiring journalists everywhere and now, I was finally about to meet him.

I finally get my bearings together, and knock on the door.

"Enter," A gruff voice calls from behind the doors.

I open the door to a finely decorated, spacious office with a huge view of the Manhattan skyline. Aro Volturi was sitting behind a large cherry oak desk that seemed to be situated at the center of the room making Aro appear almost larger than life. His head snapped up at the sound of the door closing behind me. Once he realized who I was, Aro quickly arose from his seat to greet me.

As Aro makes his way from behind his desk, I immediately notice his height. He is a lot shorter that I expected. At 6'2", I completely towered over Aro's 5'10" frame, but that's not all I find unusual about Mr. Volturi. No, not at all, in fact he had sickly pale skin that contrasted horribly with jet black hair, making him look like a freaky vampire. It was kind of giving me the creeps.

"Ah, Edward Cullen," Aro says his arm stretched out to me. "Come in son, have a seat." He continues as I fight a grimace, and meet him half-way, my arm extended to return his handshake, but I don't linger long. He still kind of creeped me out.

Aro motions to the chair in front of his desk, and I politely take the offered seat.

"How are you liking the great city of New York?"

"It certainly has it quirks," I say thinking about the greeting I received, "Some welcoming committee you have here." I finish with a chuckle.

Aro looks confused, which is understandable given he wasn't there to witness my interesting welcome, and wouldn't get my joke.

I clear my throat to try and dispel some of the awkward silence I caused.

Embarrass yourself in front of one of your idols…Nice one Cullen!

"Yes, well, we New Yorkers only offer the best." I'll say.

Aro smiles, as if he has read my mind and it rubs me the wrong way. I shift uncomfortably, and think that this has got to be the worst job interview ever.

Aro must've noticed my uneasiness, because he jumps right back into his spiel.

"Which is why we want you, Edward. Your success precedes you, and I think…"

I could really care less about what Aro has to say. I don't want this job. I don't want New York. I need LA, and I am fine with where I am. This whole trip was pointless. As I continue to drown Aro out, my mind trails off, and I can't help but wonder what a certain headhunter is doing right now.

BPOV

It's been two hours since I sent Edward off on his interview with Aro Volturi of GQ, and I was anxiously waiting at the café outside the GQ building. As I was desperately searching for a bronzed colored disarray of hair, my phone ring scaring the shit out of me. Alice.

"How it go with the LA baby?"

"Uhm, I got him to his interview on time, so that's good news. I am just waiting for him to come out of the building."

"Wait, wasn't the interview like hours ago?"

"Not hours ago, just two."

"And what have you been doing for the past two hours?"

"Nothing much, really, I grabbed a bite to eat at Le Petite Fromage, and now I am just people watching?"

"Oh well since you have nothing to do, why don't you meet me at this party I am throwing for work."

In addition to her passion for fashion, Alice was also one of the best event planners on the East Coast. She hosted parties for all the big stars, including Diddy, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, and Madonna. They were the hottest, most exclusive parties of the year, and the most fun we have ever had.

"Alice, you know, I don't leave until the job is finished."

"But didn't you say you dropped the target off hours ago?"

"Yeah, I did two hours ago to be exact. I-i-it's just that when I dropped him off her was really hesitant and skeptical about the job, and I want to make sure that he takes it…oh…Alice I think I see him now…I gotta go."

"Ok, but I am going to text you the direction to the party in case he says no, and you need the drink."

"Cool beans, talk to you later, bye." I end the call, and make my way over to a wary looking Edward.

"Hey." I announce my presence as I zero in closer to Edward. Because that didn't sound weird at all!

"Hey, you're still here?" Edward asks as we fall into step.

"Yes, well, it is my job." I reply.

"Nice." I was getting tired of the short answers. They were getting me nowhere. So I step in front of Edward, and got right down to the chase.

"Sssoooo….how'd it go?"

"He bought it, so you're safe…for now."

"Yes! Thank you. I owe you one!" I say as my phone pings, I take it out and tap the screen a few times, and the put it back into my purse.

A few moments later, Edward phone makes a sound, and he checks it.

"It's from you." He says, looking up from his cellular device.

"That's you offer." I say cheekily.

"What? I got it?" He asked, looking baffled.

"They called about five minutes ago. Congratulations. The offer expires at midnight, Edwardella!"

He scoffs at the name. "Why didn't you just tell me?" He gestures to his phone.

"I thought it was more dramatic." He laughs, but he looks back to his phone, then the building warily.

"Edward, you are not going to screw this up. I've seen your work, it is amazing. Scouts honor." I say as I raise my hand.

"It's a big move. Would you uproot your whole life for a job? And where you even a scout?"

"Yes, I was a scout!" I screech, sounding really offended, "Well, I was until that whole cookie scandal of 98', but I'm telling you that pricing was rigged, and… you know what? Never mind, that's a-whole-nother story. And no, I wouldn't uproot my whole life for a job. But…for New York…I would!" Cue proverbial light bulb! I have a brilliant plan! "Which is why I am done with trying to sell you on this job. I am going to sell you on New York." I end with a cheeky smile.

The little bastard scoffs. "It's New York! I know what it's all about…I've seen Seinfeld." I try not to take offence to the rookie mistake, and I grit my teeth, and choose my next words lightly.

"That's the cheesy tourist bullshit version! C'mon Edward, puh lease!" I beg as I unleash my signature puppy dog pout.

He groans, and I know that I have him hook, line, and sinker. "Puppy dog eyes, nice touch. Ok, we'll do it your way."

I let out a squeal that could rival Alice, which both embarrasses me and gives me another brilliant ideas. Boy, they are just spilling out today. That's what she said! Ooookay, not going there! I shake myself out of my perverse mind, and address Edward, with my favorite smirk.

"C'mon, let me buy you a drink." I pat him on the shoulder and start making my way across the street. I had just stepped off the curb when I noticed that Edward wasn't following me.

"What's wrong?" I ask, as I make my way back to the corner where he was standing looking as if he was patiently waiting for something. "What? What are you waiting for?"

He points to the street land, at the traffic signal and says, "I waiting for the light to change."

I couldn't hold in my unladylike snort/scoff if I tried. "You LA folk are so cute." I say as I playfully pinch his cheeck. I grab my phone, to make sure Alice sent me the directions, then I latch onto his arm. "C'mon!" Wow, his arms were toned, and hard. Hmmm, I wonder…..Gah! Stop it!

"Bella, I don't think this is such a good idea, he says looking at the oncoming traffic with apprehension."

"Oh, would you stop being a baby, I do this all the time." I tease him as I pull him into the street. As soon as our feet leave the curb, a cab appears out of nowhere, nearly missing us.

Edward screeches like a little girl, and pushes us out of the way. "You see, you are going to get us killed!"

"Okay, stop being so over dramatic!" I snap, pissed off that I nearly got ran over. "It's not my fault that this idiot cabbie, can't drive!" I say redirecting my anger as said cabbie starts getting out of the taxi, yelling. "Aye! Did you's not see me? Are you's blind? I was walking 'ere!" My native dialect coming into play as I get into the cabbie's face.

I vaguely hear Edward as he says, "I'm in a strange city, with an even stranger woman. Just my luck, eh?" I really didn't care what he said, as I am ripping the taxi driver a new one. I barely register Edward coming up behind me and grabbing the fist I was shaking at the cabbie. "Let's get out of here." He says as he drags my from the idiot. "If this is how you are planning to 'sell' me on New York, I don't see success in your future."

"Well, Mr. Cullen," I say as I wrangle out of his grip, "If you could see into the future, you would know that I could've taken the cabbie…and that the night is still young!"

"You know, I don't see this night getting any better." He says sarcastically.

"Oh, ye of such little faith!" I mock, shaking my head. My witty retort gets him to unleash his breathtaking crooked smile, and once I have been completely dazzled by it, he responds.

"Well, lead the way, my good lady!" He offers his arm, and I take it gladly.