We met in late spring of 2013. My friend Alice was hosting a barbeque, and she insisted I join them. Being new to town, I was happy to have somewhere to go on the weekend. I baked two huge pies to take with me.

Everyone loved pie, right?

It turned out, her husband's brother, Edward, certainly did. He loved pie so much, that I caught him in the kitchen, eating a slice before dinner was even ready.

Alice sent me inside to grab something, and I found him alone, eating a piece of pie. A stranger I had never met, eating my pie. I was incensed, and I scolded him thoroughly.

He had the grace to look ashamed as I lectured him about good manners and admonished him about stealing the piece. He listened to me seriously, but still continued to eat the entire time.

I tried not to notice his remarkable green eyes, or the dimple that popped in his chin as he chewed. I fought the urge to smile at the way his tongue swept out, dragging tiny flakes of pasty into his mouth, making him groan with pleasure.

"Did you make the pie?"

"Yes!"

"You must be Bella. I'm Edward."

Edward—the brother-in-law Alice adored. I wondered if she knew about his pie stealing antics.

"Nice to meet you, Edward, but have you ever heard of asking?"

"I couldn't help it. It was too tempting. And I was starving."

"I'm sure you could have controlled yourself."

"But it's the best pie I ever tasted," he protested.

"How will it look on the table with one piece gone?" I asked exasperated, ignoring his sincere compliment.

He held out his plate. "Could we make it two pieces?"

"No! That would look even worse!"

He paused, then his face broke into a wide, mischievous grin. "Don't put it on the table!"

"What?"

"I'll take it home and eat it, and then no one will be the wiser!"

"Only put out one pie?"

He shrugged. "There are other desserts. I guarantee you this pie will be well loved by me."

The way he said those words and his deep tone made me blush a little.

I crossed my arms. "Is that supposed to be an apology?"

He set down the plate, sidled up to me, and dropped his voice. "No, that was supposed to make you smile. You have a beautiful smile, Bella."

"Oh," I breathed out.

"My apology will come after dinner."

"Dinner?"

He nodded, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. "The dinner I'll take you to on our first date."

"Wait, you're asking me out?"

"Yes. You said I needed to learn how to ask for things I want." His tone turned playful. "Consider it a pie-stealing-apology dinner. I promise to make it up to you."

Something about his voice made me shiver. "I see."

He leaned closer. "Please, Bella."

"Okay."

By July, we were living together, and by Christmas we were married. My quiet, lonely world exploded. I became part of Edward's circle, which included many friends, and the Cullen family. Edward became my world, and I was his.

I didn't know how good life could be.

I had never had much of a family. My parents had split up when I was young, and they pushed and pulled me between them like a ping-pong ball; often I was used as bait instead of truly being wanted. It was difficult to make friends, since I never knew how and when my life would change.

With Edward's family, I was wanted, loved. Carlisle and Esme treated me like another daughter. I got along well with Edward's sister, Rose, and her husband, Emmett. I adored Edward's brother, Jasper, and Alice was my best friend. I was happy, content, and for the first time in my life, I felt safe.

Edward always made me feel safe.

On our first date, he brought flowers, opened the car door for me, pulled out my chair—all small acts of respect he told me his parents instilled in him.

I was shocked to discover, despite being surrounded by people, Edward felt lonely most of the time. Left out—since he was the only single person in his family, and his circle of friends.

"It's not easy being the fifth wheel all the time."

"I understand," I assured him.

He eyed me thoughtfully. "Maybe that is gonna change."

When he walked me to my door that night, I was a bundle of nerves. Never had I wanted to kiss someone the way I wanted to kiss Edward. At dinner, I caught him staring at my mouth more than once, and I prayed he felt the same draw I did. Disappointment didn't cover it when he simply pressed a kiss to my forehead and wished me a good evening. I watched him walk away, my heart plummeting.

I had misread the signals.

He didn't find me attractive. He didn't feel that same pull. What he said at dinner was simply conversation, not a statement of how he felt about being with me.

I went inside, sat on the steps in the dark, and held my head in my hand. My phone rang, and I answered listlessly.

"Hello."

His voice was a low murmur in my ear. "I wanted to kiss you so badly."

My breath caught in my throat. I had to swallow before I could speak. "Why didn't you?"

"Because I was afraid if I kissed you, I couldn't let go."

"Maybe I didn't want you to."

His intake of air was fast. "Open your door, Bella."

Seconds later, I was in his arms, his mouth hard on mine. Our lips moved together in perfect harmony. His tongue snaked in, twisting with mine, sending shivers down my spine. His hands held me close, his fingers pressing and caressing the curve of my back. I clung to his shoulders, a quivering mass of need. He moved his hand to my hip, yanking me tight to him, letting me feel how much he wanted me, too. I clutched at the back of his neck, and he grunted in approval. He kicked his foot out behind him; the echo of the door slamming was loud in the room.

I pulled back, panting. Our gazes met and held.

"Tell me to go."

"No."

"I meant what I said."

"So did I."

He swung me up in his arms and carried me to my room.

~o0o~

We were rarely apart after that.

Until, the day we broke.

Tomorrow.