I still don't own Twilight. It all belongs to Stephenie.

Thank you to my friends for pre-reading and beta'ing this quickly for me.

And thank YOU for the amazing response. I don't have time to answer reviews, but we can talk in my group on FB. ;) See you there for pictures and answers of any question you might have.

This whole story is going to be BPOV. No other pov...sorry.

An hour later his sister is finally in dreamland.

We're in the kitchen and Edward is pouring me some wine. Red, mind you.

"So where are your parents? Or do you usually steal her for the weekend?" I wonder, leaning against the counter.

"Grandpa John had a heart attack last week. They're in England. I offered to keep Carla over, because that's surely no place for a child."

"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that." I know how much he loves his family.

He shrugs, handing me the glass. "Yeah, he's pretty old. We're not sure if he can pull it through."

"Oh, he's…okay?"

His lips twitch up. "You mean, he's not dead? Nope. Not yet, but at eighty…yeah." Edward clears his throat. "Tell me about you. I feel like I've been telling you only about myself."

"You know everything about me. It's all out there in the magazines or on the TV."

"That's not entirely you—Bella. Though, I can see glimpses of that girl I used to know."

"This life changed me, unfortunately."

"Shit happens in life." He nods, agreeing.

There's a pause in our awkward conversation. It feels like the good old days.

Impulsively, in snuggle into him, hugging him tightly, inhaling his scent. "Missed you," I mumble into his tight pec.

"Not more than I missed you, Bella." He returns my hug. "I hoped you'd visit, or call…but you didn't."

Tears threaten to escape my eyes. "I've been an idiot. I thought I could forget you."

"Why would you do that? I hate to admit it loudly, but I was crushed when I realized you were really gone. It's entirely my fault, isn't it?"

"How can you say that?" I hiss.

"If we hadn't taken that stupid trip to the concert…and done all the crazy things we've done…"

"I'd have always regretted it, Edward. I loved that time with you and only you. I loved…you," I whisper, tilting my head back to stare at him.

The back of his hand strokes my cheek. "Me too."

"You, too? Regret it?" I murmur, swallowing hard.

His head comes closer to mine. "The other part." His nose nudges mine. "Is it true what I read the other day?"

Odd change of subject. "What did you read?" I ask, not moving an inch away from him.

"You and that Stephan guy."

I actually snort. "Seriously. I haven't even met him in person, but it's sweet how the papz hook me up with the weirdest dudes."

Edward sighs—his breath washing over my face. "Good. I don't want you to regret this."

"What?"

"This." He cups face in his hands as best as he can with his glass still in his left hand, and presses his lips to mine.

Holy shit. He's kissing me!

Nothing seems to have changed there. My insides turn to goo and an embarrassingly loud moan escapes me when his tongue traces my bottom lip.

"Edward," I breathe out.

"Fuck, Bella! I've wanted to do that ever since I saw you in front of the hotel." His forehead rests against mine, our noses still nudging together. That's been kind of our thing. I remember giggling like an idiot when we used to do it back then.

"I'm not sure it's a good idea," I mumble, stepping away.

"Oh, why is it?" He sounds crashed.

"Well, for one, I'll be gone in about a month."

"We'll stay in contact this time around."

"I don't want you involved in this stupid life of mine. They'll hunt you down!"

His lips twitch up. "It's sweet of you to worry, but I'm a big boy. I can take care of myself."

"I know. I can see." I make a point to stare at him up and down. Damn, he's one fine specimen. He looks a thousand times better than in high school.

He smirks and descends for another kiss. I can't remember why I didn't want him to do this.

Soon, I find myself on the counter with Edward between my legs, kissing me frantically, his hands under my clothes. I work on his jeans, ready to see if it's true what they say about everything growing with age.

"Eddie, I need some water."

"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" He hisses, jumping away from me.

We can hear the sound of feet padding closer to the kitchen.

I rake my hands through my hair, hoping like hell it doesn't look crazy. He's buttoning his jeans, but not without cringing. I can see his obvious excitement there.

"Oh, you're still here!" Carla exclaims when she appears in the doorway.

"I…" Glancing at her brother who is currently tugging at the front of his shirt to hide his erection, I decide to give her the water and then put an end to this madness.

Once she has her glass of water, she bids us goodnight then walks away.

"I'm never having children if their timing is so horrible! Jesus." Edward palms his face. "I'm sorry, Bella."

"I hate it when you say that. You usually distance yourself."

"Oh, I'm about to get really close and personal. Let me show you to my bedroom." He links our hands and leads me down the hallway.

I want to find it in me to tell him I should call Jimmy and head to my hotel room, but I can't form the words.

I want to spend the night, no matter what really happens. Even if we just sleep.

~*~ ONE OF THE BOYS ~*~

When I arrive in front of Edward's house, I realize it will be the first time in weeks we are alone. Without Jasper, I mean.

We have a stupid project in Biology about plants, and we're desk mates.

Mrs. Cullen opens the door and greets me warmly as usual. "Hello, sweetie! Edward's in his room. Do you mind taking the cookies up there? I need to run a few errands. You kids be good!" She pants my cheek, and then she's gone.

I find a plate of chocolate chip cookies on the kitchen table. Picking it carefully, I make my way up the stairs.

I knock once, and when I don't get an answer, I peek inside. He seems to be in the adjoined bathroom—the light is on in there and the door's tightly shut.

"I'm here!" I call out. "Take your time."

"Fuck!" I hear him cursing. His breathing seems to pick up and there are soft groans.

"Are you okay in there?"

"Fuck! Bella!"

"Yeah?"

"GAH!"

"Edward?" I ask, confused, going closer to the door.

The water is running and a second later he throws the door open. "Jesus!" He jumps back when he sees me so close. "Sneaky little thing."

"Are you okay? You didn't sound good a minute ago."

"Perfect." He kisses my cheek. "Let's get over with this stupid project. Sweet! Cookies!" He dives for them.

I frown, glancing into the bathroom then at him. Something's definitely off with him, but I decide to investigate another time. We're busy now.

All through our research and writing, Edward keeps glancing at me whenever I don't look, for longer than appropriate.

"What is it?" I groan, some time later. It's growing old, really.

He shrugs, trying to look confused.

We focus back on the project.

Every time our fingers brush as we reach for something at the same time, or simply try to grab something on the other side of the desk a shiver runs through me.

"Your skin is so soft," Edward mumbles, his pinky stroking the inside of my wrist as my hand is suspended in the air on the way to grab the pencil sharpener.

"Uh, I guess."

His green eyes lock on mine. "You guess what?"

"That my skin is soft?"

His eyes widen. Oh, it wasn't meant for me to hear it.

For the first time in a long while, I see Edward blush. "Sorry."

"Nah, it's okay." Without thinking I take his hand and trace his palm with my fingertips. "Yours is…calloused."

My statement makes him blush harder.

Sliding his hand away from mine, Edward clears his throat. "Wonder how Jazz is doing with that bimbo. Poor guy will have to do all the work."

"Just like me," I joke.

"I'm helping you, Bella! You're just drawing the flowers….because that's girl stuff."

I giggle. He's right. I draw the flowers and he writes under them.

We work well together.

~*~ ONE OF THE BOYS ~*~

In the morning I wake up in a strange bed—no biggie there. I rarely wake up in my own bed, being most of the time jumping from hotel room to hotel room. My life is crazy.

But this is no hotel room.

All kinds of men stuff is thrown around. The sheets smell faintly of…

"Edward!" I gasp, rolling on my side. He's not here.

I check under the blanket and sigh in relief. I'm dressed.

Crap. I don't remember what happened last night.

I make my way to the kitchen and find him at the table, drinking coffee and thumbing through his phone.

"Hey," I whisper hoarsely, wrapping my arms around his neck.

He holds them there, tilting his head and kissing me slowly. "Morning, baby."

My insides melt. "What happened last night?" I murmur against his lips.

"Uh, you kinda fell on my bed, praising how soft it was…then while I changed in my pajamas….you were out. Cockblocker extraordinary."

"I'm so sorry. I guess I was tired."

"Don't worry. We were making a mistake, anyway."

"I guess." I plop on his lap, not ready to put too much distance between us. My head rests on his shoulder. "Are you sure about this? I'm game if you want to pick up from where we left it in high school."

"But?" he prompts me.

"But…" I roll my eyes. "Do you see how my life is?"

"I don't care. We can do it. I'm positive. You've no idea how much I missed you, Bella. I can't lose you again. If you don't want a relationship, at least allow me to be your friend again."

"Oh, I want a relationship—I want it all with you," I confess, kissing him deeply.

"This is what scored means?" Carla asks from around, effectively separating us.

"I'm gonna kill Jazz and his big mouth," Edward hisses. "Speaking of him…"

"He's not here. I checked his room," Carla answers.

"He lives here?"

"We're two bachelors. Well…" He takes a sheepish look. "Not me. Not anymore." He kisses me again.

"Are you going to do that a lot now?"

"Yes, Carla," Edward mutters. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't interrupt, too."

"Mom would be ecstatic to hear you have a girlfriend!"

"Don't tell her! I will do it when time comes."

"I kinda texted her…last night. I knew you were…doing stuff in here. But I was really thirsty."

"Fuck my life! You told Mom!" He scowls. "I can't believe you!"

"Sorry?"

"Esme would have heard of this sooner or later," I pacify them. "As long as it stays away from the press, it's all good."