Friday night my mom kept Piper again, telling me to go out and enjoy myself. What she didn't realize though was that going out to enjoy myself wasn't nearly as much fun as it sounded.

"Hey bro, you wanna meet me at The Dive tonight for some beers?" I could hear Fozzy barking in the background of the call.

"Yeh, I'll be there in a while. I just dropped Pie at my mom's for the night, I have a few things to do work-wise and then I'll be over."

"Sounds good, man. See ya then."

Pressing end on the phone screen I ran a hand through my hair. I wasn't used to not having Piper around and this was the second time in a week, she was always thrilled to stay the night with my parents though. I wondered what she was up to, knowing she was most likely charming the pants off my dad and eating cookies made by Mom. I was grateful for the support system, I had been nervous coming back to Forks with Piper alone, but my parents opened their arms and their doors to us and I was able to get my feet on solid ground pretty quickly.

It was already almost six and I needed to send out a few more emails and close up an account. I had been writing code for an online company for a week and was ready to send them a rough look at what I had come up with. I definitely earned a few hours off to enjoy myself.

After a quick shower, I tossed on an old pair of jeans and black long sleeved shirt. Piper would have my head if I left my hair a wreck, so for my favorite girl, I moussed the shit out of it, tugged on an old pair of Doc Martens and left the house.

Parking my car around the back ally of the bar, it was definitely busy tonight and it was only just after seven; college students home to visit parents and everyone out for a good time on a small town Friday night.

Grabbing my phone I sent my mom a quick text to be sure all was well, knowing that more than likely I'd receive a smartass comment in return about how she had raised one child and that child should have more faith in her. Not waiting for a reply, I shoved the phone into my back pocket; locked up the car and walked around to the front of building.

There were a handful of people on the front sidewalk smoking, holding plastic cups filled with the beverage of their choice. The music was loud, spilling out of the open door. The Raconteurs were singing about another point of view while people shouted over the piano and guitar parts to be heard.

"'Scuse me." I muttered as I slid past two women who most certainly were trying too hard for Forks. The high heels and mini skirts were a little much for The Dive. It was more a jeans and tshirt type establishment, which suited me fine.

Making my way through the open room, my boots scuffed along the weathered hardwood floors. The ceiling was made up of large ornate, silver, metal tiles, with rustic chandeliers hanging from the center of a few along with the recessed lighting. The walls were painted a red/brown with framed black and white photos depicting the history of Forks and the surrounding area, scattered around the room.

There were two pool tables in the far back by the bathrooms, along with two dartboards and the jukebox. The front half of the room held tall bar tables situated around the walls with a scattering of regular tables toward the center of the room. There was plenty of room for dancing, should one want to partake in that shit. And it certainly seemed a lot of people were partaking this night.

Frowning, I made my way to the bar after making a quick scan for Sam and not seeing him.

"Hey Ed, what can I get for you tonight?" Embry leaned into the bar top, smiling.

"How about a Guinness."

"You got it."

Embry was Sam's cousin, just turned 25 and came back to Forks after school to help take care of his mom who'd had a minor stroke. He was a good kid and worked hard to make sure she was well cared for.

"Here ya go. You want to start a tab?"

"Yeh, that's cool, I'll hit ya up before I leave. Thanks man."

Embry nodded and made his way down the bar to clear empties and take more orders. I sat on a barstool and dragged a quick gaze over the crowd looking for Sam. That asshole had better not have stood me up.

Shit. I don't date women, but I get my balls in a bunch over Sam? I needed to get laid again some day.

I heard a loud guffawing laugh and immediately found Sam in the crowd of people dancing. His dancing didn't surprise me as much who he was dancing with. Bella Swan, with her painted on jeans and a white shirt that slid off of one tattooed shoulder, her hair tied up in black and white ribbons at the back of her head showing off her slender neck. The sleeves of her shirt were short and I could see her inked artwork that Pie had colored in the other day. She laughed with her whole body, head thrown slightly back, eyes sparkling, her hands were on Sam's shoulders as he spun her in a quick circle.

Fuck she was beautiful. I knew I'd been rude to her at my mom's house, I hadn't said more than two words to her before she'd left, but walking into the kitchen and seeing her sitting so patiently with Piper while she colored on her arm made my heart ache in a way it shouldn't have. Pie deserved to have a mother, a good mother who would love her and nurture her and teach her wonderful things about the world, but Bella was not that woman. Bella was passing through, a blip in Pie's life.

A beautiful blip.

It wouldn't do any good to continue sitting here mulling over things that could not be. Taking a long pull from my beer and gathering control of the situation, I stood and made my way toward Sam and Bella. They had stopped dancing and were sitting a four top along with Lauren, a girl who had stayed local and who had also been friends with Bella back when we were in school.

"Ed! Look what the cat dragged back to Forks." Sam shouted over the low roar of music and revelry of the Friday night crowd.

Grabbing the last chair at the table, turning it around I straddled the seat, setting my beer down in front of me. I was very aware of Bella to my left, I knew she was looking at me, I could feel her gaze on the side of my face, almost as if she had reached out and slapped me.

"Lauren." I nodded briefly toward the small blonde before turning my eyes to Bella. "Bella."

I didn't fail to notice the quick flash of confusion in her eyes before she plastered a beautiful smile onto her face.

"Edward."

xBx

"Have you two seen each other since she's been back?" Sam asked.

"We've bumped into each other."

Had I offended Edward in some way and not realized it? Maybe he was irritated that his mom had left Piper with me, a virtual stranger, while she was supposed to be in her care? Maybe he really didn't care for me at all and I'd just read him wrong at the store. But to be blatantly rude when I'd done nothing to him, that just sucked.

If he wanted to play this game, that was fine. I wasn't here to make friends; I was here to care for my father who would be coming home tomorrow. The sooner I put Edward behind me, the better.

Now, if I could just get my heart under control and keep my eyes to myself, I'd be golden. But his jean-clad knee was so close to my own at the small table that I could feel his body heat and he smelled of citrus and soapy goodness.

"Yeh, I bumped into Edward at the grocery the other day when I first got into town." I smiled at Edward, knowing good and well he'd probably just stare back at me with no smile to share.

"And then once at his parent's house." Sam looked at Edward in surprise. "Esme and Piper invited me for lunch. We had a lot of fun."

Take that, Grumpy Pants.

"Lauren, let's go get a drink." She and I stood up and I smiled at Sam. "Be right back, you want another beer?"

"Sure Bells."

"You got it."

Leaning into me Laura spoke quietly as we walked back to the bar. "Holy shit, what is up Edward's ass?"

I shrugged as I took a stool at the bar to wait for Embry.

"I take it he's not always that way?"

Lauren shook her head and sat next to me. "He's usually really laid back and friendly, maybe he's just having a bad day."

I knew she was just trying to make me feel better. It didn't work and once again I had to remind myself that I was here for Charlie, not for a guy or a relationship. Hanging out with Lauren was great it was perfect actually. And Rose and Emmett would be here in another week to visit and see Charlie as well.

"Hiya, ladies." Embry grinned. "What can I do for you?"

"I need one Guinness and another glass of white wine, please."

When Lauren went to order, I noticed her cheeks turn slightly red and Embry's smile changed slightly.

"You like him." I said when Embry walked off to get Lauren her drink.

"Shhh! He's younger than me."

"By what, a year?" I raised an eyebrow and sipped my wine, "Who cares. Look at him, he's really cute, Lauren, and I've heard that he came back to be with his mom. Seriously? He sounds great to me."

"Here ya go, Lauren." Embry placed a glass in front of her and nodded once at me before being called off to another customer.

"Uhg!" I laughed when Lauren banged her head gently against the bar top three times. "I like him so much, but I don't even know how to tell him."

"Well, how about asking him out for lunch? The way he was checking you out, I don't think he'd say no."

"Can't you just tell him, 'My friend has a crush on you, do you like her?' like back in the good old days?"

Laughing again, I patted her hand. "You are a beautiful, smart, and amazing woman, Lauren, you have nothing to worry about. I have a feeling, trust me."

"I haven't had a boyfriend since college." She took a sip of her drink. "I've had sex, don't get me wrong, no cobwebs in this cave, but I haven't had a real boyfriend in a while."

"Well then, you're doing better than me, I've probably got a few dust bunnies."

Laughing, we made our way back to the table where Edward and Sam were deep in conversation. I slid the Guinness in front of Sam and sat in my chair across from Lauren, whose eyes were tracking the bar. Hopefully she'd muster the courage to ask her crush on a date soon.

"Hey Lauren, let's dance." Sam grabbed her by the arm and I watched them grinning like fools as they danced to 'Baby Got Back'.

Edward wouldn't look at me and the tension was starting to grate at me. There was no reason for him to behave like this toward me, especially if he wasn't willing to actually tell me what I'd done to deserve the cold shoulder.

"Look Edward," I started and then took another drink of my wine. "I've obviously offended you in some way. If it was because I stayed with Piper while your mom ran out, I won't do it again. I thought I was being helpful by doing your mom the favor."

He didn't say anything, he just sat there staring at me with dark green eyes, his mouth drawn into a thin line.

"So, I'm sorry for whatever it is that I did, and I hope that we can just let it go and move on. I'm not going to be in town too long, and it's plenty big enough for the both of us."

His jaw ticked once, but his eyes never wavered from mine.

"I'm not worried that you stayed with Piper, Bella." His voice was clipped as he turned his body toward mine. "I worry that she will become attached. She's already talking about you non-stop and she doesn't understand that your friendship has an expiration date."

Youch. That hurt.

"Oh. Well, of course. I understand that. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause any problems, I hope you know that."

"Of course I know that, Bella." Edward sighed. "You're a good person, I just have to put my daughter first."

"I would never ask you to do anything other than that." Was he trying to make me feel like crap, because he was doing a bang up job. "Piper is a great kid, Edward. You're doing a really good job raising her, but that doesn't mean that you have to be rude to me. I didn't do anything wrong. I thought we were friends, at least friendly enough that you'd talk to me and tell me how you were feeling. I vote we put this behind us and move on. As I stated before, I'm only here for a little while, we don't have to hang out or see each other on purpose."

I grabbed my purse and pushed my chair into the table.

Edward's hand reached out and wrapped around my wrist. "You don't have to go."

My pulse kicked up, my eyes stared down at the hand holding me captive, then into his dark eyes.

"I think it's best if I go." I was ever so grateful that my voice came out strong because I felt very weak.

"Please let Sam know that I'll call him tomorrow and tell Lauren goodnight for me. If they ask, tell them I got a call from my dad."

I didn't wait for his reply, I turned easily in my boots and made my way through the crowd, the heat from his touch still blistering my skin as I attempted to keep my heart from beating through my chest.

A/N
I have received so much love and so many kind comments on this story so far, you all can't know how warm and fuzzy you make me feel.

I would like to thank the ladies over at TLS, ADF and FicSisters for sharing my story as well. Thank you a million times over, it means the world to me.

And to my wonderful friend, MustLoveRTP, you rock my socks off, lady. Thank you for all that you do, especially with this crazy time difference we deal with now. lOl

xOx