Chapter 3

"Have you seen the new neighbor?" Bella jumped when Jacob suddenly made this remark. They were having dinner and had had a few minutes of comfortable silence.

Thankfully, Jacob hadn't seen her nervy reaction to his question. "I've actually met him, but we haven't really been introduced. He asked to use the phone when he was meeting with the realtor."

"I saw one of his cars. Boy, was it a beauty. It was a Lamborghini Veneno Roadster. Do you know that it is the most expensive car ever sold in the world?" Bella nodded but she let his voice wash over her, knowing that once he got on his favorite topic, he'll go on and on about expensive cars. It has been just a couple of days since the neighbor moved in, and they haven't had a chance to welcome him to the community.

"So what do you think?" Bella hadn't realized Jacob had asked her something and she was at a loss as to what he wanted her to say.

"What do you think?" She prevaricated, hoping that this is the best response.

"I think you should bake those yummy cupcakes of yours and give him some. Let's go ahead, have a party, and invite him over."

"I don't think he's the cupcake type. But I'll bake some for him," she continued when Jacob glared at her remark. Bella thought that Jacob wanted her to get closer to the man so he could quiz their new neighbor about his cars and their performance.

What she didn't tell him was that the guy looked to be very aloof. She smiled and said hi to him yesterday but he only gave her a curt nod and continued on. The smile froze on her face and she felt suddenly abashed at her eagerness to engage this stranger. Bella gave herself a stern talking to, vowing she would just look and never get close. Her husband had a different idea, though, and he wanted her to invite pretty boy to a party.

"So when do you want to hold this party?" She asked Jacob and they ironed out details and just decided on a cocktail party to make it easy for everybody.

Bella nervously smoothed out her short denim skirt, more to dry her damp palms than to straighten it out. Taking a deep breath, she took the decorative canister filled with cupcakes and went to beard the lion in his den. Before she could knock on the door, though, it opened wide to reveal a torso to rival Michelangelo's David. Oh, my goodness. She went goggle-eyed and her eyes feasted on the hard planes and dips that just begged to be licked.

"Did you want something?" Mortified that she'd been caught staring, she wordlessly handed him the canister. "What's this?"

"That's uh, I mean, hi, uh welcome to our community. I'm Bella, by the way. You know, we live in the house next door?" Great job, Bella, he'll think you're a freak.

"Edward," he shook her extended hand. Her arms had goosebumps at the feel of callouses lining his masculine hand, making her drop it unceremoniously in case he noticed her reaction.

"My husband and I are having a party this Saturday and we wanted to you come so you can meet the rest of the people here." Taking a step back at the ferocity of his expression, she added, "It'll be fun."

"I don't think it will be a great idea," his voice came as a low growl, which made her insides melt, and at the same time deflated her perky mood when his words sank in. "But I'll come. Can I bring a partner?"

"Yes, of course. Come around six-ish, okay?" She gave a carefree wave, in contrast to her plummeting spirits at the thought that he has a "partner" that he wanted to bring. A person that hot will not be alone for any long period of time.

Edward watched her walk away, senses dulled at the news that she was already married. He had been resolved to stay the hell away from her anyway, but to think that a man already has the right to call her his own is repugnant to him. His whole being rebelled at the thought of her sharing another man's life. It was funny how he already perceived her as his, even though they've barely interacted.

Attending a party was the last thing he should be doing, given his past fame, but her dejected air made him change his mind. He didn't want to be the cause of her unhappiness, so he agreed. He'll just take Rosalie with him, her unapproachable blond ice-princess look will help keep people at bay. He hoped.