A/N: First off I'd like to apologize if anyone was offended by the Jehovah witness comment in my previous chapter. I never meant to offend anyone by this. Hind sight is always 20/20 of course, and I see now it could have come off as if I was poking fun. I in no way meant for that to be the case. Again, I apologize profusely.

Here is the next chapter for you. It comes well before my typical Sunday post date, but it's a shorter chapter and is getting you ready for the next one - which I can honestly say is almost half written already. Assuming no more garage door issues and bleeding foreheads...you'll probably get another post relatively quickly!

Chapter 4

BPOV

After Edward left, I ran upstairs to change into something more respectable to be seen in. I'm not even sure what the hell I was thinking not putting a robe on. Answering my door in the revealing nightie was stupid.

Although I can't deny the feeling of warmth that rushed through my body as Edward's eyes raked over my exposed skin. Surely he didn't think it went unnoticed? Any woman in her right mind would notice him checking her out. Not to mention he didn't exactly try to hide it.

And I naturally took advantage of his ogling to ogle a little bit myself. The water had made his t-shirt cling unforgivingly to his body, showing off every single one of his muscles. Even though I had seen them just the week before, sans the shirt – something about the way he looked this morning was damn near intolerable.

So even though I probably should be really, really upset with myself for not donning the robe, I can't make myself feel that bad because not only did it allow me to check him out it also got me…."payback" if you will. I believe he probably deserved to get teased just a little bit. Now he knows what he'll never ever have. Again.

After finally deciding to throw on a pair of Alice approved skinny jeans and a basic white t-shirt, I headed back down to the kitchen to start preparing for the dish I was taking to the pitch-in. A pasta salad.

I glanced at the clock and groaned. The clock told me it was 10 in the morning. Two hours is not nearly enough time to properly prepare my salad.

Damn Rose and her freak outs…and nosiness.

I had just put the water on to boil when Edward returned from his house.

"Let's get this party started!" He bellowed as he let himself in.

He had changed clothes but his hair was still wet, and even messier than it was before. He had obviously attempted, unsuccessfully, to fix it. I didn't have the heart to tell him it was a futile effort. Besides, his hair was one of his sexiest features. And that I would definitely not tell him.

His ego's big enough without my help.

"Don't you knock?" I asked in mock annoyance. What surprised me was he actually froze mid-stride.

"Oh…uh…I'm sorry. I thought since you were expecting…I won't…it won't happen again. I should have knocked that was terribly rude…" He apologized flustered.

Edward Cullen doesn't get flustered. And he doesn't typically apologize for anything.

"Edward…its fine. Shit. I was just giving you a hard time." I laughed at his expression. "You're more than welcome anytime. I've got nothing to hide." I added then almost immediately regretted it. I just basically opened my home to him whenever he felt like dropping by. That was not keeping our relationship strictly professional.

"Well…I'll always make sure you're aware I'm coming over first though."

"Sounds like a plan to me." I said smiling with hidden relief that he didn't take my offer completely to heart. "Let's get some cooking done. What'd ya decide on?"

"Just your basic chocolate chip cookies. I thought for my first time we'd start off with something simple."

"Sounds good. Your recipe will be on your bag of chips." I said as I pulled out another mixing bowl. "Follow the directions. If you have questions – ask."

"That's your teaching method?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yep. Also, if you need something that you can't find, just let me know."

"Okay but if I burn down your kitchen, I'm not liable for it." He said as he struggled to measure out some flour.

"I'm banking on the fact that since I'm right next to you you'll have the brains to get my attention before it gets that far out of hand." I said as I tried to not laugh at him as he was still having difficulties measuring the exact amount he needed. Finally not being able to stand his struggle any longer, I reached over placing my hands over his to stop his movements. The contact sent sparks through my body and made it tingle.

I did my best to ignore it. And not question what it meant.

"Here…this is the best way to measure out flour." I said after taking a deep breath to calm myself and then I showed him how to level the cup off using a knife to insure a full cup – no more, no less. He smiled gratefully at me before continuing on with the cookies.

I busied myself with the pasta and mixing together the dressing along with cutting up the vegetables. We worked in silence for the longest time. It was a comfortable silence though. Occasionally I caught a glimpse of him looking at me out of the corner of his eye. Occasionally he caught me looking at him, but neither of us said anything.

"So I meant to ask. What are you making?" He asked as he finished putting the first round of cookies in the oven.

"Pasta salad." I said as I continued chopping carrots. "You did great with the cookies." I smiled.

"Eh…let's wait for that verdict until we try the first one." He laughed as he set himself up on the counter to watch me finish. To stare would be more effective description. After a minute of it, I couldn't stand it any longer. With a huff I set my knife down and turned to him.

"You're staring."

"I can't help it." He shrugged. I stood there waiting for a further explanation. "It's just you look great. Although I must say I preferred the sleek little number you had on this morning." He said with a crooked grin.

The shy Bella would have blushed. The Bella that I felt like being today was feeling bold and frisky – even though it was wrong.

"So do I." I said picking my knife back up and going back to my work leaving a shocked looking Edward.

"Whoa!"

"What? It's more comfortable than these restrictive jeans." I shrugged. If he had wanted to play then he should have been ready. "I actually prefer to sleep naked." I added grinning to myself. I heard Edward let out a breath but didn't take a chance on glancing in his direction.

Before either of us could say anything more the timer went off alerting us that his first batch of cookies was done.

The conversation flow was effortless but there was still a weird sort of tension in the atmosphere. I tried to ignore it, but it was pointless to lie to myself. There was only one reason and one reason alone as to why there was tension between Edward and me. I just didn't know how to approach the subject because 'hey Edward, remember that time we slept together andI then you tossed me aside like a whore? Yeah that's why I'm weird around you' is just not the right way to do it.

I had to say something though.

"Edward…" I started not really sure where to go with it, but luckily he interrupted me.

"Bella, look I think we need to just discuss this now. It's driving me insane." He said as he turned to face me. I could tell by the look on his face that he was about to try and have a serious conversation with me. I could also tell by the far away look in his eye, it was about the past. He was thinking the same thing I had been. "There's been a huge white elephant in the room ever since I showed up at your office."

"Ed…"

"What happened to us? We used to be friends…I would almost venture to say best friends."

Whoa!? 'What happened to us?' Is he that dense?

Did he really not see the connection? Did he honestly not understand? I was floored that he wouldn't see it. Not couldn't see, but wouldn't see it. I damn well know that he could figure the whole thing out if he really wanted to. I mean he's a smart guy. Surely he could put the connection together. Our relationship changed the second I dropped my guard, slept with him, and then he tossed me aside just like all his other whores. How could I pretend like that didn't happen? Of course our relationship changed.

I was about to tell him everything. Tell him how I felt when he dismissed me after we had shared the night. I was about to tell him how hard it was for me to get past that…how I'm not sure I truly am passed it. I was going to bare everything to him.

"Edward…" I began but was interrupted yet again. This time by the timer alerting us his last batch of cookies was finished. I took it as a sign. "Your cookies are done." I finished lamely before turning away from him to put the finishing touches on my pasta salad.

He didn't say anything as he pulled the cookie sheet out and placed the cookies on the table to cool. After he had cleaned up a little he started putting the cookies on the plate I had set out for his use.

"Do you think I should try one of these before I pawn them off on unsuspecting people?" He asked holding up the last cookie. He looked a little skeptical himself – almost scared. I had to laugh at him. "What?"

"You look afraid to try your own cookie."

"I am." He said very matter-of-fact. And just like that the conversation we were about to have was forgotten. Not that I'm entirely sure that was a good thing.

"You followed the recipe and they smell wonderful. I'm sure they're fine."

He slowly bit into the one he was holding and chewed it even slower before a smile graced his magnificent face.

"Well?" I asked.

"Holy shit…these are great!" he said as he shoved the rest of the cookie in his mouth.

"Well congrats then."

"It was the teaching."

"I didn't do anything. You did it all, remember?"

"Yes but I think that was the best way to get me to do it." He said eating another cookie. "You're going to make a great mom." He said then looked immediately like a deer caught in headlights.

"What?"

"I mean someday." He said.

He hadn't sounded like he meant someday when he originally said it. Oh shit…had he heard? I mean he was outside getting ready to knock on my front door this morning. I had opened the window for the fresh air. I know I had probably been talking loud enough for him to hear since I was annoyed with Rose.

"You heard my conversation with Rose this morning, didn't you?" I asked not really wanting to know the answer though

"I'm not sure I know who Rose is, but…I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to eavesdrop." He said ducking his head.

Of all people to know about my considerations, the last person I wanted to know was Edward Cullen. As his business partner now though he would have found out eventually – if I even choose this route. But now he knew before I made the decision.

"Well it's just an option. I haven't made a decision about anything." I said as casually as I could but even to me it sounded clipped and rough.

"You're not my patient so it's not my place to comment." He said offhandedly but I know he has an opinion. He always has an opinion.

"Oh just say it. You know you want to and if you don't you'll likely to implode from holding it in."

"It's just that parenthood is hard."

Parenthood? What does he know about parenthood? "And I suppose you're an expert on that, huh." I said crossing my arms over my chest.

"Kids are demanding. It's hard for a single parent to meet all the needs…hell it's hard for two parents to meet them. I just don't think you've thought through…"

"I never knew you to be so judgmental…"

"You asked for my opinion."

"And now that you've said it, we're done here."

"You never intended to listen did you?" He asked with a slight smirk on his face. I took a deep breath and realized I might be overacting just a tad.

"I don't need to justify myself to you." I said.

"You're right you don't, but surely you've read the studies about fatherless children."

"Yes." I said tight lipped. Of course I had read the studies! Did he honestly think I would entertain an idea without being properly educated on everything?

"Okay. I've said all I mean to say. Truce?"

"Truce." I said still clenching my jaw and keeping my lips in a hard line. The silence was deafening. I wanted him out but his last batch of cookies hadn't cooled enough to put on the plate and cover. He still had a good ten or so minutes.

"I didn't mean to offend you." He said breaking the silence. "I thought we were just having a discussion."

"A personal discussion about something you eavesdropped on." I said. All I wanted was support. Rose didn't really support my possible decision but she certainly didn't criticize me for it.

"I think maybe I should explain the single parenting…"

"No you shouldn't." I cut him off.

"It's not simply my opinion I'm telling you here. I've been meaning to tell you…" He said but was silenced when my cell rang. I looked at the caller ID and realized it was Alice. I could have called her back but instead I answered it.

"Hey Al…can you hold on just a sec?" I answered the phone before pulling it away from my ear and covering the microphone. "Why don't I just meet you at the lunch."

"Are you mad?"

"I'm furious."

"You're being beyond irritating." He growled as he covered his plate of cookies.

"No more than you are sir." I said.

"See you at the pitch-in." He huffed before walking out.

"Sorry Alice." I said turning back to my phone.

"WHAT WAS THAT?!" She yelled into my phone. "More importantly who was that?" She screeched again.

"It was nothing Alice. I was just having a minor disagreement with my new neighbor." I said then remembered he was my new neighbor because of her. "And speaking of that…"

"I know I shouldn't have done it." She quickly said, "But honestly it's the perfect area for him. He's close to everything he needs to be close to but not too close. I would have shown him even if you weren't the next door neighbor."

"But you showed him mainly because I live here, didn't you? And don't you even try to lie to me you little pixie bitch." I said and she just laughed.

"You are so not intimidating Swan. Anyways, yes I did. He told me he was your friend from college so I thought you'd like being able to catch up with him."

"I suppose he didn't tell you our history then."

"Umm…" She hesitated before quietly continuing. "No he didn't but with that tone I know it."

"Look Al. I'm not mad. There's no way you could have known. We shared one night and…well I guess if I'm being honest, I'm not over the rejection." I sighed before collapsing into the chair besides me. "I don't have time to talk now, but maybe The Foxes need a night."

"Soon." She said.

"Soon. Love ya Al."

"Love ya Bells. And hey – it'll be all right. I know it." She said then hung up.

She's right. I know she's right. Everything will be all right. It will all work out.

I replayed my recent exchange with Edward back in my mind. I went through it at least five times while I showered and got ready for the lunch. By the time I had redressed in the jeans and a clean white t-shirt I had come to the conclusion that I had really overreacted. Not just a little bit. A lot. I know this.

He had just been offering his opinion and I got mad at him because he was right. Being a single parent was definitely not something to think lightly of. It would be tough to be a single parent, especially being a doctor. It was a main consideration and the main one that had been holding up my decision.

I was stressed over the situation and I was embarrassed to know that Edward had overheard my conversation with Rose. I should not have acted the way I did towards him.

I needed to apologize to Edward now.