Bella

I'm in trouble.

Edward Cullen is the most adorable, most genuine person I've ever met, and I just know I'm going to mess this up somehow. A guy this perfect is just too good to be true. For crying out loud—he even remembered what my favorite song was, and he played it just for me. The funny thing is that if it had been any other guy, I might have thought it was too much.

"I had a wonderful time," I tell him when he walks me to my front door at the end of the night. "Thanks so much for dinner. And you guys were really great. You're so talented."

"Thanks," he says as he ducks his head down slightly.

Is he blushing? I wonder silently, biting back a grin.

"I had a really great time, too," he continues. "I'd love it if we could hang out again."

"Definitely."

He reaches forward and envelops me in a warm hug that feels as familiar as one of Emmett's or Jacob's hugs.

"Good night, Bella," he says softly. "I'll see you soon."

Later that night, I toss and turn in bed. I can't sleep. I wanted so badly for him to kiss me when he dropped me off, wanted his hands to slide down my waist and press me to him. I wish he'd leaned down and brushed my ear with his lips and asked to come inside. The first part of our date was unquestionably enjoyable. I love spending time with him already. But something about watching him strum that guitar, meeting his gaze over a microphone, hearing his dreamy voice sing like it was just for me… It turned me into a melty pile of goo at his feet.

But he's already proven to be a perfect gentleman. He didn't have to say anything—something tells me he's the type of guy who wouldn't do that sort of thing on the first date. Then again, maybe I'm making it into something it's not. Maybe he just wants to hang out and have fun. Maybe that's why he didn't try to kiss me. In the dark, my old insecurities come back as they tend to do when I'm alone. I want him, but I think for a moment that I can handle just being friends. Then I picture those sparkling eyes and plump, kissable lips and feel a tingling between my thighs and decide…

No way in hell can I be his friend and not lust after him every time we hang out.

Edward

"I'm in trouble, Jasper," I say, voicing the very same thought I had the night I met her. I can't wipe the smile from my face as I stretch my legs out, plopping my bare feet on the coffee table.

I'm always too keyed up to sleep after a gig. Add to that the excitement of being with Bella all evening, and there's no chance I'll be drifting off anytime soon.

"Yeah?" Jasper asks, stretched out in the recliner with an Xbox controller in his lap. "Why's that, Eddo?"

I hate when he uses stupid nicknames, but I decide to let it slide this time. My mood is too good. "Bella already has me wrapped around her gorgeous little finger. She's the kind of girl I want to take home to Esme." Esme is my mom. She and my dad, Carlisle, live in Chicago, so of course taking a girl home to meet them would be kind of a big deal.

"And that's bad…why?"

"I can't think of one single reason why it would be bad."

Jasper chuckles. "You already how I feel about Alice, so…"

I sigh happily and leaned back, stretching my arms across the back of the couch.

"I haven't seen you this happy in a long time, man," he tells me earnestly. "And this was only your first date? I certainly hope you'll be seeing more of Bella."

Oh, I definitely want to see more of Bella, I think wickedly. I really wanted to kiss her after walking her to her door. Aside from the chaste hug I gave her and the hand-holding and casual touches, I did my best to keep my hands to myself. She looked delectable, and I didn't trust myself to stop at a proper boundary if I did more than give her a friendly hug. I was keyed up, still buzzing from playing with the band, and she looked so damned sexy, looking up at me from under her long lashes at her front door. I didn't know if I'd be able to stop if I kissed her right then. And I really don't want to mess things up with her.

I lean my head back on the couch and close my eyes, still grinning. It feels like the same goofy smile has been plastered on my face all night. I already want to see her again. Is tomorrow too soon? I don't date much. It's not that I don't want to, but I'm usually busy with the band and running the music shop. Girls flirt with us during breaks when we play at bars around town, but I'm not really into what they want. I'm not a one-night type of guy. It's been a while since I met a girl I wanted to spend a lot of time with. So I ask Jasper what to do.

He laughs and pauses the game on the Xbox. "Edward, if you like the girl, you can see her whenever the hell you want. If she didn't run away from you dedicating a song to her on your first date"—he looks at me pointedly with a raised eyebrow—"then she probably won't mind you calling her tomorrow."

I jerk my head up off the couch. "Was that weird? You think I came on too strong?"

Jasper yawns and stretches his arms over his head. "It doesn't actually matter what I think. As long as she didn't act weird when you drove her home, I'm sure it's fine. Listen, Alice and I are doing some picnic thing tomorrow. Why don't I just tell her to bring Bella along?"

"Yeah, okay," I say, feeling a little calmer as I think about driving her home earlier in the evening. She didn't seem any different than she had earlier in the night.

Jasper nods. "I'll tell Alice," he says and heads down the hall to his room.

"Night, Jas." He just waves at me over his shoulder and shuts his bedroom door.

I follow suit and make my way to bed, knowing it'll be a while before my brain will stop working long enough for me to fall asleep. I lie on my back with my hands behind my head, picturing Bella's beautiful smile, her exquisite eyes, the way she blushes at the slightest compliment. Would her cheeks would feel warm if I tried to kiss that blush away? And those lips…red and full. Christ. Before I roll over and try to sleep, I mentally kick myself one last time for not kissing her at her front door.

Bella

I awake the next morning to sunlight streaming across my bed. It feels warm and inviting, beckoning me to come out and play. Maybe Alice will want to go to the beach. I stretch luxuriously. Stretching my sleepy muscles in my warm and cozy bed, knowing I have the whole day to do whatever I want, is one of my favorite things about mornings. I inhale deeply and realize Alice already has a pot of coffee brewing. Bless her.

"Good morning, sunshine," she trills when I pad into the kitchen. "You're up early." She's like that every morning, a fact that irritates me some days. I'm usually not all that much of a morning person.

"Morning. Have anything planned for today?"

She nods and chews a mouthful of toast before answering. "Jasper and I are having a picnic in the park."

"That's cool." I blow on my coffee before I take a sip. "Good day for it. It looks really nice out."

"You're coming with us."

"I don't feel like being a third wheel on your date, Ali. I think I'll just head out to the beach with a book or something."

She grins slyly. "Edward wanted you to come."

"Oh?" I ask, surprised. Truth be told, I'm still a little unsure about the whole hug thing at the end of our date. "Well, why didn't he just call me himself?"

"I think it was Jasper's idea. He said Edward really wanted to see you again but didn't want to seem overbearing."

"Should you be telling me this, Alice?"

"Probably not. But I think you need to know." She hops up onto the counter and gazes at me pointedly, more serious now. "I know you have this idea that you shouldn't be anyone's girlfriend right now. I know you put blame on yourself for the bad stuff that's happened in the past. But I also know you don't understand what a beautiful and extraordinary person you are."

"Alice—"

"Just hear me out, B. You deserve a guy who looks at you like Edward looked at you last night. I know it was only your first date, but looking at the two of you together, it seemed as though you'd known each other for years." She pauses, glancing at the calendar that hangs on the kitchen wall. "I love you, and I want you to be happy. You've got to understand that you deserve so much more."

My face grows hot, and I suddenly realize why she just checked the calendar.

"I know exactly what you're thinking. You like Edward. A lot. But you're afraid. Forget about it. Just let yourself have fun. That's all."

"You're right. I know you are, but I can't help it. When all your past relationships have ended up really shitty in the end… I can't help feeling that it's something I've been doing wrong." I stare down into my coffee cup, watching the changing patterns the creamer makes as it swirls around in my coffee. "Anyway, I'm not so sure Edward had all that great of a time last."

"Oh, trust me. He did."

I groan. "All of this talking behind my back has got to stop. Do you realize you practically set up our first and now our second date? How about people ask me for a change?"

"You told him to surprise you. I just hinted. And Jasper said Edward couldn't stop talking about you last night."

I bite the inside of my lip.

Alice hops down from the counter and hugs me tightly. "You've come so far, Bella. I'm really proud of you. You're over Mike. You brushed off the thing with James with no problem. Now you've just got to acknowledge that you're so much better than those creeps." She pulls away and smiles cheerily at me. "I love you."

I grin back at her. "I love you, too. And I'm trying. I promise." I peek at the calendar. "And don't think I haven't noticed what day it is. I know what you're up to."

She winces. "Yeah, I wasn't going to mention it."

June twenty-eighth. My ex-wedding day. "I can't even fathom being married right now. To anyone."

"You dodged a bullet, dollface." She kisses my cheek and dances down the hall, coffee mug in hand, to get showered. "It's ten-thirty," she calls over her shoulder. "We've got an hour before the boys pick us up."

My skin buzzes to life, and it has nothing to do with the coffee coursing through my veins.

Edward

When Jasper and I pull into the parking lot of the apartment building, my insides feel like they might explode. I can't stop fidgeting, both excited and nervous to see Bella again, and I jump out of the car before Jasper even has it in park.

"Slow down!" Jasper laughs. "You're gonna make me look bad."

I smirk at him as he jogs to catch up with me, and we make our way to the girls' front door. Before we can even knock, Alice swings the door open and jumps into Jasper's arms, covering his face with kisses.

"Bella! They're here!" she calls.

I hold my breath as I watch her come around the corner from the kitchen, picnic basket in hand. Is it possible that she gets more beautiful every time I lay eyes on her? My shaky exhale sounds more like a sigh as I meet her eyes with a huge smile, and she grins shyly back at me. Her hair flows freely around her shoulders in slight waves. She's wearing the shortest pair of shorts, and my eyes drift quickly down her long legs before returning to her blushing face.

"Long time no see," she says.

I chuckle. "Yeah. A few hours at least, huh? Let me take that," I grab the heavy picnic basket from her. "What's in here? It feels like three meals."

"Practically," says Bella. "Alice tends to go overboard. She may be little, but she can pack away some food."

As we start for the door, I take Bella's hand and squeeze it. She glances up at me with what looks like surprise on her face.

"I'm really glad to see you today," I tell her quietly.

A grin spreads across her face again as she replies, "Me too."

Bella

My heart beats wildly as I realize Edward isn't going to let go of my hand. We walk through the parking lot to what I assume is Jasper's truck. It's ginormous. Even the back seat. Alice practically skips through the lot, grasping his hand and not letting go even when they reach the car. She just climbs right through the driver's side to sit in the middle of the front seat, her hand clasped in his the entire time. She's nothing if not enthusiastic, but I've never seen her actually cling to a guy like that before. Their instant connection is kind of weird. And also kind of sweet.

Edward opens the door for me, and I copy Alice, scooting all the way in so he can get in on the same side. "How was your night after I left?" he asks.

"It was fine," I say. "I had a little trouble falling asleep, but once I drifted off, I slept like a rock."

"I couldn't sleep either. I'm always keyed up after we play. And I sort of…couldn't stop thinking about you."

Heat spreads over my face and melts down into my chest as I smile and look down at my lap. He grabs my hand again and squeezes it. I like the way he does that. It's not just a cold fish, lay-my-hand-on-top-of yours type of thing. His hands aren't sweaty or clammy. They're warm and the slightest bit calloused. And the way he grasps mine lightly makes me feel like he's really there—like a secret signal to let me know he's really into me.

Once we arrive at the park, I reach for the picnic basket, but Edward grabs it up quickly. "Allow me."

Jasper scoffs as he climbs out of the car, holding the large blanket Alice brought for us to sit on. "He just wants first dibs at the food."

The park is filled with sun worshippers—fellow picnickers, people tossing frisbees, sunbathing in shorts and tanks. Nobody wants to stay inside on such a nice day. It's hot, but a light breeze blows every once in a while, taking away the slight sting of the strong sun.

Alice runs ahead and twirls around in the grass, her short skirt billowing out around her. "Perfect spot!" she calls to us, then flops down on her back on the lawn. Jasper laughs next to me and jogs toward her. Alice is a hard person not to love. She's her own person, and she doesn't care if people think she's silly.

When we're all settled in our spots, I pass out some plastic plates, and we dig in to fruits and cheeses and sandwiches.

"Delicious," Jasper says happily as he finishes off the last bite of his sandwich. "My compliments to the chef."

"Chef Bella," says Alice. "She made the sandwiches."

I snort. "It's about the only thing I can make."

I nibble on a strawberry as I survey the people in the park. A guy sits alone in the grass, arms draped loosely over his bent knees. A couple near him laughs and claps as their toddler takes a few steps and falls back down on his butt. A girl in a long, floral dress sits to their left, eyes closed, guitar in her arms.

"What's on your mind?" Edward's voice breaks into my thoughts.

I shrug. "Just people-watching." He lifts an eyebrow and looks at me expectantly. "I like to sit and watch what's going on around me. It's sort of embarrassing, but…sometimes I make up stories about people in my head."

"That's not embarrassing. Lots of people do that."

I shrug again and toss the crown of my strawberry into a trash bag.

"How about that girl over there?" Edward asks. "What's her story?" He nods toward the girl with the guitar. Her hands are poised over the strings, but she isn't playing. "

"She's alone but happy. She just decided to go to backpacking in Europe by herself. Her plans are indefinite, and she doesn't know if she'll be coming back."

"Sounds nice," says Edward, and when I turn to meet his eyes, he's staring intently at me. I feel like he can see everything about me.

My gaze is drawn momentarily to Alice and Jasper, who get up and walk away with a frisbee in hand. "What about you?" I ask, turning my full attention back to Edward. "I know you're in a band, you play guitar, you own a music store. What else does Edward Cullen like to do in his spare time?"

"I write."

"Music?"

"Well, that, poetry, short stories…"

"Really? I wouldn't have pegged you for a writer."

"I'm shocked. I'm a sensitive musician. An artist," he says, but his eyes are twinkling. I laugh and lie back on the blanket with my hands behind my head. Edward follows suit, lying on his side and propping his head up with his right hand. "I wouldn't have pegged you for an artist either, you know. I kind of think it takes guts to major in something you love."

I know what he's not saying. "My dad always said, 'Bella, what kind of job do you think you're going to get with an art degree?'" I lower my voice to imitate my dad's tone. "'How are you going to support yourself? You can't work in a restaurant forever.' It drives me insane. I don't care what kind of job I get. It's what I wanted. I didn't care about anything else."

"It's good to know what you want," Edward says. "Most people around our age don't have a clue, even if they think they know." I feel goosebumps rise as he strokes his fingers lightly up and down my forearm.

"What exactly is your age?" I ask, realizing we haven't talked about that.

"I turned twenty-four a couple of weeks ago."

I turn my face to him. "Happy belated birthday."

"Thank you. What about you?"

"Twenty-two."

"What's your favorite color?" he asks softly.

I purse my lips in thought. "It's a tie between red and gray."

"Gray? Really? Isn't it sort of gloomy?"

I shake my head. "Do you know how many versions of gray there are? Neutral gray, dove gray, Payne's gray, slate… What's your favorite color?"

"Hmm…" His fingertips grazed my cheek oh-so-lightly, and my eyes flutter shut. "Right now, it's the shade of your cheeks when you blush." His voice is a whisper as he brushes a tendril of hair from my forehead. He leans in closer, and my heart tries its hardest to beat its way out of my chest. When I open my eyes, I find him staring at me and leaning in slowly. My breathing speeds up as my pulse races in my neck.

But before his lips reach mine, a shadow moves over us, and he leans back again. Someone's standing there, backlit by the sun, encroaching on what should have been an intimate moment.

"Can I help you?" Though I think Edward's trying to rein in his annoyance, it shows.

"You're certainly helping yourself."

I recognize the voice immediately and bolt upright, staring in disbelief.

"Mike?"

He tears sunglasses from his face. The guy sitting alone in the grass. It was him. And he looks awful, like he's hungover. His hair is mussed, and his eyes are red. "Bella," he nearly growls.

"What are you doing here?"

"I should ask you the same thing," he says. "More specifically, I should ask what you're doing in the park we were supposed to get married in today, kissing someone else."

Edward tenses next to me.

Shit. I haven't told him about that. I didn't think it was that important, and I didn't really want to share that story yet. "If I remember correctly, you were the one who broke it off."

"Yeah, I did. And I realize that it was my mistake. I've been a wreck for the last month," he says, his eyes flashing. "I was planning to call."

"Can we not do this?" Angry blood flows through me, from the top of my head, down through my face and neck and into my limbs. I stand up to confront him. "It was your decision to end things. You don't get to act like the wounded party." I lower my voice, not wanting outsiders to hear, and feeling embarrassed for doing this in front of Edward. "You humiliated me. In amall, for God's sake. You have no idea what I went through to put myself back together again. I don't need this."

"Jesus, Bella. I'm trying to tell you that I was wrong."

My eyes feel like they might pop out of my head. "Are you crazy? You're obviously crazy. You look pretty crazy." I gesture at his messy hair, blood-shot eyes, and rumpled clothing. He lunges forward to grab me by the shoulders, but Edward steps up and puts an arm between us.

"Look here, man—" Mike starts.

"No, you look," Edward says calmly. "She's clearly doesn't want you around. Why don't you go? You're making a scene."

Mike's eyes narrow. He's venom-spitting mad. "Rolling around on a blanket in public is pretty slutty, Bella."

Edward's hands clench into fists. "You should go. Now."

"Mike!" I hear Alice's voice before I see her approaching us. "What the hell are you doing here?" Jasper grabs her hand before she can launch herself at him.

Mike looks her up and down. "Yeah, whatever. I'm leaving. I hate sloppy seconds." He turns quickly and jogs off before I can get another word in. From the looks of things, he might have escaped a good slug or two from Edward. I probably would have beat him to it.

Alice and Jasper retreat again, and we stand silent for a minute before Edward releases my arm and turns to face me. "Are you okay?" he asks, eyes filled with concern.

I nod, afraid that my voice will waver or simply come out as a squeak. His hands move to my shoulders, and I know he can feel me shaking.

"God, Bella. You're not okay, are you?" He rubs his palm up and down my arm.

"No, I'm okay. Really." I pull away and rub my hands over my eyes, a hysterical sort of laughter.

His forehead wrinkles. "What?"

"I don't even know. You must think I'm nuts." I sigh and take his hand. "It's really sweet of you not to run away screaming."

"His craziness has no bearing on you. That guy is a jerk, Bella. You were going to marry him?" He makes a goofy face, and my laugh is genuine this time. "There's that beautiful smile." He runs a finger down my jawline, and we sat back down on the blanket.

Nothing is mentioned about the almost-kiss from mere moments ago, and I'm kind of relieved. The confrontation shook me up, and those old familiar insecurities have crept back in. Slutty. Sloppy seconds. I can't imagine the things Edward must think about me.

But bless him. He knows not to push. Small talk calms me down, and after a few minutes, I start to feel better and decide to just go for it. "Are you curious at all about what happened with Mike?"

Edward shrugs. "Didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable. But if you'd like to talk about it…"

I sit up and blow out a long breath. "What he said was true. We were supposed to get married today." I shudder and pause for his reaction, but he's quiet, waiting for me to go on. "I didn't want to at first. I told him we were too young, but he kept saying he knew it was right. And I did love him, so I eventually caved. Shortly after Christmas last year, he asked me to meet him at the mall, and that's when he broke up with me."

"In a mall?"

I nod, and Edward laughs out loud. "I'm sorry," he says. "It's not funny at all. It's just such a cowardly thing to do. But having seen his temper tantrum, I can completely see it."

Obviously, there wasn't an ounce of humor in it just a few months ago, but now that it's a distant memory—and because Mike just made such a fool of himself—it doesn't seem such a tragedy.

Edward props himself up on one elbow again and puts a hand on my knee. "I'm really sorry that happened to you."

"Don't be. I'm not anymore. It took me a while to get over it, but I know it was for the best. I know I did love him, and I was the envy of every girl I knew, but now I can't imagine being with him at all." I fidget with a blade of grass, dragging my fingernail along its length to see if it will curl.

Edward seems thoughtful, like he's forming words in his mind carefully before speaking them, and then sighs. "I have a little confession to make."

"Confession?"

"I talked to Alice some before we went out last night."

I drop my head into my hands. "Alice," I mutter and peek through the gaps between my fingertips to see her carefree, laughing figure leap up to try and catch a frisbee.

"Don't be mad at her," Edward pleads, sitting up and facing me. "She loves you. She wanted to make sure I had good intentions. She only told me you'd been hurt. No specifics." He chuckles. "She said if my intentions weren't pure, she'd make me pay. She can be pretty frightening for such a small girl."

I look back at his amused face, which softens immediately as his eyes meet mine. "Bella, I want you to know that I really like you. I know we basically just met, but I feel like we have this connection…"

I swallow and search his eyes. "I know," is all I can say.

"I also want you to know that I won't push you. I want you to be able to trust me, no matter what it takes." He reaches a hand up and pushes my hair behind my ear. It's such a simple yet intimate gesture. Despite the warm air and sunshine, my body breaks out into goosebumps, and my eyes close on their own.

"Thank you, Edward."

"Do you know the band Built to Spill?" he asks. "Their song called 'The Weather'?"

"The name sounds familiar. How does it go?"

He ducks his head shyly, a gesture that makes my heart skip a beat. "As long as it's talking with you, talk of the weather will do," he croons in his velvety singing voice.

I swoon back on the blanket and lie there blissfully. He laughs as he leans over me, his gorgeous face blocking the sun from my eyes.

"I've never heard it," I say, "but I'd really love to."

"Bella." His voice is a whisper as he traces my cheek with a finger again. "Can I kiss you?"

I give a tiny nod, and his hand moves to the back of my head and cradles it softly, holding it up from the blanket underneath us. The air crackles. After what seems like an eternity, his lips barely touch mine. Slowly—oh, so slowly—he increases the pressure, and my lips move against his eagerly. Edward's other hand cups my cheek, and I tilt my head to deepen the kiss. Before I know what I'm doing, my hands are in his beautifully disheveled hair. He pulls away too soon for my liking and leans his forehead against mine. Our breaths are quickened yet soft between us.

"Without a doubt," he says, "that was the best kiss I've ever had."

"Yeah. Best ever," I manage to say through my dazed state. He helps me sit up again and keeps my hand in his, running his thumb over the backs of my fingers.

"Hey guys!" Alice says when she and Jasper make their way back to us. She's perched on his back and giggling. "We were just talking about that new bar on the beach. Wanna go?"

"Sounds like fun," Edward says without taking his eyes from my face. "I've been wanting to try it out.

I just grin and nod, still unable to form words.

Alice squeals and claps her hands as if it's the best news she's heard all week. She hops down from Jasper's back and helps me gather the picnic supplies. "Let's get a move on. We have to go home and change."

"Why do we have to go home first?" I ask. "Isn't it casual?"

She looks up with wide eyes. "I've just spent hours tumbling around in the grass. I'm a mess. I can't wave a magic wand and be spontaneously gorgeous."

Jasper grabs her around the waist. "I always think you look spontaneously gorgeous."

"That's because you haven't seen me first thing in the morning," she shoots back.

Jasper gives her a wicked look and whispers something into her ear, making her snort and giggle. I turn away to gather our things, and Edward goes to throw away the rest of the trash from our picnic.

Alice waggles her eyebrows at me as we work together to fold the large blanket. "So? How was it?"

"How was what?"

She swats me on the arm. "That kiss! I thought you were gonna jump his bones right here in broad daylight. Not that I'd blame you."

I lift one side of my mouth in a cocky grin and echo Edward's words. "Hands down, best ever."

She squeals quietly and takes the folded blanket from me. Something tickles the back of my arm, and I turn to see Edward standing there. He drags his fingertips across my skin so softly that it feels like a feather brushing against me.

If that weren't enough, he disarms me further with his gorgeous crooked grin, knocking my guard down completely. "Ready?"

"Yeah," I say, kind of dazzled again. Truth be told, I'm relieved that Alice found a way to prolong our double date. Because I haven't gotten my fill of Edward yet.

A/N: Thanks for reading!