Chapter 7

Edward was working hard to wrap things up so we didn't talk a whole lot. He did text me giving me periodic updates. He was flying in late Friday night. I told him I was going to be going out with Angela Saturday and so I wouldn't be available.

His plan was to take his uncle up on his offer of going out for a drink that night. If I knew where Angela was planning on going I would have tried to make sure that I 'happened' to run into Edward. But the more I thought about that plan the more I realized that it might not be a good idea. We were all going to be drinking pretty heavily and that might not be the best way for me to meet Edward for the first time so I kept my mouth shut. But I was really really tempted.

"What's got you in such a good mood?" Emmett asked eyeing me while he took a bite of his sandwich.

"I….. don't know." It was hard to keep the smile off my face. Ever since Edward said he wanted to go to Angela's wedding with me I haven't been able to stop.

"You don't know?" He asked arching an eyebrow at me.

"Can't I just be in a good mood?"

"No."

"What? Yes I can."

"I might buy that if I didn't know you've been pretty miserable lately. Tell me what changed. I know you haven't talked to Alice so this has to be about something else."

"How do you know I haven't talked to Alice?"

"Because she's been calling me and Rose twice a day trying to get us to talk to you for her since you're not calling her back."

"How long has this been going on?"

"Since you missed beer and pizza night."

"Oh. Well I have to see her tonight for the bachelorette party so you won't have to play messenger anymore." And there went my good mood.

"Are you going to talk to her?"

"I'm not sure yet." He didn't say anything for a minute as he took a big drink of his Pepsi. I felt kind of bad that he and Rose were getting stuck in the middle of this whole thing but that was Alice's doing not mine.

"So, how's your friend?" He asked changing the subject. I was glad for that but not ready to divulge everything yet.

"Friend?" I bit my cheeks to try to keep from smiling again.

"Yes your friend, the one you mentioned the other day."

"He's doing much better now, thanks."

"So what's his name?"

"Edward."

"And how long have you known this Edward guy?"

"A few weeks."

"Does he work with you?"

"No."

"Are you more than just friends?"

"What gives you that idea?"

"Doy, you're face lit up at the mention of him."

"Did you just say doy?"

"Quit changing the subject." He said as he leaned closer across the table scrutinizing me.

"I'm not changing the subject."

"Nice try. Now tell me who this guy is."

"Edward is my friend, and no we're not dating but he is going with me to Angela's wedding." This time his face lit up.

"You're not dating but he is your date to Angela's wedding?"

"Yes."

"But you want to be dating him." He said this very sure of himself as he put his sandwich down.

"What?" I could feel the heat on my cheeks. I tried to discreetly cover them up with my hands but it didn't work, Emmett sat back in his chair with a satisfied look on his face.

"How did you two meet?" This was going to be embarrassing.

"That night that we went to the Thirsty Lion a few weeks back."

"I thought his name was Mark and I thought you weren't interested."

"His name was Mike and I wasn't interested in him."

"So why did Alice set you up with Mike if you were interested in Edward?"

"Alice doesn't know about Edward and I'd like to keep it that way."

"Obviously I'm missing something and I have the feeling that you're leaving it out on purpose."

"Alright fine, I'll tell you but I want you to promise me that you won't make fun of me and you won't tell anyone else about him."

"You do realize they'll see him at the wedding right?"

"Doy, but I'd like to keep it quiet until then, I'm nervous enough without everyone on my case asking about us."

"Us huh? Alright, out with it."

"Fine, that night Mike had left his business card on the table and Alice called him pretending to be me and made a date with him." Emmett kept quiet but he was shaking his head and had a scowl on his face.

"When I got back home there was a message waiting for me from him about our date. As I'm sure you remember I was a little tipsy that night."

"A little?" He started laughing and I rolled my eyes at him.

"So anyway I called him back to cancel and I accidentally dialed the wrong number."

"And the number you dialed was Edward's?"

"Yes."

"Okay, so how did that turn into an ongoing thing then?"

"Well I may have called him more than once that night." He closed his eyes and smashed his lips together trying not to laugh.

"I told you I was tipsy, and his number was virtually the same as Mike's, anyone could have made the same mistake."

"Somehow I don't think so."

"Anyway, I ended up telling him about my day and I explained about Mike and he called me the next day to find out how it all went down."

"He called you back the next day?"

"Yep."

"Hmmm. How long before you met face to face?"

"Um." I said biting my lip and looking away.

"You haven't met face to face yet." He smirked.

"No."

"And you already like this guy."

"He's my friend, of course I do."

"I mean you like him like him."

"I may have a slight little smallish crush on him."

"Please tell me that you at least have seen his picture."

"Not yet."

"What if he's, you know, ugly?"

"Emmett!"

"What? He could be."

"So you're criteria for a friend is that they have to be attractive?" I asked.

"Of course not Bells you know that. But I'm not talking about criteria for just a friend. I'm talking about criteria for people that you have a slight little smallish crush on."

"It doesn't matter what he looks like. He is so nice and funny and super sweet."

"Super sweet?" He asked laughing again.

"He always says sweet things to me so yes, he's super sweet."

"Okay,okay, all I'm saying is that physical attraction is important too if it's regarding someone you may want to date."

"Oh shit, you're right."

"When am I not? You may see him next week and he might be shifted right into the friend zone, permanently."

"No, I mean what if he thinks that I'm ugly!"

"He's not going to think that you're ugly."

"How can you know that?"

"Because I have eyes, you're a beautiful woman." I rolled mine at him.

"You are Bella." He said seriously.

"Thank you, but what if Edward doesn't think so?"

"Then he would have to be blind."

"I'm back." Rosalie called from the front door.

"Hey Bella, sorry I took so long."

"It's fine. Did you get the stuff?"

"Yep, and I talked to Angela too, we're going to meet at her place before going downtown."

"That'll be fun, where does she want to go tonight?"

"A few different places but they're all within walking distance." And then she turned to Emmett.

"Keep you're phone on please and I'll call you when it's time to pick us up."

"I still don't see why I can't go too."

"I didn't go to Ben's bachelor party last night."

"You could have."

"Yeah right and besides we're going to need someone to drive."

"Fine." He grumbled. Rosalie and I went into the bathroom to change and get ready. As soon as we were done Emmett drove us to Angela's. As we were walking into the building I saw that Jasper had pulled up with Alice. I pretended like I didn't see her and kept walking. Once inside I noticed that there were probably about 20 people all together. That would make it a little easier. Angela was dressed in the standard bachelorette apparel. The 'I'm the bride' shirt with a fake veil. The rest of us got away with wearing just a necklace.

"Hi Bella." I heard Alice say quietly. I turned around to face her.

"Hi." My tone expressing my anger.

"I'm sorry, I never should have..."

"Not now, I just want to have a good time and not ruin the night for Angela."

"Okay, but can we please talk later? I swear Bella, I will never interfere again, I don't want to lose you." She pleaded. I shrugged and walked straight into the kitchen where some people were making drinks. I started drinking immediately, which was both a good and bad thing. Good because it got me away from my bad mood pertaining to Alice but also bad because it made me speak way too freely.

About an hour later I was somewhat aware of what was going on. I mean I knew where I was and what I was doing for the most part but it also gave me no filter and zero inhibition. In my drunken state I laid into Alice. Not that I wouldn't have done so when I was sober but I would have done it much better and less emotional then I would have in my current state. She begged and pleaded for forgiveness and I made her promise on her death bed to stay out of my love life before I would even consider thinking about it.

At least I think that's what went down. I do have a few holes in my memory and apparently I even promised to have dinner with everyone at Poncho's the next night. I'm not even sure how I got home. Well I know that it was Emmett who brought me. I do vaguely remember him carrying me to my room and leaving a garbage can next to my bed. I was at least smart enough to lock up my phone before I even went out so I didn't embarrass myself with anymore drunk calling. But I was really in the mood to talk to Edward.

The next day when I woke up I was lucky enough not to feel too bad. I didn't throw up or need more than 2 Advil this time. I did however sleep the day away and woke up to Rosalie pounding on my door. I actually didn't remember the details of this part of the plan but apparently it was all settled last night. I wanted to back out but she told me that it was time to talk this all out while sober and I knew she was right.

I got up and brushed my teeth. I washed all of last nights makeup off and started again. When we got there Alice and Jasper where waiting with many apologies and promises. I still wasn't one hundred percent sold but I was starting to cave a little. I told them I didn't promise anything and while I was still extremely mad I would consider forgiving them one day. Apparently that was all that they needed and the subject was dropped. I got up to go to the bathroom and Alice came too. I was nice but it still wasn't quite back to normal.

"Um Bella?"

"Yeah?"

"You do realize you're still wearing your penis necklace from last night right?"

Oh great. I looked down and part of the balls were sticking out from my shirt. How could I not notice a giant penis hanging from my neck? That was pretty embarrassing; I wondered how many other people saw it. It didn't matter last night when it was clear we were all part of a bachelorette party but now….. As we walked out of the bathroom I took the necklace off but it was stuck in my hair.

I slowed down a little but didn't stop completely while I focused on trying to get the necklace free, it was really tangled up. The next thing I know I crash right into someone. I stepped back ready to apologize but my words aren't forming as I looked up to see an insanely gorgeous man. Neither of us said a word at first, we just stared.

"I'm so sorry." He said after several moments.

"No it was my fault, I wasn't paying attention. I was trying to unwind my hair from my penis."

"Necklace! My penis necklace!" I shouted at this poor guy as I held it up for him so he could see what I was talking about. Of course he didn't know the reason for it and I felt the need to get away from there as soon as possible. I tried to escape but when I moved to the side to go around him he moved the same way. We did that a few times before Alice had to step in and help me walk by him. I blushed and he smiled before I sat back down at our table.

"He's really hot." Rosalie said not even trying to keep her voice down.

"Try insanely gorgeous." I didn't mean for that to slip out, I hope he didn't hear me. I snuck a peek at him as he walked back to his table and sat down with his friends.

"Go talk to him. He keeps looking over here." Rosalie tried again. As good looking as this guy was, I was much more interested in having a shot with Edward. Maybe I should have told Rosalie about him. I noticed that Alice didn't say a word. She kept her head down and was staring at the table intently.

"Of course he's looking over here. I'm sure he's pointing me out to his friends 'there's the girl with a penis." As I said this they all looked over in my direction. Luckily dinner was over and Jasper and Alice insisted on paying. I decided to wait outside so I wouldn't have to prolong my embarrassment. As I was waiting for everyone to come out I looked back in the window just to see what was taking so long.

Rose was in the bathroom and Emmett was on his way out to join me, but what caught my attention was insanely gorgeous guy up at the register along with Alice and Jasper. I kept my eyes on them and watched while they were talking for a minute. I was immediately suspicious. I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt but I wasn't quite able to. I started to head back inside to interrupt any sort of conversation they were having about me when Emmett stopped me.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"I don't trust Alice." I said pointing to insanely gorgeous guy. As soon as Emmett turned around Jasper and Alice started walking this way and insanely gorgeous guy was waiting with his friend to pay the bill. They better not have screwed me over.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"Are we still on for next Saturday?" Edward asked me later on that night.

"Yeah, if you still want to go."

"Of course I do. I'm really looking forward to it."

"Me too, thanks for agreeing to go with me."

"Thanks for asking me. So how should we do this? Can I pick you up?"

"Sure, that would probably be the easiest."

"Will you text me your address later?"

"Are you too lazy to get a pen or something?"

"No, I'm in bed and I don't want to get up."

"That sounds kind of lazy to me."

"I'm not lazy... I'm comfortable."

"I'm in bed too so I'll text you tomorrow."

"So what are you wearing?"

"I'm wearing a t-shirt and shorts you perv. What are you wearing?"

"I meant to the wedding, Esme told me I had to be color coordinated with you or something. But obviously your mind is in the gutter."

"That was so your fault, we were just talking about being in bed and then you ask me what I'm wearing. It was the only logical assumption."

"Nope, I just think you have a dirty mind."

"I do not, besides since when do guys question wardrobe choices for a wedding."

"Like I told you that was Esme's idea and you did ask what I was wearing too so that would make you the pervert not me."

"Puh-lease."

"Please what? Tell you what I'm wearing right now?"

"Oh shut up. I'm wearing a dark blue dress….. To the wedding."

"What time should I be there?"

"It's at five so do you want to come by around 3:30 or 4:00?"

"Sounds good, I'm going to be working a lot this week to get caught up but I'll make sure to call you again before then."

"Okay, I'll talk to you later. Goodnight Edward."

"Goodnight Bella, sweet dreams." Just as I hung up the phone and turned over to go to sleep my cell phone beeped. I knew it had to be Edward so I got up out of bed and went to get it out of my purse. I climbed back into bed and checked the message.

"The answer is nothing, I knew you'd be dying to know.;p" The jerk, now I had images of faceless naked Edward in bed.

The weekend couldn't have come soon enough but at the same time it was here too soon. I was freaking out. Emmett was right, I should have asked for a picture or something. I should have given him mine, maybe then I wouldn't be as anxious as I am right now.

I feel sick. I think I might actually throw up. I woke up at 7:00am Saturday morning. I had about 8 and a half hours before Edward got here. Yep, definitely going to be sick. I tried to relax in the bath but it didn't do much to calm my nerves. I shaved and tweezed. I spent 30 minutes deciding which perfume to wear. I spent the entire day getting ready.

I sat in my bathrobe with my dress hanging on a hanger and everything else was ready. My phone rang at 3:00 and it was Edward telling me he was going to be leaving soon and he wanted to double check the directions. This was it. I was going to meet him in under an hour. I sat there wringing my hands in between my pacing. I had just gotten dressed when at 3:17 the door bell rings.

I look through the peep hole but can only see the back of his head. What the hell is he looking at anyway? I slowly open the door and I come face to face with insanely gorgeous guy, the one from last Sunday. What the fuck? He looked shocked for a second before his face lit up.

"Bella?"

"Fucking Alice!"

"What?"

"I can't believe her."

"Wait, what are you….."

"You're the guy that was at Poncho's last Sunday."

"Yeah, but."

"Look I know that you probably over heard what I said about you being insanely gorgeous and all and I know how convincing Alice can be but there's been a mistake, you need to go."

"Alice?"

"She put you up to this didn't she?"

"No Bella, you…."

"She had to have, why else would you be here?"

"I."

"I'm sorry but you have to go. I don't know what Alice told you but I already have a date."

"Alice didn't tell me..."

"Of course she did, she cornered you and somehow convinced you to go to this wedding with me. How else would you have gotten here? I can't believe she actually gave you my address. She has gone too far this time."

"But."

"No! Look I'm sorry but my date is going to be here any minute and he can't find you here."

"Your date?"

"Yes, now you need to go."

"Wait."

"There's no time! I can't let Edward find another guy here. That would ruin everything."

"Ruin everything?"

"Yes."

"And how would that ruin everything?"

"It's really none of your business but I really like him okay? And if I want any sort of chance I can't have him thinking that there's someone else."

"You really like him?" He asked with a huge smile.

"Yes, now seriously you need to go."

"But do you even know what this guy looks like?"

"Why would you even ask a question like that? You sound just like Em….Fucking Emmett! He must have told Alice...Did Alice tell you I've never seen him?"

"No, I…."

"Look it really doesn't matter to me what he looks like okay?"

"Bella, listen to me. I've never even spoken to either Alice or Emmett. I'm here because you invited me."

"I think I would have remembered that."

"Bella, it's me. I'm Edward."

Fuck me.