BPOV

I cautiously stepped out of Edwards office.

As the door clicked shut behind me I found myself looking into the eyes of Jessica.

You know that expression 'If looks could kill'? yeah well if that was the case I would be out cold on the floor at my feet right now.

Although her eyes were glaring and her brows were all scrunched up her mouth was forming an 'o'. She kind of looked like an evil villain.

I gave her a small, tight smile and to be honest I probably shouldn't of. She went to say something instantly which was bound to be some kind of wonderful compliment, but her desk phone rang, thankfully pulling her attention from me to the person on the line.

I quickly shifted from my position in front of the door to my own desk and carefully sat down.

My eyes moved over to look at Angela, who had a very different expression on her face from our fellow co-worker.

I was this time greeted with a big smile as she spoke to someone on her own phone.

"What the hell?" she mouthed to me while I assumed the other person was speaking to her.

I gently shook my head not giving her an answer in response and busied myself with changing the phone to direct voicemail. While the both Angela and Jessica were still busy on their phones I slipped out of the office and escaped Masen Publishing for the rest of the day.


The house was empty when I arrived home and I was grateful.

I really needed some space and although I was trying my hardest to not dwell on what had happened in Edwards office I was failing, terribly.

I did say try, not do.

After going up to my room and closing the door in case either Jake or Alice came home early too. I switched on some music and turned it up loud before struggling out of my dress and throwing it into the hamper before changing into some shorts and a baggy t-shirt.

I then found myself in front of my closet, starring at my clothes.

What the hell was I going to wear tonight?

My eyes scanned over the different styles, colours and fabrics. I was in way over my head.

"I need Alice" I mumbled to myself.

I briefly thought about braving it myself and looking through her closet to see if I could find anything myself ,but quickly thought better of it and dialled one of my best friends.

Her phone rang a total of three single rings before she answered.

"Bella, hey is everything okay?" she asked in her high pitched tone.

"Yea…ummm listen Alice, I kind of need your help"

"Oh my god… what's happened? I'm on my way up, your in the office right?"

"No, no, no… Jesus nothing has happened" I paused and then admitted "Okay, that was a lie" I took a deep breath "Something happened and I kind of have a date"

As soon as the words had left my lips Alice let out one of the loudest screams I had ever heard. I had to pretty much throw my cell phone across the room.

When I finally chanced putting it back to my ear all I could hear was her speaking at hyper speed.

"If I have any hearing loss I should sue you" I muttered briefly wondering if Charlie knew a good lawyer I could use.

I expected a sarcastic comment, She didn't hear me though, well if she did she didn't bother to acknowledge it.

No she just simply continued to talk about whatever it was she was talking about. The only words I actually managed to catch were firm, shave, blue and curl. I was slightly concerned.

"Alice" I said trying to gain her attention.

"I mean maybe you would get away with it, but I don't think its first date appropriate" she continued to babble away.

"Alice" I said again in a firmer voice when she had failed to acknowledge me.

"Oh I know what I have that's perfect and its right here. I mean a few alterations need to be made and maybe add some detail"

"ALICE!" I shouted down the phone, finally gaining her attention.

"What?" she shouted right back at me.

"Will you just calm the fuck down" I pleaded sitting down on the edge of my bed.

"Ohhhhhhhh, you used the 'f' bomb. I'm telling on you" she taunted.

"Alice"

"Okay, okay" she relented "So when is this date and more importantly with whom?"

"Its….ummm…tonight" It kind of sounded like a question but the was probably because I was ignoring the last part of her question.

"Tonight?" she shrieked "That's just not enough time" she huffed "Okay, where are you going then?"

"I ummm… you know what I actually don't know"" I admitted.

"Oh Bella"

"I just need your help Alice with a dress or something"

I heard my friend exhale loudly "Okay, listen I need to think about this. I'll be in touch" and then hung up leaving me with the dial tone.

"Well that's just great"

Leaving the clothing situation with Alice I let down my hair from its tight bun and ran my fingers through it in an attempt to remove some knots. I hadn't had enough time this morning to brush it through after sleeping through my alarm clock, again.


"No ,absolutely no!" I jumped over a foot in the air after hearing Alice scream. I quickly turned to see her looking down at the clothes I had laid out. After speaking to Alice earlier I had taken a long hot bath and when I hadn't heard anything from her a couple of hours later I had tried to find something myself.

"No one ever notices people who wear white on white" she almost violently shook her head

"Okay counting crows song"

"Seriously Bella?" she looked at me with unimpressed eyes.

I childishly poke my tongue out before explaining "What? I picked something out, I mean you didn't get back to me"

"Never doubt me Bella" she told me with a eye roll before placing the garment bag I hadn't noticed she was holding over the clothes I had laid out. She slowly unzipped it to reveal the most gorgeous royal blue one shoulder lace dress. She also fished out a plain black pair of LV heels, I was a little it concerned about the height. Alice assured me that it would be fine. Doubtful.

She also passed me a diamond braclet with matching stud earrings. I would of refused but I would never of won against Alice and I also wanted to look kind of nice for Edward.

After putting my chosen clothes back into my closet Alice plopped herself next to me on the bed.

"Soooooooo your killing me here Bella" she said, followed by a dramatic sigh added after I had stayed silent.

I knew what was coming and I was torn about telling her that I was going out with Edward tonight or pretend it was somebody else entirely. The only problem with the second choice was I was a horrendous liar.

"Come on!" she moaned "Oh lord please tell me its not that IT creep Mike? He looks like the kind of guy who thinks girls only wear sexy underwear and perfume when they go on a date"

I laughed before holding the palms of my hands in the air "Okay, okay" I closed my eyes before saying "It's Edward"

"Edward?" she spoke slowly and as her eyes roamed my face she began to speak at hyper speed "Edward as in Edward Masen? Your boss? Mr Ice Heart? Mr Sex on Legs? That Edward?"

"Yep the very same" I squeaked out.

"Oh my god Bella this is huge!" she let out a small (For Alice) scream "So what happened?"

So I told Alice everything, every last detail because she wouldn't settle for less.

"I'm glad your getting out there and you seem happy but just be careful Bella" I went to speak but she held her hand over my mouth "Hear me out. We have all heard the rumours and I just don't want you to become one of them and what about if his dad found out?, it could get messy"

I knew what she was talking about and I had to admit I was a bit concerned about what could happen, but right now I just wanted to see what was going to happen.

I pulled her hand away from my mouth.

"Alice"

"I know, I know but I had to say it but it's my duty as a best friend"

"I love you Alice" I hugged her tightly.

"Love yah too" she release me from the hug and patted my left cheek "Time to get you ready"


A couple of hours later I was standing at the bottom of the stairs looking at my reflection in the mirror as Alice was going over me with a lint roller.

The outfit that she had put together looked really stunning. Along with the blue dress and black shoes she had added a black blazer and matching clutch. My hair had been curled and pinned to one side, while my make-up was subtle with a little blush and mascara.

"You have ten minutes" Alice said as she looked me over for the last time "Your gunna knock him out"

"Don't joke Alice, because with these shoes the possibility is great" I joked.

"Think positive"

"As log as no dancing or long walks are involved all will be fine"

As soon as the clock above the mirror struck eight o'clock a soft knock came from the front door. My heart started hammering in my chest "Oh god"

"Suck it up Bella" Alice told me before retreating up the stairs. Knowing Alice, and I do, she was probably going to hang half way out of the window upstairs to spy on us.

I took a deep breath and smoothed down my dress before opening the door after he had just knocked for a second time.

"I was beginning to think you had bailed on me" Edward told me. He was wearing all black, from head to toe. His button down was open at the neck and he had rolled the sleeves up to his elbows.

The door closed behind me ad we both stood there kind of awkwardly, so of course verbal diarrhea began.

"Are we going to dinner? 'Cause I'm kin of hungry"

He chuckled "Is that all you want from me? A free dinner?"

I smiled at him and said "Yup, for now"

He shook his head while smiling "Okay, your chariot awaits" he waved his hand towards his car, the same one he picked me up in when I had broken down.


After a short drive into the city we arrived at one of New York's famous Italian restaurants.

"You know I am quiet capable of getting a door myself?" I told him after he opened my door to and from the car as well as the door to the restaurant.

Edward held his hands up in surrender "It's just how I was raised"

I stepped through the door with him following behind me. So close in fact that I could feel his body heat through my blazer.

"You know I don't think I have ever seen your father so much as hold a door open for himself let alone anyone else" I told him as the hostess came towards us.

Edward bent down and whispered in my ear "Ahhhh, I said it was how I was raised, not by whom"

He straightened back up and spoke to the very busty hostess before she could "Reservation for Masen"

We were soon seated after passing a small hallway to a dance floor were a live jazz band were quietly playing.

"So who taught you these manners?" I asked after we had been seated.

"When I was growing up I spent a lot of time with my Aunt".

"Esme?"

"The one and only" he smiled "I learnt everything I know from her and Carlisle, her husband and everything else is thanks to Ms Cope"

"Mrs Cope?"

"She was my nanny when I was a kid"

I wasn't surprised he had a nanny growing up. Didn't all of the families in his type of social circle have nannies, butlers and maids?

What did surprise me though was that he had spent a lot of time with his Aunt and Uncle and hadn't even mentioned his own parents raising him.

"Did you spend a lot of time with them?" I asked in reference to Esme and Carlisle.

He nodded his head "This was way back, before they moved here. They used to live in this massive house in California and when my parents decided to move 'Masen Publishing' to New York permanently I moved in with them. I spent four years of High school living with them before getting my own place with Jasper when I went to college"

"UCLA" I blurted out

"Oh, someone googled me" he winked

"Maybe once or twice" I admitted " when I got your assistant job"

He gave me a big smile "I'm impressed"

"Shut up"

He leaned forwards "Trust me, if I could google you I would of" I bushed as he laughed. After ordering some table wine and our food he excused himself for the bathroom.

I watched as Edward made his way through the restaurant. Every single women's, and even some men's eyes followed him.

I chuckled to myself but quickly stopped as someone sat own at our table, some who was not Edward.

My eyes slowly rose to see Tanya Denali glaring at me from across the small table.

"Can I hel…."

"Listen, cause I'm only going to be saying this once" she leaned forward and lowered her voice so only I could hear her "Your going to go back to your little reception desk and do what ever it is your paid to do and stay the hell away from Edward"

"Excuse me…"

"I didn't say you could talk" she hissed "Now I'm guessing your one of those girls who watches films over and over again in hope of a happier ending?" she curled her hand into a fist on the table "Well you listen to me this is not your happy ending so I suggest you pick up your shit and leave"

Before I could speak she stood up and stormed off back to where I assumed she had been previously sitting. I took a deep breath trying to calm myself before Edward came back, but apparently it was not quick enough.

"Did something happen while I was in the restroom" he asked sitting back down at his seat, I hadn't even noticed him make his way back. I did notice though that this time he slid his chair more to one side than the other. Meaning he was sitting closer to me.

"Why do you ask?" I said in a somewhat mumble followed by taking a rather large gulp of wine.

" you look kind of pale Bella"

"Just leave it Edward" I begged him.

He took in a deep breath, pursing his lips as he scanned the room.

"Ahhhh, now its making sense, Tanya" he moved his chair once again closer to me "Did she say something to upset you?"

I gripped the wine glass in my hand tighter"Why do you think that?"

"Because it's what she does"

"So she makes a habit of threatening every girl you take to dinner? Is that why you took her to the Blossom party"

"Tanya has this grand plan in her mind"

"Are you going to explain?" I asked after he failed to explain any further.

"I'd rather not"

"Of course not" I mumbled to myself, although his chair was now so close he probably heard me too.

"Lets concentrate on our dinner shall we?"

"Yea, okay" I blew out a breath agreeing, I was not about to let someone like Tanya ruin my evening.

"In good news, tonight's special is oysters" he winked causing me to chuckled "However the bad news is she might actually try to kill you after this" I was about to ask him what he meant but he quickly leaned across the now short distance between us and gave me a gentle kiss on the lips. I turned to look in the direction that Tanya had left in before and caught her glare. Well this was going to be interesting.

After a very filling two course dinner and a shared dessert we were sipping on the last of our bottle of wine.

Edward laid his hand over mine "Come one let's dance"

I internally groaned, I knew this would happen as soon a I had see these shoes "What is it with you always wanting to get me to dance when I wear shoes that are trying to kill me?"

"It's not a crime to want to dance Bella" he told me with a eye roll.

"I never said it was, I just don't like to dance, especially I death traps Alice calls shoes" I admitted

"Not even with me"

"Edward"

"Come on Bella, just one little dance" he pouted at me, it straggly reminded me of Alice.

I looked down at my shoes once again "I Think I'll pass"

"Really?"

I simply shrugged and picked up my nearly empty wine glass.

"It's okay" he said running a single finger around the rim of his wine glass "Were save that activity for next time"

"Next time?" I questioned ad he simply smirked "Your awfully sure of yourself"

"Are you saying that you don't want there to be a next time?" he asked leaning forwards.

"I didn't say that"

"So you do?"

"I didn't say that either"

"So what are you saying?"

"We'll see" I said after a moment.

"We'll see? What can I do to get a solid answer from you"

"You know I'm not like those other girls" I stated.

"I know that, trust me I know"

He closed his eyes for what felt like a full minute but in reality it was only a few seconds.

"I find you hard to read" he told finally opening his eyes. He leaned forward and using two fingers he moved a piece of hair off of my face "but your eyes, they say everything. All of your emotions, thoughts and feelings they are all right there"

I had gone mute. I mean what was I even supposed to say to something like that?

"I could tell when we where in my office earlier, you were scared" his green eyes were looked sad

"I was scared, scared of the situation" I lifted my hand and rested it on the side of his neck "but I'm not scared of you, you don't scare me"

"Well you scare me" he said looking anywhere but at me.

"Why?" I asked "Why do I scare you?"

"This isn't the time or place for a conversation like this"

"When is going to be a good time Edward?" my voice was starting to rise and I couldn't fin it in myself to care "because I will tell you what I'm sure as hell not having this conversation at work"

"Okay" he smirked "lets go somewhere more private" I quirked my brow in question "We're going to my place"


A/N Reviewers receive teaser lines!

what do you think? moving onto his place ;)

Random question, what do you think his place is going to look like, all plain and boring? or nice and homey?

Hope you guys liked it :)

See you soon!

xox