(Bella POV)

Like always, Monday comes too quick. Luckily, the snow died down Saturday night and Sunday morning was welcomed with birds (that still reside here during the season) chirping and sun shining. There was a sprinkle of snow on the ground left from the previous day, but all was well in town… apart from me worrying about the break in on Friday.

My time spent with Edward was the best distraction; I hardly thought about what had happened and now instead of thinking about the men that broke into my store, I think about Edward. His vibrant green eyes and gentle voice… speaking of which, that's the only thing that relates to the break in. The Italian accents. I, myself, am Italian, but really I thought there weren't many in Forks. It seems I've come across most of them this weekend.

Sunday passed by in a blur, I stopped by the shop eight times and made sure everything was intact. I called Angela and had her over for a cup of hot chocolate and we discussed getting an actual security system. We do have valuable items and the incident on Friday really was an eye opener. I'm still shook from it.

Although I've finally come to terms and allow myself to call it a break in, I still can't see past it. The men didn't steal anything, but they clearly wanted something. My gut tells me there's a high chance it's the watch because by the way they were talking, they were almost positive I had whatever they wanted.

And after some research, I know that the watch is pretty valuable.

I still have a billion questions, most of them starting with why. I was talking with Angela yesterday and I told her I want to see those guys and just ask them why.

She almost slapped me.

She said something along the lines that they're criminals and scared the shit out of me and here I am requesting teatime with them. What is my problem? If I want to be crazy like that, go have popcorn with a convict.

Angela just loves supporting me.

So when Monday came, I okay with going to work. At least now I'd make a profit for sitting around the store. Maybe I should get a watchdog because I honestly don't want to spend all my free time sitting around the store.

Then there comes the subject of Edward. I thought I had a good time with him. No, I had an amazing time and I know that. I thought he had a good time, too. But afterwards he just said goodbye, hardly wanted a ride, and left me with nothing. No, I don't mean a kiss on the cheek (but I wouldn't complain if it had happened) I mean no number, no nothing. It'll only be by luck that I see him again. I can't believe I can't even remember his last name. Just Edward. Edward with the green eyes, and I certainly can't go around town asking people that.

Especially not since I really doubt he had a good time. I have to get it over it, I won't see him again.

And I have a business to run, so it's not the time for me to be obsessing over a man I just met. I can get him out of my head, even if it means focusing on the break in again.

"Bella, wake up." Angela laughs, snapping me out of my trance. "I said your name a hundred times I think!"

"Oh, sorry." I shake my head to clear my thoughts and go back to cleaning the jewelry in the display case. It's all so beautiful, I want to keep most pieces for my own. If I kept all I liked, I wouldn't have a business. After a while, I learned to say no to myself. That really comes in handy on lonely Friday nights and tempting ice cream...

"You are never this distracted. Maybe you should go home for the rest of the day, I told you to not even come in." Angela walks around the counter and places an arm around my shoulder. I lean against her, my body giving in but my mind protesting.

"No, no."

"Bella, sweetie, Friday you had the scare of your life. I almost want to stock you up with Depends for a while." Angela squeezes my shoulder.

I let out a small laugh with a shake of my head. "Trust me when I say I'm tougher than that, Ang."

"I know you are. That scares me sometimes," She lets out a little sigh. "Let me drive you home."

"No." I protest once again. I quickly think up an excuse. "If I go home, I'll probably go insane. Look at me here! You said yourself I'm not like this. I need distractions."

After saying the words I realize my excuse is actually truthful.

Angela agrees and lets me go, "Just take it easy, okay? Ben is getting the security stuff set up later. He's stopping by after work, and don't you protest!"

"Thanks." I say instead and go back to cleaning. I wipe the damp cloth along the top of another ring, this one is emerald. It's beautiful and I remember the day I got it. An old woman came in and swapped it for a brooch to give to her daughter for her birthday. The brooch was less money, so I also gave her a some cash for the ring. I twist it between my fingers and slip it on my ring finger. It fits perfectly.

"So pretty," I murmur and slide it off slowly. I place it back in its spot on the display and lock the case up. There's at least ten thousand dollars worth of jewelry in it. You're probably thinking I'm insane for not even having security equipment set up within the store. It was never a worry for me, I never would have guessed it would be a target for people.

I wander around the store, occasionally helping customers with purchases or answering any questions. That's a part of this job that I love; helping people. I like getting an item and learning about it to teach other people about it. It's a bittersweet moment when you part with an item, especially a beloved one, but it's sweet and it's always a wonder where it'll end up. Maybe said item will land in my shop again one day.

The bell jingles announcing another customer and I look up ready to greet him or her. Instead, my breath catches in my throat when I realize it's Edward and he's standing fifteen feet away from me. I feel like the ground turned into molten lava and I've sunk into it, disappearing into the heat. Instead, I stand taller and focus on him, everything else around me becomes soft.

"Hi," He calls stepping closer. We close the distance between us and end up standing awkwardly in front of each other. I look down at my hands and play with my fingers like they're the most amusing thing in the world.

"Hi." I reply in a hushed tone.

"How are you?"

"I'm okay. You?"

"I'm good."

"Well," I toss my arm out. "If you need help with anything, I'll be somewhere. It's a small store and all..." I turn to walk away but Edward stops me with his voice.

"Yeah, you can help me. I had dinner with a beautiful lady not too long ago and I was wondering if I could be a burden to her again?"

I turn and face him, my eyes widening. "A burden?" I choke out. "I could have said no!"

Edward chuckles at my expression, but I continue. "I thought it was the other way around with the way you left. You didn't even... I don't know,"

"Give you my number? I hardly let you drive me home." I nod at his words, I note how quickly he became serious. "I know, and Bella, I'm so sorry." He takes a step closer to me, closing the distance I just put between us and taking my right hand in both of his warm ones. I swallow and look up at his green, smoldering eyes.

Yeah, I'm screwed.

"I had a rough day and you made it so much better, please know that. I just... I have a lot going on and I don't know if this is best for me." He stares down at me, his lips in a firm line, but affection toying in his eyes. The guy wouldn't be able to lie with a pair of eyes like those. I hear the tick-tock noise of all the clocks in the store and some chatter between a pair of customers. Apart from that, I'm zoned in on Edward.

"Then why are you here?" I end up replying. I slowly withdraw my hand, rejecting him, but doing it in a kinder manner.

"I don't know, honestly." He chuckles once without humor and pulls at his hair with what I'd guess to be frustration. His shoulders slump down a bit. "Because I had a really, really good time with you and I really wish I didn't have to deal with reality. Because I want to to get to know you so badly. I don't want to leave. It's horrible, actually. I just met you and here I am already thinking about you way too much. I couldn't concentrate today at all."

Despite his tone, I blush at his words. "Really?"

"Yes!" He replies a bit too loudly. "I never feel this way."

"Me neither," I admit and for once, I let myself face my fears. The silence grows awkward for a moment, until Edward asks me what I was up to before he barged in. I only say it like that, because that's exactly how he said it.

"You didn't barge in, you know, the store is open." I respond and lead him over to the showcase. "I was polishing up the jewelry. Usually, when we get stuff we clean it up, but keep the antique look to it."

"Where's the other part to we?" Edward asks me looking around the small shop.

"Oh Ang is in the back checking inventory. She's also obsessing over every little detail more so than usual." I joke and brush my fingertips along the showcase with a sigh.

"Are you getting a lot more stock?" Edward questions and I look over at him.

"Oh, maybe, I don't know." A little flustered, I finally blurt out the store had a little incident the other day. I end up telling a quick version of what happened Friday night. "I still don't know what they want," I finish.

"Oh," Edward's expression is unreadable. I make sure not to tell him the description of the men or how he'd fit it well, because then he'd think I suspect him or something and I really don't. He couldn't. He's so... different.

I smile at him softly and his eyebrows show concern. "Are you okay, though? Nothing was taken, but are you okay?" He asks.

"Oh, I'm fine. Just a little scare. They didn't even touch me. They wanted something and I didn't have it." I shrug. I lead Edward over to the furniture section and pull out two wooden, stools to sit on. They remind me of what a pirate would have on his ship. They're really interesting. I've listed them as fourty each or all four for $150. That's a deal if you ask me. I even had a guy come in an appraise them.

"A store that's filled with so much value doesn't even have security." Edward mutters in disbelief.

"I know, I know! I learned that lesson the hard way. But we're getting it."

"When?"

"Angela's boyfriend is stopping by after work to install some stuff." The genuine concern in Edward's words warm my heart. "Thank you, though."

"Bella," He rolls his eyes at me. "Of course I care."

It's as though he read my mind.

...

Edward ends up staying until the early afternoon when Angela came out to announce a lunch break. She was leaving to grab a sub down the street and I ended up having to introduce her and Edward. I saw her eye him over and give me her nod of approval. I just hope Edward didn't see.

I just did lunch at the shop and let Edward know I packed a salad. He left, giving me time to finish working and eat my lunch, but not before he gave me his number. Before he left he let me know he wanted to see me again, no matter the consequences. I desperately wanted to ask him what and why, but he left before I could even open my mouth.

It's as though he's battling himself; there are two sides.

I wonder which side will win.


A/N: Edward is confusing! Even to himself he is!

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