Sorry I'm so slow on updating, even summer's are busy for me!

Please let me know if you think I should write a few chapters in Edward's POV. I think it'd be fun :) Thanks everyone for taking the time to read my story, and enjoy!

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"Alice, that wasn't a good kind of surprise. That was torture!" I laughed as a lightly punched her arm.

"You're welcome!" She giggled in response. Despite my initial disapproval of Alice taking me to a spa and salon, I actually kind of enjoyed it. I didn't have to think about Jake or my broken heart—just some much needed girl talk with my best friend. We exited the heavily fumed shop and into the damp Seattle air. It wasn't raining at the moment, but the reflective glow off the pavement and water droplets dripping from the parked cars hinted at some rain earlier. I pulled my mini umbrella from my purse, just in case.

"You really didn't have to do this," I sighed, picking at my freshly French manicured nails.

"Stop that!" Alice exclaimed as she lightly slapped my wrists, "You'll ruin them before you've even had time to enjoy them. And I know I didn't have to do it. I just wanted to," She beamed up at me.

"Besides, I'm trying to help you. You know, with Edward," Alice winked at me.

"Mary Alice Brandon," I began to scold her, implementing the use of her full name—she hates that.

Alice rolled her eyes at me, "What I mean is I'm just trying to help you 'get back at him' or whatever it is you think you're doing."

"I don't think, I know what I am doing," I smiled confidently, though I wasn't quite sure what my plan was just yet. What exactly was I doing? I wasn't an expert on dating. Jake was my first and only serious relationship. Sure, I've been with guys back in Arizona while I was in college, but I never thought anything of them. They weren't exactly the brightest bulbs in the pack, so I never developed any serious flirting skills. I was quite terrible at flirting.

"But you have to admit, the hairstyle I picked for you doesn't exactly hurt your situation. I told you it would look hot! You can thank me later," Alice admired as she stroked my newly cut, washed, and styled long brown curls. She always liked to brag whenever she was right.

"Oh, stop it," I replied sarcastically, pulling my hair away from her. I was a creature of habit, and for having the same hairstyle for half of my life, I actually liked this new look. I didn't think I'd like the bangs, but I had to admit, they looked pretty decent. Damn Alice and her sense of style. She was always quite the fashionista. She would constantly insist on dressing me up and giving me a makeover, but I always protested to being her giant Barbie doll. I had to remind myself why I didn't let her do this to me all the time.

"You like the length right? I knew you loved your long hair, so I asked them not to cut too much off," Alice fretted as she twisted my head this way and that.

"It's fine," I insisted as she continued to survey my hair.

"Really Alice," I half laughed, "Stop it. It's fine, I love it. I'm actually surprised you didn't pry the scissors out of the poor stylist's hands while she was cutting my hair to do it yourself!"

Alice's mouth was twisted up thoughtfully while she fingered my curls one more time, "You're right. It looks great. Am I good or what?"

"No really, stop before your head gets too big for your tiny little shoulders," I smiled at my adorable best friend.

Alice's twinkling laughed filled the air as she elegantly twirled around on the crowded sidewalk with her face turned up towards the gray sky. I loved that about her, she was so fun-loving and carefree. "So what's the plan for tonight?" Alice asked with a bright smile.

"Well," I sighed hesitantly, knowing she would throw a fit, "I was actually thinking about going to the gym. I just need—"

"Isabella! You are not going to the gym after you just had your hair styled, a facial, and a fresh mani-pedi!" Alice stomped her foot stubbornly, earning herself some stares from a few strangers.

"Look, I'll be careful! I just need some time to relax. I wasn't going to do anything strenuous, just some yoga or pilates maybe…" I pleaded with her.

"Nope," Alice said, popping the "p", as she grabbed my wrist.

I groaned in protest but yielded anyway. I knew there was no fighting her. She would probably trap me in her apartment with unhealthy sweets and a chick flick. She even tried to bribe me with Trophy Cupcakes—like a mother would tell her crying child. She knew their cupcakes were my one weakness, that evil pixie! I complained the entire way—even attempting to make a run for it more than a few times—but she had a surprisingly strong grip and continued to drag me all the way to her car.

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"You can do this Bella, you can do this…" I chanted to myself over and over again. I had probably been sitting in my car for a good ten minutes giving myself a pep talk.

It was only a matter of time before someone tapped on my window. Or worse, it would be Alice tapping on my window. It really wasn't her fault, I had asked her to help me get back at Edward. But she did force me to put on these damn four inch stilettos and the black dress that was probably shorter than regulation length. In her defense, it's actually cute. But she'd probably look a million times better in it than I ever would. It was too fashion forward for me, with its form fitting structure, high collared neckline, and ruffles.

You asked for this, Bella. Now stop being a coward and grow a backbone!

"Bella, what the hell are you doing?" I groaned at the familiar muffled voice outside my window. She had found me. I sighed dismally and got out of my car, pouting like a two year old. Alice giggled at my expression.

"Oh, stop it. You look hot!" She clucked excitedly.

"The dress is too tight, and the heels—Alice, they're a death trap!" I exclaimed, taking one off and shoving it in her face. "I will surely trip and my genius operation will fail."

"Relax," Alice sighed, pushing my hand away, "It's like a pencil skirt, it's supposed to be tight. And like I said, you look hot. You'll be perfectly fine today, okay? Some confidence, please," She took my shoe and placed it back on my foot.

"See! All better now. And your hair looks super cute. It's not too over the top, but not too plain—just natural. You should curl it like this more often," Alice smiled at me widely. She could instill confidence in anyone with a simple compliment and a flash of her pearly whites. No wonder she was so good at her job.

"Come on," I grumbled, "Let's just get this over with."

"That's the spirit!"

We made our way out of the parking garage and into the expansive lobby. The loud sound of my heels clicking on the hard floor echoed against the marbled walls and reminded me to be cautious. If these shoes didn't kill me first they'd surely gauge someone's eyes out. On our way up in the elevator, Alice expertly applied a fresh coat of lipstick on me, in spite of my objection. The elevators dinged ominously and opened to my floor.

"Good luck," Alice practically shoved me out, "I'll stop by later. You'll have the boys eating out of the palm of your hand, or rather, you-know-who," She winked at me before the elevator doors clanged shut. I blinked and gave myself few seconds to gather up my senses.

After I had unofficially declared war on Edward Cullen, I began preparing myself for my first operation. In this war, the weapons weren't missiles or firearms; they were the newest hairstyles, high heels, and flirty dresses. You didn't defeat your enemy by wounding them physically; you had to charm your way into their arms and under their skin. Edward didn't think I could have any man I wanted, huh? I'll sure prove him wrong. With a new surge of confidence, I strode toward my office. I wasn't sure how I did it, but I thanked all that is holy for allowing me to walk without so much of a stumble. I even earned a few whistles from some bystanders.

They weren't being sarcastic… They weren't being sarcastic…

As I rounded the corner, I spotted my target not too far away talking to a few coworkers with his back turned to me. Perfect! I'd have to walk past them to get to my office. He'll never see me coming. There was no doubt it was Edward—tall, slender, signature bronze, messy sex-hair, designer suit, muscled, fit as hell…

Stop! You're supposed to dazzle him, remember?

I shook my head, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. "Alright, Mr. Perfect," I whispered to myself, "prepare to eat your words."

Primping my hair and straightening my dress out one last time, I commenced my first operation. Putting on an air of confidence, I strutted to my office with my chin held high. I felt myself wobble, but thankfully I didn't fall. For once I was trying to cause a scene. Normally I left that to the attention starved secretaries and interns. But now it was my turn. A silence fell over the group as I walked by, and I knew I was turning heads. I hoped it was in a good way.

"Ms. Swan," Edward's low, velvety voice called out to me. I tried to ignore how extremely sexy he sounded and stopped in my tracks. A smug smile crept over my face.

Yes, I've got you now!

I turned around leisurely to face the group. Among them was Jessica, who was gaping at me, Tyler, who was unashamedly looking me up and down, and Mike, who just stared at me in shock, as well as a few others I recognized from around the office. I saved the best for last. Edward looked me straight in the eyes with his arms crossed and half of his mouth turned up in an arrogant crooked grin.

That cocky bastard…

"Yes, Mr. Cullen?"I replied politely.

"Are you sure it's safe for you to be wearing what you are?" Edward cocked his head to the side, still wearing that sexy, heartbreaking crooked grin of his. I prayed and hoped that this was his way of flirting.

"I'm sorry?" I asked, blinking in confusion, trying to play up the innocence.

"I have some very important documents and family heirlooms on my desk, so try not to trip around there. You were clearly over estimating your abilities when you put on those shoes. In heels that high, you're a hazard to the entire office," Edward taunted as his grin turned to a full blown wicked smile. The group broke into hushed laughs and snickers, it didn't help I already had a reputation as the office klutz.

I quietly chuckled—making sure to look Edward straight in his bright green eyes and giving him a genuinely fake smile—before turning around and proceeding down the hall. I could feel Edward's gaze boring into the back of my head all the way to my office. After I had my door closed and I knew I was safe, I sunk down on the floor and cursed to myself.

Operation one: failed.

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My plan had backfired. Edward made sure to mock and torture me every chance he got. He had me running around the entire building all morning gathering documents and running errands. I even began to wonder if he was just making them up to increase my chances of seriously injuring myself. I knew I was going to have painful blisters by morning. It didn't matter, I had to take on the workload whether I wanted to or not. Stupid insensible boss from hell…

Nearing lunch time, I bustled around my office preparing Edward's folder for the one o'clock meeting. Having organized it perfectly, I proudly gathered his files up and headed for his office. As I reached my door, it opened abruptly and I fell backwards dropping all of the papers. Of course.

"Oh gosh, I'm sorry Bella!" Jessica's shrill voice exclaimed.

At least it was just Jess, I thought bitterly as I gritted my teeth and began to scoop up the scattered files. Jessica bent down to help me as she repeatedly uttered apologizes.

"It's alright Jess," I sighed, picking up the last piece of paper, "Did you need something?"

"Oh! Yes, sorry. I almost forgot," Jessica laughed, helping me up from the floor. "You have a special delivery. It's at my desk," She winked at me.

"I…wait. What?"

Jessica smiled and nodded eagerly. That could only mean one thing.

"By the way, I think you look great in that dress," Jessica squealed before leaving me alone. She was an expert at sucking up so I wasn't sure if she was telling the truth or not.

I dropped the papers on my desk and went to get my "special" delivery. Sitting obnoxiously atop Jessica's desk was an oversized arrangement of roses in an expensive looking glass vase. There were a lot of roses. Maybe two dozen, though I'd rather not count. And they were red. There was no way I could pass it off as a gift from a relative. I didn't exactly like getting flowers. Sure they were pretty at first, but afterwards you just leave them on your counter to rot away and die and stink up your apartment.

There was a low impressed whistle behind, "Holy shit…"

Tyler stood behind me with wide eyes. "Who are they from?" Mike inquired, poking his head from around him. I shrugged my shoulders. Jessica came back to her desk and fervently admired the bouquet. Great, I was gathering a crowd.

"Well, aren't you going to read the card?" Jessica asked, eyeing the arrangement. I could tell it was taking a tremendous amount of self control on her part to not grab the card herself. Truth is, I was afraid to read it. Hesitantly, I plucked out the impending piece of paper stuck in the arrangement. I immediately recognized Jacob's scrawled handwriting. There were only two words scribed on it:

I'm sorry.

That means he had gone to the shop personally. I blinked once in shock. Am I dreaming? Were these really from Jake? They had to be. I knew his handwriting… A low chuckle interrupted my thoughts.

"Someone have a secret admirer?" Edward stood there with arms crossed and a raised eyebrow. The crowd began to thin and soon it was just me, Jessica, and Edward.

"I hate getting flowers," I exaggerated, sticking the card back into the plastic fork.

Jessica stared at me as if I were mentally unstable. Edward just laughed quietly, shaking his head. "And why don't you enjoy getting flowers?" He asked.

"Simple. Flowers are temporary, bothersome, and unoriginal. It's an artificial and meaningless way to express your feelings for someone," I shrugged. Jessica continued to stare at me strangely.

"I'd rather get a potted plant. At least they last longer," I continued, scooting the arrangement closer to me and preparing to heave it all the way to my office. It was rather heavy, I wondered if the vase was real crystal. Edward pushed me aside and swept up the entire thing effortlessly.

"Thanks," I muttered disgruntled. Show off.

Edward was silent, wearing a smug grin the entire way to my office. I cleared a spot on my shelf and gestured for him to set it down. "Great," I sighed, "now I have something to stare at for the rest of the week."

"So who are they from?" Edward asked as he ran his long fingers along the surface of the crystalline vase.

"Someone's nosy. Why do you care, anyway?" I murmured almost to myself.

He snatched up the card and scanned over it with his inquisitive green eyes. He snorted and threw it back onto the shelf. "Looks like he's feeling really sorry, are you going to call him now and tell him he's forgiven?" Edward mocked, leaning against the wall.

"No," I snapped angrily, "I don't care how many flowers he sends me. He can't expect me to automatically go running back into his arms."

Edward chuckled softly, "See, that's the attitude you should've had. Play hard to get. Make him work for your love and attention."

"Yeah, thanks for the advice, a bit late now, huh?" I sunk into my chair.

Edward paced around my tiny office, with his hands casually placed in his pockets, seeming to look at all the insignificant details. I didn't have very much in here, the only personal items being framed pictures of my mom, dad, and Alice and I. I had the picture of Jake swiftly removed. Edward had his eyebrows pinched in—his signature thinking face—and his full lips were pursed. His cute, soft, kissable…

"I never noticed how small your office is," Edward mused, his smooth voice interrupting my train of thought. "Ever think about moving?"

"Huh? No! I like it. It's simple. I don't need much in here. I would never move, so don't even think about it."

"You're an interesting woman, Ms. Swan," Edward snickered, "And very stubborn." He walked by my desk on his way out and tapped the still shuffled mess of files, "These better be done soon, or you won't get a lunch."