I own nothing. Thanks to Karen & Kitty for prereading they got this back so fast I flove those ladies!

Chapter 10

I was tired, nervous, excited and just a little bit grumpy due to lack of sleep, but I was ready. Ready for my chance with MTV, ready for Saturday to arrive and bring the whole concept of my show to life—with Edward's help of course. I was also more than ready to see Edward again for other reasons entirely, but what they were I was still having trouble figuring out.

Was I attracted to Edward? Absolutely.

Had I wanted him to kiss me in the park? Definitely.

Could I see myself making that step from friends to more than friends?

Well, that was the question I had no answer for.

I was still struggling to define who I really was. On one hand I was a thirty two year old successful woman with pretty much everything I'd wished for since I was a kid. I was friends and business partners with the most popular girl in school—someone I'd idolized for years. I had money, a nice apartment, more designer clothes than I knew what to do with, and I got to attend glamorous parties and rub shoulders with people like Madonna. I also got to call Carlisle Cullen—the boy of my dreams—my boyfriend. Like I said, pretty much everything a girl could ever want.

However, thanks to a reason I couldn't begin to understand, I had no memory of the last sixteen years and to me I was still a high school geek so very desperate to fit in and with only one friend. Now, that friend was a thirty two year old man who was still the sweet, caring boy I knew but with muscles, beautiful green eyes, and so much more. In Edward's company I felt like the Bella I was familiar with and not like a stranger imposing on people I had no idea how to act around.

The more I tried to make sense of it—to understand what was really going on in my mind—the more confused I became.

The door to my office opened and Rosalie popped her head inside. "Sorry, Bella, but Ms. Platt is insisting on you joining her for lunch. I've told her you specifically asked not to be disturbed, but she was adamant."

"She's here?" I whispered, but Rose shook her head and I sighed in relief. The office floor was covered in my notes for the photo shoot tomorrow. "I'll go, Rose, it's fine. Just let me know where I'm supposed to meet her and when. I'm just fussing over the small details before tomorrow—it's certainly not worth angering Esme."

"I'll tell Her Highness you'll be there. She wants to meet you at Venus Restaurant in an hour, so I'll have a car ready to take you." She went to leave but I stopped her.

"It's a nice day, Rose, I'll just walk there. I remember seeing that place on my way home and it isn't far from here. I don't think I'll come back afterwards, so when I leave you might as well go home, too."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded, and started packing away all my things. "No point you waiting around here with nothing to do. You're still coming to help tomorrow morning, right?"

"Of course." She grinned. "I can't wait to see this photographer and see what it is about him that makes you smile like you do."

I frowned; totally unaware I did anything like that. "Huh?"

"Oh don't play coy with me, girl. You only need to hear the name Edward and you look like you won the lotto."

"I do? Wow, I didn't realize."

"I guess there must be something about those Cullen brothers that appeals to you, Bella." She was laughing to herself as she closed the door to my office.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Swan. Ms. Platt hasn't arrived yet, but your usual table is ready for you."

I followed the host to a small table right in the middle of the very busy restaurant. "We always sit here?" I asked him and he nodded with a strange look of confusion on his face. "Why? Surely, everyone can hear every word we say if we sit here?"

"I think that's the point, Ms. Swan," he said quietly. "Ms. Platt always insists on this table."

"Yeah, of course," I muttered glumly. "Sounds about right for Her Highness."

I sat down and ordered a glass of champagne and then, as I drank that straight back before the waiter even had chance to leave the table, I told him to bring another one out to me. This lunch was going to be intolerable so maybe a little alcohol might help.

I was almost finished with the entire bottle that now sat on the table when Esme finally made her appearance looking as perfect as always. She sauntered through the restaurant attracting sideward glances from just about every guest and boy did she revel in the attention.

"Sorry I'm late, Bella, my meeting with Daddy and Paris ran much longer than we thought. She loved my ideas for the show and has persuaded her father to come on board as another sponsor… that is going to give us some serious power with MTV."

"Paris?"

With an exasperated sigh, Esme answered, "Paris who? This act is getting really tiring, Bella. I had lunch with Paris Hilton and I shouldn't have to and will not elaborate more than that." She waited for me to react, but I just shrugged and had another drink. She gave the now empty bottle on the table a look of disgust, and then leaned forward to whisper, "Speaking of MTV, we need to talk about the meeting with them. I got a call from Alec's assistant telling me they'd pushed it back again but refused to say why and then I heard that you went out to dinner with the man himself the night before I got the call. Call me crazy, but I suspect that was your doing."

I chuckled to myself as I realized this conversation was one she most definitely did not want anybody hearing. "I needed more time," I said simply, waving the waiter over again. "I wanted to make sure everything was perfect and so I asked Alec if we could reschedule. You were the one who wanted me to get involved with the guy, Esme. You wanted us to have someone from MTV in our pockets to help us at times like this, so I was merely making the most of the relationship I've built with him. Besides, why does it matter to you when the meeting is?"

"Lower your voice," she hissed, glancing around the restaurant nervously. "Why wouldn't it matter to me? I'm a fundamental part of this company, Bella. I work as hard as you do."

I laughed loudly. "You are kidding? What contribution did you make to the presentation, Esme? I worked on that myself with Rose the only person who offered any help. You just get to put your name to it once it's finished. Just relax, I know what I'm doing, and if you just leave me alone to get on with it, you'll have the contract in the bag by this time next week."

"I don't know what the hell is with you lately, Bella, but I'm telling you now to drop this naïve act you've got going on. You need to start spending time with the real friends in your life and remember who you are. Whatever this thing is with Edward and him being back in your all of a sudden, is changing you… and not in a good way. We may have been partners for all these years, but if you fuck this up for me, you and I are done. I'm the face of Empire D'Esme, I can survive without the show—can you?"

"If that's the case, Esme, then why the hell are you so damned worried?" I was shouting and probably slurring, but it felt great. "If you think you could do a better job without me then go ahead and make your own presentation next week. Let's see who come out on top then shall we? Look, I don't know what kind of doormat I've been for the last sixteen years, but I deserve more respect from you and daddy." I stood up quickly. "I have to go."

I giggled uncontrollably as I wobbled out of the restaurant, knowing everyone was now gaping at a mortified Esme. I suspected this kind of attention she didn't like and that made me laugh even more.

"You didn't!" Rose screeched as I told her exactly what had happened the previous afternoon. She'd arrived at my apartment before anybody else. "What I wouldn't give to have seen that."

"I'd been waiting for her a while, so I think the champagne gave me the courage to actually say it." I was nursing a headache and a very delicate stomach, but the memory of Esme's face was crystal clear in my mind.

Rose's expression turned serious and she said, "As much as I think you're doing a great job finally standing up to her, Bella. Please be careful. I don't trust that woman at all and with her father as your main investor she can make things difficult for you. Play your cards smartly and most important… keep them close to your chest until you do decide to play them."

"I know, Rose, and I appreciate everything you've done for me." I gave her a hug and then the doorbell rang. I danced over to the door and answered it excitedly, expecting to see Edward. I'd given him the code for the gate and informed security that he was arriving so he could come straight up to the apartment. I tried not to let the disappointment show when I saw Alice and who I presumed was her fiancé. He was good looking with blonde hair and much taller than Alice, but that wouldn't be hard—most people were taller than Alice. In fact, they were a great looking couple and I just knew the photos would look great.

"Hi, Bella, this is Jasper," Alice introduced us to each other and then I took them to meet Rosalie.

"So we're just waiting for the photographer?" Rose asked and I nodded. "Well, we could just have a little rehearsal while we wait? Let's go downstairs and show the bride and groom what we need and when Edward arrives we can get going?"

"Sounds good," I said sadly. I'd hoped he'd be here first so we could get at least a few minutes to talk alone. The almost kiss was the last time I'd seen him and I needed to know it wasn't going to be weird.

When we got out into the gardens, Alice gushed about the set up I'd spent most of last night preparing. I'd arranged a few potted plants and several flower arrangements around a tree which overhung the path and then rolled out a red carpet we'd used at several of our events. I'd placed a few white chairs around the centrepiece for Rose and one or two other "guests" to sit on to make the scene more realistic.

"This is so pretty," she said to me.

"I know I said it was going to be a big wedding, but I just couldn't secure anywhere at such short notice." I pointed to the overhanging tree with white blossom about ready to start falling. "I thought that would be a perfect place for the actual ceremony… and I have an idea that I think would work afterwards, but we'll only get one shot at that. I thought someone could try and shake the tree so the white blossom falls on you two like confetti only without anyone around to interrupt. I know it sounds corny and messy and Edward might hate it for a shot but-"

"Edward thinks it sounds like a great idea if we can catch it just right."

I spun around and saw Edward standing at the end of the red carpet and my stomach flipped a thousand times. "Edward," I said with a huge sigh of relief. "You're here."

"Hey," he said, a little more at ease than the last time we'd spoken. "Sorry I'm late, my car wouldn't start."

"It's fine," I told him. "We were just running through everything with Alice and Jasper—our bride and groom for the weekend. How are you?"

"Good." He looked over my shoulder and smiled. "I think Bella's forgotten we've never met, so it's probably best if I introduce myself. I'm-"

"Edward Cullen, incredibly talented photographer, Bella's absolute best friend in the entire world and someone I've been waiting patiently to meet since you've reappeared in her world." Rosalie stepped forward and shook Edward's hand and then looked deliberately between Edward and me. "Now I get the smile, which is back right now by the way, Bella."

"Huh?" he asked but she just shook her head and laughed.

"That's Rose, my assistant," I told him, blushing furiously. "And as my assistant, Rose, shouldn't you be getting me a coffee or something?"

"She's a little hung over and grouchy," she said to Edward. "Handle her with care."

Edward chuckled and suggested we make a start. "We've got nice weather forecasted for today so I thought we should go for the outdoor scenes first. Tomorrow we can do the other ones from inside your apartment and then if you still want to do them… inside your office."

"Inside your office?" Rose asked. "You aren't serious?"

"Well, of course not my office," I said and saw her relax briefly, "But from inside the conference room."

"Are you nuts?" she asked. "What if Esme sees you?"

"We just need a few pictures for the meeting and planning process, Rose. Me sitting down with Alice and Jasper planning their day. It won't take more than an hour and you and I both know there's no chance of Esme being anywhere near the office on a Sunday. She can barely make it in five days a week as it is. Trust me, Rose, we'll be fine."

She didn't say anything else, so I knew she didn't agree with what we were doing but I also knew that she'd help us regardless. I took Alice and Jasper back up to my apartment to change into their wedding outfits while Rose helped Edward set up his stuff.

I'd "borrowed" an old white gown from the wardrobe department for Alice. It was something used by a guest of our party a few years back, but it was pretty enough for what we had planned. Jasper's suit was also "borrowed" but from Rose's son who was just about Jasper's size. I'd about blown my budget just making sure I paid Edward enough money to agree to help me, so the rest of the shoot was done for as little as I could manage.

As soon as the bride and groom were ready, I handed over to Edward. He had my plans and from the very beginning executed them perfectly. I watched as he adjusted the smallest details to make the biggest difference. Like the position of a flower, or the tilt of Alice's tiara, so it reflected the sunlight in the right direction.

I'd had the privilege of watching him do this once before—but from a distance. Getting to see him now, up close and without interruption was captivating. He was so focused, so passionate about what he did and it showed in every way possible. I was barely aware that Rosalie was standing next to me, and she knew it.

"He's good," she whispered, making me jump.

"I told you," I said, without taking my eyes from him.

"You didn't tell me how handsome he was."

I shrugged. "To me he's just Edward."

"Bullshit, girl."

"Rose, please."

"I don't care who he was in high school, Bella, he's a hottie now and no woman could fail to notice that. You haven't taken your eyes from him all morning."

"I love watching him work," I argued feebly. "Besides, I'm dating his brother."

"Ever wonder why you two were always so on and off? Maybe it's because you knew you chose the wrong Cullen."

"Please, Rose, not now. I'm going out on a date with Carlisle tonight. Maybe we've been on and off all these years because neither of us was ready for more? I had my career to focus on, and Carlisle… he had… he did… well, I don't really know what he did going on but he's obviously been busy."

"I think the tides are changing for you, Bella, in more ways than one. You are not the same girl now; everything about you is evolving right in front of my eyes and maybe what you want is changing too."

I didn't answer, because I really had no idea what I wanted or who I wanted to be. I was back to that same point again—choosing between two versions of myself. One that I always wanted to be and one I always wanted to get away from.

I continued watching Edward, and when I looked down at my watch I couldn't believe the time, the house had flown by and it was almost time to finish for the day; we literally hadn't stopped. Alice and Jasper seemed to be having a lot of fun, and watching them giggle and kiss each other lovingly made me even more certain that my idea was a good one. This show could be about giving people a chance to do something they always wanted but could never do themselves.

"You're up, Bella," Edward shouted.

"What for?" I asked, and he indicated to the branch.

"I need you up there so you can shake it."

"What?" I shrieked and he grinned. "I can't climb the tree!"

"You can't stand in the shot and do it, but if you go up onto the second branch I won't get you in the frame but you can make the blossom fall." He walked over to me and held out his hand. "Come on, Spider Monkey, let's go climbing."

I took his hand and delighted in that all too familiar sensation that literally swamped my entire body whenever he touched me and knew that in moments like this he could probably get me to agree to anything he asked.

I pretended to be a little more in need of his help to get up the tree than I actually was, and he seemed more than happy to assist. I even had to stifle a ridiculously girly giggle when I felt his hand on my ass as he pushed me up.

"Okay, we only get one shot so let's make sure we get it perfect for Bella," he winked and gave me his signature crooked smile and I returned it with a beaming grin of my own. "On my count, Bella, slowly shake the branches. Rose, if you could hold the fan just there and turn it on when I gave you the thumbs up, and the new Mr and Mrs. Whitlock just smile like you've married the love of your life. Okay, guys, three… two… one."

I shook gently on the branches and watched as the blossom started to fall and then swirl in the air around Alice and Jasper. They smiled at the camera, at each other and then kissed before the final petals fell to the floor. From my line of sight it looked great, but I was anxious to see how it looked on camera.

"Well?" I asked Edward nervously as he flicked back through the display on his camera. "Did it work?"

"You'll just have to wait and see won't you?" he teased and walked back to the tree to help me down. "We'll finish for the day today and start same time tomorrow?"

"Sure," I said, a little dejected. I didn't want him to leave, but leave he did with a friendly shout of goodbye to the others and a wonderfully warm smile and a hug just for me.

"We'll help you tidy up around here," Rose offered but I shook my head.

"I've got it, Rose. You've been amazing today. If you could just help Alice out of her dress and then you guys can all go home. We've got more to do tomorrow."

"It's been so much fun," Alice said. "I've loved every second of it."

"Thank you for doing this," I said to her. "I'll make sure you get some photos of the wedding… they'd be great to look back on and Edward is so amazing trust me, you'll almost believe it actually happened."

"He's something special," Rose agreed. "I'll be back here first thing again, and I'll put in a call to a security guard at the office just to see if he can help us out a little before our sneaky expedition to the conference room."

"You're a star, Rose," I said and hugged her tightly.

"I know I am," she said with a laugh. "Are you sure I can't help you?"

"Go, I need a few minutes to myself anyway to think about some stuff."

I waved to my little team of helpers one more time and then sat down on the floor underneath the tree I'd just climbed and picked up a handful of the blossom and threw it up in the air.

"You okay?" Edward was back and he pointed to a lens cap on one of the chairs. "I forgot something."

"Oh," I stood up and brushed a few petals from my trousers. "Yeah, I'm fine. I was just thinking how great today has been."

"It was a lot of fun," he agreed. "I like working with you."

"You really are talented, Edward. Watching you was incredible."

"It was all your vision, Bella. You gave me great ideas to follow, and that makes it easy for me."

"Don't be so modest, you deserve more credit." I wanted to ask him to stay with me. Maybe we could go out for a coffee or dinner? I'd take anything just to get him to stay, so after taking a deep breath, I blurted out, "Do you want to hang out?"

"Don't you have a date with my brother tonight?" he asked with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Crap, I forgot about that," I said, instantly frustrated. "How did you know?"

"I called Mom yesterday and she told me he was back from his latest vacation and was seeing you tonight."

"Oh," I mumbled. "I was thinking about cancelling anyway."

"Why?" he asked and walked closer to me, making my heart race.

"Honestly?" I said and he nodded. "I have no idea what I'm doing, Edward—about anything. I mean the old me wanted this more than anything else and I've been involved with him for years but I don't remember any of it."

"So?"

"So?" I said, a little hysterically. "Apart from the fact I'm so confused about other… um… other things right now, I also feel like the sixteen year old loser Bella going on a date with the guy who was always way out of her league. I'm going out with someone for what is probably the thousandth time yet at the same time it's my first ever date. For crying out loud I've never even kissed a guy before, Edward, so I can't even begin to tell you how freakin' scared I am about what he expects of me and what I expect of myself."

Edward's hand clamped over my mouth and he whispered, "Ssh," softly to me. I was almost hyperventilating; my heart was drumming in my chest. "Just relax, Bella, before you pass out on me."

I nodded once, and took a few deep breaths through my nose, keeping my eyes firmly fixed on his face. He reached up with his free hand and picked a few rogue petals from my hair, smiling as he did, before looking back down at me and moving his hand from my mouth. "Close your eyes."

Without questioning why, I did as he asked, assuming he was still trying to calm me down. I felt his finger touch my chin and tilt my head up slightly, and before I could figure out what was happening, I felt the softest, sweetest touch of something on my lips.

My slowing heart began beating faster than ever and it was almost as though I was floating in mid-air. I didn't dare move an inch, just in case I was dreaming this moment and prayed it would last forever. Edward's hands held my face, pulling me closer to him and each soft kiss left me desperate for more. I reached for him with my own hands and held him tightly, never wanting to let go.

Unfortunately much too quickly, he did pull away, but rested his head gently on mine. My eyes fluttered open to see him gazing back at me with a smile on his face. His hands closed around mine and then he said quietly, "Now you've had your first kiss."

I'm sooooo sorry this took so long, I won't bore you with reasons but I will definitely fiish this, I just can't promise a schedule right now

Thanks for reading and reviewing—I love hearing what you think!

TTFN

Katy

xxx