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EPOV

"Edward, you're fucking pining!" Emmett said and punched my shoulder.

"Fuck off, Emmett!" I punched him back.

Emmett opened his mouth to say something else but Jasper cut in.

"Drop it, Em."

Emmett grabbed his beer and took a long swig. "I'm just sayin'," he said morosely.

"Well say it in a less public place. Now isn't the time," Jasper continued. We were sitting in a local restaurant having a 'civilized' meal as none of us felt like cooking dinner.

"We need to discuss the bet," Jasper said after a few moments of silence.

"What bet? As far as you two are concerned, the bet is already fucked…" Emmett stated. "Why the bloody hell did you have to go and be all noble? Confessing to Alice…" Emmett shook his head in disappointment.

"I couldn't lie to her. I really care about Alice and Bella is her best friend. It wasn't right what we were doing. Haven't you told Rose?" Jasper asked him.

I lifted my head up so I could look at Emmett when he answered. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I didn't have to. Your fucking girlfriend did!"

"Language Emmett! Christ!" Jasper exclaimed. "And don't talk about Alice that way. She did nothing wrong."

Good thing we were sitting in a remote corner of the restaurant.

"She had no business telling Rose!" Emmett argued.

"They're best friends! Of course she was going to tell her!" Jasper argued back.

"Then why didn't she tell Bella too? Then we'd all be suffering equally! Instead, Eddie over there gets to just carry on like none of this happened!"

Jasper's eyes grew wide and he went silent. He looked at Emmett then across the table to me. He wasn't getting in the middle of this one.

I drew in a deep breath and looked at my brother. "If you think for one second I'm not suffering you are fucking mental," I said coldly. "What is your idea of suffering anyways? Rosalie won't let you in her pants?"

"Don't you dare-"

"No, don't you dare! Are your feelings for Rosalie so superficial that your suffering is purely physical?" I didn't wait for him to answer. "Well mine aren't! This may have started off as a god damn bet, but now it's serious. Don't think for one second that my suffering is any less substantial than yours. I have to tell Bella she was the target of an idiotic college bet and take the chance at losing the one girl that's ever meant anything to me."

I was seething. I waited for him to answer this time and when he didn't I continued. "Ya, the bet is off. I lost. I don't give a shit. If you want to hold me to my end of the bargain that's fine. Because if I lose Bella, I could care less if I ever look at another woman, much less have meaningless sex with one!"

I got up from the table, threw some cash down on it and walked away.

I can't lose her. Not like this…

*****

I was sitting on the steps of our back porch when I heard the patio door slide open. I wasn't looking forward to another confrontation with my brother.

"Hey," Jasper said. "Mind if I sit down?"

I shook my head. I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to sooth away my tension.

"Fuck, Jazz, am I crazy?" I asked him.

"What do you mean?"

"I've only know Bella for two weeks and I'm already professing my love for her to her best friend and fighting with my own brother over her."

Jasper thought for a moment. "Well, if you're crazy, then I'm crazy too. I know exactly how you feel. I've known Alice just as long, but man, after that kiss at the club…"

"Ya, that was some kiss," I said and chuckled.

"Fucking life altering, I'd say. I'm going to marry that girl. Tell me that doesn't sound crazy," he replied quietly.

I didn't answer.

"Look, Edward, sometimes people just have a connection. Some people get lucky and find that person they're meant to be with. I know that's how it is for Alice and I. I can see that's how it is for you and Bella, too."

"Bella…" I sighed her name and hung my head in my hands. Jasper sensed where my thoughts were headed, as he usually did.

"You're doing the right thing, Edward," Jasper said.

I nodded.

"I'm sorry for my part in all of this."

"Why are you sorry? It's not like you knew any of this would happen," I answered.

"I know, but still…you were starting to be…well you again. It was nice. I feel like I haven't seen the real you since Tanya."

"Are you seriously bringing her up right now?" I asked incredulously.

"I know, I know. But you have to admit, things changed because of Tanya. You changed because of Tanya."

"Would you stop saying her name! You've already said it three times, I feel like the witch is going to crawl out of a mirror now or something!"

Jasper was quiet for a moment and then he started laughing.

I couldn't help it, I laughed too.

"It's good to see you're able to find a laugh in this…But seriously, Edward. I miss you, the real you. I don't care what Emmett says. He might think being a…what do chicks call it-? A man whore?"

I cringed and nodded my head.

"Well Emmett might think that's still cool, but you and I both know that's not who you are. Tanya may not have wanted a smart boyfriend, but I think Bella would," Jasper said, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"I don't even know what Bella would want. I haven't had enough time to find out. I know I have to tell her but the thought of losing her already is…" I couldn't finish.

"I know. I thought for sure Alice was going to leave me when I told her, but boy does that little pixie have ways of making a man suffer!" he shook his head and whistled.

I snorted. I had faced her wrath on two occasions, and I could only imagine what Jasper was going through.

"Look, Tanya fucked you up, I get that. But don't be who she turned you into, be yourself. You have a lot to offer, regardless of what she said or how she made you feel about yourself. Be honest with yourself. Be honest with Bella. Just tell her how you feel. She's intelligent, I'm sure she'll understand."

"That's easy for you to say," I said and began rubbing my neck again.

"Trust me, Edward. It's for the best." He stood up and walked back into the house.

I sat there for a while longer just thinking. Was Jasper right? Did I have something worth while to offer Bella?

Tanya hadn't thought so.

She was two years older than I was. I was bumped into higher level courses in high school because my regular grade level courses weren't 'properly challenging' me according to my teachers. Tanya thought I was hot or whatever and she sort of inducted me into her crowd. I was incredibly shy in my new classes and I thought she really cared about me.

Famous last words…

She decided dating a 'brainiac' wasn't good for her image so she did her best to turn me into the boyfriend she thought she deserved. But when I couldn't chalk up to her expectations she told me I was 'useless and I'd never have anything offer a woman other than a proper fucking'.

Her words, not mine…

Thus, Man Whore On Campus emerged. Ya, some sob story. I'd hidden my smart self and apparently lost all rationale in the process.

Not anymore. Jasper was right. I did have something to offer Bella. I had myself. My real self. And if after I told her about the bet she still wanted me, I'd be the best Edward fucking Cullen I could be.

Not only for Bella, but for me.

Ahh…smart Edward was finding his way back….

BPOV

It had been a long four days. Now, as the plane descended, I thought back to the time I had spent in Phoenix. It was mostly a blur.

On Saturday Renee's husband Phil met me at the airport. We drove home in awkward silence. Renee met me at the door and pulled me into a rib-shattering embrace. We cried. Then I assumed my usual role as caretaker while Renee grieved.

Sunday was a blur. Renee's siblings arrived with their respective families. We ate, we drank, we told stories about grandma. I sat there in a daze, feeling a little guilty that while my family talked about her, I was thinking about Edward. Grandma and I had been close, I'm sure she wouldn't mind…

The funeral was on Monday. It was like any other funeral. I held Renee's hand through the entire ceremony, in an attempt to comfort her. I said goodbye to my grandmother, asking her to be with me and to watch over Renee. We buried her in a beautiful corner of the cemetery. There was a big tree that shaded her resting place. It was peaceful there. Somehow I found my own comfort in knowing Renee would sit in such a beautiful spot when she went to visit grandma.

Renee woke me Tuesday morning with a smile gracing her lips. She went with Phil and I to the airport. I hugged her fiercely before boarding the plane and promised to call her when I got home. I was glad to be going home. Although I was saddened by my grandmother's death I had decided to leave my grief in Phoenix.

The plane landed on the tarmac and coasted to a stop. I hoped Alice was already there waiting for me. I was anxious to get home so I could see Edward.

I took a deep breath as I exited the plane behind the other passengers. I walked through the terminal and made it through security then I headed over to the luggage corral to look for Alice. That's where she said she would meet me.

I walked through the throngs of people either on their way to catch a flight, or just exiting from one. I was worried Alice would get lost amongst this crowd. As I approached my flight's designated luggage area it seemed as though the crowd parted for him. He was there, leaning against the wall next to the luggage conveyor. He wore faded jeans, a white polo shirt, and the most gorgeous half smile I'd ever seen.

My heart quickened.

His eyes lit up when he spotted me. He casually pushed himself from the wall and took a few steps towards me. I took a few towards him. There was only five feet separating us. Five feet separating me from Edward.

Four days was a long damn time.

I dropped my carry on bag and rushed through the last five feet, flinging myself into his arms. It knocked him back a step and he chuckled as he wrapped his arms securely around me.

"I missed you," I said into the warmth of his chest. Relief at the ability to share my feelings with him flooded through me.

"Not as much as I missed you," he replied, kissing the top of my head.

"I definitely think I missed you more," I said playfully.

"Bella," he said taking my chin in his hand and titling my face up to him. "Don't fight me on this. I'm sure that I missed you more." I was ready for it. I was ready for the feeling of my heart nearly pounding out of my chest. I was ready for the flutters in my stomach. I was ready when he leaned down slowly and his lips, so soft and warm, finally met mine.

It was just an innocent kiss. He could very well have placed it on my cheek. I knew he was going slow for my benefit. I was sure he was worried about me. But I wanted to show him. I wanted to show him I was ok and that I was glad to be back in his arms. I took a chance…

I parted my lips slightly, indicating I wanted more.

"Bella," he sighed against my mouth. He pulled me more firmly against him and kissed me deeply. I melted into the kiss, into his arms. I completely forgot we were in an airport full of people. Even if I would have noticed, I wouldn't have cared.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and tangled my fingers in his hair.

God I'd been waiting to do that.

When he finally broke the kiss we both stood there for a moment, just looking into each other's eyes.

"I still think I missed you more," I whispered.

He smirked and shook his head. "Come on, let's get you home." He walked over and picked up my bag. Then we waited to pick up my suitcase. While we were standing there he silently slipped his hand in mine and squeezed it gently.

When my suitcase came around Edward grabbed it and we headed out of the airport to his car.

"So how come you picked me up today? Was Alice busy?" I asked. Then I hastily added, "Not that I mind, I'm glad you came to get me." Then I squeezed his hand again.

He chuckled. "No Alice wasn't busy."

I looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"She was going to come and get you but I convinced her to let me come instead," he said and shrugged.

"You convinced Alice to do something she wanted to do? How the hell did you manage that?" I asked incredulously.

"Well, I might have promised her that I'd tell Jasper he looked good in the clothes she picked out for him," he said and busted out laughing.

We had reached his car and he opened the passenger door for me. Then he threw my bags in the backseat and got in next to me.

"Jasper's been a little…self conscious in the stuff she got for him. So, I traded her a lifetime of compliments on Jasper's new attire for picking you up today." He winked as he started the car.

"Ouch. That's a steep bargain. Are you sure it's worth it?" I asked. Then I blushed when I realized what I had said.

He put his hand on the back of my seat and leaned over, his face mere inches from mine. "Bella, you're always worth it. Don't ever think otherwise." He gently brushed the tip of his nose against mine and then placed a light kiss on it.

You're worth it too, Edward. Worth knocking down my carefully and securely built walls for…

I smiled and watched as he started the car and drove us back home.

*****

Edward pulled up in my driveway and parked the car. He got out and came around to open my door for me. He took my hand so I wouldn't trip over my own feet. He already knew me well.

We grabbed my bags and carried them inside, dropping them next to the front door.

"It feels good to be home," I said and flopped down onto the couch.

"I bet," Edward said. He sat down on the edge of the couch and looked at me with a strange expression on his face.

We sat awkwardly in silence for a few moments, then he began to speak.

"Bella, there's something I really need to talk to you about," he said hesitantly.

The expression on his face scared me a little. "What is it, Edward? Is everything ok?"

"Bella-"

There was a crash at the front door and we both flew up off the couch. My mouth hung open in shock. Jasper came through the door into the living room carrying Alice. They were so entangled in each other they didn't even notice us.

It was the expression on Edward's face that did me in. I let out a shriek of laughter that nearly made Jasper drop Alice.

"Oh, uh, hi guys," Jasper said, clearly embarrassed.

"Hi Bella. Edward," Alice said, adjusting her top. She walked over and gave me a huge hug. "I missed you!"

"I bet you did," I said teasingly.

She blushed. "So, um, how was your trip? How is Renee doing?"

"Everyone is doing ok," I replied. We made some small talk while Edward talked quietly with Jasper.

"Why don't we have a girls night tonight?" Alice asked. "Then you can tell me all about it." She turned towards Jasper and Edward without waiting for my answer. "Alright boys, off you go." She shooed them towards the door.

Edward looked back at me over his shoulder. "I guess I'll talk to you later, Bella."

"Wait! What did you want to tell me?" I walked over to where he stood and waited for him to answer.

He looked at Alice and then back to me. "It's no big deal, Bella. It can wait." Then he kissed me on my cheek and walked out with Jasper.

Alice turned to me and smiled softly. "Come on, Bella. We have a lot to talk about."

I sighed. For the first time in years, Alice wasn't the person I wanted to be talking to. That thought not only scared me, it thrilled me to pieces.

Please, please review!

Oh, and another random question...after a discussion with my lovely beta I'm interested in what you guys think! Would Edward wear tighty whiteys or boxers? I know, I would prefer him in NO underpants, but if you had to choose...LOL! Let me know your thoughts!!