Disclaimer: All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 10: Barrels

I was up early on Tuesday. How could I not be?

I had a chance to get inside Edward Cullen's head for a day.

I combed through my closet and tried on several outfits before finally settling on jeans and gray boots. My top was casual and off the shoulder and matched the boots perfectly.

I drove to the restaurant with my nerves and curiosity piqued. I couldn't deny I was edgy in Edward's presence. Of course, until the night he came into the restaurant, he'd hardly given me the time of day, unless it was to insult me. Or it could have been the fact that I was ridiculously attracted to him and constantly struggled to keep it under wraps. Not that I'd done a great job at that since he already knew he had a starring role in my fantasies.

I grew up as only child. My dad always treated me as if the sun rose and set for me, but outside of that, I had to work for every bit of affection I got – every friend, every conversation. I enjoyed being social, but it didn't necessarily come naturally to me. As a result, I was quite insecure growing up. It seemed as if everyone else was so confident, while I sought approval.

I'd grown quite good at stepping outside my comfort zone and being assertive because my job demanded an outgoing personality. But deep inside, I was still the little girl fighting for everyone's approval. Edward was no exception.

Even though I didn't know him at all, I wanted him to think highly of me. Part of me recognized it was irrational, but it bothered me to no end that he had the wrong impression of me.

I arrived at Confidential and meticulously cleaned the glassware behind the bar to distract me while I waited for him to show up. I was early, but that didn't stop me from staring out the window anytime anyone pulled into the driveway.

He finally arrived, and though I'd been waiting for a while, he was right on time. My first thought when I saw him was how relaxed he looked - and how completely stunning. He wore jeans and had a leather jacket over a black long-sleeved shirt. He could have shown up in floods with a pocket protector, and he would still have looked gorgeous, but dressed as he was, he looked mouthwatering. I was simultaneously relaxed and tense. The nervous energy I felt in his presence was becoming familiar.

At least this time, I'd been invited to spend time with him.

He smiled when he saw me, and I left the bar to avoid attracting attention. My staff could be quite nosy, and I didn't feel like being the object of idle gossip.

"You look great," he said casually. I tried not to read too much into that, but it was hard. He'd have laughed if he knew just how much time I'd put into the deliberately carefree outfit I wore.

"Thanks, so do you." I faked confidence.

He placed his hand on the small of my back as I walked past him toward the door, which I quickly deduced was consistent with his formal manner, since he'd done it once before at Tra Vigne. Still, it made my stomach flip. I could certainly see why he attracted so many beautiful women. He had a way about him - a definitive confidence and swagger that few men possessed and few women could resist.

His car was more conservative than I would have thought a man like him would drive – a silver Volvo SUV. I was secretly glad it wasn't some flashy Porsche or something. I just didn't belong in something that showy, even if he would have looked perfectly normal.

Consistent with his gentlemanly manners, he opened the door for me, and I started to feel like this seemed more and more like a date. Even though he'd assured me that wasn't the case, his attentiveness wasn't something I was used to from other guys I'd dated, especially Peter.

Peter.

Oh God, what was I doing? I was acting as if he didn't exist. Even though I knew things wouldn't get better between us – how could they when I knew I wasn't in love with him – I still felt horrible.

I shook my head and chided myself. I wasn't doing anything wrong. Sure I thought Edward was attractive, but who wouldn't? He was empirically attractive, and I didn't think it should be held against him. Plenty of my friends were attractive, and I'd never given it a thought. Plus, he'd made it clear this wasn't a date, so there should be nothing to worry about.

"Is everything okay?" Edward asked, looking concerned as he fastened his seatbelt. "You seem like you're lost in thought."

I chuckled lightly. "God, I'm sorry. I'm a hot mess today. I've got a lot on my mind."

"Is that just today?" He glanced at me with a teasing look on his face. "I mean, you always seem to have a lot on your mind."

"Hey, you're the one who's so intense all the time," I said lightly, trying to take the attention off me.

He smiled and turned his attention back to the road. "I guess I can see why you'd think that." He was thinking something but wasn't saying it; I could tell by the change in his expression.

I unabashedly watched the way his tongue came out and licked his lips.

This isn't a date, I thought to myself.

"So, where are you taking me today?" I pulled my hair over my shoulder and played with it to give my hands something to do besides fidget.

He looked at me and flashed me an even bigger smile, which could have made my eighty-year-old grandmother swoon. "You'll see soon enough, Chef."

We drove for a few minutes before we came up to a familiar spot – his winery.

"You showing off?" I asked jokingly.

He put the car into park and turned in his seat, looking serious. "I hope you don't mind. I thought I'd show you the behind the scenes look. It's what I know best."

It was amazing to me how quickly his moods changed. It put me on edge again, and I stuttered in response. "No…uh…I don't mind at all. It actually sounds really interesting."

"Good. I'm glad you approve." Another beautiful smile graced his face. I smiled, shook my head in approval, and looked down to unbuckle my seat belt. I barely had time to register him exiting the car and moving around to open my door. He took my hand and led me through the main entrance.

As we started our tour of Masenry, I immediately smiled when I saw Carlisle working the tasting room. It was as if his mere presence emitted a ray of calm that came over me and made me instantly relax.

"Edward!" Carlisle said enthusiastically. "I wasn't expecting you today. I thought you had work to do."

Edward smiled and nodded toward me. "I do."

Carlisle opened his mouth in a silent "ah" and turned to greet me with a handshake. "It's nice to see you again, Bella. I hope you're keeping him in line."

I chuckled, thankful for his kind demeanor. "Don't worry, Carlisle, nothing gets past me."

He put his free hand on top of our joined ones. "Somehow, I believe that."

"I'm going to take Bella to the barrels," Edward said as he directed me to a hallway off to the side.

I glanced at Carlisle. "Are you coming with us?"

Edward looked at Carlisle intensely but said nothing. Carlisle just smiled warmly. "No, but you two have fun."

I glanced over my shoulder as we walked away and saw Carlisle return to his customers. "I know I shouldn't say this, but I can see why Carlisle sells so much wine. The ladies must go crazy for him."

"Yeah, he does all right." Edward seemed a little irritated and distracted as he looked over his shoulder back at Carlisle and pushed open the door leading outside, so I prattled on.

"He's soooo handsome. I imagine it's great for business."

Edward shoved the door closed with a little more vigor than necessary. "It's just about the wine," he said flatly. "Speaking of which I'd liked to show you some barrels we are about to bottle."

Sensing Edward's discomfort, I lightened the mood. "The barrels, huh? You spilling family secrets?"

He grinned mischievously. "You're not that lucky." My attempt at humor seemed to relax him.

We walked for what seemed like forever as he explained the purpose of each part of the winery. We reached the side of a hill, which was covered in ivy and shrubs. Built into the side was a large, oak door. It would have been difficult to see without knowing it was there. Edward pulled out his keys from his pocket and opened the lock, pulling the heavy door open with a creak.

He closed it behind us as we entered and turned on the light. My eyes took a moment to adjust. We were in the underground caves, and wine barrels lined the walls. Some were stacked, some weren't, but there was definite harmony and nothing looked haphazard or out of place. The barrels themselves looked like art, stamped and perfectly carved. The walls were made of the same stone as the main building, but instead of the refined space above ground, this was rustic with dirt on the floor. The way the lights bounced off the walls gave the room an eerie feeling, and the smell reminded the senses that fermentation was taking place.

I shivered, as much from the cold of the room as from the ambiance.

Edward took off his coat and put it over my shoulders. I happily accepted, as it was quite chilly. It was warm from his body heat and smelled like leather and spices. It instantly reminded me of a leather jacket of my dad's that I would wear when was I was little. I pulled the jacket up around my shoulders and looked down at the dirt floor.

"I know this isn't the most hospitable part of our property. I just have one thing I want to show you." He looked apologetic, obviously mistaking my nostalgia for discomfort. I appreciated his concern and quickly reassured him of my interest in continuing our tour.

I silently followed him through rows of barrels, observing the way his hands ghosted over each one we passed. It was as if he knew the exact state of the contents of each one, and it occurred to me that he very well might. He discussed the property location and the soil conditions and their growing techniques.

He stopped at a barrel and dipped in a gadget that looked like a syringe, pulling out a small amount of clear, pale gold liquid, and poured it into a small glass he'd grabbed from the same table that housed the siphon.

He held the glass up to the light and inspected it and then put his nose deep into the glass. He was all business again.

"Try this," he said, holding out the glass to me. "It's our reserve Chardonnay. It's just about ready to come out of the barrels. Only ten barrels were made. I want to know what you think."

I raised my eyebrows in playful defiance. "You should be asking Rosalie. She's got a much more refined palate."

"I think you can probably hold your own." He nodded, encouraging me to take a sip.

I put my nose in the glass deeply and inhaled the delicious scent of the wine. It was fruity yet not sweet. It had an earthy scent that balanced the smell of the fruit. I lifted the glass to my lips and took a small sip.

Heaven.

The flavors were complex and interesting, and it felt cool as it rolled along my tongue. I could easily get lost in this wine.

I closed my eyes and sighed. When I opened them, he had a grin on his face from ear to ear.

"So, you like it?" He took the glass from me and set it on the ledge nearby.

"It's delicious."

He looked humbled – a look I'd not seen before. "I'm quite proud of the way this one's turning out."

"How do you do that?" I was still lost in the taste. "How do you make something so exquisite?"

He looked at his shoes and kicked the dirt lightly. "I've learned from Carlisle over the years. Except for art, it's all I've ever wanted to do."

"Well, it's a good thing you're so good at it."

"I think that's why I'm so protective of the Valley. I like the history here, and the care with which people craft their wines. I don't want to see that spoiled." Edward explained that he wasn't trying to approach the business or wine-making as an exact science. A lot of the new generation of wine-makers seemed to take that slant. Masenry still used the same growing techniques they had for generations and counted on bit of luck and intuition. They needed to support their business, but they weren't trying to be the next big thing. He wanted to be the best at what they did.

"You've a great reputation for consistently putting out amazing wines. You understand the art of it. It doesn't matter what anyone else does, you've always got that."

"My family's been doing this for generations. We survived prohibition by diversifying, but this is the heart and soul of what we do. We are the only family-owned business that has remained intact for four generations of wine makers. I feel not only a sense of obligation, but pride. As nice as my dad is to customers, he knows what he's doing with the grapes."

"Can I ask you something?" I was feeling bold. And nosy.

He nodded, so I continued. "If Carlisle is your father, and he clearly knows so much about the winery, why isn't he in charge?"

He bobbed his head a little as he prepared a response in his head. "Running the business was hard on him. It's a demanding job. He loves the wine but hates the business and politics that come with it."

It made sense to me. It was obvious how much Carlisle enjoyed the wine, but as I was finding out myself, there was a lot more to a business than passion about the products.

"Do you find it stressful? Running the business?"

"Yes and no. I want to make sure our winery stays true to its roots, even if all the others change. It's important to me. To our family, it's always been about quality. I could never sell out and cheapen my family's legacy."

"That's why you were so hard on me? You thought I was part of the group turning Napa into something obnoxious?"

He leaned against the barrels. "Yeah, at first. Then I talked to you, and you seemed…different. Aro Volturi's reputation precedes him, and I've seen firsthand how he can be. You were his right hand; I didn't know what else to think. But you aren't like him. Your restaurant is…special. It's a comforting place. And you seem like a comforting person, from what little I know. I can see you love what you do."

I was floored. Stunned. "Thank you. Coming from someone like you, that's a very nice compliment."

"Someone like me? I'm not sure how to take that."

"What I mean is, you've got excellent taste and have obviously been here in the Valley for a long time. I'm happy that you enjoy my place. All I wanted when I opened it was to create a place where people felt comfortable. The fact that you feel that way makes me happy. Especially since you're so good at what you do."

"We both strive to be the best at what we do. Where you can turn simple ingredients into gourmet food, I can turn the right grapes into fine wines."

I giggled at his compliment. "It's hardly a comparison. Anyone can cook. Very few people can do what you do."

He put the siphon back into the barrel and pulled out a little more of the liquid gold and handed it to me, pouring himself some as well.

"I don't know if I'd say anyone can cook. Sure, anyone can follow a recipe, but very few people can create. You create." He lifted his glass to mine in a toast.

We both took sips after our glasses clinked together, our eyes never straying off each other.

This felt like a date. I felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest.

Needing to change the mood, I started talking again. "Do you have any reds in here?" I waved my hands at the array of barrels.

He smiled and motioned with his arm for me to go ahead of him. "Of course. Right this way."

We spent the next hour or so walking amongst the barrels. The smell of grapes and fermentation permeated the room, but it didn't smell bad. It smelled like creation. The red wine Edward had us sample was a blend and was equally as impressive as the Chardonnay. We tried only a couple of types of wines, as many weren't ready for consumption, but each sample was unique and wonderful. Edward was carefree and kind, only shifting back to his serious side when discussing the finer details of his wines. The more I talked to him, the more impressed I became with his knowledge.

We left Masenry in the late afternoon. The sun was low in the sky as we drove.

His voice cut through the silence. "Do you have anywhere you need to be right now?"

I shook my head. "Not yet. I'm going to the restaurant later, but I've got a little while."

I probably should have gone to the restaurant right away, but I didn't want the day to end. I didn't know when the next time I'd get to see Edward like this would be, and I was worried we'd go back to being cold and unfamiliar again. I wanted to be near him.

He looked at me with a soft expression. "I have a place I'd like to show you."

We drove for about fifteen minutes, winding up through the foothills, until we came up to a vantage point. He parked the car, and we got out and walked to the front of his car, leaning on the hood.

"Wow, this is beautiful," I said, awed by the sight in front of me.

I'd known Napa was scenic and picturesque, but this view was unlike any I'd seen. We were perched up on a hill just above the valley. The rolling vineyards, which spanned as far as the eye could see, mapped the terrain. The late afternoon sun cast a glow over everything, making the leaves of the vines sparkle, accentuating the precision with which they were planted.

"I come here a lot, especially in the afternoon. It reminds me that not everything has to be so serious all the time."

I turned to face him. I wanted some answers about how he'd acted before, and this seemed like a natural segue. "Are you going to scowl at me the next time I see you?"

He looked pained, and I immediately felt bad about how I'd phrased the question. We'd made such progress.

"No, I won't scowl." He'd closed up again.

Shit.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean that the way it sounded. That was rude." I wanted to reach out and touch his arm, but I hesitated.

He glanced away at the view and sighed. "You really think I'm an asshole, don't you?"

I didn't know how to answer. I admitted internally there were times when I'd thought exactly that. Many times, actually. Although we'd had a nice day, I still remembered the glares and rude comments. I was a little leery that he'd changed completely in such a short time span.

"Edward…I don't think that. I've had a very nice time with you today."

"Yeah…" he trailed off and looked at the ground while running his hands through his hair.

I pulled his hand down so he'd look at me. I didn't want to lose what we'd gained today. A part of me wanted to slide my hand down into his, but I resisted.

"I don't think you're an asshole, but I can't pretend to understand you. I guess I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop and for you to be rude to me again."

He laughed and shook his head as his brow knitted together, seemingly having another internal conversation. I wanted to know what he was thinking.

Finally, he spoke. "Can we be friends? What I mean is…can you forgive me for being an ass to you?"

Could I?

Of course, I knew I could. There was no way I could turn him away.

"Yeah, we can be friends." I rested my hands in my lap and sighed, once again directing my attention toward the view. I was still curious about him and hoped he hadn't hidden himself away for the day. "Can I ask you a personal question?"

He glanced up at me with his signature unreadable expression. "Ask me anything."

"You can tell me it's none of my business. And really, it is none of my business," I stammered nervously.

He propped up his knee on the hood to better face me. "This sounds interesting. What is it?"

"Well, it's just…every time I see you…you're with a different woman. And well…that one time in the store…she was just so…I don't know…rude."

He looked ashamed. "There was no excuse for that."

"I agree. But still…you seemed to like her. Is that the type of girl you typically date?"

"I…uh…"

"I know – I'm prying. This is none of my business. I'm so sorry." I waved my hands in front of my face anxiously. I felt horrible about bringing it up.

Still, the curiosity was killing me. What were these women to him? I had to know.

He grabbed my hands and held them still. "It's okay. I don't think you're prying. If we're going to be friends, you should know a little more about me."

"I feel like a bitch for asking."

"Don't. And, no, she isn't the 'type of girl' I typically date," he said, making air quotes.

I did a happy dance inside but kept my cool on the outside.

"But she was so beautiful. They all were. I guess I thought –"

"Being beautiful on the outside isn't everything."

"I agree. Do you still see her? Them?" I couldn't help myself.

"No, I don't see anyone regularly."

"That surprises me." We were getting somewhere.

"Why?"

How did I say this without revealing my attraction to him?

"You can get anyone you want."

He chuckled. "I don't know about that."

"Yeah well, I do. Have you really looked at the women you date? They're not 'normal' women. They're like…perfect."

He shook his head. "Believe me, they're not perfect."

"You've got high standards," I said jokingly. "I might even be willing to date some of them."

"Now that I'd like to see." He rubbed his jaw as he laughed. Then his face turned serious. "But no, my standards aren't any different than anyone else. I don't date people I can't see myself with. If I go out with someone and can't see myself getting serious with her, I don't pursue it. What's the point?"

I shrugged and immediately thought of Peter. I wished I'd analyzed my relationship with him sooner.

"I can understand that."

He paused for a moment and then spoke. He was so calculated with his speech as if everything were rehearsed in his head before he ever uttered a word. "Does your boyfriend know you're here with me today?"

I wasn't prepared to talk about Peter. At all.

"Uh…no."

"Won't it bother him?"

It was a fair question but one I wasn't sure I could answer. "He doesn't live here, so he doesn't know everything I do."

Edward nodded and sighed. "Oh. He's a fool to let you out of his sight."

I felt the blood rush to my face. I was flattered by his words, but they stung as well. It was one thing for me to doubt my feelings for Peter, but it hurt a lot worse thinking that Peter hadn't felt more for me as well. It was hypocritical, but I instantly felt defensive of Peter. And Edward's judgmental side brought on my irritation.

Edward was watching me with keen interest. Finally, I composed a response. "I don't want to defend him or his choices. You don't know him. Don't judge him."

Edward started to reach over to grab my hand but stopped himself. "I didn't mean to upset you. But if you were mine –"

"I'm not yours. And I assure you I make my own decisions. And Peter trusts me." I wasn't ready to discuss my feelings about Peter, especially not with Edward. I was having trouble masking my uncertainty and guilt.

"I'm sorry, Bella. Really." This time he did reach over and grab my hand, the warmth comforting me. My body reacted instantly to his soft touch, just as it had when his hand was on my back.

I sighed and felt a little guilty about snapping at him. He was curious about my relationship status and trying to pay me a compliment, and I bit his head off.

"It's okay. I didn't mean to get upset. I just don't like talking about it. I know you were just being nice."

He pushed off the car. Clearly the conversation was over. "We should get going. When the sun goes behind the mountain, the temperature drops pretty quickly."

Once in the car, I shivered from the onslaught of heat from the heater. I hadn't even noticed how cold I was outside. I was too engrossed in Edward and the fact that he was finally lowering his wall just enough for me to peek inside.

He pulled into the lot at Confidential and put the car in park. "Thank you for a nice day, Bella."

"Thank you for asking. I learned a lot."

Learned a lot? I wanted to slap myself for my hideous choice of words.

He tried to hold back his smile but was unsuccessful. "I'm happy to provide an education, Bella," he said, giving me a playful smirk.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and said almost inaudibly, "I'm sure you are."

Even if he didn't intend it, his words contained innuendo I couldn't help but be curious about. I thought about the women he dated and wondered exactly what kind of education he provided. I was envious.

"I hope to see you again soon," he said, turning in his seat to face me.

"So, friends, then?" I asked, smiling.

"Yeah. Friends."

"Good, then I'll definitely see you again soon."

I climbed out of the car and waved as he drove off.

How in the world was I supposed to work?

A/N: Sorry this is late. I went out of town and it was hard to get WiFi. So …things are heating up! They're officially friends…but Edward's walls are coming down and who knows what can happen!

Pics are on my profile.

I really have to give a huge shout out to my team this week. TwiHart and Viola Cornuta, my betas, have had to read and edit multiple versions of this chapter as well as counseling me and reassuring me that all is okay. My pre-readers, ellierk, Sunfeathers, Dana1779, and now scsquared, gave me lots of great ideas and helped pull it all together. Many, many thanks.

Thanks to all of you who wrote such encouraging reviews last chapter. I appreciate it so much. I put my heart and soul into this, so it's really nice to know people are enjoying it.

Next up, Christmas Eve…and possibly a little alone time at Edward's place. Yummy!