I am astounded by the response the last chapter received. Way beyond my expectations. I seriously just love you all :) I tried to get back to everyone in the reviews, but I sincerely apologized if there was someone I missed.

I read and appreciate all of your reviews. I hope you enjoy the chapter.

I sat at my dining room table, attempting to cram as much studying in the few days I didn't have to work. It was glorious, but I couldn't stop thinking about how everything had changed just in the past week.

I felt a little lost the day I told my boss I was quitting the diner. That shouldn't have been the case. I would be starting my new job very soon, and my now former boss took it surprisingly well.

However, I just couldn't be excited about it. It seemed that as soon as I started my new job with Masen's, it would solidify the end of an era, and to be more specific, the end of my relationship with Mike

And while I knew that was a good thing, I was still heartbroken over the situation. I still cared about him even if I didn't love him. My brain and my heart were in cahoots with one another. It was as though they were laughing at me, knowing that I was slowly going insane.

Only once did Mike try to get back together with me. It was through a drunken call that had me choking up by the end of the conversation. He reminded me of the better times-the times when had so much fun and when things weren't so complicated. Our first date when I couldn't help but kiss him after he told me how much he already liked me. When he came and picked me up to meet his parents and to make me feel less nervous, he cracked jokes at his own expense. Things were good then. I missed those days so much that I almost went back on my word.

Almost.

It would be very easy to go back with Mike. I knew, though, that I would regret it. He didn't love me; I didn't love him. We would never be happy. We would never grow. We would come to resent one another.

So I couldn't do it. I couldn't take him back. As a result, just last night, after my last day at the diner, I went into the alley behind my apartment and set that fucking waitressing uniform on fire.

I would not go back. That was truly the end.

I rubbed my eyes and stood up, grabbing my keys from the counter. Since I couldn't focus on studying, I might as well be doing something else productive. I had to go out and buy some comfortable black pants. Or five pairs. The cheapest I could find.

As I drove to the nearest department store, my mind still raced. Things were going to work out. They had to.

I hoped.

And then there was Edward. I hadn't heard from him since he sent me a congratulatory text message after he heard I would be joining him at Masen's. I started in three days.

That soon. Despite all of the self-loathing over the Mike situation, I grinned when I pulled into the parking lot.

When I entered the store, I didn't let anything deter me. I went straight for the pants. As I looked through the clearance rack, I groaned in frustration when I realized they had every size but mine.

"Bella?" A woman's voice startled me out of my glaring at the clothing.

I turned and saw Esme Cullen standing in front of me. I literally couldn't go anywhere without running into something, or in this case, someone, who reminded me of Edward.

And she did. I hadn't noticed the time before, but this time, I saw how attractive she was. And her brown hair that had a hint of red in it. I would say that I could see where Edward got his good looks from in her, but his father was equally as stunning.

What a blessed gene pool.

However, the dark circles under her eyes had me concerned. I had a feeling it was the same reason Edward had seemed so exhausted lately.

"Hi, Mrs. Cullen, how are you?" I asked. She walked over to me and hugged me. So she was a hugger. I hesitantly wrapped my arms around her.

"Oh Bella, it's so good to see you," she said in my ear, before pulling away but still holding my arms. "Call me Esme. I'm doing well. Or as well as I can be. With everything going on with Carlisle..." She shook her head and smiled. What was going on with Carlisle? "So I hear that you're working at Masen's now?"

I nodded. "Yes, I am. Well, I start this week. Did Edward tell you that?"

She grinned. "Of course, dear. He always talks about you. Oh, if only you were single." She giggled.

Little did she know.

"So, how is Carlisle doing?" I asked, hoping she could give me more information. I supposed I could ask Edward. Esme's expression changed and she looked exhausted.

"He's been going to his chemo treatments, and it is taking its toll on him," she shook her head. A lump formed in my throat. Edward's father had cancer? Why didn't he tell me? "He will get better though. I've been praying like it's my job." Her cheek lifted and her eyes warmed. The green in them reminded me of Edward. "He's my better half, so I'm going to stay by his side."

Oh Esme. I put my arms around her and pulled her close to me. "I'll be praying, too. Please tell me if there is anything I can do."

When I pulled back, she had tears in her eyes. "Thank you, Bella. Have you eaten? Let's grab some lunch. On me."

"Oh you don't have to do that," I shook my head, mentally calculating how much money I would have after buying the pants.

"Nonsense," she threw up her hands. "I'm buying you some lunch. You're too thin!"

She grabbed my wrist and dragged me to the door. The pants could wait another day.

Of course, we went to Masen's. I couldn't get away from that place if I tried. Not that I had tried or had complained about it. But I was a little worried about seeing Edward. I hadn't seen him since before I broke up with Mike.

We walked in and I glanced around looking for him. Esme caught my eye and grinned knowing who I was looking for. I blushed.

We sat down in a booth and I sat facing Esme so I wouldn't be tempted to look for Edward.

Esme waved someone over. I cringed, but when I realized it was just a waitress, I relaxed.

I should have felt bad or immature, but I didn't. I was single now, so I didn't have to hold back my jealousy over her infatuation with Edward. Because, I'll face it, I was jealous.

"Hi, I'm Leah, I'll be taking care of you ladies today."

"Hi Leah, I'm Esme, Edward's mother," Esme pointed out, proudly. I smiled.

"It's lovely to meet you, Esme," Leah's eyes widened. "Edward is an amazing person."

"I'm Bella," I interrupted like an awkward child. Leah looked to me, recognition overtaking her features. She was really fucking pretty. It was annoying how someone could be so beautiful.

"You're Bella?" She grinned. I frowned.

"Yes."

"It's very nice to finally meet you," she said it, and surprisingly, she meant it. I was confused.

"Um..." I started to speak. "Have-have you heard about me? Because this is the second time this has happened where someone has said, 'it's nice to finally meet you.'" I could feel my face heating up as Esme looked amused.

"Who else has said that to you?"

"This guy at the liquor store. He works behind the counter."

Her smile dropped as wariness overcame her features. "You know Jacob?"

"Who?"

"He's the guy who works there," she mumbles as a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.

"Oh, yeah, I guess so."

"And he knows you?" She asked carefully.

"Apparently so," I narrowed my eyes.

"Oh," she sounded disappointed.

"I'm confused," I blurted out. Esme started laughing.

"Sorry, can I get you ladies something to drink?" She turned back on her waitress charm and took our drink orders. My eyes and body followed her as she walked back to the bar to speak to someone.

Not just someone-Edward. He was smiling as she talked to her.

Fuck. We made eye contact. I swiveled back around with wide eyes. Why I was so incredibly uncomfortable as a human being...I wasn't sure.

"Do you know who Jacob is?" I asked Esme.

"Jacob? I-I'm not sure. I want to say he is a part of the volunteer program that Edward is doing."

"Oh," I responded, remembering that the Jacob fella had told me that.

"I think someone is a little jealous," Esme grinned.

"I'm not jealous!"

"Not you," she laughed. "Her. Did you see how skeptical she was of you once she knew that you met that Jacob guy?"

"What?" I was in disbelief. She nodded.

"Hey there," a voice made me flinch.

Edward was standing at our table looking back and forth between us as a small smile tugged at his lips. His eyes were dancing. I looked at Esme.

"Mom," he said. She grinned up at him. "Bella." My eyes shot to his and the warmth was there.

"Edward, dear," Esme spoke up. "Bella here is very popular these days."

He furrowed his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"Everybody that knows you seems to know her."

"Oh, that's because I like her." He winked at me. I shook my head at him.

"You've been talking to people about me?"

"Yes." He doesn't even deny it.

"What have you been saying?"

"Only good things," he grinned.

"Here are your drinks," Leah interrupted, setting them down. "Edward, you can flirt with your girlfriend another time."

"I'm not his girlfriend."

She smirked. "Honestly, you might as well be."

"Leah," Edward warned. "Do you want me to have a talk with Jake?"

Her eyes widened and she pretended to zip her lips. He laughed at her and walked back to the bar.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "I haven't even known Edward very long, but you'll probably end up marrying him. He seems to get what he wants because he is so darn sweet. So do you know what you want to eat or do you need a couple more minutes?"

Thanks for reading!

-Bravery