Disclaimer: Alright kids, this is getting old. You know who Stephenie Meyer is, right? Yeah…me neither

Author's Note: I am terribly sorry about the wait! Very interesting birthday week and then moving—but I'm all settled now. Thanks to all of you reviewed, and a special thank you to Edwartic who even waited until my birthday to review P and icyskin, Iheartivorykeys213, MyLivingAdonis, theregoesguts, and LucasLove. And most of all, thank you to Jaciira for getting this chapter back to me so quickly—believe me guys, I was so impatient about getting this posted for you all!

Misadventures in Online Dating

Chapter Eleven: Of Bachelors and Reuniting

Friday, July 4th (E)

"Edward!"

I pulled the blankets over my head, attempting to drown out the voice of Jasper as he neared my bedroom door. His footsteps stopped and I heard him sigh. I grumbled for him to get out but he ripped the blankets away from me and shook his head.

"At least you're already clothed. Get up, or we're going to be late."

"I'm not in the mood for it, honestly. I don't want to put a damper on everyone's spirits."

"It's your brother's bachelor party and my last night in town, so get up." He repeated.

"Wait…how the hell did you get into my house?"

"Emmett gave me the key—just get up, will you? What's been wrong with you lately, anyways?" He asked.

I shrugged my shoulders, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. I put my elbows on my knees and buried my face in my hands. Alice hadn't told him? Isab—Bella never said anything to him about it? I gritted my teeth, of course she hadn't. I didn't matter to her, didn't faze her. It was no big deal how bad she'd hurt me, was it?

I was angry with myself for actually letting my emotions slip; for letting them grow so fond of a person that I barely knew. Well, actually, I felt I knew a lot about her but how could that be? How could I have gotten her so wrong? I usually read people so well.

I pushed myself up from the bed and dressed quickly, into a pair of black slacks and a white, button-up shirt. When I stepped out of my closet, Jasper was in my bathroom, staring intently at the mirror.

"Do you think I'm being a sellout?"

I furrowed my brow, wondering where the question had come from. "Not at all, why?"

'It was in my contract to bleach my teeth," he forced a grin and I saw the dazzling white teeth behind his lips, holding in a laugh. "Complete and utter bullshit."

"I really don't know what to tell you, Jasper. Let's just get out of here then get this over with."

"You were quite excited about this a week or so ago, what the hell happened?"

"Shit," I muttered, walking out of my bedroom door and down the stairs. Grizzly came running to me from where he lay near the sofa. I patted him on the head before rubbing the space between his silky soft ears. "I'll be back late, Grizz. Don't wait up for me," I joked before heading out of the door, Jasper followed after me.

We arrived at the penthouse with Emmett in tow, a blindfold covered his eyes, but he was still grinning.

Jasper undid the blindfold when we stopped in front of the penthouse door, and Emmett's grin widened. He looked at me, then Jasper, then me again before slowly nodding his head.

"I'm ready to get drunk!"

Even I couldn't keep from laughing—Emmett had done a working on my attitude and I was feeling a bit better about being out.

Jasper knocked loudly on the door, looking back at Emmett with a grin on his face. The door slowly opened and the lights in the background were dim and dancing, music came thumping out as did a low mist from the ground. Jasper really sprang for the mist machine, then, huh? I shook my head at him and he smiled.

A woman in a very provocative lingerie set stepped through the open door, her eyes locked on Emmett.

"And you're the groom-to-be?" She asked, smiling a wickedly delicious smile at my brother.

"Yes, I am. But please, no unfair treatments—these guys deserve every bit as much fun as me," he winked at us.

"Oh, but of course," she extended her dainty hand to him, waiting for him to take it before pulling him slowly inside.

"This place is ours for the night. No designated drivers, so drink up, Edward!" Jasper said as we walked into the suite. The place was huge—he'd done the site searching and I did most of the calling, reserving and scheduling, but we worked as a pretty good team, clearly. Got the job done and hopefully Emmett would never forget this night…well, that all depended on how much he had to drink.

Contrary to popular wedding tradition, his wedding wasn't the following day, but a week later because Rose refused to have their parties on the same day. I suppose she wanted to take time to remind him, constantly, of what he'd done and how much fun she'd have at hers—I honestly wouldn't doubt it.

I went to the bar first and tossed back two shots, intent on clearing my mind, if only briefly for the night. A load of Emmett's friends arrived a little after we did and chaos ensued. Everyone was drinking, over tipping the strippers, laughing their heads off and exploring the penthouse with willing girls.

After another shot I carried a small glass—scotch on the rocks—with me, sipping on it occasionally. As I walked through the penthouse, I caught a glimpse of Emmett, his arms tied behind a chair and a dancer, squirming around on top of him. It was an interesting sight, to say the least, the look on his face, the way he clenched and unclenched his fists. As if he wanted to touch, but he really knew better. Of course in his eyes, these women had nothing on Rosalie, and he wouldn't dare cheat on her. He was merely indulging in a little fun—he'd browse but he wouldn't buy.

I stumbled into the kitchen, where a dark-haired dancer downed a shot and let out something that sounded like a sob. I frowned at that, setting my glass down on the counter. I cleared my throat and she jumped, turning around. She sniffled and wiped at her eyes, but another sob managed to escape. I took a step forward, wanting to comfort her but I stopped.

"Are you okay?" I opted for a verbal approach instead.

She nodded, meekly. "I-It's my first night working."

I had thought most women in that line of work preferred it but she appeared to be rather awkward and nervous standing in front of me.

"Are you okay, though?" I asked, again.

"It's just that I never would have pictured myself dressed in this, doing this," she shook her head, gesturing towards the get-up that she was wearing. She wore hot pink undergarments and black, additional coverage—things I didn't even have names stored for, aside from the boots and fishnets.

"Why do you do it, then?"

"I'm a struggling student," she shrugged her shoulders. Her eyes were downcast, and she looked at the floor, nervously.

"Candy?" A shrewd voice called out.

"Oh no," she muttered. "Can you do me a favor?" She asked, rushed.

"Sure," I told her.

"Just—stand still, stand there."

I nodded, my breath catching in my throat as she slowly walked closer to me. Her hazel eyes suddenly locked on mine.

"Candy!" The voice called out, coming from just around the corner.

She turned around, pressing her back to my front. Her hands went down to my thighs, she gently squeezed them as she slowly began to twist and turn her way down my body.

A woman with platinum blonde hair rounded the corner, a furious look on her face at first but then she stopped and a small smile curled its way onto her lips.

"Ah, you see the shots did help, didn't they?"

I looked down to see her head nodding, agreeing.

"You, sir," the blonde said, pointing to me. "Enjoy."

With that she turned on her heels and left. The girl, Candy, between my legs stepped away from me and stood up, sighing.

"Thank you, for that…she's my boss. And my name isn't Candy, by the way…"

"It's not?"

She laughed, smiling, her hazel eyes actually shined a bit, "No. She insists on calling me that, though. I'm Danielle," she introduced herself, formally, extending her hand for me to shake.

I shook it, holding on to it a little longer than necessary.

She bit her bottom lip, looking down again.

"Aren't there other ways for you to make money?" I asked, sounding worried, concerned.

She seemed so sweet, and innocent, she shouldn't have to take her clothes off to scrape up a few bucks. As we held the conversation, a part of me was wishing to talk to Bella. I figured the alcohol wasn't working as I wanted it to, but thinking of Bella then made me want to smile. Was it normal to have your heart swell to the point of breaking with just the thought of a person?

I sucked in a breath, noting her weird expression. I hadn't even heard her answer.

"I've got to get back out there. Just a month or two of this and I'm done with it," she shook her head, walking out of the kitchen. She paused, just before she left it entirely, "hopefully I'll see you later tonight, though."

I nodded, and she smiled, continuing on her way out.

I breathed deeply, picking up my glass again. I brought it to my lips, but decided against drinking at the last moment. I poured the liquid down the drain and sought out Emmett. His hands were no longer tied behind his back, but he was still grinning, and still not touching the women there.

I looked around, searching for Jasper. I caught sight of his blonde locks just pass the living room, standing out on the balcony. I walked around the back of Emmett's chair, patting him on the shoulder as I went.

"Edward! Bro, have a dance!"

I turned to face him as I continued walking backwards towards the balcony.

"Ah, maybe a little later?"

"I'm holdin' ya to it!" He said, but I highly doubted he would remember it later anyways.

I chuckled, facing forward again. I pushed the sliding door out of the way.

Jasper was on the phone, with Alice I assumed. I walked to the end of the balcony, placing my hands on the railing. I looked out at the city, watching the light show of cars as they passed on nearby and faraway highways.

"Too much for you to handle?"

I looked at Jasper as he slid his phone into his pocket, grinning at me.

"No, just needed some air; to clear my head," I told him. "Was that Alice?"

He nodded.

"How is she?"

"She's alright. I'm leaving here as early tomorrow morning as possible to spend time with her."

"She doesn't want you to go?" I asked.

"No," he said, "not at all. We've just…reconciled, you know? But she understands it's for my career."

"And it's not like you're leaving forever," I added, leaning my back against the railing.

"True…" he trailed off. He looked at me, then away to the skyline and then back to me again. He opened his mouth to say something, but his cheeks filled with air and he blew out. "Look, I'll never hear the end of this if I don't tell you."

I arched an eyebrow, wondering what he was so serious about.

"Apparently Bella has been moping around the house lately. Well, she didn't exactly say moping, but that's what I got from it. I don't like to get too into their girl issues, but it involves you—and I want to help you guys out."

I wanted to tune him out from the moment he said her name but I couldn't. If anything my ears perked up and I listened even more intently. She was sad, and moping—or something like it—and it had to do with me? The thought made my heart flutter a little but I couldn't imagine it dealt too much with me.

I wasn't even quite sure what to say back to him after that.

"She's been telling Bella to call you for a while now, but she's afraid…or just doesn't want you to shut her down. She thinks you won't listen," he continued.

"I'd listen," I told him, furrowing my brow.

"Call her."

I shook my head; she was in the wrong, not me…right? Could you even be picky like that in such a situation?

"I'm sure Alice will convince her to call soon, or trick her into it," he said.

"Maybe…I'll wait for it."

But the truth was that I felt I couldn't wait a second longer to hear her, to see her, to be near her.

"Time is of the essence, Edward. I learned that the hard way, those years I spent without Alice. They were the worst of my life—time wasted, the way I see it." He sighed, looking through the glass door as there was a sudden uproar—a dancers top landed on Emmett's head. "I don't know if it's about pride or anything, but you could call her. Let her know you're interested, that you want to work this out. Right now she could be mulling over the fact that you haven't called, that you stopped talking to her. You even stopped going into their office, too, that's got to make her feel even worse."

"Yeah but—"

"I know, there are two sides to every story. You know your side, you need to learn hers and vice versa."

I sighed—he was right. Jasper had this ability to be right about a lot of things, or at least to just make you feel like it was the right thing to do.

"I think….I think I'm gonna head home."

Jasper frowned, "Really? It's only one."

"I know, I just don't feel up to all of this right now," I said, motioning towards the dancers and loud music coming from inside.

"For sure, man. Take it easy, do you want the keys?" He asked, reaching into his pocket.

"No, you guys need it for the morning. I'll take a taxi—or walk."

"You do realize you live at least six miles from here, right?"

"I know, but I could use the quiet to clear my head," I shrugged, opening the sliding door once more so we could step inside. "Lock it—and use the secure lock too so none of these drunks stumble out there and fall over," I said, shaking my head.

He chuckled, but locked both of them.

Emmett was no longer in the chair, but fixing himself another drink. I wanted to at least tell him I was leaving.

"Jazz, thanks…for the talk, you know."

"It's no problem, not at all. I'll call you tomorrow, before my flight takes off," he told me.

"Alright, I'll see you for the wedding though," I said.

He nodded and waved, before walking away. I turned around and proceeded towards Emmett, he grinned after taking a double-shot, growling through it as the alcohol left a burning trail behind on its way down his throat.

"Eddie, take a shot with me."

"Nah, I actually think I'm gonna head home now," I told him.

"What? It's so early. It's my bachelor party, and you're my brother."

Amazing. He managed to speak without sounding belligerent. Perhaps it took a whole lot of alcohol to affect his large, muscular body. Or maybe he'd just built up a tolerance.

"I know that, but I can't be here right now—there are a lot of things on my mind."

"Is it the girl? Is it Bella?"

I was kind of frustrated with everyone immediately knowing what was bothering me.

"Yes…"

"Okay, you're still my best man, though!"

"Always, Em, always." I patted him on the back once more before I made my way to the door, happy to be leaving the thumping music behind.

Monday, July 7th

It was to be my last day at the marketing office but, of course, I couldn't make it.

After the talk with Jasper, I thought it would have been easier to call her, but it wasn't. And she made no attempt to call me, either. It was…frustrating, to say the least. I had my most trusted employee go over to the office with a celebratory cake, a bottle of Champagne and roses.

I sat in my office, wondering what was happening over there, and how long it would last. Before long, my employee had returned.

"How was it, Paul?" I asked.

"It went really well, boss. They loved the cake and Champagne. They sent their thanks, and that they hope to work with you again in the future."

I nodded, sitting up straight, moving myself closer to my desk.

"And the roses?"

"She wasn't in her office," he told me.

"Ah, and Alice?"

"She said she'd give them to her when she got in," he shrugged.

"Okay, thank you. You can leave early today, if you'd like."

"You're welcome—and thank you, boss." He nodded his head towards me before shutting the door to my office.

I sighed, wondering if it had been such a bad idea to send over roses. I tossed the thoughts aside and focused on the work on my desk. There were pressing matters at hand, ones that I could actually control.

Paul left work a few hours later, and I began to pack up to go home after that.

The office phone rang and I wanted to have whomever it was just leave a message, but something told me to answer. It could be our good friends from Mercedes calling, possibly wanting to send more Guardians.

"Cullen Automotives, this is Edward Cullen, how can I help you?" I asked, professionally.

"Oh, crap…" a small voice came from the other line.

"Bella?" I asked, incredulously.

"Edward," she breathed, softly. "I thought that I—oh, it was just silly."

"What's silly?" I asked, feeling my heart speed up—it had been so long since I heard her voice.

"I didn't think you'd answer," she said.

"Did you not want me to?" I frowned.

"No, I'm glad you did—I am, but I just wasn't expecting you to. I've been meaning to call you, to talk to you for a while but I couldn't bring myself to do it," she told me.

I took the words in, but didn't respond to them. Instead I asked, "Did you get the flowers?"

"I did, thank you. They're beautiful—they're sitting on my desk right now. I'm really glad you sent them, too. It gave me a little more encouragement—though it's hard to be more encouraging than Alice," she chuckled softly.

That was definitely true. Alice was a ball of energy; she could get anything done if she put her mind to it. I was glad she sent the text about the flowers, apparently it had sparked something that may just take Bella and I one step forward.

"Look, Edward, I can't do this over the phone. Would you be able to meet me, tonight?" She asked.

I wanted to answer of course, but I didn't want to sound too desperate, or pushy.

"Sure," I opted for.

"Around six?"

"I'll be there," I promised.

"See you then….bye," she hesitated for a moment before hanging up the phone.

I put the receiver down and grinned, that felt oddly exhilarating and yet…we hadn't done anything but talk over the phone. I was anticipating the two hours that had to pass before I was able to see her.

I had never been one to notice precisely how slowly time passed. It irked me, like no other. I put everything into my briefcase in an orderly fashion, separate the red and green peppermints I had so they each had their own separate bowls. When I started in on the drawers—that's when I had had it. I slammed the drawer shut, picked up my suitcase and left the office—the building, completely. I would arrive early and even if she wasn't home, at least I was closer to her.

With my foot on the gas petal, I was pushing ninety almost the entire way there. My police tracker tipped me off twice and I slowed to the speed limit, only to pick it up again once the beeping silenced. It was five-thirty when I arrived.

I turned off the engine to the car and looked in the driveway where here car was parked—she was home. I was almost sure she knew I had arrived, it was almost impossible to keep the purr of this engine silent. I pulled the keys from the ignition and pushed the door open, looking in both directions for traffic as I got out of the car. I shut the door and clicked the alarm button before sliding the keys into my pocket. I made my way around the car and up the stairs that led to their quaint little home with the purple door—it really stood out.

Hopefully she wouldn't mind that I arrived a little early.

I walked to the door, knocking three times before taking a step back. I felt antsy, and suddenly wished that I had brought more flowers or something to give her.

The door swung open to reveal Bella, clad in dark jeans and a royal blue tank top and a slightly thin, white vest over it.

"Hey," she said softly, offering a smile.

I returned the smile, "Hey."

I reached, running a hand through my hair before bringing it to my neck to loosen my tie.

"Come in," she said, stepping aside so that I could enter.

I pushed the sleeves of my white work shirt up to my elbows and stepped past her.

"You can sit, if you want—I made some spaghetti…if you're hungry."

I hadn't eaten a thing all day, but I didn't think I could stomach anything at the moment.

"No, no thank you."

She frowned slightly, but nodded her head.

I sat on one of the red bar stools along the side of the island. I opened my mouth to speak but somehow she was right next to me already, silencing me with a finger over my lips.

"I have a lot of explaining to do. Most of it may seem far fetched but I want you to know that I am not lying, nor have I ever lied to you, okay? Keep that in mind."

I nodded, keeping my lips in a thin line—I would let her speak first.

"I want to explain about Jacob, first. He's been my best friend since…forever, you could say," she offered a weak laugh, "our parents were friends—and so we were growing up and now, still. I'm comfortable with him and forget how often we get mistaken for a couple. He may put his arm around me from time to time, but I know it's not like that, and so does he. He's sort of like my protector, you know? My own personal bodyguard…"

I could be her protector.

"I love him to pieces, really, he gets on my nerves constantly, though, we bicker so much—we're more like brother and sister than anything."

"Why did he kiss you?" I couldn't help myself—I had to ask, and it annoyed me to no end that the jealousy seeped right through my words.

She shrugged, "I thought nothing of it…it was a goodbye."

I nodded, remaining silent for a moment before something else occurred to me.

"Why hadn't you just told me you were going to dinner with a friend when I asked you out?" I questioned, wondering what her answer would be.

"I didn't even know he would be in town, then—"

"So you just didn't want to go on a date with me?"

"No, Edward…it's so much more complicated than that…"

"Well, please, explain to me, Bella. I need to know, don't hold anything back."

There were things I wanted to say, too, but that could wait—I needed to know these things now.

"It gets even more complicated…and I don't know if you'd understand or if you'd be angry with me…"

"Just tell me, please, Bella."

"A while ago Alice talked me into getting into this whole…online dating thing. She went ahead and set up a profile for me before I agreed to it and, eventually I did. So I talked to people, went on one or two actual dates and there's this guy…Mr. Vanquish," she paused, looking away from me then, "and I really, really started to like him. So much, he plagued my thoughts even when I wasn't sitting in front of a computer. It's kind of hard admitting this because…well, Edward I know you're him. I just…" She shook her head, unable to finish after she'd finally gotten to the punch line.

I wanted to reach out and hug her to me, to kiss her, but I refrained.

"Then why the hell did you stand me up?"

Her mouth shut and her eyes snapped to mine. I hadn't meant to sound so harsh but it was the one question, the one problem I truly had with her.

"If I tell you, you won't believe me."

"The chances of us meeting online and real life were pretty outlandish. I have an open mind right now, Isabella. Try me."

"Well, I went on a date with this guy—Mike Newton. He was nice and sweet but too…pushy. I was walking into the restaurant entrance and ran into him there. It was awkward, he wanted to come in and I would have felt terribly rude if I told him I was going on a date with someone else but…I suppose that was the worst thing I could have done, right?" She sighed, "It was. I fucked everything up, I'll admit to it…I'm sorry. If I would have just gone inside…"

"No, it's okay. I do believe you, I-I can't help but to believe you. Even if I thought you were lying I think I'd force myself to believe you because…well, because I've known for a while too and I think that's how things got all mucked up. We should have just talked about it in the first place," I sighed.

"I know," she muttered, biting her bottom lip softly, before her eyes opened wider. "Wait, you knew already? And you didn't say anything either?"

I shook my head, "I didn't know what to say…how do you start a conversation about that?"

"I don't care," she said after a moment, shaking her head.

"Neither do I. I just want to be with you, that's about all I can truly be sure of these days," I admitted.

"Edward, you don't know how wonderful it is to hear you say that…"

I felt my heart beat quicken, the closer I pulled her to me.

"Wait," I paused, "Then why did you turn me down when I—Edward, not Mr. Vanquish—asked you out?"

"I figured it out by then, and I was afraid you wouldn't like me if you found out. I wouldn't have been able to keep it from you much longer. You already know, which takes a heavy load off of my shoulders," she said, pushing her shoulders back straight as if for emphasis.

"Afraid I wouldn't like you? Bella…who couldn't like you? I was thinking quite the same, just flipped around, you-"

She laughed then and I arched an eyebrow.

"Hmm?"

"You're the one that everyone in the office drools over," she scoffed.

"I never saw you drooling," I countered.

"I'm professional," she teased, nudging herself in between my legs as we carried on the playful banter.

I dropped her hands and they fell to my thighs, as mine went up to cup her face.

"Speaking of professional," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, "with the deal being done and all…I'm not your client anymore…am I?"

She looked up, as if pondering on the question.

"Not at the moment, I wouldn't say so…considering I've just put in my two weeks notice—even better." She said, moving her face closer to mine.

"Two weeks notice?" I asked, pausing all motions.

"Her tyranny has become a bit too much to handle but just—shut up and kiss me."

I don't believe I had any other choice but to comply.

My eyes fluttered shut and I brought her face closer to mine, sucking in one quick breath before I covered her mouth with mine. It was a soft, gentle kiss that immediately made my lips start to tingle. It was over all too quickly, though, as she broke it and looked me in the eye.

"I wish we could start all over."

"No, never that. Just pick up where we are, and make it work," I muttered, curling an arm around her waist. It felt comfortable, and right. "We could even have the first date that we were denied twice."

"Hmm, third times a charm, right?"

"Definitely," I murmured before sealing the words with another kiss. My stomach took that opportunity to grumble and I grimaced, pulling away from the kiss. "Hmm…now how about that spaghetti?"

There it is—and no cliffhanger, so you can't be angry this time around! Next Chapter is in Bella's POV, as always, and I think one more after that and then this fic will be entirely done. Now, no worries, as I have two new fics in the works that I hope you all will take a gander at when they're posted. As for now, please lots review and let me know what you're thinking about the reconciliation.