TWELVE
The apartment block we pull up to pours luxury. When I watch Edward hit the button for the top floor I realise this isn't just a regular family meeting. Their board games are probably spin the caviar.
"You okay?" he asks.
"Yep," I nod.
"Can I hold your hand?" he asks.
I reach out to take his hand and relax as he squeezes it in comfort. He smirks down at me.
"Just relax. I promise it'll be okay," he soothes.
"What are the boys like?" I ask.
"Emmett is sometimes too much but Jasper is really calm. You'll love Jasper," he smiles.
"I hope they like me," I say.
Why did I care? This was a no strings arrangement. I kept catching myself hopeful for things that would be constituting something more than this. Every time I looked at him the no strings thing was more and more forgotten until I thought of something bold like having the acceptance of his family and friends. I feel confused. Wanting him was so hard with four walls built up around me.
"I'm sure they will," he says.
As he opens the door my heart bursts from excitement.
"Bella?"
I smile and race to my blonde friend excitedly wrapping my arms around her neck. What better way to make this moment more comfortable than doing it by the side of my best friend.
"Rose," I laugh, "What on earth?"
"What are you here for? You've returned none of my texts all day. I honestly were giving you tonight and I was sending a search party out. I figured you were with tinder boy," she kisses my cheek before pulling back to examine me.
"Tinder boy," a buff man behind her laughs.
"Oh. Bells. This is Emmett. Emmy. This is my best friend, Bella," she says to the man.
He smiles down at me.
"Emmy?" Edward teases from behind me.
"Shut up you," he glares at Edward before engulfing me in a bear hug, "Any friend of Rosalie's is a friend of mine."
"It's lovely to finally meet you. Rose has talked my ear off about you," I say.
"Likewise," he nods.
"You must be Edward," Rosalie smiles at him.
She walks to him arms outstretched and hugs him.
"Rosalie," he accepts her warmth smiling, "It's great to meet you. How small of a world is it. That you are the woman to finally tame my brother."
"Who would have thought?" Emmett laughs.
"You both have good taste in women," Rose shrugs smiling.
"Edward's track history is questionable. I'm glad to see he got it right this time," Emmett smiles at me.
"Where's Alice?" Edward asks.
"Picking up pizza with Jasper," he says sitting down on the large couch.
The place was massive. Only slightly smaller than Edward's. The massive lounge room was what bachelor pad dreams were made off.
Rosalie takes my hand and pulls me toward the kitchen before anyone can think of stopping me.
"Meeting the family?" She hisses.
"It was last minute," I say, "Plus you always said Em. Not Emmett. I never even thought it could be the same person. Have you met the sister?"
"Yes. I met her the other day. Emmett and I are official so he wanted to introduce me. But you meeting them. You don't want this," she says.
"I don't. He asked me to be here," I say.
"Stop lying to yourself. The sooner you admit you actually are into him and want more the easier it'll be on the both of you," she snaps.
"He's married," I snap back.
"To a fucking monster. He wants someone else. He brought you here. He wants you," she glares, "what did you do last night? He take you bowling? Or to the movies where he could finger you? This isn't what tinder is. This is dating, Bella."
"Can you keep your voice down," I yell at her.
"Practice what you preach. Maybe it's time you heard some hard truths, Bells. He wants more and you'd be stupid to walk away," she sticks her finger up at me.
Rosalie was fiery at the most of times but arguing with her was next level. It was like arguing with a sibling but worse.
"Is everyone okay in there?" Emmett booms out.
"Yep," we both call back.
"I'm trying to give you advice and you're ignoring it," she sighs.
"I'm not. I just can't let myself get hurt," I say.
"It might be worth it," she says, "Mike was trash. He was a sleaze that had some form of condition. Edward is attractive, he's supportive and just now the way he looked at you made me ready to start planning your hens night."
"If you don't stop I will put you closer to a hospital! I am not having this fight with you," I say turning to leave the room.
"Bella! Just wake up," she says, "before you ruin this completely and find yourself fucking men like Mike for the rest of your life."
I reach for a roll of paper towel pegging it at her before returning to the lounge room.
"What was that about?" Edward asks.
He now had a beer and was sat comfortably beside his brother.
"She is wearing my shoes," I say simply sitting down next to him.
"Oh," Emmett says nudging Edward, "girls hate that."
"Okay, Doctor Phil," Edward rolls his eyes at Emmett, "you sure you're okay?"
Rosalie re-enters the room carrying a bottle of wine and two glasses. Glaring at me she hands me a glass.
"Drink," she demands.
"Is this the sort of friendship all girls have?" Emmett asks.
"Nope. We're unique," she says pouring wine into my glass.
"How long have you been friends?" Edward asks.
Rosalie doesn't return to sit beside Emmett. Instead, she sits in front of me on the coffee table continuing to stare me down.
"Since we were kindergartners," I say looking at Edward, "She let me borrow a crayon."
"I gave her advice to pick what colour. Back when she trusted my advice. It's hard to give her advice cause she's stubborn," Rosalie explains.
"Rose," I warn.
"Edward. I care a great deal about Bella. What is this to you? Is this just a bang?" she demands.
"Cut it out," I groan.
Emmett watches our interaction amused.
"Bella has made it clear to me that at this stage it's just something relaxed," Edward explains.
"And you? What do you want?" Rose asks.
"Obviously progression, but I'm willing to wait. Eventually, I see a world where we might be happy together. That would be nice. I know my situation is complicated but I know she's looking past it," he smiles.
"So would you say you're dating?" Rose smiles.
"It depends who you ask," Edward answers.
"What do you mean?" she raises an eyebrow.
"Ask Bella and it's a deal where it's casual. Ask me and I'll tell you yes," he answers.
Rosalie throws me a shit eating grin.
"See," she mouths.
"Don't you have an Emmett to annoy?" I ask her.
"Don't you have an Edward to let in?" she challenges.
"Emmett. To clarify her earlier comment, your taste in women is shit," I say, "In fact a fucking toilet would show more personality."
Emmett scoffs, laughing behind the cover of his hand.
"Edward. Bella has been hurt by a long list of idiots. The most recent was from hell. Now she trusts no person with dick. You have a dick. But you also have a wife which makes her believe she's destined to be hurt. I like you and I'm a great judge of character," Rosalie explains ignoring my cold stare, "I've been waiting to meet you in person to tell you to hang on. She likes you. There's feelings growing somewhere in that stubborn brunette and I know it."
Before he can respond the woman from the ballet studio this morning bursts into the room carrying pizza. A tall blonde man follows her.
"We're here," she huffs.
Rosalie and I don't even look over at her continuing our glaring match.
"Did someone die?" she asks confused.
"Just Bella's dignity," Rosalie answers.
She stands but not before clinking her glass to mine.
"Cheers," she mutters.
I slouch into myself biting my lip. Edward looks down at my unsure of what to say.
"Let's chat later?" he whispers.
I shrivel inside.
Thanks so much.
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