"And that," said Edward, flicking his power point presentation to the closing page, "is an update of the state of the business at the present time." He paused, scanning the silent faces, workers at the Seattle factory crammed into the break room, analysing his every word. "Any questions?" Bella had been watching him, rapt, throughout his presentation. Edward was always so confident and sure of himself in front of a crowd. He looked every inch the CEO in his dark suit and white shirt, a pale pink tie setting off his green eyes and bronze hair.

"Yes," a hand immediately went up in the audience, one of the supervisors, "why, when Cullen Industries seems to be on the edge of collapse, should we not just leave and find new jobs?" Bella winced a little at the question, moving her gaze back to Edward to see how he handled the question.

"As I explained..." he began smoothly.

"You explained nothing," cut in the man, and a murmur of agreement rippled through the room, "you gave us some politicians bull crap that doesn't mean anything. What about us? What about our families? Our livelihoods? It seems to me that we have everything to lose and you nothing." They were losing the crowd, she could feel it, the murmur was rising to a hubbub. She had to do something.

The murmuring in the crowd increased as Bella rose from her seat and walked in front of Edward with her arms wide in front of her in a gesture of peace.

"Hi," she said shyly, "I'm not sure how all this technology stuff works but I hope that you can give me a minute." The hubbub subsided a little. "You might not remember me, but I'm Bella Cullen." A murmur of recognition passed through the crowd and she couldn't help but smile as a few familiar faces nodded their heads or waved a hand. "I've been a stay at home mom these last few years but I'm still a fifty percent shareholder and now I'm back working in the business." She looked around, they seemed to be paying attention to her. "I know that it's hard," she continued, "the third factory at Greenburgh really is a stretch for the company, we've never made a secret of that. However, when it's complete the economies of scale and buying power that it will create will elevate the company to a whole different level. We just need to hang on in there."

"But what do you and Mr Cullen have to lose?" came the voice of the same man. "We all know that this company is built on debt and rented premises."

"Wow," said Bella, with a wry smile, "you lifted that phrase straight out of the editorial in the Greenburgh Examiner." The man coloured, his friends smiling and elbowing him, finding it hilarious that he had been rumbled so publicly. "Contrary to press reports the company does have assets. The accounts aren't a secret, any one of you who wants to see them is more than welcome. And as for what we have to lose?" The crowd looked at her expectantly. "Edward and I have put our house up against a loan to cover the extra costs of getting the factory at Greenburgh built." The room fell to complete silence. Out of the corner of her eye Bella could see Edward's shoulders tense. He hated revealing too much of himself to his staff. She ignored his tense posture and carried on. "If this project fails, we lose our house. We lose everything."

"What do you need?" bellowed a woman. Men and women nodded their heads, the mood of the cramped cafeteria changing, a buzz filling the air. Bella smiled, genuinely pleased by the capacity of people to pull together when the stakes were high.

"We need everybody to influence what they can and not to worry about the bits that they can't. So, we need the two factories working at full capacity, putting orders out that are top quality and on time to show the world that the Greenburgh project is not a distraction to the core business. The management team, including myself, will put our efforts into getting the new factory built to secure a future for all of us." Whilst not quite a cheer an affirmative noise spread around the room like a Mexican wave.

She glanced back at Edward but couldn't decipher the strange way that he was looking at her. Jessica flanked him, scrolling through e-mails on her phone. She wanted to speak to him but several people made their way to the front of the room to wish her well or tell her that they had relatives in Greenburgh that were desperate for the factory to be built. She was soon deep in conversation.

"She's a regular Lady Diana," remarked Jessica, glancing away from the screen of her mobile to look at Bella, surrounded by a small crowd of apparently adoring admirers. Edward turned his head and threw her a withering glance, prompting Jessica to drop her phone into her handbag and snap it shut with an audible metallic click.

"You're lucky she's here," continued Jessica, staring at her blood red manicure before raising her head to his with a saccharine sweet smile, "you're really not a people person."

"I am..." he started. Then he stopped, looking again at Bella. There was something so natural and unpolished about her, something warm that the people in the room were just lapping up. It was as if his hour long power-point presentation had meant nothing. Jessica's smile twisted toward smugness as the realisation that she was right must have flashed across his face.

"Don't worry about it," she said, rising to her feet and squeezing his arm in a surprisingly firm grip. Her perfume was sweet and metallic, an echo of the duality of her smile. "Some people are meant for the masses and some for the few." Her voice lowered a notch. "You're strong Edward. And cold. You're a man who can make the difficult decisions." He nodded, that was right, wasn't it? "Little Miss Sunshine over there is all very well when the going is good but it will be you keeping the proverbial shit together when it hits the fan. Well, and me, of course."

"Bella!" said Jessica, greeting her as she finally disentangled herself from the crowd with an air kiss. Edward didn't miss the slight stiffening in Bella's face. He hoped that the two women working together wasn't going to cause a problem. "What a wonderful speech," Jessica gushed, "just the antidote to Edward's facts and figures." Edward glared at her again but this time she ignored him, turning her back on him and taking Bella by the elbow to lead her toward the exit. Edward stayed behind for a moment, stuffing his laptop into his bag. In truth he felt more than a little uncomfortable with Bella's actions today. He liked to keep his private life private. How long would it be until one of the workers let slip that they could lose their home? He could only imagine the gleeful editorial Mike Newton would write if he knew. Yet he couldn't fault Bella's instinct. Somehow she had known just the right thing to say to bring everybody on board. The mood had changed since she stood up on that stage and talked openly and honestly about what was at stake.

"Edward," called Bella, her silhouette dark in the bright light of the doorway, "Jessica and I are going to get lunch, we'll see you back at the office." He didn't have time to lift his head or pass comment when the heavy fire door, swung shut, leaving him alone in the cafeteria. Nothing had ever happened with Jessica, although part of him had fantasised about it. So why did the thought of Bella and Jessica getting friendly put him so on edge? Why did this life that he had worked so hard to create seem to be running away from him?

"We must do this again," gushed Jessica, her face a little flushed from the two bottles of white wine that they had shared over lunch, "it's been so long."

"We should," said Bella, as the lift doors to take them up to reception closed. In the lift Jessica took out her always present phone and started checking e-mails, already switching back into work mode. Bella had enjoyed lunch with Jessica, she really had, whilst they hadn't spoken in a long time they had been best friends through the whole of high school and had a huge amount of shared history.

Yet, Bella couldn't help feeling a little uncomfortable. Firstly, she hadn't forgotten that Jessica had abruptly stopped speaking to her around the time that she got pregnant. It had hurt her terribly and when she never got a response as to what she had done wrong Jessica had simply ignored her. Bella had assumed that the stigma of being friends with the pregnant girl was too much for her and moved on with her life. Then there was the fact that there was something a little fake, a little forced, about Jessica's overtures. Of course, it made sense for them to be on civil terms if they were going to be working together but they didn't have to be bosom buddies. The last thing was the atmosphere between Jessica and Edward. After the second glass of wine she hadn't been shy in waxing lyrical about Edward's talents and what a good boss he was. There was nothing wrong with that in itself but Bella hadn't entirely forgotten her earlier jealousy. There was a strange atmosphere between the two that she couldn't put her fingers on. The looks, the silences, the strange fizzle of the atmosphere in their presence. If they hadn't been sleeping together, and she did believe Edward when he said that nothing had happened, then there was still something that they hadn't told her. She sighed to herself, hoping that it would come out in good time, just as she hoped that Alice would confide in her about what had happened there.

"Who is that?" asked Jessica, quietly but excitedly, as the doors opened to Cullen Industries reception. A tall, dark haired man with tight jeans covering a delectable bottom stood at reception beside a large bouquet of flowers. The man turned around and that she saw that it was Jacob, the tight black T-shirt setting off his dark hair and eyes and showing off his work toned biceps. "Oh my," whispered Jessica as he broke out into his trademark grin, all white teeth and twinkling eyes, "there is a god."

"Bella," said Jacob, enveloping her in a friendly hug before she could stop him, "just the person I was looking for, I thought I was going to have to leave the flowers without seeing you." Bella felt, rather than saw, Jessica glare at her. She muttered goodbye and stomped into the office with an angry little swipe of her security tag. Jacob was oblivious, his attention entirely focused on Bella.

"What are you doing here?" said Bella.

"Are you not happy to see me?" he said, cheekily.

"No," she replied, "I'm at work. This is entirely inappropriate."

"It's just flowers," he said, tipping his head to the side and fixing her with his puppy dog eyes, "and I've not even started being inappropriate yet. Plus," he said, taking a step forward and sniffing her breath, "it smells to me like you've already been a little bit inappropriate this lunchtime." Bella glanced past Jacob, noting that Sandie was trying to look as if she wasn't listening while obviously trying to listen in.

"Office, now," she growled.

"Whoa," he said, a mock serious look on his face, "when I said I was going to take things slow, I meant it. It would be entirely inappropriate for you to manhandle me in an office."

"Shut up, Jacob," this time it was her turn to smile, it was so hard to be serious with Jacob in the vicinity. "I just need to speak to you, I promise that I'll let you go with your honour intact."

"So," he said, when the door closed behind them. He didn't sit down. "Why did you cancel our date tomorrow night? I brought the flowers in person because I hoped that I could change your mind." He was close enough for Bella to smell him, the familiar haunting scent of man, fresh and earthy.

"It's just not a good idea," replied Bella, sitting down at the table. Taking her lead he copied her and sat down opposite her. The office was plush but they both circled each other slightly warily, the atmosphere more like an interrogation room than an office.

"Did he tell you not to come?"

"No," snapped Bella, "and why the hell does everybody assume that all of my decisions are made by Edward? I'm my own woman."

"Sorry," he said, the softness of his voice and the crinkling of his eyes confirming that the sentiment went further than just words.

"Besides," said Bella, more than a little defiantly. "Edward said that I should go out with you."

"Great! I'll pick you up at eight then!"

"No, no," she cut in, shaking her head vehemently, her usual reserve eroded by the lunchtime wine. "I don't think you get it. Just because he said it doesn't mean that I will actually go out with you."

"Oh right..." he was clearly confused. "Wait, why not?"

"Because it's my choice."

"But you will, right?"

"No."

"Oh, okay." His head dropped, the exuberance of a moment ago visibly draining out of him.

"I need to ask you something," said Bella, changing the subject abruptly. He raised his head. "And I need you to be entirely honest with me." She knew that it would be difficult to ask Jacob about Alice but the extra helping of liquid Dutch Courage had steeled her to do just that.

"Of course I will," he replied, "you've seen for yourself that I can't keep a secret to save my life." An unexpected smile twitched at the corner of her lips; he had been adorable when he confessed about Edward's little scheme. He sat back in the chair, clearly confident that any question that she posed would not be a problem for him. "Shoot."

"Did you seduce Alice when you were working at her house?"

"What?" His nose crinkled and his top lip turned up as if he didn't understand the question.

"Alice," explained Bella, impatiently, "Edward's older sister, did you sleep with her when you were doing their renovations?"

"No, of course not. She was married." He looked at her then realised what he had said, breaking into a sheepish grin. "And pregnant."

"Well, it hasn't stopped somebody seducing her and I'd like to know whether it was you."

"Hell, no. I mean, Alice is a sweet girl, maybe a little bit on the crazy side, but not my type." His tone changed. "Wait, just how low is your opinion of me? Do you just think I go around the country seducing anything that moves?" It was Bella's turn to colour, really when she had said it out loud it did sound absurd.

"I'm sorry," she said, with a grimace. "Alice won't tell me who it was so I put two and two together and thought it might be you."

"Well, it's not, he said. "And you owe me an apology for making out that I'm some common or garden sleaze."

"Did you see any other men around?" she asked. If Jacob hadn't been the culprit perhaps he had some clues.

"A few, I guess," he said. "There was a car there a few times but I never saw the driver."

It stuck in my mind 'cause it was quite a flashy pick up. An Escalade, this years model. Really vulgar chrome wheels."

"But you never saw the driver?"

"I'm afraid not."

"Thanks," said Bella, although there really wasn't much for her to go on. Jacob's description of the car could apply to hundreds of cars and drivers.

"So," said Jacob, bringing Bella back from the place that her mind had been drifting to, "does this mean that you'll come out with me tomorrow night?"

"Um..."

"Don't say no," he cut in before she could make an excuse, "Edward knows so there will be no subterfuge and I promise that I'll treat you like a lady. Plus," he added, "I think you owe me one after those allegations about Alice."

"Um..." she was on the spot, trying to think of a reason to say no when she realised that there wasn't really an obvious one. "Yeah, I suppose so."

"Yeah," parroted Jacob in a sarcastic voice, although the twinkle in his eyes confirmed that he was back in good humour now, "I suppose so, just the words that every man wants to hear."

"Don't push your luck," she said, sternly.

"Hey," said Edward, as Bella walked back into his office. Or, should he say, their office since she had set up her laptop across the desk from his.

"Hey," she replied, tucking her handbag under the desk and sitting down heavily in the leather swivel seat.

"How was lunch?" he asked.

"Fine," said Bella, unlocking the screen on her computer and pressing a few letters of her password in with firm little taps. He knew enough not to ask her any more.

"You were amazing today, you know," he said, softly. She lifted her head from the screen and fixed him with her amazing brown eyes.

"Do you think?" she replied. "I could see you tensing up when I told the guys about the house, I thought you would be angry."

"Well," he said with a grimace, "in truth I was angry at the time but in hindsight I think that it was the best thing to do. People are suddenly on board with the whole thing. You did in ten minutes what I've been struggling to do."

"It's all about communication," she said with a smile. For a moment he wondered whether she was talking about more than just the business but when she continued he put the thought to the back of his mind, having decided that he was reading too much into things. "People hate hearing rumours or seeing another one of Mike Newton's editorials. They would rather hear the news directly from the source, even if it's bad."

"Noted," said Edward. "I don't think my power-point presentation was ever going to whip them into a frenzy."

"To be fair," said Bella, with a rich chuckle that reverberated through every fibre of his body, "I don't think any power-point presentation in the history of the world has whipped anyone into a frenzy."

"You've not seen my presentation on the financial projections for next year," he said, in a fake sexy voice that made her laugh again. It felt good, he thought, good to have her in the office, good to see her relaxed enough to laugh with him and good to have her by his side this morning supporting him. He couldn't put his finger on it but maybe things had started to go wrong when they stopped working together? Never mind the past, he thought, he had to make sure that he kept hold of her in the present.

"Bella?" he asked, making her lift her head from the screen again. "Do you want to go out tonight?"

"Sorry Edward," she replied, "I promised Alice that I would help her with the preparations for the baby shower."

"What, again?" he must have sounded surprised because Bella appeared taken aback. He tried to turn it into a joke. "Is this going to be the biggest baby shower ever?"

"Don't be ridiculous," said Bella, sternly, "Jasper's out of town, not that he would have wanted to help anyway, so of course it's right that I help her out."

"Of course, of course," said Edward, spreading his hands in front of him a defensive gesture. "Why don't we go out tomorrow night?"

"Oh," her face immediately flushed pink. "I can't."

"Why not?" The flush on her face told him without words exactly why but the masochist inside had to say it out loud.

"Um, sorry Edward, but I'm going out with Jacob." He sat looking at her silently, not quite sure how to deal with this. She must have felt uncomfortable because she carried on. "I mean, you did say..."

"You're right," said Edward, with a fake smile that he hoped covered the trembling of his beating heart, "I did. Emmett's been bugging me to go on a boys night anyway."

"Oh, Okay." Now it was her turn to look a little crestfallen. Shit, he thought, had he just given her up too easily? Had she expected him to fight for her? His plan of giving her enough space to come back to him was devilishly difficult when you got to the detail.

"I meant what I said in the café, Bella," he said, a virtually imperceptible wobble in his low voice the only indicator as to how deep in his soul these sentiments were coming from, "I want you back, for always and forever. I'll do whatever it takes, I'm even willing to stand in the wings while you get whatever this is out of your system but please, please don't keep me waiting to long."