I do not own Twilight.

Thanks for hanging in there everyone.

KPOV

I take my sweet time in the bathroom, hoping Bella will give up waiting and head back to the bar. Of course she's still here, pulling her bottom lip between her thumb and forefinger. It's a habit she picked up many years ago while studying—it's one of her tells when she's stressed or worried. I wash my hands, dry them on the soft towel then reach in my bag for some lotion. Avoidance is not going to work, but I can sure as hell try to drag it out as long as I can. I take a seat on the chaise next to her and concentrate on rubbing the cream into my hands.

"Katie, talk to me honey. This isn't like you to get trashed like this. I know you've had one hell of a day, but this isn't going to solve anything. You never rang me to let me know you're okay, and now you're sitting in a bar chatting up some random guy."

I hold my hand up to stop her from continuing. "Bell, I know it is, and I have a lot of explaining to do. Not only to you, but to the rest of the family too. But can I ask, just for tonight, that we leave it? I'm actually enjoying myself, without having to focus on politics being the main topic of conversation for the first time in I don't know how long. I promise... tomorrow, I will tell you everything."

Her mouths opens, and I cut her off before she gets a chance to say a word, "as for Edward, he's a really nice guy. He's a bit cut up over his ex, but I made him come to his senses."

Bella's face is in her hands, head shaking. "Please, please please please tell me you didn't go all Dr Phil on his ass, Kate?" She's peeking at me through her fingers, dreading my answer. It's not the first time I've done it, and she hates when I pull shit like this.

"Nope. I just told him a few home truths." Her answering groan tells me she's not impressed. I pull her up by both hands and push her toward the toilets. I know she hasn't been, instead waiting to make sure I didn't do a runner.

"Now go to the loo. I'm going back to Edward. He probably thinks we've left him high and dry." I leave the bathroom without a backward glance. It's time to put my plan into action.