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Eric sat on the barstool-looking chair, not rushing to change into his work clothes, and leaned against the counter. He motioned for her to twirl again, which she did.

"Why are you always wearing black pantyhose? They're not even see-through."

"Oh, shut up," she replied, smiling. "The pantyhose stay. Anything else?"

"Lose the necklace. Too bling-bling with those earrings. Why is your hair up?"

She slipped the necklace in her purse, removed her hair clip and dramatically shook her head as her hair fell on her shoulders.

"That's why," she said. "I look like a poodle."

"A very cute poodle."

"But a poodle nonetheless."

"Has he even seen you with loose hair?"

"Of course not." Regardless, she left her hair down only to find her reflection on a nearby TV-screen. She grimaced. "You're sure?"

"Positive. You have that Keri Russell cutie-pie thing going on with your hair."

"If she had a kid with a poodle."

"But a very cute poodle," he repeated. Bella laughed and put on a jacket.

"You show him what yoopers are made of. And if he's not mad about you by the end of the night, he's batting for my team."

"That's very assuring," Bella replied, smiling. "Thanks. You have a great night, Eric. Coffee's at the back."

"Best news I've heard all day!" Eric shouted after her, and a client took a long look at both Bella and Eric before entering the pharmacy. Bella didn't mind the windy night because she felt sick with nerves and anticipation as she drove to Dublin Square. The pub was packed, of course, as it often was on a Friday night, but even as Bella said hi to many of her friends and course mates who wanted her to join them, she kept searching for Edward.

But when she found him, he was surrounded by six co-workers. Three of them were still in their khaki-colored pants with neon stripes at the bottoms, and when Edward raised his eyes, mouth agape as he stared at her, she wanted to disappear. Because even in her jacket, she was overdressed, embarrassingly so. For a fraction of a second, she thought of doing a one eighty and never looking back, but the moment passed and instead, she plastered a smile on her face and walked up to the firemen. Jasper gave her a curt nod.

"Good evening, gentlemen. Couldn't resist starting without me, eh?"

Introductions were made, and even though a chair was produced for her, she fought her way to sitting next to a somber-looking Edward. Drinks and food were ordered, and Bella got to know Edward's colleagues a lot better. Some of the younger-looking ones attempted to flirt with her, but Edward? Not once. He sat still, looking at the beer glass in front of him, only briefly raising his eyes when one of the guys said something. When Bella spoke, he kept his gaze firmly on his beer. It hurt.

After two of the firemen found themselves college girls and brought them over, everyone's attention was diverted. Bella sat back, leaning closer to Edward when she slid her hand in his under the table and squeezed it.

"Are you alright?"

"Fine," he replied, staring at his glass.

"That's such bullshit," Bella whispered. "What happened?"

"Nothing." He smiled tightly in her direction, never making eye contact. He kept trailing the edge of his glass with his index finger.

"Why are all your firemen at the MSU campus?"

"It's Jasper's birthday."

Bella looked over at Jasper's empty chair—he'd gone out to smoke.

"Twenty fifth of May," she said. "Of course." Looking at their joined hands in his lap, she took a breath. "I thought we were going to have a date. A date, date. Not that I mind this, but… next week, maybe? Are you free on Wednesday?"

Edward shut his eyes, squeezing her hand before letting it go. "I'm not interested in that," he muttered, barely audible. He wouldn't look at her. Her hand felt very awkward without his, so she clutched her palms together in her lap.

"Okay," she whispered, like it was any other word she'd said. Suddenly, the music was too loud, the voices too close, laughter too happy. She put the money for her share of the meal under Edward's plate and pushed back her chair, but he got hold of her wrist before she could stand.

"Where are you going?"

"Home," she replied.

He stared at his glass, and his voice was quiet. Pained, almost, if she didn't know any better. "I didn't mean to make you leave."

"You're not," she said, motioning for him to let go of her. He did. "I just—I misunderstood. Shit happens."

"I'll come with you."

"No," Bella answered, squeezing his shoulder. "I'll be okay. You stay, get to know your co-workers. I'm sorry I misunderstood." She pulled on her jacket, offering some generic apology in the table's direction. The firemen were surprisingly reluctant to see her leave, but she wasn't paying much attention. She'd already walked away from the table before she turned, took a few steps back, and leaned over Edward. "Give me a call when you need a sober driver, okay? Whenever you're done." She paused. "Or take a cab. Make sure Jasper doesn't drive and that nobody sits in his car. He can be reckless. If you know you won't be sober enough to make him sit in a cab, make sure one of your guys takes care of it."

For the first time since Bella entered the pub, Edward lifted his eyes to look at her, and she was taken aback by how broken he seemed. He stared at her dress, her hair, and finally, settled on her eyes. His gaze, intense and humbling, gave her goose bumps. Regardless of her heartbreak, his pained appearance worried her.

"You sure you're okay?" she whispered.

He gave a nod.

"Okay," Bella replied, wrapping money in her palm and putting it in Edward's. "I know you're saving up for a new place, so… for the cab."

So quickly she couldn't even register, he'd opened her palm and put her money back in it, encasing her palm in both of his, squeezing. "No," he said, firmly. His voice left no room for argument, and Bella could feel his gaze on her back as she exited the pub. She walked downstairs, stepped left and crouched, pressing her teeth against her fist, feeling her throat burn. She took a breath, so deep it hurt, and let it out as slowly as she could. She hid her face behind her palms, taking another slow, deep breath, and leaned against the railing. The night blurred in front of her eyes, but she pressed her knuckles against her eyes and wiped cheeks with her sleeves.

"So he rejected little saintly Bella without my influence," Jasper said. Bella jumped and turned, holding a palm over her heart. Jasper was standing on her left, on the road for the handicapped, sitting on the red brick edge under the railing. He held a stub between his fingers.

"Do you see it now? Girls aren't meant to make the first move. Making a move is the guy's job."

"Oh, fuck off," Bella whispered. "He doesn't want me, all by himself. Happy now?"

"Why yes." Jasper smiled, but it felt unpleasant, smirk-like. "You ruined my future. It gives me great pleasure to see you unhappy."

"You were cheating on your pregnant fiancée. That was your choice. I was just the messenger."

"You could've fucking warned me," Jasper hissed.

"But I did, remember? I gave you twenty four hours and you chose to spend it with the other girl. That, also, was your own choice."

Jasper stepped closer. He was sober enough not to waver but not enough to swallow his anger.

"Next time, mind your own goddamn business."

"I'll mind my own business until there's an asshole ruining my friend's future. Unlike some of us, I've got too much conscience to pretend I saw nothing."

Jasper stepped close enough for their shoes to touch, and as he towered over her, Bella wondered briefly if he would hit her. But Jasper inhaled the smoke and breathed it, slowly, into her face.

"Feels good, doesn't it," he said, watching her grimace. "The pain."

She stumbled backwards just as the front door opened, and she wiped her cheeks before looking up. Edward's eyes flickered between them before he stared at a spot behind them. He clenched his jaw.

"Your birthday cake is waiting."

"Excellent," Jasper said, smiling as he skipped a couple of steps, climbing upstairs. Edward hovered on the doorway after Jasper had entered, waiting.

"Are you alright?"

"Fabulous," Bella answered, grinning widely while tears shimmered in her eyes. She wrapped arms around herself. "Have a great night, Edward," she whispered, turning away, walking on the semi-dim pavement toward her car. She thought she heard Edward call after her, but she didn't have the strength to stop and listen.

It took her eight minutes to get home. Even after she turned off the engine, she sat in her car, watching. Emmett's and Rosalie's lights were on, and she could see their shadows move inside. Bella pushed off her shoes, lifted her feet to the passenger seat, and dialed her grandpa's number. It was minutes past ten PM, and he wouldn't be going to sleep for another half an hour.

"Forty one, a couple of clouds, mild wind," grandpa answered, a smile in his voice. Bella sniffed, wiping her face, and she couldn't help but smile back.

"Fifty four, no clouds, but the wind is strong," she replied, taking a deep breath. "So how's my favorite person in the whole world?"

"Are you referring to my knee?"

"Always. I have no concern for the person attached to it."

"My knee is flattered. He's been rebellious today, but we're happy. How are you, sunshine?"

Bella sniffed, pressing her lips together, struggling to answer.

"Bella?"

"Yes," she replied. "Still here."

"What happened?" grandpa asked, and the concern and love in his voice squeezed her in the most precious way.

"He—doesn't want me." She exhaled shakily, sniffed, and attempted a smile. "You will forever be the only man who loves me. How sad is that?"

"That is neither sad nor true," he answered. "Jim loves you."

"Jim is a parrot."

"That doesn't stop him from loving you, now does it?"

Bella laughed, but it was a mixture of a huff and a sniff. "I love you, grandpa. Five AM yoga and all."

"I thought you loved me for my tattoos," grandpa said, pretending to be offended. He paused, and quietly added, "You're wonderful, Bella. You wear your heart in your sleeve, but that's why I love you. A guy will come around who will appreciate it more than you could ever hope for. Because I won't let anyone less worthy to plan a life with you."

Bella smiled to herself.

"Should I curse the son-of-a-bitch who just rejected you? Or is it too soon? I have just the curse words today."

"No," she replied, taking a breath. "Edward is still as amazing as he was in the morning. I hope I didn't damage our friendship. You can curse Jasper, though. Same shit, different day."

"He was there?"

"Isn't he always there to laugh at my misery? Every time something bad happens, there he is."

Grandpa paused before muttering, "Do you have enough money? Are you safe?"

"Less worrying about me and more about your knee, okay?"

"Okay," he replied, not really meaning it. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Take care of your knee," she replied. "And make sure I go out with the next guy who asks me."

"I can do that."

"I love you, grandpa. So much. Weather reports and all."

She didn't put on the lights as she entered her little apartment. Instead, she pulled off the dress she had hoped would get Edward's attention, changed into pajamas and took a blanket to the couch. She brushed her teeth while putting on LoTR's first DVD, and slipped under the blanket, wishing she could see the movie in Edward's eyes. He had never, not once, fallen asleep while a movie was still playing. He gave it his undivided attention, and it fascinated her. She still found his life to be unbelievable, and so interesting. She hoped their friendship wouldn't turn awkward, and because she knew, she just knew something was up with Edward today, she reminded herself to get it out of him tomorrow. Interested in her or not, he was still her friend.

But unlike Edward, she'd been around TVs all her life, and half an hour into the movie she'd watched so many times with Edward, she fell asleep.