Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns everything Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: Thanks to Jax713 for pre-reading and to mcc101180 for beta-ing.

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We spend the next few weeks like this, doing lab work and struggling to keep our hands off each other. She teases me, she contradicts me, she drives me mad, she excites me, she motivates me, she challenges me… And I've never been happier.

Having Bella in my life has completely changed me. I can't recall ever having so much fun at work. I find myself laughing frequently and making jokes that don't involve anyone getting hurt. I love explaining new approaches to Bella, discussing them with her, having her challenge me. I never thought mentoring someone could be so fulfilling— so exciting. Bella inspires me to be better... to be happier, to have fun.

I think everyone in lab suspects that there is something going on between us, but we still try our best to keep to ourselves. We tried going out a couple times, but every time we'd run into someone and then the date would be ruined trying to keep up with appearances.

Honestly, it is fucking annoying. I don't care what anyone thinks, but we don't want to risk me getting in trouble with Aro or her losing the chance to work in the lab. So we keep it up— we act professional— even though we've had sex in the dark room eight times… not that I'm counting or anything.

As the semester starts to come to an end, I find it harder and harder to keep following Alice's advice and not overthink the future. I know Bella is hoping to get a summer internship in the lab. I haven't told her that's highly unlikely— Aro has never offered an internship to a student after only one semester of work. I could put in a good word for her, but she doesn't want me to. She doesn't want me to favor her in any way.

So there's the possibility that she might get an internship somewhere else. She might leave for the summer.

God, she'll leave for the summer.

That will be one long and miserable summer.

Dammit, I'm doing exactly what Alice said I shouldn't do.

I'm sitting in my car, waiting for her to come out. Aro is hosting the department's party at his house for the end of the semester, and I'm driving Bella to it. As if keeping up appearances in lab isn't hard enough, tonight we have to pretend in front of the whole department. I also have to pick up Emmett and Rosalie, because apparently, if we arrive in a group it's less obvious than if Bella and I arrive by ourselves.

Why can't I just give her a ride? Who else is she going to go with?

I'm not allowed to wait for her at her door either, so I have to wait in the car like a creep— like a rude creep.

My annoyance dissipates as soon as I see Bella walking out of her building.

Thank God for May weather—Bella is wearing a skirt!

She smiles at me through the window before she gets in the car. Her hair is down and wavy, and it's flowing over one shoulder.

As soon as she's inside, her lips collide with mine, her hands fly to my neck, and mine seize her waist. I breathe in deeply through my nose, enjoying her scent. Even though we have been together for two months, I still can't get enough of her. The acute desperation of not having her with me is the same, if not stronger, than day one.

"Hi…" she says with a sigh as she releases my lips. Her hands stay behind my neck as her fingers trace patterns in my hair. My eyes remain closed, enjoying her touch— I fucking love when she does this to my hair.

"Hi…" I breathe in deeply, touching my forehead to hers. "You're wearing a skirt." I groan as my hand trails down from her waist, over her thigh, and under the soft fabric.

"I am," she says while kissing my neck. I rub my hand up and down her inner thigh, teasing, every time reaching a little closer to where I want my fingers to be. "What are you doing?" she whispers hoarsely in my ear.

"I don't want to go to this thing." I nibble her earlobe. "Can we go inside?" My fingers are already over her panties, but she clenches her thighs, trapping my hand between them.

"No…" She breathes out shakily. "You promised we'd go. Aro invited me personally. Please."

I remove my hand at her plea and move back so that our foreheads are touching again.

"But you're wearing a skirt. You know what that will to do to me?" I caress her thigh again, unable to keep my hands to myself.

"I have an idea." She giggles.

"I'm going to be fucking hard and uncomfortable the whole time."

"I'll take care of it afterward," she promises. I groan again as I move back to my seat and start the car. "Thank you," she whispers.

I drive while Bella fumbles with the radio, not liking any of the music that's playing.

"Oh I know!" Her hands reach to the glove box. "Can we listen to this?" Bella asks, holding my mom's Carpenters CD in her hands.

My chest tightens, but I try to smile at her anyway. I have not told her about my parents yet, and even after I told her I moved in with my aunt and uncle when I was a kid, she hasn't asked. I know she knows something's up —she probably already came up with her own theory. Every time we talk about her parents, she gets this look on her face, like she's debating with herself whether to ask me or not. But I know she's giving me time— she's waiting so that I tell her myself.

"Not a chance," I snap back. This is what we do. We go back and forth, teasingly, driving each other crazy.

"C'mon, I want to listen to it."

"Well, I don't."

"Why do you have a Carpenters CD if you don't like them?"

I sigh. "Bella…"

I really don't want to get into this. I just want to get through tonight.

"Come on, just one song. Please?"

I look at her. She's stares back at me with eager eyes and a smile on her face. How can I say no?

I nod at her and get my attention back on the road. She opens the case and I know she can see my mom's note. My chest tightens again.

"Oh..." she says and turns to look at me. "You didn't want me to see this." She closes the CD case again. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to pry."

"It's okay, Bella. Put the CD on. It's fine."

"No, Edward. I'm sorry. This obviously has some sentimental value to you, and I was teasing you for it. I'm so sorry." Honest worry colors her voice, and I turn my gaze to her. Her face contours in embarrassment and concern —she thinks she has hurt my feelings.

"Hey, don't get upset." I reach for her face and rub my thumb on her cheek. "Listen, I'll tell you what. Let's forget about this whole thing, and I promise to tell you everything about that note, but just not tonight. Okay?"

I will tell her. I have to. I want to.

"I'm sorry," she says apologetically, her eyes glued to mine.

"It's fine." I give her a little smile and continue to drive.

I push the thoughts of my parents to the back of my mind while I reach for my iPod, knowing exactly what will cheer her up. Once I have The Police playing, she's back to smiling and all is right in the world.

I grab her hand over her thigh and intertwine my fingers with hers on top of her skirt.

Oh God, the skirt… the party… this is going to be hell!

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A/N: Theories? Anyone want to take a guess at what the note says?

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