Happy Monday, my dears!

So excited to be here today with you all and these loves!

Thank you so so much to my extraordinary beta, Fran S. Sunflower and to my pre-readers, brierlynn03 and DaniDarlingxx.

Chapter 8: Bella

"Hey Bella, good weekend?"

I looked up at Rebecca, one of our program leaders, and smiled, nodding as I headed toward my office.

Rose had come over Saturday afternoon, and we'd had a lovely weekend, the three of us holed up in our comfiest pajamas. Rose had brought nail polish to give us manicures and pedicures, and Gracie and I had stopped by the store to pick up snacks and face masks. It had been a weekend of pampering, and after Gracie had gone to sleep on Saturday night, Rose and I stayed up late, giggling on my sofa as we shared a bottle of wine. We didn't talk about the men in our lives; instead, focusing solely on discovering new shared interests. It was exactly the sort of weekend I needed.

In fact, the only time Edward had even sort of come up was when Gracie had shown Rose her Bebe doll.

"This is Princess Bebe." Gracie shoved the doll into Rose's lap, and Rose nodded, looking down at the princess with a wide smile.

"She looks very noble," Rose said.

Gracie frowned. "What does that mean?"

Rose smiled. "She looks honest and kind and strong and fair," she offered. Gracie considered it.

"Yes," she agreed. Rose beamed at her. "Mama said Bebe doesn't need a prince to become a princess, but mama is going to look for a prince to play with."

Rose's eyes cut to me, and I blushed as a wicked smirk came across her face. Don't. I mouthed, glancing at Gracie. Rose nearly turned puce, trying to keep her laugh contained.

When we finally called it a night with Rose passing out on the sofa bed while I stumbled into my own bed. I fell asleep, with happy, uncomplicated thoughts. It was perfect.

Sunday, we'd all gone to breakfast and then done a little shopping before parting ways with Rose.

There was a noticeable change in Gracie when she spent time with Rose. She was always outgoing, but after spending time with Rose, I could see her becoming more confident. It was surprising to see how quickly her influence had touched my daughter.

I slid into my office, dropping my bag on my desk as I started up my computer.

There was a knock on my open door, and I looked up, grinning at Rose.

"Hey," she said, setting a cup of coffee on my desk. "How are you?"

I smiled, taking the coffee gratefully. "I'm great. Thank you again for this weekend. Gracie and I both needed it."

Rose beamed. "I did too," she admitted. "I feel a lot better about everything," she waved her hand around her vaguely, and I nodded, understanding. "Gracie is a really special kid," she said, peering at me over her cup. I let out a breath and nodded.

"I know," I said, smiling at her. She nodded.

"I had a blast, and I wanted to let you know that any time you two want some pamper time, just give me a call." She leaned toward me, her eyes gleaming. "Also, please remember my offer to babysit whenever," she whispered, standing before I could protest. She turned and smiled at Garrett, who was lingering by my office door.

"Morning," she said to him, brushing past on her way out of my office. Behind his back, she turned to me and gave me a big, cheesy thumbs up before turning on her heel and heading off. I turned my attention to Garrett.

"What can I do for you?"

He smiled and came into my office, taking the seat Rose had just vacated. "Wondering if you have a minute to go over this meeting we have in twenty minutes?"

I nodded, turning to my desk. "Yes, let's do that."

…

I was knee-deep into my email, overwhelmed by the number of questions that had flooded my inbox over the weekend, when my phone rang, startling me. I looked down at it, my mouth going dry.

It was Edward.

I picked up my phone, trying to keep my breathing even as I answered. "This is Bella."

There was a small pause before his voice came on the line. "Hello, Bella."

Even if I didn't have his caller ID, I would have known his voice anywhere. "Edward," I murmured, biting my lip.

"I hope I haven't called at a bad time?"

I glanced at my computer, the pile of emails I needed to address. "No, it's fine. What can I do for you?"

"I had a couple of questions I'm going to send you about the bid. I wanted to call to give you a heads up because I'm sure it will be overwhelming when they come in."

I frowned, glancing at my inbox. "I'm sure it's no more overwhelming than what has already come in," I told him.

"Perhaps not."

I frowned, turning from my phone to concentrate on the call. "Was there something else you wanted to talk about?" I hated the hopeful tone in my voice. I was sure he could hear it as well, and I wanted to smack myself.

Edward hesitated. "I shouldn't," he said after a moment.

I sat back; my interest piqued. "Well, now I'm dying of curiosity."

He hummed again, and somehow the sound traveled straight through me, making my body wake up in a way I really didn't appreciate in the middle of a workday.

"How was your weekend?" he asked, surprising me. I relaxed a fraction, a real smile coming over my face.

"It was fantastic. Rose, a good friend of mine, came over, and we had a girl's weekend." And we didn't talk about you.

"That sounds fun." He sounded genuine, but I could hear something in his voice, something I couldn't quite pin.

"It was. Did your weekend disappoint?"

Edward barked out a soft laugh. "It was, unexpected," he said, and I could practically see him shaking his head. "It ended up forcing me to think about quite a few things."

I frowned, wondering where this was going. "Oh? Such as?"

He was quiet, and I wondered if he was going to answer at all when he let out a long breath. "I really like you, Bella."

The breath rushed out of my body with my shock, and I felt my mouth pop open in surprise. "I'm sorry, I know this is unprofessional, and I'm trying, really trying to…" he paused, sighing. "I'm trying to keep it professional, but I have been well and truly enchanted by you, Dr. Swan."

I had no idea how to respond, other with childish glee.

I was quiet too long, though, and I heard Edward take a nervous breath over the line. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "You've taken me by surprise."

"I'm glad at least I was able to keep my interest under wraps," he murmured. He sounded anxious, and I blinked, my eyes fixating on the framed photo of Gracie on my desk.

"I …" I shook my head. "I have Gracie."

Edward sighed. "I know, and believe me, I've been trying to stop myself from hitting this point." he sighed. "Fuck, this should not have happened over the phone." I nodded mutely in agreement. "Is there any way we could meet in person?"

I blinked, looking at the time. It was past the lunch hour already, though I hadn't eaten yet.

"I haven't taken lunch yet," I whispered. Edward let out a breath.

"Will you meet me for lunch?"

I paused, considering it. I was so surprised and confused, and I knew that until we talked about this face to face, I would remain so. "Yes, where?"

He let out another anxious breath. "Anywhere. We can go to the place by your work," he suggested.

I nodded though he couldn't see me. "Okay. What time?"

"Twenty minutes?"

I nodded. "I'll see you there."

…

The walk to the restaurant gave me time to sort through my thoughts. In hindsight, I wasn't too surprised Edward liked me; every interaction we had hinted to it enough, so on some level, I must have known it.

I knew I was attracted to him as well, though I hadn't given myself permission to think about how much deeper that attraction might go. My instinct was to turn him down, my thoughts about protecting Gracie. Sure, I'd dated in the past without Gracie much the wiser, but for some reason, Edward felt different. I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep him and Gracie separate in my life.

I got to the restaurant before Edward, and thankfully, the waitress who had been so inappropriate last time wasn't there. She'd been blatant about trying to get his attention, and though I was sure it happened to him quite often, Edward handled it perfectly. Riley would never have stood up to a woman like that; in fact, he often encouraged the flirting, even when I was pregnant, and we'd still been together. I was ashamed to admit I'd never been with a guy who was willing to stand up to people, to protect my daughter or me. It had made me like him all the more.

I was seated at a small table near the front windows of the restaurant before Edward came in. Looking at him, his perfectly tousled hair, his shockingly green eyes, and the light stubble that graced his strong jaw, I was floored once again by just how beautiful he was.

No wonder my daughter had mistaken him for a prince.

His eyes found mine, and I saw anxiousness in them as he made his way to the table. He sat across from me and offered me a small smile, sweeping his hand through his hair. It stood up further, and I wondered briefly if that's why his hair always looked so wild.

I liked it.

"Hi," I whispered, feeling inexplicably shy.

He huffed out a small laugh. "Hi."

I bit my lip, and he sighed, leaning toward me, his elbows resting on the table. "Bella, I'm sorry I've opened this can of worms," he said softly. "I feel like an unprofessional ass, and I'm absolutely kicking myself for putting us in this situation."

I watched him silently, wondering if he was trying to take back his earlier confession. "I'll admit, it has taken me by surprise."

He glanced at me. "I shouldn't have said anything. I'll withdraw our company from the bid process."

I blinked. "Wait, what?"

He sat back, shaking his head. "I crossed a line I shouldn't have crossed. You have my most sincere apology."

I felt panicked, and I reached across the table, grabbing his hand before I could second guess myself. "Stop, hold on." I was trying to think quickly, to figure out what I needed to say to him before he suddenly vanished from my life. "Look, I was surprised, but I'm not upset," I whispered, my eyes meeting his. His eyebrows rose slightly. "I like you too, and I'm just trying to wrap my head around everything." The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them, and I felt my eyes widening as they registered across his face.

Edward smiled, and it was a sweet, shy smile that nearly stopped my breathing. "Can we talk as Edward and Bella, separate from work for a moment?" I asked, feeling my head spinning.

Edward's hand shifted, and I realized I was still holding on to him. His hand flipped under mine, capturing my hand before I could yank it away. "All right," he said softly.

I stared at him, unable to remember what it was I wanted to say or what my reasons for saying it were. He wasn't the only one well and truly enchanted, it seemed.

The waitress came to our table, interrupting us then, and I blinked up at her, tugging my hand out of his grasp. I ordered the first salad I could find while Edward ordered a burger. She nodded, leaving us be, and I looked back at him, again feeling shy and anxious.

"I have to protect Gracie," I said after a moment. Edward nodded, though a slight frown came over his face.

"I understand," he murmured. "But can I ask what you are protecting her from?"

I bit my lip. "I don't want her getting attached to anyone, especially if it doesn't end up working out," I paused. "Gracie already likes you. She calls you her prince," at this, he smiled a small, shy smile that made my heart flutter. "But if you come into our lives and it's only a casual thing for you, it will confuse her. She needs stability." My throat went dry. Gracie wasn't the only one needing stability. "I can't let her get attached only to let her heart get broken," I whispered.

Edward considered that with a frown. "The last thing I want to do is break her heart," he said softly, his eyes meeting mine and telling me he wasn't only talking about my daughter. "Gracie is a great kid, and I understand about her needing stability. I want her to be happy as long as it's possible to be in this world." He reached up to run a hand across the stubble on his jaw. "Bella, I'm not taking any of this lightly. I'm not a parent; I don't know what it's like to try to navigate dating with a child." He stopped, shaking his head. "And I get it, your need to protect her." He ran a hand through his hair again and sighed. "Shit, I've probably messed this all up," he sighed.

I frowned. "No," I said quickly. "I," I paused when he looked up at me. "I'm sorry, I can't do casual."

He frowned slightly. "Have you in the past?"

I licked my lips. "Yes." At his raised eyebrow, I sighed and continued. "I've dated without Gracie ever knowing about it, but she's already met you, and…" I paused, chickening out. I couldn't tell him I already liked him too much. Instead, I shook my head. "I know it's not fair of me to expect any sort of commitment from you when we still barely know each other," I said softly.

Edward let out a gentle breath. "I don't want to overcommit," he said slowly. "I like you, Bella, a lot, and I like Gracie, but I don't know what the hell I'm doing," he paused, looking up at me. "Would you be open to meeting somewhere in the middle? Trying a few dates, see where we land?"

I sucked in a small breath, smiling. "Yeah," I said slowly. "Yeah, I'd like that."

Edward's smile made my breath catch. He was so dazzling.

"As much as I'd love to see Gracie again," he said slowly, "I realize it's pretty unlikely, at least for a while," he glanced up at me. "I hope you don't mind me asking about her, though?"

My heart squeezed, and I bit my smile back, looking down at my hands.

"Yeah," I said quietly. "I'd love that."

"I can't imagine the tremendous amount of faith it must take for you to bring someone into her life," he said after a moment. "I'm not asking for that faith yet; I know I have to earn your trust." He looked up at me, and the perfect green of his eyes swept through me, making my heart stutter in my chest. "I think right now; I'm just asking for the opportunity to earn your trust."

Oh boy. It was hard not to constantly swoon talking to him. "You've already gained some," I told him, finding my courage, to be honest with him. "The fact that you're even willing to sit down to have this conversation goes a long way." Edward considered that, and I smiled at him, my head tilting slightly. "And, when it comes to work, I have confidence in you. I trust your company, and I need to know there is someone bidding I can rely on."

Edward looked surprised, though pleased at this. "I'd really like the opportunity to work with you," he admitted.

I bit at my lip again. "Me too."

Edward smiled, and his hand came up to rest on top of mine. "Can we keep things professional and separate? Or is that too much to ask?"

I considered his question before sighing. "I like to think I'll be able to do it," I said slowly. "And regardless of what we decide now, it's not going to affect your bid. We'll look at them with impartial judgment."

Edward smiled at the stern tone my voice had taken and squeezed my hand gently. "I'd hope for nothing less," he said honestly.

I nodded.

"Where does that leave us?"

Edward considered my question, and our waitress came back with our food. I let go of Edward and sat back as she set the salad in front of me. She was blessedly gone almost as quickly as she'd come, and I looked back at Edward.

"I'd like to ask you out properly. No strings, no expectations, just dinner."

I had to squash the childish squeal that wanted to bubble up out of me. "I'll go out with you," I said softly. "But I want to wait until the bids are submitted, and a decision has been made."

He frowned slightly, and I shook my head. "I'm sure we're both going to have too much on our plates over the next couple of weeks for much else than work."

He smiled, looking down at his burger. "Good point, Dr. Swan." He looked up at me, and the intensity of his eyes stole my breath. "Very well. I'd like to officially ask you out for the Friday after deliberations have been made, regardless of whether my team wins the job or not."

I smiled a little and nodded. "I accept, Mr. Cullen."

He grinned, and his smile was boyish and filled with light-hearted joy. I couldn't help smiling back. "I'm very much looking forward to it," he said, picking up a fry and popping it in his mouth. I nodded.

"As am I."

…

Rose cornered me on the way to my car that night. "What's with the goofy smile on your face?" she asked, falling into step with me as I headed through the lot. I couldn't help it as my smile widened.

"I saw Edward today."

Rose's eyebrows rose. "Oh? How was he?"

I bit my lip as I looked her over. "Rose, are you available to babysit for me on November 20th?"

Rose stopped walking, her eyes bugging out of her head as she grabbed my arm. I stopped and turned to her.

"Really?" she asked, sounding breathless. I laughed and nodded.

"We're going to try going out. I don't know how it's going to work in the long run with Gracie and work and everything, but…" I paused, biting my lip and Rose grinned, pulling me into a tight hug.

"Bella, I'm so happy for you!"

I couldn't help laughing at her exuberance. "Thank you, Rose. I'm sure I wouldn't have said yes to him had it not been for your unwavering support."

She pulled back, her blue eyes sweeping over my face. "You really like this guy, don't you?"

I blushed. "Yeah, I think I do."

She grinned and hugged me tighter. "And he obviously likes you too. That's all that matters right now. The rest will sort itself out."

I smiled at her, hoping that she was right.

Eee! They have a date! Anyone holding out hope they'll be able to keep business and personal separate?

Okay, today's rec I have recently talked about, but I absolutely cannot stress enough how GOOD this story is! Seriously! I've been moved to real tears and swoons and giggles reading. The story is the Muse in the Shadows by Lily Jill and it's a massively underrated fic.

Okay my loves. Bodice Rippers Contest is still going, and we have a couple entries up as well as a few more that will be up hopefully this week! Find the group on Facebook or find our page on FF Bodice Ripper's Contest is the pen name.

See you darlings next week!