A Seacht (7)

A/N: It's Friday again so that means a new chapter! Thank you so much for your continued support and reviews of this story. So, some people like Edward a little better knowing what he's thinking. I'm glad to know some people are on his side, lol. Thank you to SassyNoles, 2 brown eyes, Maplestyle, AGoodWitch, and BitterHarpy for their prereading skills. Thanks to Mel C for her red pen, and her awesome, insane, quick work. Love y'all ladies. We're back with BPOV. Off we go.

The next morning, I was woken by my phone ringing. I answered it, still half asleep.

"Lo?" I said into the phone.

"Bella."

"This is her."

"Hey, it's Alice."

That pulled me out of my sleep stupor, and I sat up suddenly in bed, which caused me to get very dizzy. "Alice, hey how are you? How is Jasper doing?" I asked, waiting for the room to stop spinning.

"He's doing really well. He was able to put some weight on his leg today and hobble to the bathroom, so he feels he has some independence back. You know guys."

I chuckled. "I do."

"So, I was thinking we could do lunch in two hours, at 1 p.m.? My mom wants to come too. You can totally say no, but Edward told her about us discussing it last night."

I ran my hand through my hair. "I mean if you're okay with it then so am I. I like your mom." I looked at the alarm clock on my nightstand. "God, is it really 11 a.m.?"

Alice laughed. "Yeah. Did you just wake up?"

"I did. Oh my god, are we going anywhere fancy?"

"Hmmm, my mom is kinda a bougie gal. Come over here and I will help you look presentable. I hid so many hangovers from my parents when I was a teenager. I think I have a dress that'll fit you too."

"Okay, give me like twenty minutes to wake up fully, and I'll head over."

Alice huffed. "Edward wants to know if you want a ride over here."

I laughed. "Actually, you know what. I would love one," I said, determined to keep the peace between all of us.

"Jesus, go already." I heard Alice say away from the phone. "He's on his way, Bella. See you in a few."

"Okay, later, Alice."

I pulled on some simple comfortable clothes—a pair of soft lounge pants and a fitted t-shirt—knowing that Alice had a dress for me to wear. As I was washing my face, Rose came out of her room. Her eyes were squinted shut against the light, and I handed her the bottle of Tylenol followed by a glass of water without looking at her. I started brushing my teeth, followed by brushing my hair.

"Where are you going?" Rose asked, standing behind me. She handed the glass back to me.

"To meet Edward's sister for lunch. She invited me last night."

Rose looked at my outfit. "In that?" she asked. Even though she was hungover, she still managed to pull off the bitch brow. I scoffed and shook my head.

"I'm getting ready over there. Apparently, she has a dress I can borrow and has pulled off the hangover look several times."

"You just met her and already she is sharing her clothes and giving you a makeover? Does she know the role of sister has already been cast?" Her eyes narrowed, hands on her hips and lips pursed.

I tried not to laugh at her obvious show of jealousy. "Oh, sissy, don't get all jealous. You know you're still my favorite," I said, pinching her cheeks, causing her to smack my ass on the way past me. I had just finished putting my shoes on when there was a knock on the door which Rose answered. I grabbed my jacket and purse and stopped short when I saw Edward.

He was in black jeans, a simple white t-shirt, simple black boots, and a charcoal grey peacoat that almost went to his knees. I had never seen him in jeans. Even last night at the club, he was wearing slacks and a nice shirt. I don't know why, but him in that outfit made me want to grab him by the front of his shirt and plant my lips on his. I shook my head, willing the thought away, and continued to meet him at the door. When I was standing by his side, he turned his attention from my sister to me. "Hey, are you ready to go?" His voice was softer, more friendly than usual.

I nodded and smiled. He returned the smile and bid Rose farewell. I gave her a hug and cheek kiss then followed him out of the house to his car. To my surprise, the SUV was not parked in the driveway; instead there was a metallic green sports car. I saw the wings logo on the front and knew immediately it was an Aston Martin. I didn't know a lot of foreign cars, but I knew this one since I've wanted any model for years. I thought the car that night was a Vanquish but it was dark and I wasn't paying attention to the car after it had been hit. "Holy shit," I choked out. "Where have you been hiding this?"

"The insurance finally sent the check for the wreck, and I paid for this a while ago. I was finally able to pick it up this morning."

"This is an Aston Martin DBS Superleggera," I said, getting in the car with him, remembering when it came out that I had made it my goal car.

"Yeah, I know what car I bought, Bella."

"What did you have before? The car that was totaled?" I asked, as he started the car.

"A Vanquish."

He revved the engine as he put on his sunglasses. I held back the moan I wanted to let out. My thighs clenched together, and I tried to play off how turned on I was by his car. He's an asshole, I chanted to myself to maintain my composure. He tore out of my driveway and drove the car faster than the SUV. He was showing off and it made me smile to myself and shake my head. Even though cars sold in the USA have a governor chip to keep them from going over a certain speed, I knew better than to think he didn't have that disabled.

"This was why you wanted to come get me, isn't it?" I turned to him, with my eyebrows arched.

He smiled, glancing at me. "I can't deny that I wanted to take this for a drive, but I was serious last night when I said I wanted to try and get along with you."

"Well, I'm glad. It's why I took the offer. See, I can be nice." I returned his smile and scrunched my nose up to get a reaction out of him.

I was completely taken off guard when I heard him chuckle. The smile on his face and the carefree laughter stunned me. Edward was an attractive man; I could admit it. I thought it the night I met him and Emmett, but his overbearing, cocky, and bossy personality was so off-putting that it overrode his attractive face. But seeing him like this—smiling and laughing—was surreal, and I couldn't help but stare back at him. I cleared my throat and wanted to draw him into conversation.

"So, what do I need to know about your sister?" I asked, genuinely interested.

"Hmmm, Alice is pretty unique. She acts like a child on a sugar rush half the time, but she has a serious and sensitive side. She is smart as hell, but people write her off because of her size."

"Yeah, I was surprised by how short she was, considering how tall you are."

"Maimeó is small like her. Small but a lot of attitude. You would not mouth off to that woman."

I looked at him, confused. "Who?"

He looked at me in confusion, then nodded. "Sorry, that was Gaelic. My grandma."

"You know another language?" I asked, a little surprised.

"You really don't know anything about my family, do you?" he asked. I hated that he was wearing sunglasses because I couldn't read him like this.

"What would make you think I do?"

"If I were in your position, I would have looked up who was going to be my employer."

"Well, yeah the thought crossed my mind, but by then I was resigned to the fact that I had to say yes." I looked out the window, then back at him. "If it was bad, I didn't want to know, so I didn't look."

"Are you saying you wanted to say no?" He seemed a little surprised.

"Edward, I don't do anything I don't want to. If I was really afraid for my life and couldn't say yes, then I could have run. Looking at it from all sides, I'm getting something I want, and fortunately that vibes with what your dad wants."

He seemed to be thinking and then he nodded. "To answer your question, yes, I know another language. My dad grew up in Ireland. He moved to Seattle when he went to college. They speak English in Ireland, but my Maimeó spoke Gaelic all the time, and my dad taught me, Alice, and my mom."

"That's pretty cool. I don't know any other languages." We were quiet for a while, and I just watched out the window. Edward seemed to be taking the scenic route to his parents' house. I knew he lived there, or at least kept clothes there, but I didn't know if Alice did. "Does Alice live with your parents too?"

"Yeah. She will probably move out when she and Jasper get married. I stay there more often than not, but I actually don't officially live there."

"So, do you have some apartment in town that sits empty?" I was a little surprised at this. It seemed a waste.

"I have a house, and only I stay at my parents' sometimes. There's been a lot going on lately."

I nodded because I really wanted to know as little as I could about their business. I figured the less I knew, the safer I was. We arrived at his parents' house, and I thanked him for the ride. He nodded and then shoved his hands in his pockets as we walked up to the house. Once he opened the door for me he stood aside, allowing me to enter ahead of him.

I remembered a little bit of the layout from the night before but I had no idea where Alice was. I looked at Edward, hoping for some kind of guidance. He gestured for me to follow him, and we went up one flight of stairs, and he knocked on her door. When she called for me to come in, Edward disappeared. I walked in and was assaulted by Alice's technicolor décor. It didn't look bad; it was just…a lot.

Alice jumped off her bed and steered me over to her counter in her attached bathroom. There was all sorts of makeup and other tools there that I don't think I could name. She told me to sit on the stool she had waiting. While I was a short woman, I still stood a couple inches above her, so sitting put me at her level.

We chatted while she applied a cool eye mask, plucked, prodded, and buffed. When I looked in the mirror, I was surprised to see that she hadn't gone overboard. I looked like I had makeup on, but it wasn't overdone, more subtle. She put my hair up in some crazy updo and then showed me the dress she had for me.

It was like a 1950s style dress but modernized. It had a halter tie, and the torso and edging were a mint green color and the skirt was black. It was actually really cute, and I loved it. She had one that was really similar, but it was polka dotted. It actually looked really good on her, but I would never be able to pull it off.

We went downstairs to meet Esme, and when we got into her car, I noticed that Edward's car was there, but the SUV was gone.

Lunch with Esme and Alice had been a lot of fun, but they had so much energy it was kinda exhausting to keep up with them. They laughed and told me that I'd get used to it. Esme took me home on the way back from lunch, and I figured that Edward was probably doing things I wanted to know nothing about. Alice had mentioned some charity event in the car, but I hadn't paid attention until she asked if I was coming. I didn't want to be rude, but why would I be attending some charity event?

Esme told me it was all about keeping up appearances, while also drinking expensive wine and eating amazing food. She and Alice extended the invitation, but I told them I would have to think about it.

"Well, you'll have to decide soon because you need a date and a dress. My stylist is coming over next week, and you should be there if you're going."

"Oh, um, I don't think I'll have the…" I was going to say money, but that just sounded like I was destitute. "I don't think I can find a date that soon."

"Take Demetri." Alice spoke so matter-of-factly, like it should have been an obvious choice.

"Take who now? I just met him, Alice."

"So, he thinks you're hot, and he doesn't have a date."

"I'll think about it and get back to you," I said, running out of excuses to not go. Normally, I would tell her that I wasn't interested, but it just seemed rude when she and Esme were trying to include me.

Rose was sitting inside watching TV when I returned home. She turned to look at me and her eyes got wide. "That's some dress. It looks good on you, sis. Rocking the sex appeal. Mail's here."

Her words about sex appeal caused me to scoff and roll my eyes at her as I went into the kitchen to check the mail she had brought in. Piece after piece of junk mail made its way into the trash. A knock sounded at the door as I was reading a bill. Rose called out that she would get it, which was fine by me because I assumed it was probably Emmett stopping by to see her. My assumption was proven right when I heard his booming voice. I was about to head back and greet him, but I was frozen in my tracks as Edward's smooth voice followed soon after. Why were they both here?

Putting the bill on the counter, I turned just as Edward came into the kitchen. "Hey, Bella," he said, and I noticed his steps faltered as he took in my appearance. I realized that I still had the ridiculous dress and makeup on. His eyes swept up and down my body, and I blushed under his scrutiny, my breaths coming faster.

"I need to use the restroom," I blurted out and rushed to the bathroom. Once inside, with the door shut, I started pacing the small space. As I chewed on my thumbnail, I wondered what the hell had just happened out there. There was no way that Edward and I were attracted to each other. We pissed each other off. How did we go from that to me liking that he was obviously checking me out? It was this damn dress's fault.

I rushed into my room and changed into jeans and a t-shirt. I also grabbed my car keys because I had to get out of here. When I opened the door to my room, Edward was standing there. I screamed in surprise. "You have got to stop doing that," I said, catching my breath.

He held up the bill I had abandoned in the kitchen. "What's this, Bella?"

"It's a bill," I said, not understanding why he looked so angry.

"It's a past due bill. A very past due bill." He scowled, shaking the bill.

"Why the hell are you looking at my bills anyways?"

He sighed and looked down. He reached into his pocket and counted off some money. He held it toward me.

"I swear if you are trying to give me money like some charity case, I'm going to break those fingers."

"We didn't pay you for patching up Jasper. You may say you don't like handouts, but you had already accepted the job by then. You performed a task, you get paid. Simple."

I clenched my jaw because he had me there. I took the money from him without a word and shoved it in my pocket. I jangled my keychain nervously. "Anything else?" I asked, sarcastically.

"Where are you going?"

"Look, I know we got this whole clean slate thing going, but like you said last night, we aren't friends, you aren't my boyfriend, and you aren't my boss, so honestly, where I'm going is none of your damn concern."

I saw his eyes flash, and he got up in my space again. He slammed his fist against the door right by my head, and I didn't even flinch. I just kept my eyes locked on his, noticing the clench in his jaw. "Why do you have to be so stubborn?" he ground out, his voice gravelly.

"I'm not being stubborn. Why do you care where I'm going?" I challenged.

He pushed off the door, backing away from me, his brows drawn together. "I don't know." He seemed genuinely confused as he threaded his hands through his hair before he turned and walked away

I let out the breath I was holding in, a sense of whiplash taking hold as a result of his sudden mood swings. I heard him tell Emmett, "Let's go." I flinched when the door slammed, and I fisted my hair in my hands. Bending over at the waist, I tried to stem the panic that wanted to flood me. I didn't think he'd actually hit me, and I knew I probably shouldn't push him, but sometimes his anger amused me and excited me, making me want to push him. For some fucked-up reason, when he was that close to me and breathing in my ear, it turned me on, and I was trying to cope with that when Rose came around the corner. She looked at me with her eyebrows raised but I shook my head and walked past her.

"Sissy, where are you going?"

"I'll be back," I called over my shoulder, not bothering to stop or think twice. When I walked out of my house, Edward and Emmett were still outside. Emmett was on the cell phone and was speaking softly. Edward seemed to be waiting for him to get done, the passenger's door standing open. Edward's eyes followed me as I got in my car, and I peeled out of the driveway, craving the distance from the hot, bossy asshole. So much for a clean slate.

A/N: So how are we feeling? I know, they almost made it an entire day without fighting, I am shook to. I know how you all feel, and I know how some of you will respond. Just hang with me guys. Edward is extremely set in his ways, but a certain brunette has turned his world upside down. I know how shit goes down and all I will say is there is a method to the madness. Until next week, lovelies!