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Chapter Forty-Four

Exactly one month had passed.

Nothing had really changed with Renee but, if I was being honest, that was probably a good thing in her case. She kept herself busy the garden center and drinking. I knew the latter would never change.

Everything had changed with Edward. He was wonderful. He was attentive and sweet and didn't hog the blankets and he had a thing where he'd smile at me from behind his silly coffee mug.

We didn't talk much about the Renee situation after that day in the diner. He had mentioned a few things to me and stressed that I needed to talk to her about seeing someone, but since Renee had backed off somewhat, we never brought it up again. Edward had heard what he needed to hear and instead of him running away, it only brought us closer.

During the week, we'd spend our lunch breaks eating together.

Weeknights, I spent most of my time at his place.

On the weekends we'd go out to eat, sometimes even with Emmett and Rosalie. We would eat Chinese food in his bed and he'd he'd scratch my back while we watched bad television and laughed until we fell asleep.

Edward never pushed me to take things to the next level, but I knew. It was only a matter of time. The way he always found a way to secretly touch me in public and then nuzzle against my neck as I slept. He wanted me as much as I wanted him. His gentlemanly side was slowly killing me.

I think Esme knew something was going on, but she never mentioned it to me. She thought she was subtle with her tell Edward hi for me's before I'd leave for lunch. All I could do was blush.

I opened a new, personal checking account at a bank in town. It was easier that way since the paychecks I received from work were not directly deposited. I didn't mention my bank account to Renee because...I just didn't. There was no reason for her to know. I still had a debit card to her account and a checkbook which was only used for groceries and rent.

I left work and went home to change before driving over to Edward's. I knocked twice and rolled my eyes. He always told me I didn't have to knock before walking in, but I did anyway.

"Oh. It's you," he said flatly. "Did we have a date or something?"

"No." I played along. "I'm just here to drop off rent. Today is the first of September."

"Then you may enter." Edward stepped aside and I walked in. He grabbed my waist before I walked past him. "You know," he murmured in my ear, "there are other ways you can pay me."

My cheeks burned and I shuddered at his stubble on my neck. "Yeah? Like...what?"

"Oatmeal raisin cookies," he replied and shut the front door.

"Oh."

A smile crept onto his face. "Oh? What did you think I was going to say?"

"Not anything regarding baked goods," I admitted.

"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you," he said and gave me a kiss.

I deepened the kiss that was meant to be chaste. Because his lips were too good.

And I fucking wanted him.

"Somebody miss me?" Edward pulled back and ran his hands down my back.

I nodded, peeking at him through hooded eyes.

"I made you dinner."

"You did?" I questioned because...he did?

Edward kissed my head and walked into the kitchen, pointing at a glass of wine he had poured me. "It was the last I could do. I knew you'd be coming by to drop off rent, so."

I laughed. "Edward. You don't have to make me dinner just because I pay you rent."

"I know. But I wanted to. Besides, I never said what I made was edible." He winked. "Don't think too highly of me just yet."

"What did you make?"

"Chicken spinach lasagna," he said as he pulled out two plates. "It was pretty easy but...I don't know. You'll just have to try it."

He filled my plate with entirely too much food and we sat on the floor his front of his coffee table.

Edward watched quietly as I took my first bite.

"Are you going to stare at me while I eat?" I asked before bringing the fork to my mouth.

"I'm just keeping a close eye in case anything happens."

"Like what?" I mumbled through a mouthful of lasagna. "Oh, God! Did you bake this with kryptonite?"

Edward rolled his eyes and focused on his own plate. "Yeah, yeah. Eat your food."

"Pushy. By the way, this is really, really good," I admitted, washing it down with wine.

"I was hoping it'd be so delicious you'd admit you love me." Edward gave me a small laugh but never let his eyes leave mine.

I stared back and felt the the heat in my cheeks because...

He knew. It was only a matter of time.

A/N: Two more updates today. Thank you for reading.