BPOV

—

"Okay, wait, what does he do again?"

I stuck my head out of the curtain of the dressing room. "I told you, he's a matchmaker. Will you come in here and help me zip this up?"

Rose pushed the curtain aside, stepping into the tight space of the dressing room with me. "Seriously? They still have matchmakers? Isn't that what Tinder and all that crap is for?"

She pulled the zipper up for me and I turned around. "I mean, yeah, that's what Tinder is for, but you're definitely not going to get a slew of dick pics if you're using an actual matchmaker. What do you think?"

It was my favorite so far. It was a red leather bustier dress that fit like a glove and hit just below my knee. I'd tried on a few other dresses, but none of them had felt very much like me.

Rose tilted her head to the side, taking in the dress for a moment. "It's definitely you."

"You hate it, don't you?"

Rose rolled her eyes. "I don't hate it. I wouldn't pick it for myself, but it's definitely a Bella dress. It goes with the whole crazy pink hair thing." She gestured to my head. "And if this Edward guy likes you and all your quirkiness—which I'd junk punch him if he didn't—he's going to lose his shit when he sees you in it. Now back to the whole matchmaker thing. What do they do, and how much does something like that cost?"

I raised an eyebrow at her. "Why? Are you planning to sign up?"

"Maybe? I'm not having much luck elsewhere, and I'm really tired of being single."

"Well, Edward's been doing this for around ten years, so he could probably help. But my question is why have you never let me try to match you up? You're willing to spend hundreds or maybe thousands of dollars depending on what you're looking for, but you won't sit at the bar for a night?"

"Hold up, he's been doing this for ten years? Just how old is this guy, Bella?"

I huffed, rolling my eyes. "I don't think that really matters, and you're ignoring my question."

"Oh, I'm not ignoring your question, I just want to know how old he is."

"Unzip me, would you?" Rose pulled the zipper down, and I shimmied out of the dress, hanging it back up. "He's 37. He studied and got his master's degree in psychology and had a minor in sociology. He started working for Carlisle's company when he was 27. Happy? Now, tell me, why haven't you let me hook you up?"

"Wow, that's twelve years older than you! I had no clue you were looking for a sugar daddy."

"I wasn't and I'm not! That's not how our relationship is. Now answer my question, dammit."

Rose shrugged. "Fine. I don't know, it's a bar. Even if I let you, you can't tell me they won't be complete assholes after that first night."

"And neither can Edward! Just because he has clients that pay out the ass to get dates, it doesn't mean there aren't some jerks. Come on Rose, please?"

She was quiet for a while, chewing on her lip. "What if…what if I let you both match me with someone? You, with someone from the bar, and him, with one of his clients, and we'll keep it going until I find someone I like."

I stared at her for a moment, letting the words sink in. "That's…you're making it sound like a dating competition. This isn't The Flavor of Love or Rock of Love! Your life isn't a cheesy VH1 dating show!"

Rose snorted, a huge smile on her face. "You're right, it's not, but come on! It sounds like so much fun, and maybe I'll find love from it! Please, Bella? Can't you see I'm excited about this?"

I sighed heavily, giving in. "Whatever, fine, I'll talk to Edward about it."

—MM—

"Wow."

That was the first word out of Edward's mouth as I pulled the door open. He looked pretty handsome himself as he stood there in a perfectly tailored black suit, with a white shirt and red tie.

"Thank you, you look really nice, too."

"You look…nice is far from the right word. I know I should tell you that look beautiful and gorgeous, and you do, but pardon me, you look fucking hot, Bella. "

I grinned widely at him. "I'm really glad you like it. I was worried it was too over the top."

"No, it's perfect. It suits you really well, sweetheart."

The smile stayed plastered on my face as I took in his compliments. "Just let me get my bag and we can go."

—MM—

"I'm glad I didn't get a more formal dress." I commented as we pulled up outside of a nightclub.

Edward turned to me, grasping my hand in his. "You would have been fine either way. You'll see. Some women show up in gowns, some in little black dresses, and then there's you—incredibly stunning and unique. You're going to be the envy of all the women, and every man is going to be wishing you were his."

"Edward—"

He grinned, speaking excitedly. "I'm serious, Bella. I'm going to have to beat them off with a stick."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "You seem pretty happy with that development, Mr. Match. Shouldn't you be more…I don't know, caveman? Wanting to kick their asses for even looking at me?"

"Look, I'm not even going to lie. I'm almost forty years old, showing up with a date in her mid-twenties. I'm incredibly attracted to you, you're gorgeous, and I love your personality, but it's kind of a boost to my ego that you'd even look at me—a man twelve years your senior."

I laughed loudly, rolling my eyes. "I should have known. You don't look nearly forty, Edward. If you hadn't told me, I would have forever thought you were maybe thirty."

He chuckled quietly. "You really are good for my ego, Miss Swan. Come on, let's get in there so I can show off my hot date."

—MM—

We danced and we ate good food—I was happy that Carlisle and his team were down to earth and realized that no one wanted weird, fancy appetizers. Instead, there were sliders, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, basically any food that wasn't good for you on the menu.

"Take a walk outside with me?" Edward offered me his arm, which I slipped my hand through as we strolled out onto the back deck.

"Are you having a good time?" he asked.

"It's been really great—"

An older blonde gentleman approaching us suddenly cut me off. "Edward! There you are, son. I've been looking for you all evening. And this beautiful lady must be your Bella."

"Your Bella, hm?" I glanced up at Edward, a smirk on my lips.

"Damn right. Bella, this is Carlisle. Carlisle, I'd like you to meet Bella."

"Oh!" I gasped, holding out my hand, which Carlisle took gently. "It's nice to meet you. Edward's told me a lot about you and your company."

"Edward's told me a lot about you as well, and that you're quite the talented matchmaker. He's also told me that you, unfortunately, don't want to work for me."

"I'm sure he's explained the circumstances as well." I glanced up at Edward. "And that I'm perfectly capable and happy bartending while playing matchmaker. And that reminds me…you remember me talking about my friend Rose, Edward?"

"The one you'd sleep with, given the opportunity? Yes, I remember." His face was straight, but his eyes danced with mirth.

"Edward!" I hissed, and Carlisle chuckled, watching the interaction between us.

"Sorry, sorry, please continue." He laughed.

"She proposed a sort of…competition between us. That I set her up on a few dates, and you set her up on a few dates, she'll hopefully find love, and we'll both know who the best matchmaker is."

Edward stepped closer to me, slipping two fingers beneath my chin, forgetting that Carlisle was there watching us.

His lips touched mine as he murmured, "Game on, sweetheart."