BPOV

By mid-April, I've finally settled into my new management position, working alongside Liam and the other supervisors instead of for them. I have a cute little office two floors above where I used to work in that godforsaken cubicle … AND, Alice and I don't have to interact. It's something of a miracle, but I suspect Liam had a hand in that.

I've been sober for about forty days, and I don't feel any different. Truth be told, I have more energy and I sleep better, and my hair and skin does seem healthier, but my attitude is still the same. That's what I wanted to test with this little experiment. The kicker is I don't miss it. I've been out a handful of times with Rose and her friends, Kate and Siobhan, and they've never made it an issue that I'm not drinking. Even Edward has taken to stocking different types of flavored waters and juices at his place for me to try.

I'm standing with him in Costco, looking at patio furniture. He currently has cheap, white plastic chairs with a matching round table, but he's throwing a party next weekend and wants to upgrade. "Why am I here again?" I ask, parking myself on a woven, wicker armchair.

"Because my mom decorated my house, and I need help." He points to the set of furniture opposite us. "What do you think of that one again?"

"I said no to that one because it doesn't have a fire pit, and this one does. It also comes in two different colors, and that one only comes in black." I hold up my hand, ticking off all the specifics. "Go with this one. They have plenty here, and we can get it delivered before Saturday with set up."

"Do you think it's big enough?" He looks worried, and I'm getting fed up and just want a slice of pizza.

"It would seat six just fine, but throw a few Adirondack chairs in, and you're set. Pizza?"

"I'll flag someone down. Pepperoni for me and—"

"And a Sprite. I'll see you in a bit." I roll my eyes and head outside to the food court. Costco is never high on my list of things to do, but make it a Saturday and I want to rip my hair out. I'm standing in line, waiting to get to a window to order, when I hear my name. I look around, trying to find the source, and I spot Emmett and Rose, walking up to me.

"Hey, what are you doing here? This isn't your Costco, is it?"

Em laughs. "No, my parents live nearby." He pulls me into a quick hug. "How are you? I haven't seen you since …"

"I don't think you and I have seen each other since the Super Bowl." I smile and cross my arms over my chest. "You still owe me the recipe for that dry rub."

"I'll bring it next weekend." Rose pushes her boyfriend out of the way and gives me a quick squeeze. "How are you? How's the new job?"

We chat for a few minutes, and the line I'm standing in seems to go nowhere. Just as Rose and I make plans to finally go shopping for some new clothes, Edward walks out and finds us in line.

"Hey, man." The two men do their manly hug and pull off to the side to talk quietly.

"So, you and Edward." Rose just looks at me—open expression, no questioning tone. She's leaving it open for me to tell her everything or nothing.

"I'll tell you tomorrow," I say, and she nods.

"You know Alice and Jasper are coming to the party next weekend, right?" Rose asks, and I nod. Edward and Jasper have been trying to navigate their friendship since they had that blowup at work. I think it's good for them to figure it out and see if it's worth saving.

Alice and I are another story.

"Did she ever find a new maid of honor?"

Rose laughs but quiets down quickly. "No. Just a heads up: she wants to talk to you about it." Rose rolls her eyes.

When I finally get to the front of the line, she and Emmett say their goodbyes. After we get our food, Edward and I sit and eat.

"The set should arrive on Wednesday. I'll have to take the day off, but they'll put everything together." He wipes at his mouth.

"I could … work from home Wednesday; at your place, that is." I set down my half-eaten slice and look over at him. "It's just an offer. You can say no."

"That'd actually be really helpful. Thanks." He kicks me lightly under the table.

"Good. It'll give me time to snoop around your house." I laugh as he chokes on his Sprite.

By the time Friday night rolls around, Edward and I are back to being utterly annoyed with each other.

"I knew it was only a matter of time before something like this happened!" I'm so frustrated, pacing in his living room, that I feel like I could cry.

"You're getting worked up over nothing. I gave you two reasonable options, and you turned them both down." Edward is sitting on his couch with a red face and a mighty scowl. "And now you're mad at me."

"You're mad at me! And you gave me two stupid options. I had to come up with the most realistic one." My hands are clammy, and I wonder if I will start crying. I'm so worked up over this and for what? "Wait … why are we even talking about this?" I can feel the tears coming, hot and eager, and I can't do anything about them.

Edward jumps up from the couch and rushes to me. "Shh, don't cry. I don't know. We started talking about how people might suspect something and what we should do … I think we both panicked."

He rocks me in his arms until my short jag is over, and I wipe my face on his shirt. "I think that we're both right. I can stay over tonight, but I don't think I should be the first person here."

Edward leans down to press his forehead to mine. "I like that plan a lot. Can you teach me how to make your salsa now?"

"No, but I'll make it for you."

"Please? I'll do anything." His eyebrows dance, and I can't help but laugh.

"You'll be disappointed when you realize how easy it is." I pull away, dragging him to the kitchen and pulling all the ingredients I brought over out of the fridge. "You get to chopping. I'll instruct."

Edward is almost done dicing the three white onions when he stops and looks at me with red, watery eyes. "Why were you crying?"

Sighing, I lean my head on my hand as I sit at the counter watching him. "I'm nervous about seeing Alice tomorrow. You know Rose told me that she still hasn't found a MOH, and she wants to talk to me about it."

"What are you going to do?" Edward transfers all the onions to a large bowl before washing his hands.

"I don't know. She hasn't called or texted me. I came back to work on crutches, and she saw me … didn't ask how I was." I sigh and steal a piece of tomato Edward has just cut. "You shouldn't be friends with people who never ask how you're doing. It's like narcissism or something."

"I think that's your answer then. Standing up at a wedding for your friends is a big deal. Just like the wedding signifies the couple's bond, being an attendant, and more importantly the lead attendant, is the same. You're basically putting your stamp of approval on the person and the couple." Edward hasn't looked at me once, and I know I'm slack jawed over his incredibly astute observation.

"Did you talk to a marriage counselor or something?"

He looks up at me and smiles. "No, but I've been doing a lot of thinking myself."

"And?"

"Their relationship might not exactly have my stamp of approval, but Jasper does." He just stares at me, waiting for my response.

"Good for you. I don't know if I can be the bigger person about this, Edward. It's not just the cabin thing; Alice has been doing this all our lives, and I'm just now realizing it." I focus on his granite counters, following the patterns and avoiding his gaze.

"Sometimes being the bigger person is knowing when something has run its course." His voice is soft and comforting. "I think if you hear her out and think about it, whatever decision you make will be coming from the right place."

I nod and wipe at my eyes. "Okay, do you want to know the secret ingredient to my salsa?"

"Hit me."

"It's love." I bat my eyelashes dramatically, and Edward drops the knife onto the cutting board.

"That's it." I jump out of my seat and dash into the living room with him hot on my heels, and just when I think I'll clear the couch, he catches me in his arms. "You are ridiculous."

He starts to tickle me and, when I start screaming that I'll pee everywhere, he lets up but doesn't let me go. "I know there's a secret ingredient; tell me."

"It's cumin, you freak." We're both in a heap on the couch, laughing, when he pushes my hair out of my eyes.

"So, where did we land on you bunking over tonight?" He dips down to nuzzle at my neck.

"I'm staying over, but that salsa needs to be finished before anything else, mister." I push at him lightly.

"Fine." He stands up, pulling me with him. "But you're helping me."

Early in the morning, I shower and help Edward set a few things up before gathering up my stuff and clearing out just before everyone is set to arrive. Over the past few months, we've seen a lot of our circle, and they've all been pleasantly surprised at the turn Edward and I have taken. We know that only Rosalie knows for sure, but she's never confirmed whether or not she's told Emmett. The two of us have grown closer, and we've both admitted that we felt like we were missing something in our lives up to that point.

I'm at the grocery store getting a couple bags of ice when I get a text from Rose.

Kate and Siobhan just got here. Alice texted me to see if you were here yet.

I'm getting ice. I'll be there in 30 mins.

I'm feeling more and more nervous about having to be social with Alice. Added to the fact that this will be the first time being around her in Edward's company, and I'm not sure what to do.

Edward and I are still hiding the fact that we're having sex and spending time together. We don't think any of our friends would object to it, but we both feel like it's a long conversation we just don't want to have. I shudder as I grab another bag of ice and place it in my cart. I wanted this to be a fun day, but I can tell it's just going to be complicated.

When I pull up to Edward's house, I see most people have parked on the street, so I back into his driveway and grab a bag from the back before letting myself in the front door. People are milling around, and I get several hellos as I head to the kitchen. Rose sees me first and drags Emmett out with me to get the rest of the ice, and then keeps me by my car while he walks back in.

"What?"

"I just want you to know that Siobhan is flirting with Edward." She places a steady hand on my shoulder.

I chuckle and grab my purse, locking my car. "Okay?"

"Bella, I think he likes it."

Oh, oh.

"Good for him." I move to walk back into the house when she grabs my arm and pulls me back.

Her big blue eyes search my face. "We haven't really talked about this since February, but what's going on between you two?"

"Nothing; it's nothing." I sigh and prop myself on my back bumper. Rose follows suit. "We spend a lot of time together. You saw us at Costco last week. I helped him pick out that patio set."

"It's a really nice set."

"I know!" I laugh humorlessly. "We have amazing sex and a great time together. We laugh and talk and …"

"You like him?" She nudges me with her elbow, and I shrug.

"Yeah, I guess so."

"He like you?"

I give her a strong side eye. "Gee, Tarzan, I think he might. He wants to be with me even when we don't have sex."

Rose laughs heartily. "Look, Siobhan adores you. Go in there, pull Edward aside, and tell him you want this for real. You're basically doing it already. Then tell her. She'll back off in a heartbeat."

Was I ready for this? I loved being single, or at least, I thought I did. It seems like Edward and I have been dating since we came back from the cabin and neither of us realized it. And as close as Rose and I have gotten, he's the first person I want to talk to with good news or bad.

"Yeah, okay. I'm gonna go talk to him."

Rose lets out a little squeal. "Sorry. I'm excited. And you guys don't have to tell everyone just yet. If you're worried about that."

I nod and march into the house, looking for Edward. When Kate mentions that he's in the garage, I walk out to find him digging around in a plastic crate.

"What are you looking for?"

He pops up with his hand clutching his chest. "Jesus, you scared me. I think I have a badminton set around here somewhere."

"You did. You donated it two weeks ago."

"Oh. Right." He walks away from the crate and smiles at me. "Nice to see you for the first time today. Thanks for getting ice."

"Sure. About that." I clear my throat. "I heard Siobhan was flirting with you."

"Oh, a little." He shrugs, slipping his hands into his pockets. "She's nice, but I'm not interested."

I take a step toward him. "In her or …?"

"In her. Don't tell anyone, but I've got a hot side piece." Edward laughs, but I can only smile.

"I think you can only call it a side piece if you have a girlfriend or wife." I take another step to him. "I want to ask you something, just really quick. Then we can go back to the party."

His eyes get big and he swallows. "What's up?" Whether he realizes it or not, he closes the distance between us, pulling his hands free and grasping my waist.

"I want this to be real," I tell him quietly, reverently. "I want to go on dates and not worry about leaving your house before the party starts."

"Why are you whispering?" He drops his head closer to mine.

"I'm scared."

"I'm not. I'm ready if you are." He smiles, and when I nod, he presses his lips to mine, deeply and soundly.

Losing myself in Edward and the moment hasn't been an issue since we were at the cabin or since we've returned. Even with a house full of people, all I can think about are his hands roaming over my body, the way his lips feel against my skin, or the way my voice sounds as I moan his name.

"We probably shouldn't do …this." Panting, I try pulling away. But like two magnets, Edward and I can't seem to separate.

"You're right; we probably shouldn't." His hand dips down to the hem of my skirt, and he chuckles into my ear. "Did you wear this for me?"

"I doubt it would look very good on you, Edward."

He growls a little, thrusting his hand underneath, pushing my panties to the side and finding me slick, ready, willing. "I want you right here, but you can't let everyone know." He smiles a little devilishly as he works me over with his fingers.

Clutching his shoulders, I throw my head back. How he always finds the right spot is a mystery to me. But as he drives me closer to the brink, all I can do is tug at his button fly and extract his dick, pumping my hand until he squirms.

"Come for me, Bella. I want to feel you; I want to know that you're mine." As Edward breathes the words, I can feel myself tighten around his fingers, shuddering in bliss. In one swift motion I recognize from our week in Granite Falls, he's inside of me as I'm perched on the crate.

Quickies have never been our strong suit, but tiny little expressions of devotion come pouring out of both of us, and before I know it, we're both a jumbled, panting mess. As Edward pulls out of me and looks for some shop towels or something to clean us up, I start laughing.

"What's so funny?" He hands me a roll of paper towels.

"What a way to start a party." When we've cleaned up as best as possible, I pull him to me for one more lingering kiss.

Everything else fades away, and all I can see and hear and feel is Edward. That is until I hear a shrieking voice behind us.

"What the fuck is this?"

We pull apart to see Alice staring at us from the doorway looking bewildered.