"Thank you. You could have been at Cullen Engineering today, and instead you chose to take me shopping. But I stand by what I said. Eight pair is seven too many."

"Does this mean you aren't going to wear them?"

He was teasing me now. I wasn't able to tell by his words alone, but he was giving me what was quickly becoming my favorite crooked smile, and he winked at me before gazing out of the window.

I was thankful I had worn my cleanest socks. Not only were they just about white, but they had no holes. I unlaced the boots I had. This pair and I had been through a lot. Before it went under, I had gotten these from Payless. $50 bucks and around three years of wear. I went to swap out the old boots for the old, and place my old faithfuls into the box.

"Isabella, I'll take those."

Initially, I could only blink in response. These were ratty, but they were mine. Still, I handed them over. I watched as Edward put them into a glorified trash bag and deposited them in the empty, front passenger seat. Discreetly I watched as Edward clapped Emmett on the shoulder.

"Isabella, if you take a look in one of the bags, there's a coat in there as well. My sister Alice has assured me it's in fashion, and her and I guessed at your size."

"Thank you. You really didn't have to do that."

"Nonsense, Isabella. We couldn't have you freezing."

I nod. It took me long enough, but I was starting to realize that as embarrassed as I was by Edward's extravagance, he was embarrassed by my resistance to accept his generosity.

Before I could think about this anymore, Edward was turning to reach into the trunk.

"Alice mostly picked it out. If it doesn't fit, or you don't like, she volunteered to take it back to the store."

The coat appeared to match the boots, black in color. I didn't know much about fabric, but the inside seemed to be lined with an almost satin like fabric and I knew that I'd be warm as soon as I slipped it on.

"There are gloves too. I suppose you'll want to take that hoodie off. I can turn around an give you some privacy."

"Actually, I'd like to keep it on if you don't mind."

Maybe he didn't trust himself to speak around me either. He nodded his head as he helped me into the coat. I thought I felt his hands linger on my shoulders a moment.

"Isabella, I haven't been honest with you."

I knew he was too good to be true.

"Tomorrow evening, I have an event with some potential investors. So while I meant what I said about you needing things, I'm hoping that what you mentioned about gowns last night isn't outside of the realm of possibility. You wouldn't have to do much, other than be yourself."

I could only stare at him. Perhaps in the last ten minutes or so, he had lost his mind.

"Edward, I'm not welching here. I really would like to go with you, but don't you think there may be someone better suited for this? I mean, I'm only twenty and I don't really have much experience with this sort of high society stuff. And I'm not a genius like you-"

"Bella, you're one of the most intelligent women I've ever met. As for having 'society experience' as you've put it, you don't need it. You're perfect. You're young and beautiful and capable of holding an intelligent conversation. You shouldn't sell yourself short here, You're... kind of perfect."

The longer we stared at each other, the more undeserving of praise I felt.

"I'm sorry. You can say no. I just thought-"

"Okay. I'll do it."

"Bella, I don't want you to feel pressured. It's going to be a mostly boring affair, and I'm sure you'd like to do something more riveting with your Friday night. In fact, why don't we ju-"

"Edward, I said I would do it."

I had somehow stunned Edward into silence.

"Ed, I'll call pixie and have her meet us at the house."

"Sure, Emmett. After the Apple store, we should meet Jessica. Isabella will need to be fitted for something. She'll need options."

I had no idea who Jessica and this pixie person were, but Edward had gone from stunned to smiling. I would have done anything to keep that smile in place. Before I knew it, we were pulling up to the Apple store and Edward was coming around to help me down from the SUV.

"Isabella, you go inside. Tell one of the associates that you and Edward Cullen have an appointment with Eric. If you're given any trouble, I'm not far behind."

With that, I watched as he turned to discuss something with Emmett. Even in my new shoes and coat, I still felt out of place in the store. Immediately I spotted an employee that looked sort of like me, and tried to get to her before she was accosted by another customer.

"I'm sorry. I hope you're not in the middle of something. My name is Bella Swan. A friend and I, Edward Cullen, have an appointment with an Eric?"

I hoped I didn't sound like I was name dropping, but these were the instructions I'd been given. The employee seemed nice enough.

"Yeah. He warned us that we should be expecting you. I'll take you through to the lounge."

Lounge? I had hoped that this would be similar to our experience at the Ugg store, in and out. This seemed more official.

"Thanks. What's your name?"

"I'm Bree. Have I done something wrong?"

"Absolutely not. The opposite really. You've been really nice."

She smiled at me, and then opened the door to a lounge area with low lighting. Before I could protest, she poured me a glass of champagne and placed a tray of food on the table in front of me.

"Eric should be here in a moment, if I don't see you on your way out, it was nice to meet you, Bella."

She was gone before I could say thank you. I grabbed a handful of grapes to munch on and anxiously waited for Edward and Emmett. While I contemplated heading to the car to get them, Emmett's hulking form was entering the room.

"I want to toss them, Ed. That excuse for a mother she had should be ashamed."

"They're hers. Just put them in her room. If she wants them tossed, let her do it herself."

"Hey short stack. It's not nice to eavesdrop."

"Leave her alone. It isn't her fault you're allergic to whispering."

I had come to enjoy the two of them and their banter.

"Champagne, Bella? Surely we aren't drinking under age?"

"Emmett, I swear I didn't ask for it! The associate poured it."

"Relax, Bella. He's just teasing you. Emmett often doesn't know when to stop. You'll be twenty-one this year?"

"Yes. September 13th."

"Well, if you'd like some champagne, I'm fine with it. I only ask that you don't drink to excess without some supervision."

With that, I watched as Edward stepped out of his own coat and poured himself and Emmett a glass. An encouraging smile from Edward spurred me to pick up my own and take a sip. It was sweeter than I thought it would be. It was nice to hang out with the two of them.

"Edward, I have a question, and I hope it doesn't come across as rude."

"Isabella, I welcome your questions. Ask me whatever you'd like."

He seemed sincere.

"Is shopping always this way for you? The employee's bending over backward to make sure you're happy? The lounges and champagne?"

"Nah short stack. Sometimes there's scotch. I'll be back. I've gotta go and talk Rosie out of coming over with pixie later. Wouldn't want short stack here to be overwhelmed."

We watched as Emmett left the lounge.

"Rosie?"

"My sister. They've been married for ages."

"And pixie?"

"Other sister. Alice. They're both younger than me. Alice is the one that chose your coat. With your permission, I'd like her to join us at Water Tower Place. She'll know more about dressing for these events from a woman's perspective."

"And Jessica?"

"Personal shopper. It's short notice, but hopefully she can pull lots of options for you. It shouldn't be hard. You're a small woman."

I could feel my face heating. I know he wasn't saying it to be hurtful. I'm sure that with regular meals I'd gain more weight.

"Hopefully I haven't offended you. You're good the way you are. I mean. You're beautiful. I hope that I don't sound like a jerk or a creep."

"Edward, take a deep breath. I get what you mean. I'm sure Jessica and Alice will do a fine job. And please, tell Emmett that Rose can come as well. The more the merrier. I need lots of help."

"Perhaps after awhile you'll see yourself the way that I see you."

Before I could ask what he meant by that, a man entered a room and introduced himself as Eric Yorkie, another manager. I sat and sipped my champagne while him and Edward discussed tech options. Moments later, we prepared to leave the Apple store laden with packages. Edward had managed to talk me into a new cell phone, lap top, and not one, but two iPads. We were there long enough for Eric to add accessories and protective screens to the various items.

"Yorkie, thanks for the help. Be sure you send any outstanding invoices to Tanya."

I watched as he tipped Eric.

"Edward, you see that employee over there?"

She was busy with another customer, but I thought it was important for him to know how nice she'd been.

"Yes, Isabella?"

"She was helpful, and really nice."

Before I could say more, Edward was walking toward her. I couldn't hear what he'd said, but I watched as he pressed some cash into her hand.

"Is there anything else you need from here?"

All I could do was shake my head. So far, today had been a whirlwind, and it wasn't even 11:00am.

"Good. Let's get the car loaded and then head for our next appointment. Jessica is looking forward to meeting you."

I quickly tabulated the amount Edward had spent on me today. Already he'd spent more than $5,000.

"Bella, don't think about the money. I've got you. Hopefully in more ways than one."