47

I'm elbow-deep in a client's finances when my cell phone rings. I'm in work mode and dig through my desk, answering it robotically. "Edward Cullen speaking."

"Well, hello, formal Edward Cullen." Bella laughs.

Gone is the frustration and stress of the day. Just hearing her voice relaxes me. I lean back in my chair and toss my rubber band ball in the air. I'm not the most coordinated human being, so I catch it once, and then it rolls underneath my desk. Gone forever.

"What can I do for you, Miss Swan?" I ask, knowing if there was something wrong with the girls she would have gotten to the point right away.

She's quiet for a beat, and when she does talk, her voice is husky.

I will not get hard at work.

"I'm just calling to make sure it's still okay for my parents to stop by on Saturday? I've been out of the loop for a bit, but apparently, my dad is on a book tour. I didn't even know he'd written another one. Anyway, he's on tour and has a signing in Jacksonville on Monday. Mom was planning on making a visit to V.C., so she's going to meet him here. They can only stay for the day, but that's better than nothing."

"I already told you it was fine, Bella. You can invite whomever you want to the house."

Anyone except for any other man who isn't your best friend. Well, considering you said he might have feelings for you, maybe even then. But I can't say that. Because I'm a pussy.

I haven't done anything to change our situation, but to be fair, Bella hasn't done anything to let me know she's interested. We're both adults, and things work both ways.

"I know you said that, but I still wanted to check."

"It's your house too," I remind her.

"And maybe I just wanted to talk to you." She sighs. "Rabbit is at the tutoring center, and Alice brought Jasper home. I'm bored."

Is it normal for grown men to get butterflies? 'Cause right now, it feels like there are pterodactyls swarming around my insides.

"I'm wrapping up a few things here. Can you give me an hour to finish up? I'll come and help you with your problem."

I did not just say that.

Oh, but I did.

"Okay, I'll break out the poker set," Bella says excitedly, either oblivious to my words or choosing to ignore them.