Hello everyone,

I am amazed by the response this story has received. It's pretty cool how a simple idea can grow with a life of its own. I am thrilled you all are enjoying it. Once again, thank you for being a part of the journey.

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"So, would you have a minute to talk? Or should I come back some other time?"

The second Bella stepped into his line of view, she had his undivided attention. Hell, truth be told, she'd had his attention since that God-awful speed date.

Now, he let his wandering eye slip over her curves in a quick sweep. Her clothing enhanced the dips and valleys of her body, clinging to her form in all the right places. The jeans she wore molded her hips like a second skin and gripped the muscles of her well-rounded thighs.

She was the perfect height, he noticed, the top of her head met the tip of his chin, and his first thought was how easily he could tip her head back and taste the gloss on her lips. A strawberry scent wafted to him, and he was so tempted to lean down to see if it was the flavor she wore or the shampoo she used.

If Edward was sure he wouldn't look like a creep, he'd give in to the temptation to lean forward and bury his nose in her silken tresses.

Instead of acting like an enthralled idiot, he finished his observation of the woman before him. The corner of his lip lifted as she fiddled with the hem of her purple tank. The gentle swell of her breast drew his attention, yet he made sure not to linger too long.

The dark cotton matched her pale complexion. Bella's skin was the color of porcelain and looked as soft as velvet. Once again, he had to restrain the baser urges threatening to steal his rationality.

Edward's fingers curled around the rag he held, otherwise he'd do something insane, and touch her. At least he wasn't the only one that was a nervous wreck. His attention dropped to her fingers as her grip tightened on the strap of the bag slung over her shoulder.

"Yeah, sure." Edward nodded when he finally managed to pull his gaze away, throwing a look toward the barista. "Buster doesn't care if I talk a minute, right?"

"My name's Tom," he said, pointing at the tables littering the cafe. "Considering you were late, I think those tables still need to be wiped down. And there's a toilet brush with your name on it."

Edward glared in the direction of the counter. When he'd hopped into this role as a barista, he'd never imagined having to fulfill the duties it entailed. Forcing the annoyance away, Edward dipped his head, staring at Buster the whole time. "Yeah, I'll get right on that."

Edward noticed the way Bella's brow furrowed just before she started fidgeting as she witnessed the conversation between him and Buster. She looked moments away from darting out the door, and he'd taken drastic measures to find her.

He simply couldn't let her escape now.

He wasn't sure what he'd said to cause Bella's features to twist. He took a step back and studied her intently. She looked like she was about to bolt.

Her gaze darted back and forth, and she played with a lock of her hair nervously. "Look, I don't want to get you in trouble. Maybe I should come back another time." Licking her lips, she inched backward toward the door. "I really can't stay long, anyway."

Edward moved forward when he realized she was about to bounce. Thinking quickly, he waved her back to him. "How about I get you a cup of coffee on the house? You can keep me company while I finish these tables."

He could practically see the gears shifting behind her eyes. Several emotions passed across her face before she gave a hesitant nod. Some of the tension melted from her stance, and she seemed a tad more relaxed than a few seconds ago.

"Alright," she nodded, shifting from one foot to another. "I really do have to go soon. My babysitter is on the fritz. I think she might walk out and never come back."

Edward swallowed hard as the word babysitter penetrated the excited fog overtaking him. Clearing his throat, he shifted in place. When he'd thought of pursuing this woman the prospect of her having children had never entered his mind.

Were children a deal-breaker for him? No, but it was one surprise he hadn't anticipated.

A twinkle entered her gaze and her chin tilted at a stubborn angle. It was like she was almost daring him to turn tail and run. Fortunately for them both, Edward was made of sterner stuff than that. She was smart, pretty, and hadn't once questioned him about his status.

One of two things were at play here. Either she knew exactly who he was, and she was going along with the charade. Or she had no clue about his celebrity status, and he found that so damn intriguing.

In this day and age dictated by technology, how had his fame slipped this one woman's attention? Definitely a mystery he needed to unravel.

He surprised them both. Instead of leaping a mile away from her and running in the opposite direction, his hand came to rest against her lower back. A strange warmth started in his fingertips and climbed up his arm. Now, he was the one compelled, especially when a sparkle lit her eyes as she regarded him.

"Sounds like you really do need that cup of coffee. What kind do you like?" Normally, Edward wouldn't touch her, yet he wasn't about to remove his hand from her lower back. Even while she stood her ground, her muscles were stiff against his fingers. "You can have anything you want. My treat."

Some of her resolve melted as they stepped closer to the display, and Edward felt his own apprehension relax. Delicious treats littered the case ranging from different slices of bread, muffins, sandwiches, and other tempting morsels. Edward was elated when her eyes lit up.

The women he knew could barely be impressed with diamonds and sapphires. Bella, this beautician from Brooklyn, was excited at the prospect of a treat from freaking Starbucks of all places. If nothing else, this simple fact elated Edward in a way he couldn't explain.

Bella's lips pinched together as her gaze darted between the desserts to the menu board. "White chocolate mocha. Iced—with extra whipped cream. Can I also get one of those blueberry muffins?"

"Like I said, anything you want." Edward didn't take his eyes away from her as he led her to the counter, his palm lay flat against her back. He was doing his damnedest to pay attention to his surroundings and not this heat sliding up his arm. Now that he stood next to her, a whiff of her hair tickled his senses.

Okay, the aroma beneath his nose was definitely coconut, which meant it was her lip gloss that smelled of strawberries. Edward licked his lips as if he could sample the scent in the air.

This was insane, he determined, shaking his head to clear the clouds threatening to overtake him. "You heard her, Buster."

"Tom," came the reply, in a rather annoyed tone.

"Yep," Edward agreed, his eyes trained on the woman next to him. She was a natural beauty without all the hoopla women used these days to attract men. Her smile was genuine, her eyes sparkled when she spoke, and Edward stared at the curve of her lips.

When he finally managed to pull his eyes away, he studied her hair. Something was different, he decided, examining the long curls draped over her shoulder. When he'd met her at Pablo's, it had been a dark, rich brown, yet now, there seemed to be a burgundy tint catching his eye. Lifting a lock, he asked, "Did you do something different to your hair?"

"Yeah, I dyed it at work tonight. Thanks for noticing."

His gaze dropped to her lips as a whimsical smile changed her features. She looked captivated, and an unexpected wave of pleasure skipped down his spine.

The way Bella thanked him for complimenting her had Edward pausing. Since when was offering a woman a nice word a big deal? The women he dealt with daily demanded notice, and they certainly didn't thank him for saying so. Fleetingly, he took the cup Buster handed in his direction and offered it to her. Taking it one step further, he said, "It looks great, makes your eyes pop."

Bella took the drink he offered and her gaze never wavered as she followed him across the cafe. He pulled back a chair and waited for her to sit, sneaking a touch of her hair in the process.

She really did amaze him. There was absolutely no indication she knew who he was. He should feel like a huge asshole for lying to her, but how else was he supposed to know if she really liked him or not?

Nonchalantly, he wiped the tabletop next to hers. "Did you just get off of work?"

"Yeah," Bella nodded, taking a sip of her drink. "It was such a long day. Dying hair isn't easy, especially when it's thick and long. A solid four hours every time."

"It sounds tedious," Edward told her, scrubbing a sticky spot with the damp rag. Stretching to reach across the smooth surface to reach another, he withheld a grin when he caught her staring out of the corner of his eye.

Edward noticed the sidelong glances she shot in his direction. Everywhere her gaze touched came alive with a series of tingles. Now, his ass blazed as if lit on fire. He barely withheld a chuckle and his famous flirty smile. The urge to drop his rag and feel that stare as he leaned down to retrieve it played through his mind when the fire trailed down his legs.

Edward forgot about the table he was supposed to be cleaning, his brows lifting when guilt claimed her face. Yep, she was definitely checking him out.

There was a knowing light shining back at her from his gaze that caused her lashes to flutter before breaking eye contact. Wiggling her foot, she continued, "My feet are killing me in these boots. Definitely won't be wearing them to work again."

Edward's attention dropped to her foot. If he wasn't getting stuck behind his own lie, he would rub them for her. It took all of his willpower to drag his gaze away from the temptation of her feet. He had a particular fetish, and this wasn't the time or the place to enlighten Bella to his preferences. "I wish I wasn't stuck here. I would love to walk you home."

"It doesn't scare you off knowing I have kids at home?" Bella fiddled with the straw in her drink as she pinched off a bite of her muffin.

Edward didn't miss the curiosity in Bella's eyes. He had an idea what she was thinking. She expected him to tuck his tail between his legs and run away. If he were a lesser man, perhaps he would. The truth was, he didn't scare so easily.

There was a mixture of emotions that coursed through Edward when she mentioned the children again, however. A sliver of guilt stabbed his chest.

Did the children bother him? No. What bothered him was letting this woman walk out of his life without knowing if the chemistry he felt was real. If she could truly like him beyond his status.

He was tired of never knowing if it was him, or his fame that attracted a woman. Yeah, he was a great-looking guy. He wasn't an idiot, or blind. But the bank account, houses, and everything else associated with the high life were assets that seemed to hold a woman's focus. Then, of course, the women running in his circles only wanted his name to further their own careers. Something he'd learned while dating Kristi.

When she abruptly broke off their relationship, she'd informed him of the fact, saying she'd only dated him because their agent thought it would capture everyone's interest. It had worked like a fucking dream, and now she didn't need him or his name any longer.

The thought of Ms. Peters threatened to steal his newfound peace. Shoving his co-star from his thoughts, he shook his head as he shifted the rag in his hand. "No. Kids don't bother me. Is their father involved?"

If he was truly going to be at peace with Bella's circumstances he needed to know how deep all of this went. He wasn't sure how he felt about dealing with a jealous lover. Hell, he didn't like the thought of her being hung up on some other guy either. If they were going to start anything, he wanted it to be on equal footing, in a manner of speaking.

Bella's gaze narrowed as she followed the rag across the table and she shifted nervously in her chair.

"Actually, they are my brother and sister. Our father has a strange sense of responsibility and kinda asked me to babysit a year ago." Sadly, she played with the straw before she once again met his gaze. "I haven't seen him since."

Edward was incapable of looking away. How selfless was that? This intriguing woman before him was taking care and assuming responsibility for her siblings. Another spear of guilt shot through him as he considered his dishonesty. Brushing it away, Edward moved to the next table. "How old are they?"

"Five and eight." Bella smiled absently. "They are probably even now terrorizing Vicki." Regrettably, she pushed free from her chair. "I really, really have to go. I-I … I need to get back before she has a panic attack."

"Are you going to call me?" Edward asked, forgetting all about the rag. Leaving it sitting on the tabletop behind him, he followed her across the cafe toward the front door. His wandering eye followed the curve of her spine to her ass. His fingers curled with the thought of gripping that tight flesh as she wrapped those long, lean legs around his waist.

Bella was about to push out of the cafe door, the bell overhead jangling as she rested against the glass. Her fingers tightened around the handle as her gaze collided with his. A connection popped between them and her lips curled gently. "Maybe. What time do you get off?"

Edward pulled his phone from his pocket. It was almost eight o'clock. He couldn't imagine this place staying open longer than ten at best. "I should be done around ten."

"Well," Bella licked her lips before nodding with a shrug. "Call me when you get off."

Edward felt giddier than a teenage boy with his first crush as Bella left the coffee shop. He watched her through the window as she continued down the sidewalk and it took all of his willpower to remain inside. When she disappeared from view he was smiling like a damn fool.

Adjusting the Starbucks cap on his head, he suddenly remembered his ball cap behind the counter. Ruse complete, he pulled the required cap from his head as he headed to the counter. "Thanks for covering for me, Buster. It was pretty brilliant the way you stepped up. If you happen to do it for me whenever that woman is around, there's a hundred bucks in it for you."

"Tom! My name is Tom," he said, his dark fingers drumming against the marble top. His black brows rose to his hairline. "You will pay me a hundred dollars to lie to some chick? Is that per day or for the week … because I think it might be in my best interest to demand it daily? Because, you know, she comes in here all the time and she might be asking questions …"

Edward's lips pinched as he considered Buster's observation. He was right, Bella could come in at any point and ask questions. "A day. Whenever you see her. My name is Robert if she asks …"

"Wait a minute. Aren't you that guy that was in that movie? Ed-Edward, something. Dude, what are you doing over here slumming it? You could have any chick you want, and probably more than one."

Edward should have been prepared for this. It always came. Always. No matter what he did or where he went. "Look, man, my name is Rob. Anytime I am here. My name is Rob. If you want that hundred a day. It's Rob."

"Okay, shit," Tom grinned, his white teeth flashing as his fingers plucked the whiskers on his chin. "Hell, for a hundred a day, I'll be Buster. Shit, I will be whoever you want. But just so you know, if you're doing this to get some pussy, you're a dick."

Edward shook his head. "Pussy isn't even on the radar, Buster. Sometimes to find what you're looking for, you have to defy the odds."

Tom studied him with hard intensity. "You're a nice-looking guy, and I'm confident enough in my own sexuality to recognize a handsome man when I see one. You don't need any pretenses to get some chick, and why you're using them is beyond me. You can call it whatever you want, but down here in the real world, we call it lying. That girl, if she's worth what you think she is, is going to view it exactly the same way. And when she finds out, it isn't going to matter why you did it, just that you did."

Edward mulled over Buster's advice all the way home after slapping a hundred bucks in his hand. It was true, if Bella was the woman he thought she was, there was no way she'd overlook his lies.

When ten o'clock came around, Edward stared at his phone. As he pulled up her contact, Buster's warning rang in his ears. "When she finds out, it isn't going to matter why you did it, just that you did."

As he lifted the cell to his ear, it was on the tip of his tongue to confess. Right fucking there. He could almost touch the damn words they were so close. Yet as her voice came through the speaker, he murmured, "Hey, babe, it's Rob."

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