Chapter 16

BPOV

I pushed away from my computer, rubbing my eyes. I'd read the most recent chapter of the book I was working on for what felt like the millionth time. The words were blending together, and no matter what I did, something just seemed off.

It probably meant I needed to take a break. I closed my eyes, stretched my arms above my head, and rolled my shoulders. Then, as elegantly as I could, I laid my forehead on the desk, completely giving up.

I sat there for a while, only looking up when I heard my computer ding with an alert from my professional email. I groaned loudly, clicking on it, expecting it to be my editor checking in, only to be surprised by what I found there.

Bella,

Hey, it's Edward.

I asked Tyler (you know, the casting director) for your phone number, but he laughed in my face. He said he didn't care who I was; he wasn't losing his job by giving out confidential information. So, we compromised, and he gave me your email. (Okay, maybe I bribed him, but money talks sometimes.)

I guess I could have asked Rose, but you know how nosey she can be. And maybe I was nervous that I'd make a fool out of myself when you answered the phone.

Not that I'm doing much better here, am I?

I have to admit I'm a little jealous that Rose got all of your time the other night. I'd like a chance to catch up with you as well. If you're free, I'd like to take you out to lunch today (that is, if you get this email today. If not, tomorrow?) and properly congratulate you on everything you've accomplished over the years. I can have a car pick you up, and I'll attempt to make it all as private as possible.

My number is xxx-xxx-xxxx

Yours,

Edward

I stared at the email, reading it over and over again. With the way my heart pounded in my chest every time I thought of him, I was beginning to think something was wrong with me. I would have been reaching for my phone to call my doctor, but I knew better. My cheeks were hurting from the smile that had spread across my lips while I read his words.

Edward may have been a movie star, but that awkward teenage boy was still in there.

But the smile faded as I thought about high school and our friendship. I thought about the way he'd stood in the hall, proclaiming his love for me, and the way I'd shut him down. I'd never felt good enough to stand next to him, never mind date him.

It was like a bucket of cold water was dropped on me as Seth's words from the other night ran through my mind again. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. When I opened them, I reached for my phone.

It rang and rang, and I silently pleaded for someone to pick up.

"Hello?"

"I have an emergency. How quickly can you get here?"

"Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you?"

"No, Tanya, this is a different type of emergency."

"Give me fifteen minutes."

—DC—

"Are you sure you didn't hear him wrong? That's not something the Seth I know would say."

I sighed, falling back onto the couch. "He definitely said it, but he was exhausted. He probably meant that nothing would ever happen because I'd never hurt him."

"You're probably right. That's what I was thinking, too. Now, what about this email from Edward? What are you going to do? It's well past lunchtime now."

"I…" I wasn't sure how to admit that I wanted to see him…badly. I didn't know what it meant for me or my relationship with Seth. Was it truly as solid on my end as I thought?

"You've been with Seth in some capacity since our freshman year. That's what, like six years together? And besides him, you've kissed that one douchebag. He's the only guy you've ever slept with, and none of that is a bad thing, per se."

I rolled my eyes at her. "Just say it, Tanya."

"Fine. You wouldn't have called me over here if you didn't have feelings for Edward. You wouldn't even be contemplating going to lunch with another man if you were totally content in your relationship. I think that if Edward never walked back into your life, you'd forever be happy with Seth. But he has walked back in, and he's obviously just as interested as you are. I think if you don't explore this, you'll regret it forever. You need to talk to Seth, maybe not right now with everything he has going on, but soon."

I hated it, but I knew she was right. It wasn't anything I hadn't thought of myself. But the idea of talking to him, of hurting Seth, made me sick to my stomach. "God, I don't want to hurt him, but I'd be lying if I denied that you're right. What do I do about Edward?"

She shrugged. "Call him, go out with him, explain everything to him."

—DC—

I paced the room as the phone rang. Everything that Tanya said was racing through my mind. I'd been with Seth for so long, but I didn't want to stay with him just because it was easy. It wasn't fair to either of us.

"Hello?"

"Edward, hey, it's Bella. So, um, I know it's way past lunchtime, but I wanted you to know I got your email. If you wanted to go tomorrow—"

"How about dinner?"

"Uh, yeah. Yeah, I could do dinner. What time?"

He released a heavy breath, and I had to wonder if he was just as nervous as I was. "I can have a car at your house in about a half hour? Would that work? I'd come to pick you up, but I'm sure they followed us the other night. With the headlines the other day...I don't want to put you in that position."

I glanced down at what I was wearing. I hadn't shaved my legs in a few days, but I could throw on a pair of slacks and a nice top. It wasn't like he'd be seeing my legs today, anyway. I gulped as I realized what I'd just thought. He wouldn't see them 'today'. Did that mean I had plans for him to see my legs another day?

I shook my head, clearing my thoughts and tried not to read too much into it. "Yeah, I can be ready in a half hour."

It was just dinner. At least, that was what I kept telling myself. But deep down, I knew it was more than that. I knew it was the beginning of something, I just didn't know what.

—

A/N: Oooh, next chapter they'll be in the same room together!

Let me know what you think, my lovelies!