Fran betas, even though I always tinker after she sends it back to me. Dani, Ariel, and Gemma preread. You read and review and I love you all for it!

"What?" Edward asks me a minute after we've sat at the small table for two next to the window in my kitchen. He must have seen the hesitancy on my face as we stare at the steaming bowls in front of us on the table. "Are you afraid?"

"No, I'm not afraid. But you're the guest," I lie, not wanting to admit he is right. I guess I am a little bit afraid to try the chili after not making it in so long. "Guests go first."

His green eyes pierce mine before squinting at me like I'm suddenly under interrogation. "Did you poison this while I was gone? Some master plan to get me out of the picture?"

I laugh out loud, forgetting my nervousness for a moment.

"No," I shake my head, suddenly serious. "You're a good guy to have around."

We stare at each other for a moment, acknowledging the shift in the conversation but not ready to address it just yet.

"Uh-huh." Edward continues with the game we're playing, and again I find myself grateful for how he always downplays my worries without me having to say a word to him. He picks up his spoon and toasts my own in my hand. "Here goes nothing."

Watching Edward eat is nothing short of mesmerizing. He brings the mouthful of chili to his mouth, blows on the hot food, before taking it all in his mouth and swallowing it down. I watch nervously across the table, anxious for whatever happens next.

"Well?" I ask him and try to hide the insecurity in my voice. When he runs his tongue over his lips when his bite is gone, a thrill settles into my stomach.

"You better hurry and eat," he mumbles to me as he spoons another scoop, "before I eat all of it."

"Stop," I roll my eyes and take Edward's word for it, digging in myself.

"I'm serious. This is delicious, Bella." He lets out a groan that almost kills me where I stand. "You have no reason to be afraid."

"Have you ever cooked a meal for anyone, and they hated it?"

I hate the way my voice turns small. I hate the way I still can remember how long it took for me to wash the remnants of his plate out of my hair.

"Pretty much anytime I get in front of a stove," Edward jokes, wiping his lips on a napkin. "I'm not the best cook, I admit."

"I love it. Cooking." I smile softly, hoping it covers up the memories behind my eyes. "It's been a while since I cooked something and didn't have it thrown back in my face. Literally."

I hate the way recognition dawns on his face. I hate the way he knows what I'm saying without me having to actually say it.

I hate how he puts the pieces together. I like this portion of my story, and since he's a part of it now, I don't like when what's already written meets what's being written now.

He clears his throat, his voice rough around the edges. "Does this have any connection to why you needed that gun so bad?"

I nod. "Yes."

"I promised I'd teach you how to use it." He forces a smile on his face, but I can see a renewed determination cross his features. "When should we start?"

Lessons are starting! Woohoo! And from our EPOV yesterday, we know he knows some things to help Bella in more ways than one.

See you tomorrow!