So sorry for the delay in posting my loves. I had my Covid vaccine and it knocked me out for a few days and I've also been working on the next chapter of Into the Shadows.

Normal disclaimers apply.


BPOV

Mortified. Absolutely mortified. Can the ground just open up and swallow me now please? I couldn't believe I was wrong about Edward and Emmett all this time.

Thankfully Edward was able to laugh it off and then asked me out before giving me the most toe curling kiss I've ever received. Of course I said yes. The guy was like a walking wet dream. Who in their right mind would turn him down?!

That was three days ago. Its now Friday and I'm having a major freak out in my closet because I can't find the perfect outfit. I know. I know. Edward has seen me in my rattiest pair of sweats and even in my bathrobe, so he wouldn't care how I dressed, but a girl has to make a great impression on a first date, especially if I want another one of those amazing kisses.

I sat down on the floor of my closet in a huff and dialled the one person I know could help me in this dilemma. Rose.

"What up biatch?"

"I have a wardrobe emergency."

"Say no more. I'll be there in ten." She hung up the call and true to her word was pulling up in my driveway ten minutes later. "Where are you?" She called out, letting herself in my front door.

"Closet." I called back, hearing her run up my stairs.

"Right. What's the emergency?" She asked, standing in the doorway.

"I have a date and I can't find anything to wear." I huffed, throwing my arms up in the air.

"Ooh a hot date huh? Who's the lucky guy?" She smirked, starting to rifle through my hangers.

"Edward."

"Edward? As in your gay neighbour Edward?" She turned and raised one of her perfectly shaped brows at me.

"He's not gay. I got it wrong. So horribly wrong. Turns out the guy he lives with is his brother. They're just incredibly close. He managed to laugh about it when I realised their relationship was nothing more than familial."

"Oh wow Bella. And he still asked you out after that?"

"Yep."

"He must have it bad for you then. Not many guys will ask you out after you assumed they were gay for six months."

"I know." I ran my hands down my face before pushing my hair out of the way. "Will you just help me please?" I begged.

"Of course I will. You know I'll always help you with an outfit crisis." Rose smiled down at me. "Now go and get your tushy in that amazing shower of yours while I work my magic in here." She slapped my panty clad butt as I walked past her on the way to my bathroom.

I took my time under the hot spray, scrubbing every inch of me and shaving all the necessary areas. It may be our first date but I wasn't taking any chances. Who knows where our night will end up.

I stepped out of the steam filled room after buffing and priming myself to find Rose casually lounging on my bed reading an old magazine that was discarded on my nightstand.

"Ooh you smell nice. What lotion is that?"

"It was a stocking filler that mom got me for Christmas last year. An apricot one from Bed, Bath and Beyond."

"Well it smells good. Your outfit is over there." She waved her hand in the direction of my dresser where there was a neatly folded outfit placed on top.

"What did you pick?" I asked, gingerly picking at the material after noticing there was hardly anything of it.

"Bella, I'm your favourite cousin. Please trust me."

"Rose, you're my only cousin." I snorted. "I do trust you, but why is there no underwear placed with this outfit?"

"Because the cut of it won't allow for a bra unless you want visible straps all over the place."

"And what about my panties?"

"You want a VPL?" I internally groaned at her answer. What is Edward going to think of me after this?

"Rose what the heck did you pick out?!" I shrieked, picking up the scrap of fabric.

"Just put it on!" She rolled her eyes at me and went back to her magazine.

I huffed and dropped my towel, resulting in Rose wolf-whistling me. I ignored her the best I could and stepped into the material, pulling it up my body.

It was a black skin-tight catsuit with thin straps and a very low cut back. Something I don't ever recall buying, let alone owning.

Rose climbed off my bed and came over to where I was standing, awkwardly twisting in front of my floor length mirror. "My god Bells! This looks so much better on you than I ever imagined. Your legs look like they go on for days and the close fit makes your boobs and butt look banging. Damn! I'm so jealous."

I scoffed at her comments. Rosalie is the epitome of beauty and put all of us regular folk to shame.

"Don't make that noise at me." She slapped my butt again. "You look gorgeous and if Edward's mouth doesn't drop open as soon as he sees you then he's definitely gay, despite if he says otherwise. Now let me do your makeup."

Forty minutes later I had my hair pinned back, short leather jacket on and a studded belt hanging low on my hips. I didn't see the point in a belt when it was holding nothing up, but Rose claimed it was a statement piece and told me to stop complaining while she worked her magic. Natural makeup with a bit of heavy liner, making me look like a rock chick. I looked like I was going to a concert instead of on a date. "Rose, I don't think this is the look I'm going for. I want to impress Edward, not scare him away."

"Fine. Lose the jacket and the belt." I did as she asked while she rummaged in my jewellery box. "Perfect!" She exclaimed, straightening up and clasping something around my waist. I looked down to see a long, thin silver chain around my middle with part of it hanging down at the side with a drop diamond on the end. She took the pins out of my hair and messed it up, tying a floral head scarf around it instead. After softening up the eyeliner and giving me some strappy sandals to put on she claimed I was ready once more. I turned to face the mirror again and was pleased with the outcome. I'd lost the edgy vibe and the look was a lot softer but sultry. I loved it.

I thanked Rose and she made me promise to call her with all the glorious details the next day. "Even if you just slob on his knob. I wanna know!" She cackled, walking out the door. So crass. I shook my head at her but agreed anyway.

I didn't have to wait long for Edward to ring on my doorbell. I stood up and smoothed out the non-existent wrinkles on my outfit as I went to answer it.

A grin broke out across my face as I took in Edward's sexiness. He was wearing grey form fitting jeans and a black short sleeved button down shirt. It was unusual to see him out of his work clothes which you could guarantee were covered in dirt and grass stains ninety percent of the time. No, he scrubbed up good.

Did we have to go out? I could just simply drag him in here by his shirt collar and get properly acquainted with him. In my bedroom preferably.

I licked my lips before looking into his eyes and I realised he was doing the same to me.

"Hi." He grinned, as I blushed as being caught ogling him.

"Hi."

"Ready to go?" He asked, offering me his arm.

Yeah. One second." I said goodbye to Jake and grabbed my purse, tossing in my keys and a cute pink bolero cardigan for when it got chilly later, before accepting his proffered arm.

He led me out towards a car I had never seen before. "Is this new?" I asked, lightly running my fingers over the vehicles sleek body.

"No. I just don't use it very often. Only for special occasions." He replied, opening the door for me and helping me inside.

"This is a special occasion?" I asked once he had gotten in the drivers seat.

"Of course." He flashed me his signature smile. "It's the first of many dates with the woman I intend to marry one day."

MARRIAGE!? I could feel the colour drain from my face and I balked at the idea. I never considered marriage before and certainly not with someone I'm only just going on a first date with. Is Edward really thinking that far ahead with us? I mean it's not like we really know each other all that well.

'You know him enough.' My subconscious chastised me. 'It's not like he's driving you to the chapel right this minute. Calm down.'

Yeah. Yeah, she's right, I thought. Edward is a good guy and I know his back story. He wouldn't hurt me.

"Bella?"

I jumped in my seat when I felt Edward put his hand on my knee.

"Bella, are you okay?" He asked, turning in his seat to face me and I looked up into his concerned features. "You've been awfully quiet. I can take you back home if you've changed your mind." A fleeting look of sadness crossed his features before it was quickly replaced with concern once more.

Was I okay? Yes.

Did I want to go back home? Fuck no, unless he was coming with me and we could get really fucking acquainted with each other in my bedroom like I thought about earlier.

Did I want a future with the Adonis sitting next to me? Abso-fricking-lutely!

I turned back to Edward and gave him a wide smile, using my index finger to push away the frown marring his forehead. "I'm okay Edward, and I most definitely have not changed my mind. I've been looking forward to a moment like this since you found me on my ass in my driveway."

I could see the relief in his eyes quickly replaced by lust as I leaned in for a kiss. It was chaste, but still fiery and full of promise. I leaned back, licking my lips before I realised where we were.

"How did you know this is my favourite place to eat at?" I asked as I took in the familiar surroundings. "I come here at least twice a month and take out much more often. Their wings are what keep me coming back for more." I could practically feel myself salivating at the thought of them.

"It's my favourite place too." The look of uncertainty on his face slowly morphed into a dazzling smile. "I chose this place because I know how much you loved Em's ribs and this is the only place that rivals them."

"I've never had the ribs here. I always go for the wings or the chicken fried steak if I feel like splashing out."

"Don't let Em hear you saying that. He thinks that chicken frying a steak is like putting a big middle finger up to the cow that lost its life for it. Don't get me wrong, he's no vegetarian, but due to his culinary prowess he believes all steaks should be served medium rare or less. Anything else is sacrilege. He once threw a massive hissy fit when he got served a steak well done. I believe his words were 'If I wanted to eat leather I would have ordered a god damn shoe!' Needless to say we were never allowed back." He laughed, pushing some hair out of his face.

I laughed alongside him. "I never would have pegged Emmett to be that much of a food snob."

"No. He's pretty unassuming like that. His size always gives people the wrong first impression."

I opened my mouth to reply, but my stomach growling caught us both off guard. "Sorry. I haven't eaten since breakfast."

"Shit! I'm sorry Bella. Let's go inside and get you fed. I'm pretty hungry myself."

The waitress sat us at a small table near the bar. I suddenly remembered Edwards story about his mom and her struggles with alcohol and wondered if he had the same issue. I decided to delicately broach the subject.

"Erm, Edward, forgive me if I'm over stepping, but I'm curious about something."

"Go ahead Bella. I'm sure it's not all that bad."

"It's about your mom and her struggle with alcohol. Well not directly about her per se. Well it is, but not. I'm sorry, I'm not getting this out right." I mentally slapped myself a dozen times.

"What is it Bella?" He said, with a hint of sadness in his voice.

"Uhm, I was just wondering why you and Emmett drink, when you saw what the effects had on your mother?" I fiddled with the napkin on the table while I waited for his reply.

"Oh, err, well that's easy. We're not addicts for starters and we haven't picked up that particular trait thankfully. I limit myself to maybe one alcoholic drink every couple of weeks. Most of the beer or wine I drink is low or non-alcoholic. Emmett on the other hand, has a high tolerance for it as he uses it in his dishes a lot at the restaurant he works at, and I think he got most of his drinking days out of his system while he was away at college. His vodka sauce is amazing with pasta if he burns away the alcohol just right. Keeps the flavour but doesn't affect you the way pure vodka would. We're careful Bella. I've never been drunk and I don't ever intend to get into that state. I have a very strong willpower." He gave me a soft smile and stilled my fidgeting hands by covering them with his own. "Bella please don't worry. I don't mind talking about this with you. I did open up to you after all."

"I'm sorry. I feel like I'm ruining this date and it's barely even started. First there was the whole marriage thing in the car and now this."

"Wait. What? What marriage thing?" He furrowed his brows at my words.

"You mentioned that you were going to marry me one day. I believe your exact words were that this was the first of many dates with the woman you intend to marry one day."

Edward's face turned bright red and he moved his hands to cover it from view. "I can't believe I said that out loud. I thought I had said that in my head. No wonder you were so fucking quiet on the drive here. I'm such a moron."

"Edward please look at me." I tried to tug his hands away from his face. "I'm not mad. I promise. It freaked me out a little, but once I finished with my internal debate I realised I would love a future like that with you. I can't imagine my life without you in it now." It was my turn to blush after I stopped my word vomit.

"I'm so glad we're on the same page Bella." He grinned. "We can be completely crazy together."


Oh these two. They both seriously have a bad case of foot in mouth syndrome.

Next up will be the second part of their date from Edward's POV.

Much love x