A/N – Once again, thanks to all who read and especially my girl Fran. I hope to keep up with a chapter a week, and my original outline was about 12 chapters, and we're moving toward a point that we stay in the present, but this chapter is in the past, as will at least a couple more.

Three Years Earlier

The famous L.A. heat was still nowhere near its peak, but the early morning sun promised retribution for the rare rain we'd had yesterday. I would probably be smarter to exercise in Bella's air-conditioned basement gym, but I missed seeing trees. Even the limited green of the Sepulveda Basin is a necessary visual therapy I treated myself to as often as possible. As I approached a split in the path, I glanced down to check my vitals and the time, weighing the pros and cons of the longer loop vs. getting back to the house and perhaps lifting weights for a while in the comfort of cooler air.

"Aw, fuck it," I muttered to myself, taking the longer path and pulling my sweaty T-shirt off, holding it in one hand. A little over-heating never permanently hurt anyone.

A young, blond, starlet-type was running toward me from the opposite direction. I did the traditional Washington State nod as we passed, which she didn't return, of course, because we were in Los Angeles, home to a million beautiful faces that would only smile while auditioning or under contract. My hair fell in my eyes during my futile friendly gesture, so I reached up to brush it away with my free hand.

The rhythm of her retreating steps faltered, and then I heard something like a trip and stumble. I turned, still running in place to make sure she wasn't hurt, but she'd already recovered and was speeding away from me as if fleeing a crime. I shrugged and continued my run while cataloging today's itinerary in my head. It was going to be a marathon, not a sprint, that's for sure, and my run would be the least exhausting part of the day.

My calves started to burn, but I pushed myself to a faster pace, knowing I'd be glad for the stretch and hoping to build even more stamina for the endless standing around that tested my legs more than this familiar jog ever could. I made up time as I passed Mary's Point and started down toward the exit of the park and home.

I normally took it a little easier on the streets, but I didn't even pause to put my shirt back on as I sped home. There was work to do and no time to lose.

After an extremely speedy shower, I threw on some jeans and a black T-shirt, then headed to the kitchen. I'd basically memorized the instructions from Bella's nutritionist, but I gave them a quick glance and then flipped the bird to the typed instructions on the fridge. Asswipe wanted to starve my girl, and I'd be damned if her gorgeous curves would disappear under my watch.

So, rather than cooking only egg whites, I used whole eggs for the broccoli omelet and doubled up on the blueberries I mixed with low-fat yogurt and the mysterious superfood mix that became her smoothie. I popped a couple of pieces of bread in the toaster oven for myself and was not surprised when I turned around and saw Bella groggily stumbling up to the breakfast island.

"Morning, gorgeous!" I greeted her at top volume.

Bella scowled. "Remind me to note, 'is far too cheery in the mornings,' during your performance review," she said.

"That reminds me," I quipped, grabbing my phone from the counter. I made a show of typing while I said aloud. "Give Edward, the most kick-ass personal assistant to ever live, his first annual performance review, being sure to heap all the praise he most certainly deserves on him… and Save." I put the phone down.

"Ha-ha," Bella said. "You do remember that there was a time it would be unheard of for you to be awake before me, let alone awake and smiling? Or did I dream that we went to college and I had a normal life of studying and no one paid any attention to me?"

"Oh, you didn't dream any of that," I said, mentally adding, except that no one was paying attention, which was never the case. "It was just a very, very, very long time ago. Like almost a year," I smirked at her. "And back then, I was the one staying up until 1 am, and it wasn't working. I had to remind her that she was tired for good reason. Never mind that I'd been up with her until the early morning, too. I chuckled a bit at how much both our lives had already changed while I took a bite of my toast.

"Umm… I think I remember carbohydrates, too," Bella sighed, looking at the food in my hand. I quickly ate the rest, Bella wrinkling her nose at me shoving my mouth full. It vanished more quickly than I wanted, but I didn't want to flaunt anything I couldn't share with her.

I flipped the perfectly cooked omelet onto a plate and pushed it toward her. Bella quirked an eyebrow before taking her first bite, looking significantly at the color and licking the butter from her lips.

"Don't forget the smoothie," I said. "And this has got to be a working breakfast, so we're both officially on the clock starting now, boss."

Bella shook her head. "You're never off the clock."

I let that comment go by. I pulled out my tablet, which was easier than a phone to organize our agendas and multitask. "First order of business," I looked up, wanting to see her reaction, because despite being a brilliant actress, Bella couldn't hide a single thought from me if I could look at her face. "The next creepy vampire movie is officially going to start filming in nine months, which means you have the opportunity to either, A, work as little as you want, or B, work your ass off for practically no money doing that Indie flick you've been obsessing over." I paused, then added. "Don't think I didn't notice you actually fell asleep with that script in your hands more than once."

Bella gave me a guilty grin. "I think you know my answer then."

I nodded with a small frown. I don't know why part of me hoped we could take that time off to just reward ourselves with the hard work of the first film, but I let that wisp of hope go as I tapped a few notes into my to-do list of what I'd need to get the contracts rolling for the Indie film.

"Second piece of business," I said, trying to ignore the way my stomach rolled as the words I was about to say. "The studio is strongly suggesting," I used the unnecessary air quotes. "That you take Robert Pattinson as your date to the premiere next week, and his agent has confirmed he'd be amenable to that." I bit back the million sarcastic remarks and objections I wanted to let fly. "But, your agent and publicist, who I will remind you are on your payroll and no one else's, unlike the studio, feel you should bring someone else, so as to not completely tie your brand to RPatz and this super ridiculous vampire trash that is going to make us both so rich that, of course, we would never say a bad word about it."

"Edward," Bella rolled her eyes. "I liked the books, and I'm proud of the movie, and I know you think the end product was good, too, so cut with the pop culture bashing. I already agreed to do the Indie movie to make sure I don't lose all my artistic credibility." She paused, her forehead crinkling in consternation. "Wait a second; why didn't you give me a third option? Why can't I go without a date?"

My phone's most obnoxious alarm, the one that sounded like a firetruck, suddenly went off. "Shit," I said, avoiding Bella's eyes as I silenced the phone and started gathering up our breakfast dishes. "Meeting adjourned, we gotta get on the road in exactly sixty seconds. You have hair and makeup waiting, but you need to be dressed."

Bella waved at me. "I know, I know, the garment bag that was giving me nightmares last night; I'm going and getting dressed now." She seemed just as eager as I was to table the date discussion, which made me worry even more.

This was not going to be easy. I knew in my heart that Bella going to any public event without a date was completely out of the question. And whoever was by her side would need to be someone that was at least a believable friend, another actor, or industry insider. No self-respecting actor would take their own assistant to a premier, that was certain.

I allowed myself a few seconds just to admire Bella when she emerged from her room in the deep blue silk dress. It was sleeveless and seemed to float next to her skin as if even the fabric knew how precious the touch of her perfect body was. But, with a blink, I put those thoughts away. Bella frowned at me as I gathered up my bag and grabbed the car keys.

I held out my hand because I always did as we left the house. I knew she needed the friendly touch to ground her as we stepped outside the protective privacy into the world. She gave my fingers a small squeeze as we walked to my Volvo and squinted into the bright sun as I held the door open for her. I watched her settle into the passenger seat then raced to the driver's side.

Bella fidgeted with the radio while I backed out of the driveway and started heading into traffic. We hardly ever talked while I was her chauffeur; Bella claimed my driving made her too nervous to carry on a conversation. But, on a day like today, where we had people waiting and a lot of traffic to navigate, I felt my sixth sense behind the wheel was one of my greatest assets.

I grinned at the clock on the dashboard as we pulled up to the security gate. Edward one, traffic zero. LA is so my bitch.

Bella let out a small sigh as we pulled into the reserved space in front of a small sound stage. "You'll do great," I told her, taking my hand off the gearshift after putting the car in park and squeezing her shoulder. "Remember what Caius told us, publicity is just another role you get to play."

Bella nodded. "I just wish the script was a little more fleshed out for the role of Bella, the new actress who is poised and clever, but still approachable."

"You don't need a script, honey," I told her. "Just be yourself, and everyone will love you."

Outside Bella's window, I saw a woman in a suit clutching a clipboard and scowling at us. Okay, I thought silently, there are some people who will never be happy.

I got out and walked around to Bella's side, opening her door. The Bella that emerged was indeed someone other than the shy girl I had met in college. She stood taller and grinned wider than college Bella, but it didn't meet her eyes.

"Here's Ms. Swan's call sheet," the suit woman said, shoving a leather folder at me without making eye contact with either of us. She then turned on a heel, talking to an invisible VIP in her Bluetooth. I rolled my eyes at her retreating backside. Bella and I followed, and I opened the folder to see an exact duplicate of the agenda e-mailed to me this morning and had nothing changed from the version e-mailed last night. God, my professors, and my dad would have a field day with the inefficiencies in this business.

The suit pointed at an empty chair when we reached the make-up department with her back still turned. She didn't bother to turn around or nod goodbye, and Bella and I just rolled our eyes at each other, still feeling like foreigners in this wild land of Hollywood.

"Uh-uh-uh, no, you don't missy," came a voice half an octave higher than Bella's sweet tone. "Don't you be making eyes at my boyfriend when I'm around."

I turned and grinned at the little dark-skinned man in the multi-colored, Indian print jacket and bright, red leather pants. "Good to see you, Seth," I told him sincerely. Despite the fact it always seemed he was playing his own part when we met, Seth was my favorite fellow PA. Perhaps it was because I felt that the persona he showed was exaggerated but still authentic. And, heck, in a world of perfect-looking people, his over the top flirting was a little flattering. I still let him know I was straight every time he called me his boyfriend.

"Anyone with eyes is blessed when your face is around, my handsome colleague," he replied with a grin. "Bella, sweetheart, I need to steal your beefcake for a few minutes. I promise to return him in workable condition, just minor wear, and tear."

Bella giggled at his antics and my pantomime of panic. "He was a naughty boy and fed me egg yolks this morning, Seth," she whispered. "Do with him what you think needs to be done."

"Traitor," I hissed as Seth, and I headed toward craft services. I'd noticed someone had forgotten Bella's water, and I could use another coffee.

We were just about there when I realized he was still walking next to me, which made me stop in my tracks.

"What's the matter, gorgeous?" Seth said, meeting my eyes. My heart sped up, and my palms started getting sweaty.

"You said I had a handsome face earlier, and you just called me gorgeous," I pointed out.

"Well, of course," Sett said, batting his eyelashes. "I'm just flirting like I always do, Edward."

Fuck, I thought to myself.

"You are definitely NOT flirting like you always do," I stated. "You usually only comment on my ass, you always walk behind me, you never use terms as innocent as gorgeous, and you definitely never call me by my first name. What's going on?"

"Okay… You know I don't do 'straight talk,'" he looked like there was a foul odor as he formed the words in air quotes. "But seriously, I need a huge favor, Edward. Like, I'm begging for my life, or else I'll be sitting in the back of a corn truck getting hauled out of Tinsel Town if you don't find it in that big heart of yours to help me."

"What is it?" I asked, wondering if Seth had somehow gotten in financial trouble. I had a feeling he was paid similarly to me given the studio's allowance structure for PAs. But, I didn't spend a fraction of what he did on clothes and shoes.

"Jessica's date had a little 'unfortunate incident' at the dermatologist and can't make it to the premiere." Seth explained using exaggerated quotation marks and pointing to his nose. "I've got to find someone to fill out a tux who can handle Miss Stanley's wandering hands without going to the tabloids about it, and this is extremely short notice."

"What can I do?" I asked, without thinking before the words left my mouth.

"You can fill out a tux and handle Miss Stanley's wandering hands," Seth said, making his voice small and sweet while holding his own hands up in front of him in a praying gesture.

"What?" I shook my head. "Absolutely not. I'm not the type to walk the red carpet, Seth."

"Oh, but you ARE." He cried. "Honey, if you do this, Jessica may give me a bonus in Prada, and daddy needs his devil wear."

"Am I seriously supposed to want to prostitute myself so that you can dress like Meryl Streep?" I asked, feeling even more indignant.

"Don't think of it as prostituting yourself," Seth said, putting a manicured hand against his heart. "Think of it as taking a gorgeous woman out on a date that will not cost you anything but time. And, you will be able to be that much closer to Bella on her big night."

The words of protest I'd been about to speak died in my mouth. Seth's smile became hopeful.

"I'm screwed if I can't get a tux tailored in time," I murmured to myself.

"I've got favors I can most definitely pull," Seth said. "And besides, you're built like the Greek gods every designer thinks men should be, so you probably won't need any alterations."

"Okay," I said. "But, seriously Seth, one-time deal, you owe me a favor, and if I have any appendage torn off by your grabby client, I'm suing for damages."

"Okay, okay," Seth said, nodding. "But, just saying there are some men who would pay good money to have Jessica pull on appendages."

"I definitely don't want to think about that," I grumbled.

I knew then, the night was not going to be fun, and I was right. But, going to the premier as another actress' date allowed me to watch Bella from a distance. She was perfect. She and Rob danced once together, and he gave her a simple kiss on the cheek, much to the paparazzi's delight.

Otherwise, she worked the room, playing the part of the "it girl" with confidence I knew she didn't truly feel. But no one knew that but me.

Jessica didn't seem bothered when I asked to leave an hour before the official end of the party. Unfortunately, I didn't realize what she assumed until we got back to her house. As I started to say goodbye, I saw the hurt in her eyes, and I realized just how long it had been since I had a woman's body under me.

It was harder than I imagined staying in the moment, even as Jessica's lips wrapped around my cock so tight I saw stars. I realized I hadn't gone to bed with someone since my first month in Hollywood, and it bothered me that I hadn't noticed.

I pushed those thoughts and the old familiar guilt that came with a hook-up aside as I ate Jessica out, putting all my best moves into practice. I was attentive to her moans, noting when the over the top hollow sounds became more genuine, and responded with the pressure I could tell she wanted on her clit. I had her cumming in less than five minutes and didn't bother taking my time after she rolled the condom on me. It was probably less than a half-hour between arriving at her place that I was leaving.

I made it home and was able to shower before Bella's date dropped her back at her house. We talked about the evening while she made pancakes and eggs. Neither of us asked how our dates ended, but I had a feeling she assumed I'd slept with Jessica. We may have written out our business agreement, but somethings didn't need to be put into words.

A/N - Keep the faith, dear readers. There will be lemons that don't "fade to black." But we don't want to waste the citrus on Jessica, do we? Any other questions or requests for what you'd like to see in future chapters are welcome.