Over dinner Bella and I shared stories of growing up, family pets, friends and other nonsensical business.

"Green." Bella nodded for emphasis on her answer to what her favorite color was.

"Blue."

"Favorite food?" She asked as she picked up the last piece of asparagus off her plate and ate it with her fingers.

I couldn't hold back the groan as she licked her fingertips, "Asparagus."

Bella's eyes widened at the answer, realizing she was still licking her lips. Her cheeks flushed a soft pink color and she swallowed quickly.

"Sorry."

"What are you sorry for, Bella?"

"For uh, hmmm, nothing." She smiled and tucked her hands away in her lap. "Favorite band?"

So we were ignoring this one, okay, I'd play along.

"Arctic Monkeys. You?"

"Modest Mouse." She smiled and once again shifted gears in conversation, "So did your friend, Emmett, want to come see the kittens on Monday?"

"Yeh, I passed along your information, he said he'd call the vet office first thing Monday morning to schedule an appointment to meet the kittens."

"Oh good." She sounded relieved, "We love placing the animals and we will cover the spay or neuter on whichever he chooses."

Bella, so passionate in her discussion of animals, went on about a stray dog that had been brought in. It had been neglected and looked sickly, but after a warm bath, haircut, a good meal and a nap, apparently the little thing was back on its feet and headed toward adoption.

Watching her hands move through the air animatedly as she spoke, her brown eyes sparkling, I could see the resemblance to her father.

"You look like your dad."

"I do?"

We both sat staring at each other for a minute at my awkward interruption.

"Sorry, I was just watching you and when Charlie talks, his hands go and his eyes light up, just like yours."

"Yeh, that's us. My mom likes to make fun of our inability to have a conversation without a workout."

"You're beautiful, you know that?" I was drawn into Bella's warm gaze and soft smile; her ponytail rested over one shoulder.

"You're not so bad yourself." Resting her chin in the palm of her hand she leaned a little closer to me from across the table, "And you're a really good cook. Thank you for dinner, it was amazing."

"Any time. Honestly, you name it, I'll make it for you."

If meant having Bella in my home, I'd cook every fucking night.

"Oh, I couldn't take advantage."

"But you could and I promise you I wouldn't mind it one bit."

Her laughter filled the room, "I couldn't return the favor. I can't even make a frozen pizza edible. Unfortunately none of my dad's cheffin' skills found their way into my DNA, just my mom's ability to kill a salad."

This time I laughed.

"It's the truth. Don't ever let my mom talk you into her cookies, either. Uhg." Bella held her stomach and made a fake gagging face.

"That bad, huh?" I laughed, "Good thing she found your dad."

"Tell me about it. She'd starve or live off of McDonalds without him." She drank from her wine and continued, "I don't even try to pretend. I'm not a cook, I am an order in, take out, go to my parent's house for dinner, kind of gal."

"Nothing wrong with that. My mom loves to cook, so I used to cook with her a lot. Still do when I go over on a weekend."

"I wish I had it in me. I envy every person that can cook and enjoys it. I throw a mental fit over the mess of cooking period."

"I never said cleanup was fun. I think k.p. was my most dreaded chore as a kid. Scraping and washing dishes? No thanks. Now I don't mind it so much."

After clearing the table of our dinner mess, Bella and I stood together, I washed, she dried, and we watched Ferris Bueller while packing away leftovers.

We were into our third movie when Bella's warm body rested against my side. I looked down and found her passed out. I grabbed the blanket from the back of the couch and covered us, shifting slightly to put the recliner out for my feet.

...

I stretched out and attempted to roll over to see the time on the wall and immediately froze when I realized there was an arm around me and I was tucked into a very warm, very hard chest.

I quickly ran over facts in my head and opened my eyes when I finally came to the conclusion that I must have fallen asleep on Edward's couch, and apparently he had fallen right behind me since we were cuddled into each other.

The lamp was still on on the side table but the tv had shut off.

Carefully, I attempted to sneak a little peak at Edward. Lifting my face from his chest, I breathed in deeply his rich citrusy scent. His jaw looked rough from overnight hair growth, his features soft in sleep, long lashes resting against his pale skin. He was really handsome, so much so that I felt almost unworthy laying next to him. But as quickly as the thought came, it left at the memory from his comment at dinner the night prior. He thinks I'm beautiful. A small smile started to creep across my face.

"Mmm, pretty girl. What's got you so smiley?"

My eyes shot up toward Edward's face again; his sleep-roughened voice melted my bones.

"You're awake."

"I am. Sorry I didn't take you home last night. You fell asleep during Gremlins and I was going to finish watching and then take you home, guess I fell asleep too."

His sleepy grin absolutely did me in. Lost cause here.

"It's okay."

He stretched against me, his arm flexing around my waist, causing my shirt to ride up. My skin burned hot where his forearm held me tight.

"Breakfast?" He offered.

"Sure." If I could just gain control of my hormones and get myself together, "Mind if I use your bathroom to clean up a bit?"

"Not at all." His fingers traced over my cheek and I nearly died when his lips touched mine. The only thing I could think was; don't breathe on him!