"Feed me," he said, the moment I opened the door.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm starving, and I don't work right." He waggled his busted arm at me.

I didn't want to invite him inside. Inviting him in meant I'd want him to kiss me, and if I wanted him to kiss me, I'd want him to stay.

Call him the cookie and me the mouse.

I let him in.

He slumped into my kitchen, obviously on the brink of certain starvation but perked up after a bowl of oatmeal, three eggs, two bananas, and a cup of coffee.

"I'm going to meet the boys, work on some stuff."

"You can't go skateboarding. Not with that on." I motioned to the splint.

"I don't exactly use my hands," Edward said slowly, wiggling his fingers in the air. "You've been watching us—you know how it works, right?"

"I know you use your feet," I hissed. "But if you fell on it again… "

"I don't fall."

"Yeah, right."

"Well, I try my damnedest not to. I'll be careful."

He stood, finishing his last sip of coffee, before bringing his plate to at the sink. He slid it into the soapy water, standing way too close, and I was stuck, arms pinned in bubbles and nowhere to hide.

"If I haven't been obvious enough, I'm going to have to step up my game."

"Wash some dishes, then." I flicked some bubbles at him.

He stepped right up behind me, all hard and warm and boy, up my backside, and—what the fuck were my lungs doing right now? Nothing, that's what. And where the hell was my heartbeat? 'Cause it wasn't working at all. My bones were liquid, and my skin was too tight, and he was staring me down, willing me to look at him. I could feel his breath against my neck, and I shut my eyes, clutching silverware in my fists, still searching for my nonexistent breath and my standstill blood.

"How am I gonna convince you to let me get my hand up this skirt?"

"I thought you didn't work right anymore?" I stuttered, his fingertips dancing the hemline at my thigh.

"My other hand is just fine," he chuckled, getting braver, another inch higher and another inch closer.

My heart lurched hard enough to make me wince.

I smacked his hand away, soapsuds flying.

"Go skate."

"Really?" He exhaled heavily, sounding disappointed.

"Really."

"Damn." His head shaking and his lip between his teeth and a hint of frustration in his voice. "That was cruel. Just gonna have to try harder, I guess."

AN

GODDAMNIT BELLA.

(Girl is scared. Take it easy on her.)

I shipped my heart to Hadley's house. Along with some cookies. She deserves both.

Off to teach my toddler about consumerism and giant, scary woodland creatures.

Thank you for reading.

XO/HB