So sorry for the delay. The flu has made its rounds throughout my house and beyond, one at a time. So much for the flu shot.

AN: I do not own Twilight and all errors are mine.

Chapter

The Review

EPOV

"Yuck." It had been two days since the Great Cake Debacle and I was still finding frosting in my ears.

"Hey, you started it." Bella said as she wiped down the bar. I could see the faint stains of the black frosting still showing on her hands. Neither of us came out of it unscathed.

"Well, if you weren't so damn clumsy."

"Me? I was carrying that cake just fine. It was you that came barreling around the corner like a bear was on your ass. And it was you that made the first attack with the frosting. So as I said before, you started it." We stared each other down for a few seconds before completely bursting into laughter.

"Okay, okay." I choked out as my laughter died down. "I admit, I did start it. I'm just glad E.J. didn't seem to care what kind of cake he had. In fact, I think he really liked the soccer cake Alice and Jasper were able to find on such short notice."

"Yeah, it would have sucked if we ruined E.J.'s birthday for him. We were so stupid." I could see the small wave of guilt pass her face. I knew she loved those kids and would never do anything to hurt them. But this was no big deal and I had to make it right. With two long strides I walked up to the bar in front of her.

"Hey." I waited until she looked up at me. "Yes, it was pretty stupid of us and it could have ruined the party but it didn't. Even Rosalie was pretty cool about it once the initial shock wore off and she saw that E.J. was not upset about it. And Emmett, the look on his face was priceless. I haven't seen him so shocked since he found out that Michelle from Full House was played by a set of twins." That brought a smile to her face and I felt like my job here was done. After returning a smile of my own, I got back to what I had been doing.

~GTAM~

"Oh, brother of mine. Look what I have." Alice sing songed as she came up to the bar carrying a newspaper.

"Is that?"

"It is. Want me to give it to you straight?" I didn't want to admit it but I had been nervous about this day. The day that the interview was published in the paper.

"Yeah, is it bad? Do I look like a total tool?" I reached for the paper but Alice swiftly moved out of my grasp and continued to scan the article.

"No, the picture is great. You look just as handsome as you do in real life." I could feel my cheeks get warm as I glanced over at Bella. She didn't look up from what she was doing but I could see a small smile form on her face.

"Who gives a fuck about the picture? What does it say?" Okay, I gave a fuck about the picture but I didn't want Bella to know I gave a fuck about the picture. I could see Alice's lips move slightly as she quickly read what could potentially give us a ton of new business.

"Yada, yada, yada, …open for five years…a place where friends and family could relax..." God, she was driving me crazy. If she wasn't my sister I would have tackled her and taken it out of her hands already. "Ooh, listen to this. 'Good Times at Masen's is all that its name promises. A delightful mix of delicious food, music from a wide variety of genres, and any adult beverage you can imagine, it is the perfect prescription for an enjoyable night out.' This is really good. This is going to drum up a whole lot of new business." I felt my heart slow down a bit in response to having such a positive review. Tanya Denali might have seemed a little over the top, but she sure didn't disappoint when it came to delivering a glowing review. "Oh, wait. This is interesting."

My heart sunk and started to be faster. "C'mon Al, what is it?"

"It's not bad, just a little…I don't really know. Let me just read it." She folded the newspaper so she could get a better look at it. "The owner, Edward Masen, has taken this hole in the wall and turned it into a place that people of any age will enjoy. He personally guarantees his customers a 'good time.' I know what you're thinking, ladies, is he single? To find out you'll just have to see for yourself. I don't think you'll be disappointed."

What the fuck?

I snatched the piece of shit out of Ali's hands and started reading for myself. All of the information I had given Tanya Denali was included but it was woven in between suggestive comments about my looks and 'hotness.'

Is that even a word?

"Jesus Christ, she makes me out to be this gigolo just waiting to pleasure any female customer that comes through the door like it's part of the Masen's experience. Like I'm just going to fuck them because they showed up." I threw the paper across the bar in frustration.

"Oh come on, Edward. Isn't it?" Alice had one hand on her hip, looking at me incredulously.

"Isn't it what?" I had absolutely no idea what she was talking about.

"It's no secret that you definitely give your female clientele the attention they are craving. And as far as the experience…" she used air quotes to prove her point "…you've provided that to more than just a few of your customers."

So she had me there. I did enjoy the company of some…okay many…women that had frequented my establishment. But for some reason it bothered me to hear her talk about it. I shook my head and gave her a death glare that told her to just stop.

"What's the matter, Ed? Does the truth hurt?" She darted her eyes over to Bella who had suddenly busied herself with something at the other end of the bar. Alice stepped towards me so that no one could hear what she said next. "Maybe it bothers you now because you know it would bother someone else." She gave another meaningful glance at Bella. Even if she had a point, I was not about to admit that to her or anyone else for that matter.

"What's your point, Al?" I wasn't giving in.

"I have to spell it out? Why does mom think you're the smart one?" She lowered her voice considerably. "Okay, I'll speak slowly. Listen up. I think you have a thing for Bella and you don't want her to find out about all of your past escapades. How's that for making my point."

Note to self, Alice was way too observant for her own good. Or mine.

"I don't have a thing for Bella." I half shouted, half whispered. "She's Emmett and Rosalie's babysitter and Chief Swan's daughter. Even if I had a 'thing' for her as you say, I promised I wouldn't go there."

"I can understand why they made you promise that. They love her and you could possible ruin her. But I don't think you will. I think she means too much to you even if you don't realize it yet."

I looked over to Bella who was still immersed in whatever she was doing. Is Alice right? Do I care what she thinks? Does she mean more to me? Could I possible ruin her? Fuck, I didn't want to think about this now.

"Whatever, Al. It doesn't matter." Even as the words left my lips I didn't believe them.

"For now." Alice said in a knowing tone.

Well, for now was all I could handle at the moment.

Thank you for reading!