Here we go again! It's another new chapter. There's a wee bit of conflict in this one, though it's nothing compared to what I have planned for this story! Heh heh heh... Not saying any more than that just yet.

So, how many times have you seen the movie?? I'm going to my second viewing tonight, and hopefully third sometime soon!!

Also, did you see Rob on the Tonight Show? (purrs) So freakin' gorgeousss...! :D

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

BPOV

The moment Edward left the apartment -- he was paged by the hospital, some major car accident or something -- Alice popped her head out from her bedroom.

"So?" She asked anxiously. I smiled, and gestured to the couch. The grinned and flew out of the room faster than a bolt of lightening. I sat down beside her as she began to bounce. "So?"

"What exactly do you want to know," I asked calmly, silently praying that her grilling would be quick and painless.

"Did you make out again?"

Damn it.

"Alice," I groaned, falling face first on to the cushions.

"I'm only teasing," she giggled, lifting me up. She brushed off my sleeves, and patted my hair down as I stared at her curiously. She just shrugged.

"Fine. What do you really want to know then?"

"What happened!"

I sighed, and began to twist the sleeves of my shirt around in my hands.

"Nothing much. Edward just mentioned that he...likes me."

I was then thrown back by the force of Alice's squeal. After regaining some composure, I cautiously glanced over at her to make sure the worst was over.

Choose your words carefully, Bella. She looks like she could explode again at any moment.

"What were his exact words?"

"I really like you," I quoted, blushing slightly. Alice opened her mouth immediately to reply, but I stopped her. "Though that could mean anything!"

Alice just rolled her eyes, and waved my concerns away with a flick of the wrist.

"Well, what happened after he said that?"

My blush spread quickly the moment my mind replayed the events proceeding his admition.

"Umm....we kissed."

Alice squealed, and clapped her hands.

"Come on, Bella! That oughtta tell you something!"

"Well, um, I kissed him."

"Did he respond to it?"

"Yes," I sighed, without hesitation. I was expecting that question.

Alice smiled smugly, and patted my hands.

"Then I really don't think there's any more to say. He digs you," she said matter-of-factly, with a firm nod. I rolled my eyes.

"Sure, Alice."

"Hey, have I ever been wrong before?"

"No," I sighed.

And it was true. She never has.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Bella!"

I whipped around, only to find Jessica standing behind the counter. I inwardly groaned, praying that this confrontation would be done soon.

I'm not even on break! Mrs. Newton had better not catch me. She's been looking for a reason to get me fired since I first started.

"Yeah, Jess?"

"I'm gonna need you to cover my shift. I've got a date," she sneered, toying with a stray lock of hair.

"Jess," I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

I'm really starting to get fed up with this.

"Sorry, it's already squared away with Mrs. Newton."

"Going out with Mike, then?"

"Yes," she replied curtly, with a glare.

I'll take that as a 'no'.

"Well, I must be going now. See you."

But just as she turned to leave, the door opened up -- and in walked Edward, in all his godlike glory. Jessica froze, and her eyes lit up as she took in his form. I had to restrain myself from reaching over and snatching her eyes out, Kill Bill style.

"Bella," Edward grinned, strolling over. Though once he noticed Jessica, his demeanor changed. He became stiff, and his genuine smile turned forced. "Jessica," he said curtly, nodding politely in her direction.

What the hell...?

"Edward," she replied in a sugary sweet tone, making me flinch. "Why haven't you called?"

What the HELL...?!

"I, um," Edward began, running a hand through his hair nervously.

Okay I know i'm supposed to be mad at him, but now I just can't remember why...he's just too gorgeous.

Edward kept shooting me nervous glances as he fumbled and stuttered, trying to come with a good excuse. After a few minutes of this Jessica finally gave up.

"It's okay. I'll just try your number again," she sighed, the plastic smile never leaving her face. "See you soon." She patted him eagerly on the arm, lingering a few thousand multiseconds too long. He gazed pleadingly at me, and it looked as though he was trying to shy away from her touch without seeming like it was being done on purpose.

Thankfully, she finally took her leave. Edward let out a sigh, and ran his hand through his hair again.

"Thank God," he grumbled.

I nodded and picked up the towel I was using to soap down the counter with before all this started. But before I got the chance to do any work, Edward put his hand over mine, stopping its movements. I looked up to find his emerald eyes boring into me. His mouth was open though nothing was coming out.

I don't believe it. Is he actually speechless??

"What are you doing here," I asked after a long moment of silence.

"I came by to see you, since I'm on my lunch hour."

I nodded, already having taken note of his blue scrubs.

Why do they have to look so good on him...

"Well, you've seen me," I replied coldly, moving my hand out from under his. I tried to tell myself the cold I felt wasn't from the loss of contact...

There must just be a breeze in here, right?

"Bella, there's a reason for what just happened."

"And what would that be?" I tried to sound absentminded, though I think my voice was quivering a little too much.

There was another long pause as Edward seemed to be plotting his response.

"It has to do with how I got your number."

Say what?

My head shot up at that, and I found he had a crooked grin firmly in place.

"I was hoping that would catch your attention."

"What exactly does this have to do with that?" I asked slowly, my emotions beginning to conflict. Because as much as I wanted to be mad at him for what happened, deep down I knew he had a perfectly reasonable explanation. I'd let him have his chance before breaking down over this.

He sighed, and sat down on one of the chairs that was set in front of the counter. Crossing his arms he leaned forward, leaning his elbows on the counter top.

"I saw you working here. Two days after we met on Halloween. Me and Emmett were on the way to try out a new gym, and he wanted to stop off here first to get something to eat. I noticed you working behind the counter, and..."

He sighed again, and stuck both hands in his hair, tousling it up and leaving it in an enticing disarray.

"Well, to be honest I got nervous. I convinced Emmett to leave, to find a different place to eat."

"So along the way you ran into Jessica and felt the need to give her your number?"

Ooops. Damn word vomit!

I immediately felt guilty as Edward's face fell, and he pinched the bridge of his nose. It was clear that this was difficult for him.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, softening up my features.

"No Bella, i'm sorry. That was a stupid move."

"So I was right."

Damn it! DAMN IT! I knew it, of course it was too good to be true. Why would this gorgeous, incredible man have any interest in me? He was just waiting for something better to come along.

"I came back a few days later," he said, continuing with his explanation. Though I wasn't sure if I could take any more of this, I still couldn't help it. I let him continue, though I refused to look him in the eye. "Jessica came up to wait on me. I asked for you, but she informed me that you were on break. I decided to wait for you. But she wouldn't leave..."

I clamped my eyes shut, trying to stop the images of her and my Edward flirting. It disgusted me.

"In a last attempt to get rid of her, I made a deal with her. She gave me your number, and I gave her my old number - which is no longer in use. After that I bolted out of here, and tried to gather up the courage to call you."

"Really?" I asked in disbelief.

I mean, come on. Jessica throws herself at him, and he asks her to give him my number?

"Really," he said firmly, his eyes never leaving mine. I could feel the sincerity in every syllable, and it shocked the hell out of me. "Bella, I meant what I said. I really like you."

I blushed against my will at that.

Could this man possibly be any more perfect??

"Um...Well, you know I like you, too," I mumbled, shifting my weight from foot to foot while trying to hide the ridiculous grin on my face.

Damn this man and his ability to turn me into a pile of goo at just a few wonderfully velvet lines!

"I'm glad," he chuckled, letting out a slight sigh of what I'm assuming was relief. "Oh, and by the way..."

"Hmm?"

"Well, as much as I love to see you, umm...Maybe I shouldn't come around here anymore. I'm kind of afraid of running into Jessica again," he said sheepishly, ducking his head down so that a few stray locks of hair fell into his eyes. I instinctively reached over to brush them away, lingering for a few moments on his forehead. He leaned into my touch and closed his eyes.

"Bella!"

I turned around quickly, having to brace myself of the counter for support for fear of falling down.

Mrs. Newton...

"Um...yes?"

"You're not on break."

"I-I know, I was just - "

"I'm not paying you to loaf around. Get back to work," she growled, giving Edward a last once over and spinning on her heels to walk away.

I groaned and closed my eyes, cursing the fact that I needed this stupid job.

I just wish Edward didn't have to see that.

"Bella," he hissed, causing me to turn back around to face him curiously. He had a look of sheer hatred on his face. "Please tell me that isn't your boss."

"Well...she's one of them. It's kind of a family business," I replied softly, growing afraid for what he might do.

As much as i'd love to see the look on Mrs. Newton's face after finding this place torched to the ground...

"Bella, I don't know if I like you working here."

I placed a hand over his reassuringly, and it seemed to calm him down slightly.

"It's alright, really. Nobody likes their boss."

"This is different. I don't like the way she talks to you...the way she looks at you," he growled.

"Edward...."

He closed his eyes and ducked his head down, as if trying to control his temper. I reached over and placed my free hand on his cheek, gently caressing the skin. He smiled softly and looked back up at me.

"I'm sorry, Bella. I....just don't feel right about her."

His pager began to beep suddenly, and he quickly reached down to pick it up out of his pocket. After reading the screen he cussed under his breath and stood up.

"The hospital," he sighed. "They need me back there."

"Sure," I nodded, silently wishing that he would stay here with me.

Don't go...

"Would it be alright if I call once my shift is over?"

"Of course."

"It may be pretty late..."

"I don't care."

He grinned that adorable crooked grin and leaned in to give me a quick peck on the lips.

"I'll miss you," he whispered, turning to head straight out the door before I could respond.