Hi sweetie pies. Twihigh's back with an update....So, I watched the BAFTA's last night. Congrats to Kristen who won the rising star award! Love her. Did you guys see Mr. P? He's lost the Edward hair, but he still looked handsome as ever. Glad he was there, and so glad there were pics of them leaving together. So sweet, even though some people don't like it. But that's neither here nor there...

NEWAYZ, back to the fiction...

When Edward left, I caught up with Alice a bit more before she had to get going. I was relieved we finally got to talk more without Edward around.

"Dad's just holding onto some false hope that Edward and Tanya will reunite or that he'll take up with Victoria." she waved her hand dismissively and stuck her finger in her mouth a la 'gag me.' Indeed.

"…He and Tanya's and Vicky's dads have been his friends forever, and he wants to keep it in the family I guess. Plus they do business together, so it would be perfect for him and Cullen Development if Edward hooked up with one of them. Yet he thinks nothing of Edward's feelings, because he messed up so much in the past."

"What about your mom?"

She giggled, "My mom hates the two of them. She calls them 'classless bimbos'."

My curiosity was getting the better of me. "What did she think of me?"

"Um. About that. At first she thought, you know, I hate saying it like this, but she thought you were just another fling. I um, I think she's onto of the two of you, but I don't think she's going to say anything. I'm pretty sure she saw you last night, because she kind of hinted at Edward's mood."

"How so?

"Well, she said, "Edward is very happy to be here in Seattle, isn't he, Alice?" All I said was that yes he was happy. Then she just smiled and didn't say anything else."

Panic. That's all I felt at her words.

"I'm going to ruin everything for Edward. He said Carlisle would cut him off from everything and everyone if he went against his wishes!" I got up and began to pace, while Alice just sat and giggled at me.

"What? What are you laughing at? This is not funny, Al."

"Do you seriously think I would just stand idly by while Dad cut Edward off?"

"Well, I don't know. Edward was scared when he talked about it. He was saying Carlisle would take everything away and forbid him to see you guys or something."

"Oh, that's really funny, because Carlisle would never stop me from seeing my brothers. And my mom's the fucking queen of discretion so she wouldn't say anything unless it was warranted. She probably sympathizes with you because she's been in your shoes…Did you know she grew up on a farm?"

"What? No way." There was no way someone as perfect looking as Esme worked in a field.

"Uh, yeah way. She ran away from home and went to school at NYU, where my dad met her. They fell in love and wanted to get married. My grandparents hated her, you know, because wasn't from old money and she wasn't "refined". Carlisle threw a fit when they wouldn't give their blessing for marriage, so he told Grandad to shove it eloped with mom. Without my dad around, the business started to falter, but mom convinced him that they should go back and help his family. Along with my grandmother, she helped repair the Cullen image. You know, lots of charity work, donations, the right functions, et cetera. They loved her after that. He's been working hard ever since to build the business bigger than it's ever been, but now it seems like everything's a freaking business deal to him. And now that I think about it, maybe that's why Jasper's not proposing. He's family is into commercial real estate in Texas. He works for my dad, so maybe he feels like our marriage would just be a business deal."

"That's not true, Al. He loves you. I've seen the way he looks at you. He's just waiting for the perfect moment."

"I know, I guess. You're right. I guess I shouldn't worry, and you shouldn't either. Give Carlisle time to accept the fact Edward isn't going to be with those high class hos. I mean, he and mom were from two completely different worlds, and he fell for her head over heels. He'll come around. He has to."

After not being too reassured by Alice's words, we changed subjects and talked about more normal things until Alice had to go. She told me to zip up my jacket as I followed her to the elevator. "If anyone asks, I stopped you in the lobby and had you show me the hotel. No one will question it."

When we got to the lobby, Alice pulled on her big sunglasses and told me goodbye and that we would talk later, and for me to call her so we could go shopping. She was still so sweet, and still so hyper.

Since I already had my uniform on, I decided to go ahead and see about my upcoming schedule.

"Hey Eric," I said as I walked into the kitchen manager's small office.

"Bella. Feeling better I see. What brings you in today?"

"Uh, day shifts," I replied.

"You're usually my night girl. And you're already dressed?" he asked.

"Um, yes. I have some family coming into town. They have things they can do during the day, but I was wondering if you could maybe give me this weekend off. Also I wanted to see if I could pick up a shift today and get someone to switch with me tonight." Please please, don't catch on.

"Well, I'm working all the way through, so maybe Laurent.....I mean..." he said and looked sheepishly at the schedule. Bingo.

"Eric. Laurent is my friend. It's no big deal. And I'll definitely keep my mouth shut if you give me the weekend off..." I said the last words in my sing songy voice.

"You wouldn't black mail me , honey, and we both know it. But yes, you're lucky I haven't made up the schedule yet. You may have the weekend off."

"Thanks Eric."

"No problem, missy. And as for the lunch shift, you can ask Lauren if she wants to go home. I'll schedule you day shifts next week. From what I've heard, Lauren's been on good behavior, and sales are picking up, so I'm willing to give her another chance at night. Temporarily of course."

"That's great. Thank you for working with me, Eric. I mean it." Yes! Quality time with Mr. Cullen is a go.

Eric pulled an envelope from his drawer and handed to me.

"Here are your earnings from last night. Since you had to leave you get a hundred bucks plus a third of the tips. So roughly around two hundred dollars…"

"Wow, really? I really wasn't expected to be paid so…"

"Well you worked half the night didn't you? And Bella, you don't have to pull that sick mess with me. You turned white as a ghost when you saw that Mr. Black. Who is he?"

Did everyone see that? I smacked myself in the forehead, "Ok, fine. I wasn't sick. He's an ex. He brought the girl here who he cheated on me with, knowing full well that Angela works here. She's the one that caught them here the first time. And now he knows I work here. Um, it's just a messed up situation."

"I see. What a rat bastard. He better hope for his sake he's not ordering any room service. I have a few tricks up my sleeve if you know what I'm saying."

"What…what do you mean?" Oh my god, what? That's it, I'm quitting and moving to China.

"He's staying here. I saw him and Little Miss Homewrecker at the restaurant bar last night. They were talking about you, Bella Swan." The gays and their gossip. Gotta love 'em.

"Oh?"

"Yep. He was trying to explain to her that he didn't know you'd be here, he doesn't have feelings for you, that she was everything to him, blah blah blah. You know how men lie. She just sat there looking mad as hell."

"Oh fuck them!...Oops…sorry." I said and clasped my hand over my mouth.

"That's what I said."

"Thanks Eric. I'm going to go talk to Lauren. And can you ask Laurent about taking my night shift tonight?"

"I'll tell him he has to. He's weak to my charms."

I giggled and as I left the office and set my things down. I went to the bar area and spotted the tall blonde behind it. She was pretty in a slutty kind of way. Bleach blonde hair. Fake tan and fake tits. I walked up to her and smiled.

"Hi, Lauren. I'm Bella."

"Hi." She said and went back to wiping the bar.

"Um, I was wondering, do you think you'd want to go home today? I got Eric to approve it and-"

"Hold it. Are you trying to take all my shifts?" she asked snarkily.

"Actually, Eric is willing to give you back some of your night shifts. I have family in town so I needed nights off for a couple of weeks. He suggested he could put you back on the schedule."

"Really?" she asked, eyebrows raised.

"Um, yes. You can switch with me the rest of the week if you'd like."

She looked at her watch and then back at me and shrugged. "Fine."

"Um, thank you Lauren."

She set the towel on the bar and walked past me. O-kay! Jessica wasn't kidding about her.

I took my position behind the bar and continued to set up for lunch. I texted Edward and told him my nights were free. He said he was happy I could negotiate it. Then I told him to stay away from the restaurant during the day. He said he couldn't promise that. I told him it was fine if he wanted to be caught because there was no way I couldn't not kiss him when I saw him. He said he didn't care, and to kiss away. Then I called him a liar.

At around noon, a lot of business men and women began to pour in. Some sat at the bar, others sat at tables. It was busier than I thought it would be, me being by myself in the bar area. There were a few servers that gave me the evil eye when I couldn't make their drinks fast enough. Whatever.

When my shift was over, I ran into Jessica on my way out.

"So what was that little exchange between Edward Cullen and your ex?" she asked.

I decided to fess up about part of it, and told her that Jacob now works for Edward, and that I was going to quit and move to a faraway land, so no one could find me.

"So are you still seeing Edward if you know what I mean?" she asked and gave me a wink.

"Um, no." The less people that knew about us the better.

"Uh huh," she said knowingly. I really need to hone my lying skills.

I grabbed my things and walked out the kitchen and out the back door, and onto the sidewalk. As I walked along, I couldn't help but feel I was being watched. I looked behind me, but saw nothing but cars and people doing their own thing. I think the paranoia of being caught with Edward was starting to get to me. I hated that feeling.

I smiled at a couple who were hand in hand, steps away from my loft, when my phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hi baby."

"Hi baby you back. How's your day going?"

He sighed," It's terrible per usual. I'm hoping to leave here in about an hour. Are you still at the hotel?"

"No. I'm walking home. My shift ended about fifteen minutes ago."

He groaned. "I still don't like you walking by yourself. Just don't talk to any strangers." I rolled my eyes.

"So you're still overprotective I see."

"Yes, it's a bad habit that's not going away anytime soon….listen I have to run, but when you get home, put on one of those pretty little dresses of yours, we're going out to dinner."

"But-"

"Bye darling."

I didn't question him. Plus I hadn't been out to a nice dinner with a man in a very long time. Only if you count Charlie taking me to Red Lobster when I stayed with him after I broke up with Jake.

When I got home, I talked to Angela briefly on the phone. She told me that in fact, Jake was staying in the hotel and that he didn't have a check out date at the moment. She also said that she had seen Leah gallivanting through the lobby. Ugh. Fuckers.

I got in the shower, shaved all my parts, blew my hair out then curled it, so it would look nice and bouncy. I chose a classy blue dress that had fitted short sleeves and cinched my waist, and the skirt fell just above my knee. I swiped on some makeup, opting for a bit of a smoky eye, and clear lip gloss and no blush. I blush enough as it is. As I was slipping my heels on, someone came up behind me and pinched my sides.

I jumped and screamed. "Ahhh! Shitsticks!" I turned around to face my beautiful man, who did not look happy, at all.

"Edward, you scared me!"

"Yeah, and you scare me, Bella. You left the door unlocked. Anyone could just come walking in here like I just did." His eyebrows were knitted together and his mouth was pressed into a hard line. He was pissed.

"Sorry, I guess I just got a little excited after I talked to you and forgot. I won't do it again." I shot him a smile, hoping it would work. His face softened a bit and he looked me from head to toe.

"You look," he whispered…"wow." He took my hand and twirled me around and smiled that crooked Edward smile.

"Why would someone like you ever agree to be with me?"

I smacked him playfully on the chest, "Shut up, you know I don't like being teased."

"You know I'm serious," he said and pulled me to his chest. His hand snaked around my waist, and down to cup my ass and back up again.

"I missed you today," I said and gave him a long kiss on the mouth.

"I missed you too, baby," he said and came in for more. His lips moved slowly and soft at first, then harder. When his tongue entered my mouth, I was just as eager as he was. I put my hands into his hair and pulled at it, causing him to moan. I could feel how excited he was, as he began rubbing himself up against my hip. He pinched and teased my nipple through the thin material of my dress, and just as his fingers were caressing the inside of my thigh, his phone rang.

'Thriller' came blaring through the room.

He ignored it and ran his fingertips over the front of my panties and began rubbing me slowly. I moaned into his mouth as he backed me up against the wall.

"I've been craving you all day," he whispered and kissed and sucked the flesh on my neck. I smiled and used the back of my hand to caress his erection through his pants.

He hissed and hooked two fingers into the front of my panties and ran his fingers over the outside of my now very smooth sex, teasing me. "Mmm, yes. I want to-"

'Thriller' came blaring through the room once more.

He paused abruptly, sighed loudly, and removed his hand from under my dress. He fished his phone out of his jacket pocket, and began to lazily caress the exposed skin on my chest, while I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the wall.

"This better be really good, Alice," he said sternly.

"It is, stupid. I'm on the phone with them now."

"And?" he asked and lightly ran his fingertips over my breast. I needed him and I was being ditched for a phone call. Fuck this.

I pushed up myself up against him and began to bite and lick his jaw line all the way to his ear, and drew the earlobe that wasn't occupied in between my teeth. His eyes were beginning to roll back in his head, while I continued to silently coerce him to hang up and get back to what we started.

"I wouldn't have called, but I just need a really quick approval. I got all three sent over because I couldn't frickin' remember if you said black or white or sil-"

Edward abruptly stepped away from me so I could no longer hear her.

Did I mention I am going to kill Alice for ruining my quality time with the hottest man alive?

"Have you seen them?...Ok…well which one is best?...go with that one then…yes…thanks for taking care of it…bye."

Edward came back into the room, lifted his jacket and shirt sleeve and checked the time on his top of the line Rolex. I smiled when I noticed that above the expensive watch, there lay a strand of black beads.

"We have to go."

"But-" I whined. My body was still on fire and I wanted release.

He kissed me sweetly, and whispered in my ear, "Don't be disappointed, I'm going to take a lot of time making it up to you when we get back home." I almost jumped out of my skin. But alas, his mind was made up, and I knew he wouldn't let me skip a meal. But I did like the fact that he called my little place home. He smiled at me and held out his hand.

"Fine," I said reluctantly and gave in.

Demitri was waiting for us outside of my place and Edward helped me hop up into the monstrosity. He wrapped his arms around me, laid his head on my shoulder and closed his eyes. When I looked down at his perfect face, I saw a small smile on his lips, and hoped that I had something to do with that smile.

"Edward, how are we going to dinner together when we aren't supposed to be seen together?" I whispered and stroked his hair.

"Don't worry about it baby, I have my ways."

We pulled up to a restaurant called, Penombra. Edward informed me that they had great Italian food. I couldn't think too much about eating, because I was still thinking about our unfinished business.

Demitri pulled around the back of the place and opened the door for us.

"Thank you Demitri," I said as he helped me down.

"My pleasure, Bella." He nodded at Edward and I waved at him as he got back into the black SUV. Demitri was beginning to be like a silent third wheel. He was always around, but never said much.

When he pulled away, Edward did not lead me through the front like a normal person, but in through the kitchen, where we were greeted by a small Maitre D in a suit and tie. I wanted to pretend we weren't being ogled by the entire kitchen staff, so looked down at my shoes.

"Ah, Mr. Cullen, lovely to see you. If you would both follow me."

He led us into a hallway with plush carpeting and into a room with a large unmarked wooden double doors. I smiled when we stepped over the threshold. A wine cellar. There were shelves from floor to ceiling filled with many different wine bottles. The floor looked like some sort of shiny flagstone. There were glass windows that surrounded us and I could make out the outlines of other patrons in what I was assuming was the main dining area, but sheer curtains had been pulled and the lighting had been dimmed for privacy reasons, of course.

In the center of the room, there was a table decked out to the nines with all kinds of crystal glasses and a simple flower arrangement of pink and orange roses, and next to that was two candles that lit the table.

Edward slipped the little Maitre D a bill and thanked him for setting this up on short notice. He gave him a little bow, and told us our server for the evening would be right with us. Edward pulled my chair out for me, and set my napkin in my lap and took his seat across from me. Our waiter took our drink orders, Edward and I both agreeing on wine.

He held my hand on top of the table, periodically peppering small kisses on top of it as we sipped our wine and talked. I let him order for me, because I couldn't giving two shits about food. Just the man sitting across from me, looking into my eyes and smiling from ear to ear while we talked about my future visitation to New York.

"Hopefully you can come around the holidays. You'll love it, Bella, I know you will. Christmas in New York is beautiful. "

"I honestly can't wait, Edward. I'll have enough money by then for a plane ticket. And I'll have to tell Alice and Rose to put aside some time for shopping-"

" A ticket?"

"Yes, why?" I asked him quizzically while I stole a bite of his sausage ziti.

"If you are coming to see me, I'll charter the plane, Bella. No ticket necessary."

I almost choked, so I took a sip of wine. I knew they were rich, but I didn't know just how rich. "You…have a plane?"

"Yeah. We share it with some associates, but-"

I held my hand up and giggled, "Why don't you just send your yacht instead? Then we could travel by sea."

"Well that's not really practical."

"Edward! I was kidding! You have a yacht?"

"Why are you making me feel embarrassed about it?" he chuckled," it's docked in Miami, near our home there. Oh! That's another place I want to take you. We can lie by the pool and you can let me rub sun tan lotion on you all day while you drink those god awful pina coladas."

"Pina Coladas are only reserved for Hawaii, I'll have you know. Mojitos are for Miami. My mother lives in Jacksonville, and she and her husband took me along on a weekend trip there when I just turned 21. We stayed at the Hotel Victor on Ocean. I remember it was so hot I just stayed in the rooftop pool and drank mojitos. It was a really fun time."

While reminiscing about my little trip, I totally forgot that hadn't told my parents about Edward. I should share it with them right away. I knew Renee would get a kick out of those blind items on the internet. And what Charlie didn't know wouldn't hurt him.

"I love the Victor's mojitos," Edward stated. "What does your mother's husband do? I don't think you've mentioned him before."

"He plays minor league baseball for the Jacksonville Suns."

"Oh? Does he now? We may have to take a trip to Jacksonville when we're done vacationing in Miami to see a game."

I rolled my eyes, "If you want to."

"I do. Plus I want to meet your parents someday. I mean, if you want me to."

"Of course I do. My father is just a car ride away, he lives in Forks. He's the chief of police there."

"I take that back then," he said jokingly. "But I should have known you were a police chief's daughter. They're always the most trouble," he said and winked.

"I'll show you trouble, Mr. Cullen," I said and smirked. I ran my heel up the side of his leg and bit my lip.

Edward waved our server over who had been dutifully standing in the corner, "Check please, sir."

I've stayed at the Hotel Victor in Miami where they do, in fact, have really awesome mojitos. Push that button!