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a reminder that this is flufftastic for those worried about heartfail (you guys are traumatized, lol. enjoy this frolic because it's about as angstless as i can kick it.)

"What about this one?"

I eyed the movie Edward was holding up. "Not into sci-fi."

"Me neither." He put it back.

"Then why'd you suggest it?" I laughed, relishing the rush I got from his closeness.

"To see if you like sci-fi."

"I don't. And you don't, apparently."

"We're getting to know each other," he said in this silly sing-song voice, teasing me.

"Shush," I snorted, grabbing another movie off the shelf. "How 'bout this?"

He cocked an eyebrow. "Chick flicks come later in the relationship, when you've got me whipped."

That made me smile. Huge.

"What?" he asked, knowing exactly what.

I tossed the movie back into its spot and took a step so that I was right in front of him. Then I got on my tip toes and kissed him, soft and sweet, with just a touch of tongue.

He grabbed my hips and held me firm, returning the kiss before releasing me.

It made my heart pound.

"Bourne Identity?" he asked, wandering away.

I had a feeling we wouldn't be watching much of the movie anyway. "Okay."

"Hungry?"

"Not really."

"I have stuff at home anyway," Edward said, passing the turn off for the grocery store. "Popcorn, chips…"

"Ice cream?"

"At least three kinds."

"Sounds like an awful lot of munchies madness goes down at your house," I observed, amused.

He shook his head. "You don't even know the half of it."

When we got to his house, most of his roommates were home. They hadn't been there the day I'd come with Seth and Jasper, so Edward introduced me around before we headed up to his room.

"They seem cool," I said, settling onto his bed.

"They are," he agreed. "Been living with them for years now. A few have come and gone but those guys stick around."

I nodded, looking around the room. It was neater this time; he'd no doubt tidied it up in anticipation of our movie night.

"Want to smoke?"

"I don't care." I shrugged. "A little I guess."

Edward got out a small glass pipe, different from the piece we'd used before, and packed it.

"You can start it."

I took the pipe and lighter from him. "Thanks."

I took a hit then gave it back to him. I'd been kind of a stoner back in high school, but I'd calmed down as I'd grown older. It had been a stressful situation between my mom and me for awhile, with her constantly stressing that I was going to flunk out of school or be arrested.

Nowadays I only smoked every once in a while, when the occasion called for it.

Like now.

"Did you see that?" he asked.

"What?"

He took a deep draw and then exhaled slowly, inhaling the thick curtain of smoke right back into his nose.

"French inhale," I cooed, feeling nice and fluffy and so very endeared.

"Do it?" He handed me the pipe.

I lit it and took a good pull then mimicked his actions, making sure to get every last bit of smoke back up my nose as I exhaled then inhaled.

He took the pipe away and set it down, his eyes slanted like half moons, dark and bright.

Easing me on to my back he kissed me slow, his tongue doing yummy things to my mouth.

I grabbed his face and slid my fingers back into his hair, holding him fast against me, opening my legs so he could settle against me. He ran his hand up and down the underside of my thigh; I could feel the calluses and they reminded me of what he did and who he was.

He tickled his fingers higher, sliding them beneath the fringed hem of my cut offs.

My heart raced. His kisses became sensuous. He wiggled his fingers below the denim and then the cotton and started to touch me. I felt the moment he made me wet; he suddenly thrust his fingers into me, using his thumb to my massage me at the same time.

I groaned into his mouth, knowing I was going to come quickly.

He moved back a little, shifting on to his side. "You're…so…wet…" he whispered, pulling part of my ear between his teeth and then sucking it into his mouth.

I shivered and then lost it, my mouth open in a silent cry as I came.

He rolled back on to me, still rubbing me but softer. Then he stopped, moving his hand away.

I wrapped my legs around him, holding his face between my hands as we kissed.

"What do you want to hear?"

"Something romantic."

The movie played on behind us. We'd put it on mute after the third or fourth make out session.

He chuckled, rolling his eyes. "Girls."

"Yeah, yeah. Come on."

"Uh oh, she's being demanding already," he sighed. "Not a good sign."

"Do you know any John Mayer?" I asked in a small voice, hugging my knees.

Edward shrank back in horror. "Ugh, no…he's such a douche, Bella…"

"No he's not," I cried indignantly, tossing a pillow at him. "I love him."

"I don't know if this is going to work out after all..."

"Edward."

"You really like him?"

"Yes."

"Fine, then in that case I'd better learn all of his songs," he said, mock serious.

"Well, what – "

But he'd already started strumming the playful opening chords to Your Body is a Wonderland.

"Ha, you do know it!" I squealed, clapping my hands in glee. "Yes!"

Edward made a face, but he kept playing.

And he sang... every word.

He liked to pretend, but secretly he liked the same crap I did. Or maybe he just knew it for performing purposes. Whatever. All I knew was I was dating a guy who could make my panties wet just by singing to me. Who could give me orgasms without taking my clothes off.

It was great. I mouthed the words along with him, not wanting to ruin the perfectness of the moment with my off key scariness. He made googly eyes and kissy faces at me when he wasn't crooning soulfully, laying it on really thick. I wondered if his friends could hear and thought it would be hilarious if they could.

He finished up and set the guitar down. "I think I've more than paid my dues now. Hungry?"

"Why, you got the munchies?"

"Something like that."

"Well, after that performance, you can have whatever you like," I said coyly, wanting him to think dirty thoughts but also a tiny bit afraid he would.

He nodded slowly, a grin spreading across his face. "Mm. You shouldn't say stuff like that to me, Bella. You're lucky I'm a nice guy."

I slid off the bed and moved to stand beside him, taking his hand. "But you make me want to be a not-so-nice girl."

He stared down at me for the longest moment, his eyes making a mess of my insides.

"Let's get something to eat," he said softly, tracing his thumb along the hem of my shorts. "Before your teasing gets out of hand... again."

We met up for lunch Tuesday, finally getting it together enough to make plans.

Edward unwrapped his burrito with care.

I watched him slather guacamole on to it before taking a huge bite, beans and rice falling back on the plate.

Suppressing a giggle, I open the little container of sour cream.

"What?" he asked, his mouth still full.

"You," I said with a smile.

He winked, and then swallowed. "I like burritos, what can I say."

"I can see that."

He flung a chip at me.

"Anyway. We're always talking about me and my music. What about you, Bella? What's your passion?"

He shrugged.

"Well." I paused, chewing thoughtfully. "I don't even know. Sometimes I just feel so… aimless. When I was in high school I wrote a lot and took pictures… and those are things I was passionate about. So much."

Edward nodded, gesturing for me to continue.

I felt my face warm. I was getting a little flustered, not at Edward or the conversation, but at the situation itself. I really did feel aimless, like I was running in circles. What was I going to do with my life? I knew this sort of existential angst was typical among people my age, but it didn't make it any easier to deal with.

"I… envy you, Edward. You have this amazing career you're getting into…and your music…and I - I just… go to school and listen to music. I love music. But it has nothing to do with what I'll probably end up doing. I don't sing, I don't play instruments… " I trailed off, keeping my eyes on my plate.

Sure, I'd spoken to Alice and Rose about this, but it had been a while. Usually these thoughts didn't see the light of day because they made me uncomfortable… because I didn't know what I was doing.

"I can understand that," Edward said, wiping his hands. "I understand because I felt the exact same way while ago."

"But your music – "

"- is a hobby. I mean, I love it – don't get me wrong. I would love to just play and not have to go to work, but that's not feasible at this point. "

I nodded quietly.

"You have time, Bella. You'll figure it out. You're an English major… do you want to teach?"

"Maybe…"

"Do you plan on going to grad school?"

"I don't know."

He took a sip of his soda. "We should go away."

My heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean? Where?"

A slow smile spread across his face, like butter melting on a pancake. Gorgeousness.

"Away. A trip. I think you need a change of scenery."

"I would like a change of scenery but I have a job… and –"

"I'll take care of your ticket."

I gaped at him.

"Listen. I have to go to this architectural conference thing in a couple of weeks. It's in Hawaii. My dad's always gone to them, but lately he's been having me go too, since – you know – since I'll be taking be working for the company soon."

"That's cool, having you come along to learn like that."

"Well, I kind of have to. He expects me to take over the company eventually."

I swear salsa fell out of my mouth. "You're going to be running the company one day?"

He shrugged, looking vaguely uncomfortable. "Yeah. It's my dad's company so I'm next in line. Not for awhile hopefully. But anyway. He has me go on these trips with him now and the next one's in Hawaii. So… what do you think?"

"It's just…wow. This is sudden."

"Think about it. No big deal; you either go or you don't. I'd like you to go, but… whatever."

I nodded, secretly floored. The thought of going somewhere with Edward was pretty crazy. Of course I wanted to, but we'd only been dating for like, two weeks. What would my mother say?

What would his dad say? I didn't want him to think I was one of those gold digger types mooching off of his son.

We finished the rest of our meal, chatting quietly about other things. But it was all lingering in my head: Edward's questions about my life, and his offer to go to Hawaii. I didn't really see what one had to do with the other but maybe he was on to something. Maybe I was just tired and uninspired and needed to get out of my funk.

I thought about it. A lot.

I had a feeling that taking a trip with Edward would definitely mean something – it would be a big step for our relationship.

My mother thought it was a fantastic idea. I think she just had a thing for Edward, even though she denied it. Not that I blamed her.

One week before the trip, Edward came to pick me up to go chill on the bluffs.

As soon as I got in to the car, I kissed him.

"Is this what tonight's going to be like? Kissing and touching and…" He trailed off suggestively, grinning.

"Maybe. We'll see," I teased, fully intending on doing all of the above. "Anyway, listen. I want to go with you."

"You do? For real?"

"Yeah… if the invitation's still open."

Edward gave me a look. "Of course it's still open. It'll be great."

I took his hand and slid our fingers together. "I think it will too."