Hello all my lovely readers!! I just want to thank every one of you that reviewed last chapter!! You guys are awesome! All of my readers, no matter if you review or not, are the best readers in the fanfic world and I just don't say that to anyone!

I also want to give a shout out to my beta Yuki Sakura-Chan. Check out her stories, they are awesome!!

Just a reminder I put the links to their outfits on my profile. Check em out!!

Disclaimer: I sadly do not own Twilight or any of the lovely characters. They belong to the wonderfully talented Stephenie Meyer. I do own the original story line and any original characters. But I do own: All of the books, soundtracks to both movies, Team Edward t-shirt, Twilight the movie, and used ticket stubs to Twilight and New Moon.

Last chapter:

But the million dollar question is: Can I forget everything?

The next few weeks passed in a haze of work and time spent with Riley. Even with the new found truce between Edward and me, we hadn't really spoken since that night at my apartment. We had shared a random text message here and there, but it had not bridged the gap of talking on the phone.

I was happy to say that he and Jasper were now on talking terms. Thankfully their first conversation didn't come to blows like his and Emmett's. Jasper of course felt guilty about letting Edward back in, but after a long discussion one night over beers, I was able to persuade him that it was alright with me if he and Edward became friends again.

My time with Riley had also been a little limited. Work has been keeping me busy. I spent last weekend in Spokane Washington, convincing one of my writers not to throw out their whole manuscript because they didn't like it. It was draining to say the least. I was never gladder than to be back in Seattle.

Here it is another Friday night and Riley is coming over to watch movies. I was excited to see him. I hadn't been able to since returning from Spokane. I know that he understands though, his job is also very demanding. So I find myself in my walk in closet trying desperately to find something to wear for the evening, I wanted something casual but also something that says I missed you. Hmm…. I could call Alice, but that would result in a two hour conversation about clothing and I really don't have time for that.

I finally decided on a white ruffled tank top and a pair of skinny jeans, I slipped my feet into a pair of white ballet flats and called myself done. Thankfully my hair and make up were still in place from work earlier.

I knew that I wouldn't have time to cook dinner, so I ordered out pizza. It was simple and easy. I really hope he didn't expect a home cooked meal; wasn't going to happen today.

The ringing of my cell phone brought me back to reality and I scurried into the living room to answer it.

"Hello," I said breathlessly into the phone.

"Do I want to know what you are doing?" Alice chirped.

"Running for the phone, what did you think I was doing?"

"Well you answered the phone all out of breath like, made me think that you were having a little Riley fun time," she said laughing.

"Alice," I groaned, "I wouldn't answer the phone if I was having Riley fun time."

"Good to know."

"Well…." I prompted her.

"Well what?" she said, not taking my hint.

"Well what do you need Alice, Riley will be here any minute."

"Oh that, I was calling to invite you both to Dobie's tonight. Thought it would be a good idea to get the gang together, it's been awhile."

I thought about her invite for a minute, hanging out with the gang sounded like an awful lot of fun, but I was also wanting some alone time with Riley.

"Maybe next time Alice, I think we're just going to hang out at my place tonight," I said.

"That's fine, but if you change your mind we'll be there at nine," she said just as someone knocked on the door.

"I got to go, either Riley or the pizza is here," I said in rush. "I'll call you tomorrow."

"Bye," she said quickly and then ended the call.

I threw my phone onto the table in my entry way and opened the door. Riley. He looked amazing as usual, in a worn pair of jeans and a bright yellow t-shirt.

"Hey," I said grabbing his hand.

"You look lovely tonight Bella," he said leaning down and giving my forehead a quick kiss. It didn't escape my notice that he avoided my lips.

"You look nice also," I said pulling him closer and pushing up on my toes to kiss him. He pecked me quickly and then stepped back.

"Is everything alright," I asked stepping aside and letting him into my apartment.

"Everything is fine," he said, giving me a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just a long day at work."

"Well we don't have to do this tonight," I said, not really meaning it.

"No, I have been looking forward to seeing you all week."

"Alright, if your sure," I said, leading him to the sofa and sitting down.

The conversation didn't improve much from there. We sat side by side on the couch, not touching. He seemed to be lost in thought and I wasn't sure what to say to him, so I sat silently by him waiting for the pizza to arrive. But even when it did, it didn't help the mood that now surrounded us. He wasn't being mean or anything, but it was as if he wasn't really there. He laughed at the appropriate times during my funny stories and even a made a comment or two, but that was it. He was distant and every minute that passed the gulf that was now between us seemed to grower larger.

After an hour of a one sided conversation, I looked at the clock 8:47. Maybe I should have gone to Dobie's with everyone. Then an idea struck, maybe getting out of my apartment would help his mood. A few beers and loud music usually could pull anyone out of a funk. Hopefully.

"Hey," I said, breaking the tense silence that surrounded us. "Alice called earlier and invited us out to have a few drinks. Do you want to go?"

His eyes snapped up and he had a bewildered look on his face. "I thought we were just going to watch movies?"

"Well we could do that still, I just thought it might be fun to get out and do something."

"I have been looking forward to spending time alone with you," he said a little too sharply.

I bit my tongue in fear of the saying something sarcastic like, you sure aren't acting like it sitting on the couch moping or whatever the hell you want to call what you're doing. Instead of saying that I just stood up and walked to the entertainment center, intent on picking out a movie.

He must have noticed my tense posture and the look on my face, because I heard him get up and stand closely behind me. His hand brushed down the length of my arm and he pulled me back against his chest.

"If you want to go, then let's go," he murmured as he leant down and pressed a kiss to the top of my head.

"No it's fine." I was still angry, I didn't like the tension that was flowing in-between us and I definitely didn't like not knowing what was causing it.

"No, let's go," he said firmer this time.

He stepped back away from me grabbing his jacket off of the couch and slipped it on. Well I guess that's that.

I grabbed my cream trench coat out of the entry way closet and slipped it on. The car ride was mostly silent after I gave him the directions to Dobie's. We pulled into the parking lot, and I was relieved to see that my friends were already here. I didn't even think to call and make sure that they were still going out.

Once we were both out of the car and headed for the door, Riley reached his hand out and stopped me.

"I know that I am acting weird, I just got some upsetting news today and it has really thrown me for a loop. I would like to talk to you about it, but not right now. Maybe later, after we leave here."

"We can go talk now?" I suggested, feeling a little guilty for dragging him out, when he was upset.

"No, I think tonight will be fun. We'll talk later, I promise." he said, giving my hand a squeeze, then pulling the door open to the bar.

I followed him into the dimly light room, my eyes searching the crowd for my friends. It didn't take long to spot Emmett; he is the biggest guy here.

"There they are," I said pointing to Emmett's large frame.

I pulled him through the crowd, stopping once we reached the table.

"Bella," Alice squealed when her eyes landed on me. "You came!"

"Well we decided that it sounded like fun," I said pulling Riley closer to me. "You guys remember Riley, right?"

Everyone corresponded with yeah's and nods. The table was pretty close to being packed, between Em, Rose, Alice, Jasper, Ben, and Angela, there were only three seats left.

"Good thing we got here when we did," I said "There wouldn't have been anywhere to sit."

I commandeered the open seat next to Alice, pulling Riley down next to me. Once we were settled, Jasper slapped the table and announced that he was going to get some pitchers of beer. He dragged all the guys along with him, giving us girls a chance to gossip for a minute.

"So, I have something I have to tell you," Alice whispered with a tinge of guilt into my ear.

"What's that?" I whispered back.

"Well when you told me that you guys weren't coming tonight, I sort of had Jasper invite Edward," she rushed out.

"What?" I said a little louder then called for, drawing Rose and Angela's attention.

"What are you two whispering about?" Rose shouted over the music.

"Oh Alice here just told me that she invited Edward tonight," I told her, looking towards the bar to make sure the guys weren't in earshot.

"Well hell and here I thought tonight was going to be boring," Rose giggled and then took a long drink from her beer.

"I thought you okay with Edward coming around?" Alice said, louder this time since there was no reason to whisper.

"I'm fine with it Alice, I guess I just didn't expect him to be here tonight, and I don't know how Riley is going to react to him being here," I explained.

"Don't worry, I'll play damage control," Alice reassured me as the guys walked back up to the table, their arms loaded with pitchers of beer.

"I've got beer for everyone," Emmett boomed out, slamming a pitcher of beer onto the table, the frothy liquid sloshing out onto the table.

"Hey that's alcohol abuse, you lug head," Rose snapped, throwing napkins onto puddle.

"Non-alcohol abuse, that pitcher is Eddie boys' non-alcoholic beer," he jeered. "Figured I would order him a pitcher before he got here."

"Who's Eddie?" Riley asked suddenly. His jaw tightening, I knew that he already knew who "Eddie" was.

"Oh that's…um…" Emmett started rambling; the big oaf always did talk first and questions later.

"It's Edward, my ex," I clarified, interrupting Emmett.

His eyes shot to me, his brows arching in a silent question. I tried to convey to him silently that I didn't know anything about this. I leaned in close to him and whispered "I had no idea that he was going to be here, we can go if you want."

Before he could answer, the door of the bar opened and in strolled Edward. Riley gave a hard look in his direction and whispered back "No, it's fine." I reached out and grabbed his hand, squeezing it gently. He gave me a half hearted smile, and then turned his attention to his beer.

By this time Edward had arrived at the table and was removing his leather jacket. He caught me staring and flashed me crooked grin, which quickly disappeared when he took in Riley next to me.

"Eddie, you made it," Emmett greeted him, pounding him roughly on the back.

"I said I would," Edward said, "and don't call me Eddie."

"Whatever Eddie," Em chortled; he loved annoying the crap out of people.

"Hello Bella," Edward said, bypassing everyone else's greetings. "You look lovely."

I felt Riley tense beside, his hand tightening around his mug.

"Hi Edward," I said back lamely. "You remember Riley?"

"Yeah. Hey man, how you doing?" he asked sticking his hand across the table to shake.

"I'm doing good," Riley replied, grabbing Edwards hand and give it a brief, but hard shake. Men.

"That's good," Edward said smoothly, sliding into the chair next to Jasper.

"So Edward," Rosalie piped in "Where's your girlfriend?"

Riley visibly relaxed at that statement. I scooted my chair closer to him; maybe it would be a good idea to get out of here.

"Don't have a girlfriend," he said nonchalantly.

"So you and Tanya…?" Rose asked, knowing full well that he and Tanya are nothing. She just wanted to cause some drama.

"Are just friends and business partners. Are any of these for me?" he asked waving his hand over the numerous pitchers sitting on table.

"This one here is just for you Eddie," Em said, sliding a pitcher towards Edward.

I looked over at Rose and she had a devilish look in her eyes, I knew that look, it meant that she wasn't ready to drop the Tanya subject. Thinking fast, I decided that I need to create a diversion. Just as Rose opened her mouth to speak again, I yelped out "Alice. Wedding," a little too loudly, as everyone at the table turned to me with amused expressions on their faces, well besides Rose, she knew I did that shit on purpose.

Laughing Alice said, "What about the wedding, Bella?"

"Just anything, how is everything coming along?"

It was enough to start her into a full on detailed story about table linens and the difference between matte silver and shiny silver when it came to the utensils for the dinner. I nodded my head and downed half of my beer.

Sighing I looked at Riley, he was staring intently at Edward. I nudged him gently, trying to get his attention; it worked.

"Hey," I whispered, leaning close to his ear. Drawing Edward's attention to us, a hard expression slide across his face. "How you doing?'

"I'm fine," he whispered back.

"You sure? We can get out of here."

"Positive, baby." he leaned and kissed me softly on the check.

From the coroner of my eye I saw Edward lean across the table towards us.

"Is there something you two would like to share with the class?" he asked sarcastically.

Before I could respond, I felt Riley stiffen next to me and coldly say "No, this conversation is private between my girlfriend and me." Great, I have a very strong feeling that this was going to become a pissing match.

"Your girlfriend?" Edward asked, cocking up his eyebrow.

Riley just nodded and pulled me closer to his side. I gave Edward a hard glare, the kind that said; shut up before I shut you up. He looked at me for a couple of beats, almost like he was trying to decide if my face was serious or not. He got a resigned look on his face and said, "Congratulations, you've got a great girl."

"I know."

Edward abruptly stood up. "Does anyone need anything from the bar, I'm going to get a glass of water," he announced to the table.

"We're good," Jasper stated.

Edward spun on his heel and dove into the crowd of people. Crap, I hate this situation.

"I think I should go talk to him," I said to no one in general.

"Why?" Riley said, letting go of my hand.

"I…." I really didn't have a reason, I just felt the need. How do you explain to your new boyfriend that you still care about your ex-fiancé and you don't like to see him upset? I am pretty sure there isn't a way to phrase that.

"I think that would be a good idea," Em jumped in. "He looked upset."

I slid off of my stool and rested my hand on Riley's shoulder. "I will be right back promise."

He nodded, his eyes showing signs of hurt and defeat. I knew that it was wrong of me to go, but I just had to. I looked at Rose; she gave me a brief nod. She understood what I was feeling.

"Don't worry about Riley, we'll keep him entertained," Rose reassured.

"Thanks, I'll be right back," I reiterated.

I pushed my way through the crowd; spotting Edward leaned up against the bar. His head resting in his hands. I felt a twinge of remorse for him, but I was still kind of pissed about the way he was acting. He had no reason to be that way towards Riley.

"Hey, what the hell was the about?" I asked him once I was next to him.

His head snapped up and he looked me in the eyes. My breath caught from the emotions that I saw there.

"I'm sorry for that, Bella, but I don't like that guy," he stated.

"It doesn't matter if you like him or not, Edward. I am the one dating him."

"Well I don't like you dating him," he said defiantly.

I sighed and sat down on the stool. Edward followed suit and plopped down on the stool next to me.

"You know Edward, if this friend thing is going to work between us; you're going to have to accept Riley. I like him, he is a nice guy."

His jaw tensed. "Bella, I want this to work, I promise. But that guy, come on are you serious?"

"Enough, Edward. I'm not going to sit here and fight with you. I am with Riley accept it." He stared at me for a minute and then reached down and grabbed my hand. I felt the familiar sparks shot up my arm, causing my heart to beat erratically.

"Do you feel that?" he asked, stroking my knuckles with his thumb. "That spark?"

"No," I lied, sucking my bottom lip in between my teeth.

"You were always a terrible liar," he said, chuckling softly. I tried to pull my hand away, but he held onto it firmer.

"Stop," he said. "It is because of that spark that it will never work out between you and Riley."

I yanked my hand away from him. "I can't do this right now, Edward." I stood up and turned to leave him.

"Just answer me one thing then, does he make you feel that way?" he asked before I could go.

I just looked at him blankly, I couldn't lie to him; he knows all of my give a ways.

"That's what I thought," he said, looking triumph.

I just turned and left. I couldn't deal with this right now, not with Riley waiting at the other side of the bar for me. When I got back to the table, I yanked my jacket off the back of my chair and pulled it on.

"Where are you going, Bella?" Alice asked, concern lacing her tone.

"I'm just ready to go home. Riley?" I asked turning to my bewildered date.

"Okay," he said, standing up and pulling his jacket back on.

"I'll call you girls tomorrow," I said, leaning down and giving Alice a peck on the cheek.

"Okay, bye Bells, bye Riley," was the response from the table.

As we made our way to the door, I caught sight of Edward, still leaned against the bar where I left him. We stared at each other blankly as I pulled the bar door open and walked out into the cool night.

Once we were settled into Riley's car, he looked at me and asked "Are you alright? Did he do something to upset you?"

"No, I'm fine. Just mad that he was being that way towards you," I said, grabbing his hand and squeezing it. I couldn't help to notice that I didn't feel anything when I did it. Dang Edward and his stupid comments.

"Is that why we left?"

"Yes, I feel like an ass dragging you down here when you were already having a bad day and then you had to deal with that." I explained.

"I was having an alright time, Bella. I promise. I can handle myself; guys like Edward don't intimidate me."

"It's not that I didn't think that you could handle the situation, you just shouldn't have to. He was being a jerk and that was uncalled for."

"He was being a jerk. I don't really like the guy, the way he looks at you, it's like he thinks you still belong to him. It was really rubbing me the wrong way," he said, pulling up in front of my building.

"Well I don't, not anymore," I said, not sure who I was trying to convince; Riley or myself. "Do you want to come up?"

"I better not, but do you mind if we have that talk real quick?" he asked

"Not at all," I said, settling back against the leather seat.

"Do you remember how I told you that I was really close to my grandpa?"

"Yes, you said that he was like a father to you," I said, remembering the conversation one night at his apartment.

"He is. Well he is a very well known architect, well a well known retired architect. Anyways, he is being honored in two weeks at a dinner they are throwing just for him. My grandmother and he are flying up to attend. I am hoping that you would accompany me to the dinner?"

"Of course," I said.

"Are you sure? My whole family will be there, I don't want to put you on the spot, if you're not ready for the whole meet the parent's thing."

"I'm sure, it sounds like fun," I reassured him, I wonder what had him so upset about dinner. I know how much his grandfather means to him, so it wasn't that. Then something he said clicked in my brain.

"When you say your whole family, do you mean…" I started to ask.

"Yes, my brother James and Megan will be there," he said, his tone hard.

Dun, Dun, Dunnnn…..I am leaving you guys with a little cliffy, nothing you can't handle ;)

I will be sending out an excerpt from next chapter to everyone that reviews. I can only send it to signed reviews. So if you are reviewing anonymously then I won't be able to send you anything, so, sign your reviews and get a little treat!!! I still love all you anonymous reviewers though, so still feel free to review and let me know what you think!! Have a great week!! ;)