Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended. That being said, please be nice and don't copy or translate without permission. Thank you.

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Now, does anyone else want to meet Edward? Read on...

Chapter 4

God, he was even more beautiful up close. His eyes were a vibrant green, rimmed with thick lashes that would have appeared feminine in a less masculine face. They were set beneath dramatic brows a shade darker than his remarkable hair. I had been right about the color, the uncontrolled waves a riotous mixture of brown and red in the low light. I watched with fascination as he ran his long fingers through those locks, and I had to clench my own fingers against the urge to reach up and smooth a stubborn piece that fell back over his left eyebrow.

The crooked grin on his face was even more dazzling than it had been under the spotlight as he extended his hand to me and smiled warmly. "Bella, right?" he asked in that rich, velvety voice that had me pressing my thighs together. I nodded wordlessly. "Rosalie mentioned she was going to try to get you to join us tonight. Nice to finally meet you. I'm Edward Cullen, Rosalie's brother-in-law."

I wonder why she's never mentioned you before! I thought to myself as I placed my hand in his. Our fingers slid slowly against one another's, gliding across palms as our hands clasped in an introductory handshake. His touch warmed me, and my body thrummed with awareness. I watched as Edward's eyes widened, could he feel it too? He held tightly to my hand, making no move to release me.

The clashing sounds of electric guitars startled me from my trance, and I realized with embarrassment that I had done nothing but stare at him since I sat down next to him. I hastily, reluctantly, removed my hand from his grasp and reached for my wine glass, hoping he didn't notice how my fingers trembled. "Nice to meet you as well, Edward," I said, surprised and a little embarrassed at the husky tone of my voice. "That song you sang, it was beautiful," I remarked, remembering how I felt he had been singing directly to me. I took a sip of my wine to cover my nervousness, hoping that I didn't choke on it.

"I don't remember you performing that song before, Edward," Alice chimed in, and I was flustered to realize I had forgotten about the other people at the table entirely. Alice looked from Edward, to me, and back at Edward again. "I thought you said you were going to do that Kings of Leon song tonight. But that one was amazing – so raw, so heartfelt."

Edward tilted his head back to take a long draw on his beer, and I felt another twinge deep in my belly. The way his Adam's apple bobbed with each long swallow was mesmerizing. "Yeah, I've been working on that one for a while. It never felt like the right time, but tonight I was inspired." I couldn't be sure, but it looked like he glanced at me out of the corner of his eye on the word "inspired," making my heart stutter, then race.

"Do you play with the band as well?" I asked, nodding toward the stage where the warm-up was nearly complete.

His fingers, those deliciously long musician's fingers, peeled at the label on his beer bottle. "Nah, Peter just lets me play a song or two on the weekends when the spirit moves me. That's enough." He waved to the waitress and gestured for another around for the table. She nodded flirtatiously and winked at him, rushing to the bar to fill the order. She placed her hand on his shoulder and leaned over him as she distributed the drinks, her full breasts brushing against his upper arm. I was a little shocked by her forwardness, and by the spurt of jealousy I felt when he smiled and thanked her.

The band drowned out any further chance for conversation, and I sat back to enjoy the music, watching Edward surreptitiously from the corner of my eye. I watched as his fingers moved, and I guessed he was playing the musical chords against the worn denim covering his thighs. He tapped his foot, and I could occasionally hear his soft, magnetic voice when he got so caught up in the music that he sang along unconsciously. I was hyper aware of his body only inches from my own in the crowded bar and I sipped my wine slowly, needing to keep my wits about me. When the waitress returned mid-set, I switched to diet coke. The change in my drink did nothing to dull my awareness of him, and I was grateful that the low light hid my frequent blushes.

After the band was done, the bar started to clear, making it easier for our group to talk. Charlotte and Peter stopped by to say hello to everyone, and I learned that Peter and Jasper were childhood friends. I listened to the banter around me, contributing only an occasional comment, until Alice turned to me. "So, Bella, now that you've managed to put 'The Dog' out, what are your plans?" I nearly spit my drink out, laughing as Alice so oh-so-casually tossed out Rosalie's nickname for Jacob.

"Alice!" Rosalie hissed, shaking her head and shooting me an apologetic smile. I grinned, knowing that Rosalie had been extremely offended on my behalf when Jacob had announced that he intended to have Renesmee move in with him as soon as the divorce was final. I had found it funny at the time, and a little sad too, that Rosalie had been more upset about it than I was. She had started referring to him as 'The Dog' that very day.

"Flea bomb the house and shampoo the rugs to get the pet stains out?" I asked innocently, laughing when Emmett choked on his beer. "Actually, I don't know what I'm going to do yet – I'm a woman of leisure at the moment. I helped run Jacob's business, but I don't have a lot of other practical work experience. My college degree is largely useless." I paused, the added, "English literature," when Jasper raised a questioning eyebrow in my direction. "So, if anyone has any brilliant ideas, I'd love to hear them."

"Well, what would you like to do, if you could do anything at all?" Edward asked with interest, leaning towards me, causing my heart to flutter again... and my nipples to harden. I could feel yet another blush warm my face

I considered his question, and a dream from early in my married days rose in my thoughts. I had never shared the idea with Jacob, or anyone else, but the words just seemed to tumble from my mouth at Edward's prompt. "If I had a place, and the know-how, I think I'd open a bookstore. It drives me crazy that I have to order stuff online, or trek three hours to Seattle to have a decent choice of reading materials. It would have a coffee shop with pastries and maybe soups and sandwiches, and Wi Fi access throughout. I'd offer story time on the weekends for the kids, and host book clubs, author events and book signings. You know, the kind of place where you can sit and read and meet friends, with great windows and lighting…" Wow, I guess I had thought about it more than I realized. I trailed off, noticing Alice nudge Jasper.

"Jazz, does CWC still own that corner building downtown? The two-story one with the storefront on the bottom level?" Jasper nodded, and Alice turned to me with an excited gleam in her eyes. "Bella, that's the perfect place for a bookstore! It's right in the middle of everything, with lots of foot and motor traffic. It's kind of a mess right now, but the renovations wouldn't be too complicated, and I know just the perfect furniture that we could…"

"Whoa, whoa, Alice!" I laughed, overwhelmed by her enthusiasm. "Edward asked what I'd do if I had any option, and that was the first thing that popped into my head. I really don't know anything about properties and renovations, or even anything about the bookselling business." Even though I had both the time and financial means available, my general lack of knowledge was a bit of a stumbling block.

Surprisingly, Emmett jumped into the conversation. "Bella, I've got to agree with Alice. That building would be perfect for a bookstore, and I don't think the renovations would be too difficult or costly. We could work on the details of a lease and improvements, and of course we'd cut you a break on the labor." He smiled when I looked at him blankly. "CWC stands for Cullen Whitlock Cullen." He gestured to himself, Jasper, then Edward. "We're builders and architects. Are you handy with a hammer and a paintbrush?" I nodded. "Well then, we'd put you to work, too. I think it would be worth looking into, if for no other reason than to give this town a decent bookstore. You already have practical experience running a business, this can't be too different."

Rosalie winked at me, knowing full well how profitable Jacob's garage had been over the last several years. She knew the dollar amount I had been paid as my half of the business was more than enough for a new business venture of my own.

I tried to visualize the building they were discussing, vaguely recalling an old-style store front with nearly floor-to-ceiling windows. I could picture elegant gold leaf lettering on the door, the space filled with books, comfy chairs, and smell of freshly brewed coffee, myself standing behind the counter chatting with customers. I couldn't help but grin at the image, the first thing that had really piqued my interest. Emmett noticed the smile and winked at me. "Think about it, and call us if you want to see the space."

Alice glanced at her watch and groaned theatrically. "Jazz, one more drink, then we've got to get home to the kids." She flagged down the waitress with her raised cosmo glass. The pretty blonde was eager to return to the table, once again touching Edward's shoulder as she handed Alice her drink.

I tried to ignore the flash of irritation I felt at the waitress's casual but deliberate contact with the man sitting at my side. Really, I had just met Edward, and I had no claim to him. Why was I reacting this way? "How many children do you have?" I asked Alice, noting with satisfaction that Edward thanked the waitress in a distracted manner. His attention was on my conversation with Alice.

"Two," Alice answered. "Caitlin is seven, and Jackson is four. He can be a handful, so we try not to tax the babysitter too much," she laughed.

"Try raising the twin terrors," Rosalie lamented. "I can't keep a babysitter for more than a few weeks, no matter how much I pay! There was only one counselor at day camp last summer that could handle them for any length of time, and I forgot to get her name."

"How old are your twins?" I asked, a faint memory stirring.

"Madison and Lillian are six, going on sixteen," Emmett laughed.

The names made it click. "Maddie and Lillie?" I asked. Rosalie nodded. "I think my daughter was actually their counselor. I can remember her talking about these adorable twin girls, one with blonde hair and violet eyes," I pointed to Rosalie, "And the other with dark hair and blue eyes," my gaze shifted to Emmett, "but otherwise completely identical."

"Those are our girls," Emmett confirmed.

I smiled. "Sarah loved the twins. She said they were her favorite campers. And she does babysit when it doesn't conflict with her schedule. All ages," I offered with a grin at Alice, who was smiling widely and clapping her hands excitedly.

"She knows the lines to my favorite movie, and she comes with her very own babysitter! Bella, this is the start of a beautiful friendship," Alice declared, throwing an arm around my shoulder and giving me a noisy kiss on the cheek.

"And the end to a beautiful night," Rosalie sighed, and everyone around the table groaned. "Sorry, but Em and I have to get back to the girls, too." We took a few minutes to divide and pay the tab, and discussed the driving arrangements. It was decided that Rosalie and Emmett would drop me off, since I came with Rose and he had arrived with Alice and Jasper.

Alice and I exchanged cell phone numbers, and we three girls agreed to meet next week for coffee. Emmett and Jasper held out coats for their wives, and I was surprised to find Edward holding my jacket, a lopsided grin on his face. I turned my back to him, slipping my arms in the sleeves as he slid the coat up around my shoulders. He smoothed the collar, gently tugging on a strand of my hair that was caught beneath and smoothing it against my shoulder. I felt my heart race again, my blush now a near constant. Honestly, he made me feel like a nervous seventeen year-old girl with a crush on her gorgeous biology lab partner!

"Bella, it was a pleasure meeting you tonight," he said, his voice a little husky. "I expect that we'll be seeing a lot of each other, if Rose and Alice have their way." I must have appeared confused, because he hastened to explain. "I mean, now that Alice and Rose plan to monopolize your daughter's babysitting services, I expect that we will be going out more often. As a group, of course."

I felt a flicker of disappointment that he only saw me as one of the group.

"It was nice meeting you too, Edward. Thanks again for sharing your beautiful song." You know, the one that you sang straight to my soul? I felt stupid, not knowing what else to say, merely watching as he donned his own coat and tucked his marvelous hair into a beanie against the cool autumn air. I enjoyed the pleasant sensation of his hand on the small of my back as we navigated the tables in the bar, and smiled benevolently at the waitress who looked so longingly after Edward as he followed me out to the car. I pretended, just for a moment, that the handsome man at my side had actually chosen me over the pretty blonde, imagined for a brief instant that such a man could be mine.

He opened the car door for me and gave me his hand to assist me in the climb into Emmett's jeep. I felt the same warmth I had felt when we touched earlier in the bar. "Thanks, Edward," I said, loving the sound of his name on my lips.

"You're welcome, Bella" he said, lingering by my side as Rosalie and Emmett situated themselves in the vehicle. "I hope to see you again soon. Be safe." He closed the door, and I found myself watching him walk across the parking lot, enjoying the view immensely. Yep, those jeans were definitely worn in all the right places!

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