A/N: We see. It's EDB's birthday! I love this girl, fyi.

"This is unnecessary." I threw myself down on the couch with my arms crossed, studiously not looking at anyone. This wasn't a conversation I wanted to have, at least not with my brother and Jasper in attendance. I owed Bella a multitude of apologies, but that didn't mean I wanted to be forced to say I was sorry.

"This is very important," Emmett said. "I don't see how we can get past this as roommates unless it's addressed."

"This is between me and Bella. I know-"

"Exactly," my brother interrupted. He sat on the coffee table, facing us. He had on his serious business face, and that threw me off. Emmett's serious business face meant he was about to spout anything but. "I've called you all here today to discuss this recent bout of nudity in our humble abode."

"Emmett," I said, because I knew where he was going with this now.

"No, no. This is serious." Emmett turned and reached out to take Bella's hands in his. I wanted to bat them away because it was entirely possible he was about to make the whole situation ten times worse. "Bella, we believe in equality in this house." He took a deep breath. "In the spirit of fairness… I think Jasper and I are going to have to see your boobs."

I rolled my eyes. Jasper snickered. Bella gently pulled her hands from Emmett's and took his face between them. "Oh, Emmett. No."

"What? Equality, Swan. We'll show you our junk. I've seen Edward's, so Edward can flash Jasper too. It'll all work out."

"I've seen Edward's junk," Jasper said matter-of-factly.

Bella turned to him, eyes wide. "Really?" Her eyes darted to me and back to Jasper again.

"Nothing exciting. It happens sometimes when you share a space," I said.

Her look turned colder and she cocked her eyebrow. "Just like that? You're nonchalant about Jasper seeing your goodies but not me?"

I raised my eyebrow right back at her. "He didn't giggle."

She narrowed her eyes. The room was dead silent. Then her lips began to shake and she giggled. It was the cutest little titter which she automatically smothered with her palm. "Ah, hell. Sorry."

I pretended to glare for another second before I grinned at her. "It's all good."

"I just have this inner monologue in my head sometimes, and it-"

"Bella. Really. It's all good."

She tilted her head and offered a tentative smile when she saw I was being serious.

"Okay. 's settled then," Emmett said. "So. About the boobs…"

~0~

We weren't okay. I knew that. I needed to apologize for being a dick, especially now that she'd apologized for giggling at my dick. Clearing the bad blood and all that because Emmett and Jasper adored the girl.

The problem was me. I knew it was. The problem was always me. Emmett and Jasper were used to me. They didn't understand, but that was okay. I was just me. Emmett loved me because we were brothers-and he was a damn good big brother even if he was a pain in the ass. Jasper had been around so long he may as well have been my brother.

Bella… Bella was an innocent. She deserved an apology, if not an explanation. The idea made me tired. Tired enough that my bed got too comfortable every time I thought I should get off my ass and talk to her. That was the nature of the beast.

One night, my night off, just I was trying to convince myself yet again to come talk to her, there was a knock on my door. "Come in."

The door opened slowly. I was expecting tall and broad. Instead, short and petite peered around my door. I shifted so I was sitting up with my feet on the ground instead of sprawled over my bed. "Hi."

"Hey." She creeped inside my door one foot, the other foot, and the first foot again as though she fully expected me to snap at her. She held a foil covered plate out like an offering.

"What's this?" I asked.

She crept a few steps closer and gave me a proud grin. "Look, I know you said it's all good, but I'm still sensing a cold front from this side of the house. So I made you these."

I sighed, feeling about as low as a snail. "You really didn't need to do this."

"Of course I didn't. But I want us to get along. They're cookies, but not just any cookies. See, this guarantees you can't be mad at me. These are the best cookies known to man. And I waited to make them until Jasper and Emmett were out of the house, so you only have to share if you want to."

My mouth started to water. "What are they?"

"Butterscotch apple cookies."

I had to laugh.

"What?" she asked.

"I don't like apples."

She balked. "What kind of freak doesn't like apples? I mean. Um-"

I laughed again because the expression on her face was...well.. adorable. "It's fine. More than fine, it's really sweet. Literally." I set the plate down. "You really didn't have to do that."

She shrugged and looked up at me with a tentative smile. "The thing is, I really like living here. I'm not sure how to explain it because it kind of feels like it should be a nightmare, right? Your brother… he can be a little much sometimes, but he's really sweet about it, you know? And Jasper. Jasper seems really intense, but it's because he's a lot deeper than most people. He sees a lot more. Does that make sense?"

"Yeah. That's Jasper."

"And then there's you."

"And then there's me." I rubbed the back of my head. "Look, it wasn't you. It was never you. I'm just an asshole, I guess, but that's not your fault."

"I don't think that's true."

I looked up at her. "You think it's your fault I'm an asshole?"

"No. I don't think you're an asshole."

I looked down and shook my head. "Man, I don't want to know what your life has been like that you set the bar so high for what makes an asshole. I've been a dick to you, Bella."

"Well, that much is true. You have exhibited assholish behavior. But I don't believe anyone is one thing." Too my surprise she reached out and touched me. It was just a brush of her fingertips along my arm, but it was so gentle it took me by surprise. I found myself looking into her soft eyes. "Look, I know we don't know each other, but I want to figure you out. And I don't mean that in a 'you're a puzzle wrapped in an enigma, wrapped in a seven-layer-burrito' kind of way. I just mean… everyone has a story. Everyone has a good stuff and bad stuff." She wrinkled her nose. "Am I making any sense?"

I felt my lips curving upward, and I realized I was staring at her. Clearing my throat, I offered her my hand. "How about this. Let's start over. I'm Edward Cullen."

She slipped her hand in mine and squeezed as she shook. It was a firm handshake. "I'm Bella Swan."

"It's very nice to meet you, Bella Swan."

Funny. I didn't drop her hand right away like I should have.

Then again, neither did she.

A/N: Guess he calmed down a bit.

Many thanks to songster!