A/N: Thank you for all the reviews and welcome to my new readers. A big thank you to Tarbecca for the rec over at ADF!

I wasn't purposely keeping it a secret from Alice that Edward had asked me out, but she never asked. The rest of the night had flown by with the rest of our group coming back down to join us shortly after Edward mentioned a date. This also meant that no specific plans had been set up. I hoped for some more time alone as we began to part ways at the end of the night, but poor Edward needed to make sure that Jacob got home in one piece. Apparently a night off from the restaurant meant he went all out with liquor.

By the next morning, I'd replayed the night in my head at least fifty times. I couldn't get Edward out of my head. I was anticipating where we would go and excited to get to know him better. But then I also recalled Alice's comment about Edward getting bored with the girls he was dating. If he was bored dating girls like Tanya and Victoria, was dating him really the best idea? Before I could stress any longer when an actual date wasn't even planned, I got to work cleaning around the cottage and ran errands in town.

~AS~

Sunday night dinner is at Esme and Carlisle's home. I begin making a list of possible excuses for not attending, but can't think of one that wouldn't result in Esme coming over to check on me. Realizing that I can't skip on dinner, I turn instead to finding the right outfit from my closet. I also realize that it's past time to go shopping to find more winter gear since my options are becoming limited. Without much choice until I hit the local laundromat, I throw on a pair of dark green jeans with a grey long sleeve t-shirt.

Cutting through the trees in the path between my place and the Cullen's home, I already see Edward's car in the drive. This sparks both my anxiety and my excitement. I take a deep breath and walk up to the front door. No longer needing to knock, as Carlisle chastised me about a couple of weeks ago, I soon find myself walking into the kitchen where the family is always gathered.

I go straight to where Esme is hard at work stirring a sauce of some kind at the stove.

"Anything I can help with?" I ask.

"You're a guest in this home," Esme replies with a smile.

"I thought I was supposed to make myself at home, that I wasn't someone that needs to go knocking at the door like a guest," I throw Carlisle's words back at them.

"Point taken. You can slice up the bread on the counter," Esme chuckles.

I get to work and can feel Edward's stare from across the counter. Not being able to avoid it for longer, I take a glance up to meet his eyes. A small smile graces his face and I can't help but smile back before returning to the work in front of me. Being distracted with a knife in hand isn't a good idea.

"Where are Alice and Jasper?" I ask. Usually Alice is here earlier in the day spending time with her parents.

"They aren't able to make it tonight. Jasper's family is celebrating his mother's birthday," Esme answers.

"Oh. They didn't mention that the other night."

"That's right, your big night in the city. How was it?" Esme asks.

I glance at Edward again who is looking on with interest.

"It was fun," is all I say.

"I imagine it's nothing compared to the cities back home," she continues.

"No, but I never spent much time in Seattle either. I've never been a city person."

"You've found the right place then," Edward states.

"Of course she has," Esme replies with a smile. "There's nowhere like our island."

The four of us sit down to a dinner of homemade ravioli. The food is delicious. I can't believe she made this from scratch. So much better than the frozen bag I've got in my freezer. Carlisle tells us of the busyness at the medical center from the past week with lots of women nearing their due date.

"It's all the farmer's wives due this time of year. Winter is the only season they get to see their husbands much," Esme laughs, filling me in.

The conversation switches to Edward's plans now that the harvest season is coming to an end. Apparently the wintertime is spent connecting to prospective buyers and getting signed contracts so he knows how much to plant come spring. It's more of a business than just the farming part.

I pass on dessert, knowing that I need to get home and prepare for another week at the McCarty's. After saying goodnight to everyone and a quick walk, I'm home preparing my yogurt and granola breakfasts for the week.

About a half hour later there's a light tap at the door. Glancing over from where I stand, I see Edward. I tell him to come in as I finish putting the last few jars in the fridge.

"My mom was convinced that you needed dessert, so I offered to bring it over," he reports as he looks around the place, putting the wrapped plate of dessert on the table.

"You didn't have to do that. They spoil me."

"They spoil everyone, that's what they do. Besides, it was a good excuse to come over. I wanted to see if you were free on Saturday for dinner, but didn't want to ask in front of my parents."

"Saturday works for me," I reply, planning in my mind that a trip to the laundromat will be a must on Saturday morning. "Where are we heading?"

"If you don't mind a drive, there's a small restaurant about a half hour away that's still open. Most places around here are closed for the season unless we head into the city. This place is open until the holidays though; I've heard really good things about it."

"A drive sounds good. I'm looking forward to it," I smile.

"Me too," he replies stepping closer. "Can I get your phone number to finalize plans during the week?"

"Sure."

Edward hands me his phone and I enter my number. Afterwards I hit the call button so that I'll have his number in my phone too. I walk with Edward back towards the door.

"I should probably go. My mother's mind will start to race if she sees I'm here for too long," he chuckles.

"Have a good night, Edward."

"You too, Bella."