My eternal thanks to my wonderful beta and friend Feralness is-me, and to all of you that read and review this little story of mine :D

(5)

'Bella, pool party, my place. 6ish? Bring beer and a sleeping bag :D'

The text message makes me smile; it had been a while since I'd had the chance to catch up with all of my friends. Jake makes no secret of the fact that he dislikes ninety per cent of them.

I decide that I could do with a girl's night out, so knowing he'll say no, I dial up my husband's cell.

"Yo!"

Not 'Hi, baby'. Not, 'I've been thinking about you', but, 'Yo'.

My jaw clenches.

"Hey babe, do we have any plans for tonight?" I ask sweetly.

"Other than you cooking me dinner, nope." He laughs; it irritates me to no end, but I refuse to let it show.

He thrives off my irritation, you see. Always doing something to provoke me into a rage that he thinks is 'cute'.

"Oh, cool. It's just that Ali is having a pool party tonight, and everyone is going to be there. I was thinking of going. You're more than welcome too, of course," I tack on obligatorily.

Jake just huffs. "You mean you're going to leave me home alone all night? What will I eat for dinner?"

Food, it's always about the damn food.

"There is a TV dinner in the deep freeze, I can grab it out if you want. Or better yet, you could come too!"

"Is Edward going to be there?"

The question is inevitable. Jake, Edward and I went to the same school—though we had hung out in completely different crowds. Of all my friends, Jake hates Edward the most, and he often goes out of his way to remind me of it.

"I don't know, Jake. I didn't ask," is my reply, though there is no doubt in my mind that he will be there.

"I think I'll pass. You go on and have a good time; I'll hang out with the boys, and don't worry about the TV dinner, we will grab a pizza."

Permission granted; I fly up the stairs and jump into the shower. I'll have to be meticulous in my preparations for tonight; I know I'll be seeing Edward.

Edward; my heart soars just at thinking his name. It amazes me just how much I actually miss him.