A few thank you. Thanks to the Twilight Fic Zone blog for rec'ing THTF. Also, thanks to the readers who nominated me for the Fandom People Awards. I received two honorable mentions for review replies and twitter hollabacks.
On that same note, Team THTF had a great showing. Kristi was awarded an honorable mention for the Protagonist Award; DRS received an honorable mention for the Grammar is my Bitch Award and LisaJ won the Telepath award, the Keepin' It Real award, the Inappropriate Love award and the You're the Inspiration award and received an honorable mention, to boot, for Epic Squeeeee.
Reader SumFun left me my 6000th review. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine 6000 reviews. This chapter is dedicated to her. Thanks to everyone who ever left a review for me.
As always thanks to my fantastic team: Kristi, LisaC, DRS and LisaJ.
Chapter 43 – Plans
APOV
Ben and I had spent a lovely Sunday together, but I needed to get home and get ready for work on Monday.
"Want me to walk you up?" he asked, when he pulled up to the curb in front of my apartment.
"No." I leaned over and gave him a kiss. "Bella's studying. The fewer interruptions, the better."
"Okay. See you tomorrow at work?"
"Lunch at one."
"Bye, hon. Love you."
"Love you, too."
I hopped out of the car and walked the short distance to the door quickly. I turned and waved to Ben as he pulled back out into traffic.
All thoughts of Ben and our wonderful day fled when I pushed open the door to my apartment and heard Bella sniffling on the sofa. I walked to her quickly.
"Bella?"
"Hi, Ang," she said morosely.
"Bella, what's wrong?"
"Everything."
"Is it school?"
Bella nodded and then shook her head.
"It is school?" I was confused. Bella shook her head. "It isn't?" Bella shook her head again.
"Yes," she replied, contradicting her head shake.
Giving up on getting a straight answer from her, I tried a different tact. "Did you have a problem studying? Bella, I think you'll do fine. You've been hitting the books hard."
"I didn't get as much study time today as I thought I would."
"You didn't? Why not?"
"Jake stopped over. He brought me dinner."
"Oh! Well, that was…nice." I knew Bella didn't want to be disturbed, but she had to eat. "Right?"
She shook her head no again. "Yeesss," she sobbed quietly.
I sighed.
"Bella, just tell me what happened," I begged, exasperated.
Sitting up, Bella reached for a paper napkin that was lying on the coffee table. She wiped her eyes and blew her nose.
"I was studying and texting with Jake. He was bored and wanted to spend time with me."
"Did you tell him you were studying?"
"Yeah. Eventually, he stopped texting. Then, Edward called."
"Edward?" I was surprised. Then a feeling of dread took root in my stomach. This didn't sound good.
"Yeah, he was at work, looking for the Stinson file. He said he called you…?"
I pulled my phone from my pocket and powered it up. Sure enough it showed two missed calls from Edward.
"Anyway, he wanted the file and asked if he could come get it. I told him yes."
"But why are you so upset?" I asked, still wondering how she came to be crying on our couch.
"Right after Edward called, Jake showed up with Chinese food. We were talking and eating. I went to the kitchen to get glasses for the wine when Edward showed up. Jake answered the door."
I can imagine the look on my face. My eyes were wide, and I had to make an effort to keep my mouth closed and not ask the question that was begging to be asked. Bella looked at me and shook her head.
"Nothing happened. Edward apologized for disturbing us, took the file and left."
"Then…?"
"After he left, Jake wanted to, you know…get close."
Normally, I'd grin and look forward to a little girl talk at this point, but judging from the state Bella was in when I found her, things didn't turn out well. Bella had paused and was looking out the window. I waited while she gathered her thoughts. When she didn't continue I prompted her.
"It didn't go well?"
Bella shook her head. "It didn't go at all. First, he accused me of still being hung up on Edward, which we both know is nonsense since I was never hung up on him in the first place." Despite my concern for Bella, that statement caused me to do a mental eye roll. Bella continued, "Then, he said we'd been together for two months, and I should let him show me how good we could be together. The thing is, he's right. We're adults; after two months it isn't so strange that he'd have…expectations." She sighed.
"What happened?"
She shrugged. "I just don't feel it, you know? I don't think of Jake that way. He's funny and I enjoy spending time with him, but I just don't like him that way."
"Was he mad?"
"Not really mad. Disappointed, I think. I told him it wasn't fair of me to monopolize his time when I didn't want him like that."
"You broke up?"
She nodded.
"Bella, I'm sorry."
She sighed again. "Don't be sorry. It was the right thing to do. I just feel bad. He was hurt. He said I was the one he was looking for."
I scooted closer to her and put my arm around her, giving her a comforting squeeze. We sat there quietly for a few minutes until Bella heaved another sigh, this one lighter, more resigned.
"You should go to bed," I told her.
"Yeah, let me just get my stuff out of the dining room."
I sat back while Bella gathered her notes and books, and made her way to her room.
"'Night, Ang. I'll see you at work tomorrow."
"'Night, Bella." I listened as her door closed before heaving a sigh of my own. This whole situation was so screwed up. I thought back to the phone conversation I had while Edward and Bella were out to lunch with the potential new customers last week.
"Mr. Cullen's office, Angela speaking."
"Angela, it's Kathleen Snow. Where's Edward? He's not answering his office phone and his cell is going right to voicemail."
"Edward is at a lunch meeting, Dr. Snow."
"With whom? He didn't mention a lunch meeting to me last night."
I froze. "With whom?" she wanted to know. I didn't know if Dr. Snow knew Bella was back in the office, but I certainly wasn't going to mention it unless she did first. "Uh, it wasn't previously scheduled. He left on very short notice."
Frosty silence met my explanation. I waited. Finally, she gave an irritated huff.
"Well, let him know I called, will you?"
"Certainly, Dr. Snow."
I gave the message to Edward when he returned to the office. He and Bella both were practically giddy with excitement over the contact they had made. I hadn't seen Edward that happy in the weeks since Bella quit. The two of them were going over the details of the lunch, rehashing who said what. Bella asked a few questions and they shared a laugh over something one of the men said. I almost hated to break up their cozy chat, but it was time for me to leave. I handed Edward Dr. Snow's message. He glanced down at it and I could see a change come over him. He quickly turned on his phone and checked his missed calls.
"Um, I'm sorry," he apologized to Bella, "I need to return this. Thank you again, for coming. It was good to have another set of ears to listen to what was being said."
"You're welcome. I should get back to work, anyway."
Bella went to her desk as Edward went into his office.
"Angela, I know you need to go, but do you have a minute to show me that spreadsheet?"
I had spent about ten minutes, going over what Bella needed to do this evening, when Edward came out of his office, all traces of his previous lightness gone. He bid us both a cool goodnight before getting on the elevator and leaving.
Something was going to have to give. I was afraid that "something" was once again going to result in Bella leaving the office. There was not anything going on between Bella and Edward, but Kathleen Snow didn't seem like the type of woman who'd stand idly by while her boyfriend reconnected with his ex. I just hoped that when she did find out, Edward would be able to control the situation.
EPOV
Spending the weekend at work was something I didn't make a habit of, preferring to work late during the week. With Bella in the office, I was making an effort not to stay late, but that was putting me behind in my work, especially since the office was running more efficiently now. Things were piling up.
Kathleen was working this weekend so it was the perfect opportunity to dig in and get caught up. I got a lot done on Saturday, making a sizeable dent in the work I had waiting for me. I figured I'd get out after just a few hours on Sunday, so didn't rush in early. The weather was unseasonably warm, and the Ducati had been mothballed since fall. I dressed in jeans and a long sleeved t-shirt before digging my new leather jacket from the closet. I hadn't worn it since Bella gave it to me, but thought that my first ride of the season was a good time to break it in.
Riding to work was exhilarating. It took all I had to not just blow off the work waiting for me and head out of town to ride for a few hours.
Dragging myself to my office, I got frustrated when I couldn't find the file I needed to wrap things up. I called Angela, but her phone went right to voice mail. I tried again a little while later but it went right to voicemail again. I was irrationally annoyed. It was Sunday, after all, and she was under no obligation to respond to me even if she had her phone on. Taking a deep breath, I contemplated just calling it a day. The weather was wonderful, and the prospect of a ride outside of town was almost too enticing.
I decided that I'd give Bella a call and if she didn't answer, or didn't know where Angela was, I'd take it as a sign from fate to cut loose and enjoy the rest of the afternoon.
Surprisingly, Bella answered my call on the first ring.
"I told you, I need to study!" Her unconventional greeting left me a bit surprised.
"Bella?"
"Edward! Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were J…someone else." I frowned, realizing I might be disturbing her.
"Am I interrupting something important?"
"No. I'm just studying for my final tomorrow," she explained. I winced. No one knew better than me how important her school work was to her.
"I won't keep you then. I was just wondering if you could get in contact with Angela. I need to ask her something, but she's not answering her phone."
"She must have turned it off. She's out with Ben. Should I tell her to call you?"
"No. I'm in the office and can't find the hardcopy file of the Stinson account. I made some changes and wanted to pull the pages with the old data."
"I'm sorry, the hardcopy is here," she explained. "Angela and I have been bringing work home on the weekends to help with the backlog."
That was a surprise, I had no idea they were working from home.
"If you tell me which pages…?" she continued. I sighed, there was no point in her digging through the file, I needed to see it.
"I really need to look through it," I explained. "I know that there are some receipts in there I could use to justify the changes to the board." I wondered if she'd be upset if I went to get it. "Are you going to be home for awhile?"
"Um…yeah, I'll be here all day."
"Would you mind if I stopped by to pick up that file?" I asked. "I'll be in and out so as not to disturb you for too long."
"That's fine."
"Okay, I'll see you shortly," I told her.
After hanging up, I took stock of what still needed to be done, gathering what I'd need to finish my work on the Stinson file at home. My growling stomach reminded me I should grab something to eat as well. Pulling on my jacket and grabbing my helmet, I made my way to the garage. I grinned as I mounted my bike, remembering my promise to take Bella for a ride in the spring. Kathleen had already made her position on motorcycles clear. She'd seen the results of too many accidents during her time in the ER. She'd never ride with me.
I wondered if Bella would still be willing.
Shaking off the slightly inappropriate conjecture, I headed towards Bella's apartment, stopping at a street vendor for a delicious meal of dubious origins.
I took a circuitous route, enjoying the power of the bike between my legs and the warmth of the sunshine on my face, but arrived at Bella's just over an hour after I called. Parking my bike, I pulled off my helmet and entered the building.
I thought about the last time I was here: New Year's Eve. Bella and I had already been fighting then, about her going back to school and working for my mom – two activities that would make her less available to perform her duties for me. Looking back with the perspective of someone who was now in a safe relationship, one where I knew I was wanted, I could see Bella's point of view more easily.
Thinking about Kathleen while I walked down the hall to Bella's apartment gave me an unpleasant feeling in my stomach. Or maybe it was the street vendor's wares. I knocked on Bella's door and waited for her to open it.
I shouldn't have been surprised when it wasn't Bella who opened the door. Jacob Black swung the door wide, and stood looking at me with a suspicious face.
"Cullen?"
"Ah, good afternoon, Jacob, Bella's expecting me."
"She is? She didn't mention it."
Instead of waiting for me to respond, Jacob called out to Bella without taking his eyes off me, "Bells, you've got more company!"
Jacob didn't invite me in or say anything more; he just stared at me with a slight frown on his face. Not that it mattered, but he had no problem helping my girlfriend move when I wasn't there, yet now he was mad that I stopped by while he was actually here?
"Hey Edward, why don't you come in," Bella offered, as she bounced into the room putting two wineglasses down on the coffee table.
Seems I was interrupting.
"Thanks, Bella." I stepped into the apartment and took in the cozy scene before me. Jacob had gone back to the couch and was ignoring me, with what looked like the end of a meal of Chinese food set before him.
My thoughts immediately went back to the Chinese food we'd shared in my office when Bella first started: garlic green beans, lo mein and egg drop soup. I was about to ask for the file so I could excuse myself when Bella interrupted my thoughts.
"You rode the Ducati?" I thought about the promised ride. So much for that.
"Yeah, the weather is finally comfortable enough to take her out for a ride." I wasn't proud of what I said next. "The jacket is great, by the way. Thanks again." A little payback for Jacob's stunt when Bella moved.
"You're welcome." She blushed and I had to cover my grin.
"Would you like a drink?" she asked. "We were just going to open a bottle of wine."
Feeling that I had done enough damage for one day, I declined.
"No thank you, I didn't mean to interrupt; I just need that file…."
"Oh, right. Hold on." She left the room and quickly returned. Jacob ignored me during her brief absence.
"Here you go,"
"Thank you." I opened up the file quickly to make sure what I needed was there. I felt I should acknowledge that I was interrupting her schoolwork.
"How's the studying going?"
"Slow. My final is tomorrow, though, so I'm in the home stretch."
"Great. That's great," I said enthusiastically. "Will you work during the day more when you're done for the summer?"
"That's the plan. Unless you have an objection…?"
Jacob rudely interrupted her. "Why would he object?" I'm sure he enjoys having you around the office." The innuendo was not subtle, and I felt I needed to make our boundaries clear.
"Bella's an excellent assistant; I have no objection to working around her school schedule." Oddly, it was the truth. I was starting to feel a little foolish about my past behavior.
"I'm sorry that we had the file here," Bella said. "Do you need anything else?" It was obvious I was being dismissed.
"No, this was it. I'll see you tomorrow. Good luck on your test."
"Thanks." She shut the door quietly behind me as I made my way down the hall. Summoning the elevator, I rubbed my stomach again.
Damned street food.
JPOV
I could feel my face flame as I walked from Bella's apartment. In my heart, I knew I'd given her enough time to make a decision. If she wasn't feeling me after two months, two more wouldn't make a difference.
I knew she was into me. She was usually happy and open when we were together. My jab about her waiting for marriage was really a low blow. There's no way she was with Cullen for four months unless they were sleeping together. Guys like him weren't the hand-holding, cheek-kissing kind. The fact that he was eyefucking her while I was standing there was more evidence of that.
Frustrated, in more ways than one, I slammed my Audi into gear and tore away from the curb in front of Bella's apartment. I sped aimlessly for a bit before heading into the park.
I parked across two handicapped spots, not caring about the consequences and started walking the paths. The park was crowded, full of kids and families and skateboards and bikes and kites and picnics and the whole bit. Everyone was out enjoying the unseasonable beautiful day.
I stared at all the women I passed, comparing them to Bella. This one's hair was the same color. That one's eyes were sort of shaped the same. This one's cheekbones cut across her face in just the same way. That one had the same little crease between her eyes—which made me wonder what she was worrying about…
Giving up, I wandered back to my car and slumped against the hood, playing with the keys. I was being punished, I knew it. I hadn't been in a serious relationship since I was seventeen. In the past ten years I dated a lot of women, many of whom made it clear they were looking for a commitment. Figures that the first one I was serious about wouldn't be serious about me.
"Hey, you okay? Hello? You there, with the stolen car."
It took me a second to realize that the voice was talking to me, and then another second to decide to raise my head. A familiar-looking girl was staring at me, her expression kind of anxious. I knew why I recognized her face–I'd already scoped out this one. Her eyes were the same color as Bella's. She had bronze curls that hung to her waist and spoke in a clear high soprano.
"If you're feeling that remorseful over boosting the car," she said, smiling, "you could always turn yourself in."
"It's mine, not stolen," I snapped. My voice sounded horrible—like I'd be crying or something. Embarrassing.
"Sure, that'll hold up in court."
I glowered. "You need something?"
"Not really. I was kidding about the car, you know. It's just that…you look really upset about something. Oh, hey, I'm Lizzie." She held out her hand.
I looked at it until she let it fall.
"Anyway…," she said awkwardly, "I was just wondering if I could help." She shrugged.
I sighed. "I don't need any help. She's not here."
"Oh. Sorry."
"Me, too," I muttered.
I looked at the girl again. Lizzie. She was pretty. Nice enough to try to help a grouchy stranger who must seem nuts. Why couldn't she be the one? Nice girl, pretty, and sort of funny. Why not?
"This is a beautiful car," she said. "Hydraulic assist rack-and-pinion steering, front and back double aluminum wishbone suspension…"
Nice girl who knew cars. Wow. I stared at her face harder.
Why not?
"How's it drive?" she asked.
"Like you wouldn't believe." I told her before pausing. "Want to take a ride?"
She grinned, clearly pleased to have dragged a halfway civil response out of me.
"I'm Jake," I told her, holding out my hand. She looked at it until I let it fall. Turnabout is fair play, I guess.
"Uh, so you wanna? Take a ride? With me?"
She smiled broadly before answering. "Why not."
APOV
"Edward Cullen's office, Angela speaking…."
"Good afternoon Angela, this is Mary from Bob Banner's office. Mr. Banner would like to arrange dinner with Mr. Cullen."
"I'm going to transfer you to Bella. Bella handles Mr. Cullen's calendar."
"Thank you."
I put the call on hold and looked over at Bella, who was engrossed in her work.
"Bella, someone named Mary is calling from Bob Banner's office. She wants to set up a dinner with Edward."
Bella smiled broadly. I knew that this meant good things for CE and she did, too. Bob was one of the three men she and Edward had had lunch with last week.
Clearing her throat, she picked up the phone.
"Hello, Mary? This is Bella; I understand you want to schedule a dinner with Mr. Cullen."
I could see Bella tapping away at her keyboard as she brought up Edward's schedule.
"Hm? What? Oh! I'll have to check with Mr. Cullen…. Yes, yes, I see. I'm sure it will be fine. So when would Mr. Banner like to schedule dinner? Next Friday?" Her eyes widened and her mouth twisted as she looked over the schedule. I rose to my feet to get her attention. No matter what was already scheduled, this dinner could not wait! I nodded my head in an exaggerated fashion to tell her to accept, no matter what. She nodded back at me to let me know she understood. "Mr. Cullen is free next Friday. 6 o'clock? Perfect, I've got it. Thank you. Bye."
Bella sat quietly a moment after she hung up.
"Bella?"
She looked at up me, distracted.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, not wrong. I just need to speak with Edward about this dinner."
"Now's a good time…." I encouraged her. She looked up at the office doors with uncertainty.
"Bella?"
"Right. Good time. Okay." She stood up and marched to the door. Opening it, she squared her shoulders and entered Edward's office.
EPOV
Bella walked into my office just before lunch. I smiled at her and she smiled back, hesitantly.
"What's up?" I asked, while both my assistants were welcome to come into my office as needed, neither made a habit of it. Her manner was setting off all kinds of warning bells.
"Bob Banner's office called…."
Yes!
"His assistant wanted to schedule a dinner."
"That's great! Clear my calendar for him. There's nothing that's more important than this possible deal right now."
"I know. Um…there are two things you should be aware of. First, he wants to do next Friday."
"Friday? Friday's fine….oh, wait."
"Yeah, next Friday is Dr. Snow's birthday. It was on your calendar."
I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose.
"And the other thing?" I asked, wondering what could be worse than having to cancel on Kathleen on her birthday.
"He invited me, as well."
Aannndddd there's the other shoe.
I squashed my first three reactions, and decided professional detachment was the best way to go. However, before I could speak, Bella continued.
"I tried to beg off, to say that I'd have to ask you first, but Mary, his assistant, made it sound like Mr. Banner wasn't giving us an option. If you really don't want me there, then I'll come down with a terrible migraine or the flu or something."
"No, no, Bella, that won't be necessary. It's a business dinner. I'm sure Banner just feels comfortable with you because of our lunch last week. Negotiations like this, where the client holds all the cards, are delicate. More delicate than most. Normally, I'd never go into something like this alone, so having you there makes sense."
"I'm not sure I can contribute much…."
"It's not your business acumen that Bob is interested in." Bella raised her eyebrow at my statement and I realized how it sounded.
"No! No, he treats his business associates like his family. Having you there changes the tenor of the meal from one of cut-throat negotiations to something more friendly and casual, like we're partners already. It's important that we keep Bob comfortable. He's considering breaking his contract with one of our competitors to work with CE. We need to be sensitive to his way of doing things."
"Okay," she said, obviously still not convinced. "I need to get back out there." I nodded at her, already deep in thought.
Bella paused at the door.
"Flowers," she said, quietly.
"Excuse me?"
"Flowers and then some sort of grand gesture. When you tell Dr. Snow you need to cancel on her birthday."
"Oh. Uh, thanks."
"And do it in person, not on the phone." She shrugged and quickly exited. I stared at the door a few moments after it was closed.
The flower and grand gesture suggestions were so Bella. She always had good ideas. Ideas that were down-to-earth, but still held a bit of magic.
I thought about Bob's decision to include Bella in our dinner. It was unlikely that he knew Bella and I had dated. Harry Greene had recognized her, though he couldn't place how, but Bob only commented on her contributions to the conversation at lunch last week. He saw what I saw, that Bella had a keen mind for business. It was what made her so successful at the Literacy Project as well.
Thinking about last week, I couldn't help but remember watching her loosening up during the ride to the restaurant. Bella had looked wonderful, very professional, when we got in the car with Demetri. My suggestions to help her look more relaxed probably came across as leering, but honestly it was purely business.
Until she took my advice.
It was hard not to remember the feel of her hair through my fingers when she pulled out the pins that held it up so it flowed loosely around her shoulders. It was hard not to remember the taste of her skin when she unbuttoned her collar, exposing the hollow at the base of her throat. It was hard not to remember the sight of her curves when she took off the jacket and sat beside me in just her blouse and skirt.
And now I was hard.
Fuck! What the hell was I doing? Bella didn't want me, she made that clear. Yes, we were getting along fine, within the confines of our professional relationship. Besides, I was with Kathleen now, a woman who did want me. Kathleen was a beautiful woman: strong and smart. Not that Bella wasn't. Surviving as she had before starting to work for me took a strong woman. She was so bright; everything she touched was better for her influence. There was no doubting she was beautiful.
I remembered her in the dress she wore on New Year's Eve, in the pajamas she wore when I woke up with her across my chest in the room we shared during the reunion, in that ridiculous Halloween costume…the gown she wore to the Gala and…naked in my shower the night we met.
God. I had hardly let myself remember our initial meeting, had almost convinced myself that I hadn't seen her naked and wet in my shower that night. But it was a lie, a lie I told myself and her when she asked what I had seen.
I groaned and pushed away from the desk. I wasn't proud, but my need was undeniable. I pressed the button on my intercom.
"Yes, Edward?" Angela answered.
"Hold my calls until further notice. I have some personal business to attend to."
Disconnecting before she answered, I walked into the bathroom. **
Kathleen and I didn't have plans today, but I was taking Bella's advice and stopping by her place to tell her in person that I was going to have to reschedule our plans for her birthday.
Kathleen had classic taste. Roses were her thing. My research into flower meanings had taught me that one gave yellow roses to say, "I'm sorry." Ringing her bell, I stood nervously on the stairs of her home. Her car was here, but it seemed to take her a long time to open the door.
"Edward! What a pleasant…."
She trailed off and her eyes widened when I held out the bouquet to her.
"What's this?" she asked. "Edward, they're beautiful."
"May I come in?"
"Oh! Of course," she said, taking the flowers from me and bringing them to her face to smell. I stepped past her into the foyer while she closed the door.
I hesitated to let her pass me, but instead she stopped next to me. Lowering the flowers, she put her hand on my shoulder and stretched up for a kiss. Her lips were cold, but warmed as we kissed. Knowing where this was leading, I broke off our contact. We needed to talk first.
Sliding my hand down her arm, I held her hand lightly as we walked into the kitchen. She pulled a crystal vase from the cabinet and ran some water into it. She arranged the flowers easily and I followed her as she carried it to the living room and placed the vase on the mantle.
"They are beautiful, Edward. What's the occasion?"
I hid my grimace as we sat down next to one another on the couch.
"Do I need a reason?"
"Of course not." She leaned in for another kiss. I deliberately kept it chaste.
"Edward, what's wrong?" Kathleen was getting to know me pretty well. Besides my nervousness at the upcoming conversation, my interest in anything sexual was lower than usual thanks to my lunchtime activity.
"There's no easy way to say this, so I'm just going to rely on your understanding."
Kathleen sat back and stared at me, a slight frown on her face.
"Something came up and I won't be able to see you on your birthday."
Years of delivering bad news to patients and their families served her well. It was hard to know what Kathleen was feeling when she made an effort to keep herself expressionless.
"Can I ask why?"
"Of course. I told you about the problems Whelk is having. One of their customers, Bob Banner, requested a dinner meeting…."
"And it's next Friday?" she finished my sentence.
I sighed. "Yes. Babe, I'm really sorry. I promise I'll make it up to you." I wasn't looking at her so was surprised when she chuckled lightly. I looked up at her, surprise evident on my face.
"Look at you," she said. "You look so guilty, like you're standing me up to go on a date with someone else. Edward, I'm neither twelve nor unreasonable. I understand. It's business. I'm sure if there were any way out of it, you would be with me instead. We can do something on Saturday instead.
Relief flooded through me. All that worry for nothing. With my relief came a small wave of desire. I leaned into Kathleen, but lost my balance as she stood suddenly.
"Babe?"
Kathleen smiled sweetly at me. "Actually, Edward, I need to start getting ready. I have plans with my parents this evening."
"Oh, that's right. I knew there was a reason we weren't seeing each other today." I stood and drew her to me. She came easily and returned my kiss ardently, sliding her hand down my chest to my stomach and lower. I think she was surprised to find me "uninterested" in anything more.
"Goodnight, Kathleen. Have a good time tonight. I'll call you tomorrow."
"Goodnight. Thank you again for the flowers."
I turned and let myself out, feeling better than I had been coming in. As I pulled away from her house, I thought about calling Alice to make sure that Bella had something appropriate to wear to dinner next week.
KPOV
When the door closed behind Edward I whirled around in anger. Damn him, making plans for a business dinner on my birthday. He was Edward Fucking Cullen. Everyone in Chicago bent over backwards to accommodate him. I patted myself on the back for keeping my cool, but right now every fiber of my being was screaming in anger.
My thoughts whirled a bit before an idea popped into my head that calmed me immensely. I ran up to my bedroom and grabbed my cell phone. Pressing the buttons for the correct speed dial, I waited as the phone rang.
"Well, well…Kathleen. I thought you forgot all about me."
"I couldn't do that, now could I?"
"I should hope not. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I was thinking about our agreement."
"You were, were you?"
"Yes, well, I'm tired of my payment hanging over my head. I'm ready to pay up. Next Friday?"
"That's your birthday, isn't it? What about lover boy?"
"We're celebrating on Saturday," I said, working hard to keep the anger and bitterness out of my voice."
"Well, then, I guess it's a date. Four Seasons, right?"
"You remembered."
"Only the best for you. Should I pick you up?"
"No, no, I'll meet you. How's seven?"
"Seven? That's early? Eager are we?"
"Hardly," I scoffed. "After all, Sam, this is just business."
Edward's "babes" in this chapter were strictly for wytchwmn75. She knows why.
Sorry about the confusion at the end of the last chapter. Bob Banner, Jose Molina and Harold Greene haven't appeared in the story before – they're just canon characters.
New rec time! Tunes with Tony Masen by Just4ALE is an extremely well-written mystery. IKR? How many actual mysteries are in the fandom? It's 17 chapters in and you'll be glued to your monitor while you read. There are fun references to 70s music that I guarantee you'll know and love. Go read Tunes with Tony Masen and tell ALE that Ironic Twist sent you!
** OK pervy h00rs, you wanna read it? Edward's *ahem* response to his "need" was killing the flow of the chapter. But I'm not about to deny those who are interested. I was going to offer it as a review reply and then realized that sending out a couple hundred copies of the scene would be impossible if I want to update in two weeks. So…I proudly introduce The Bigger they Are, a collection of outtakes from The Harder they Fall.
I've already posted the first two outtakes, one is the wrong turn ending from Chapter 27. The other is the review reply, which included Jasper's and Edward's conversation from the end of chapter 29. Oh! Also, the treat that was sent to reviewers of chapter 34. And, the two smutty fake chapters I posted for Christmas and Valentine's Day. By the time you've read this author's note, The Bigger they Are will have been updated to include Edward's *ahem* response to his "undeniable need" in this chapter.
So check my profile for the link to The Bigger they Are. Put it or me on alert so that you'll know when I post the bits and pieces that don't make it into The Harder they Fall.