Disclaimer: I own nothing it's all Stephanie Meyer

Chapter 4 Breath

(EPOV)

At fifteen after I began to get nervous, taping my fingers, shaking my leg the whole nine yards, and then she walked in. Once more breath was stolen from my body. It almost like breathing was no longer important it no longer matter as long as she was near. I shook myself from the stumper I was in and got a good look at her. Her hair was mahogany brown, it hung straight down around her face and shoulders down below her waist, a small portion was pinned back in order I suppose to keep her face clear of any hair. She had on a deep midnight blue button down blouse and a dark gray skirt that came down to her knees. To me she was like a breath of fresh air when so many women dress so scantly showing off so much and leaving nothing to the imagination. I stood when she came in so that she may see me; she spotted me right away and sent me a killer smile. I smiled back and went to join her at the counter, after we had put in our orders I tried to pay for hers but she refused. Normally I would insist, try to be the gentleman my parents had raised, but something told me that I would never be able to deny her anything.

(BPOV)

When I walked in I saw the he was already at a table I smiled nervously at him and he smiled back, he then joined me at the counter. As he had walk towards me I studied him he was wearing a pair of dark blue jeans and a dark gray button down shirt. Of course his hair was still an insane mess but somehow it made him look perfect.

After we put in our orders he said "I got this"

"Oh no!" I said "It's OK I'm good but thank you very much" I could tell that part of him wanted to insist but in the end he coincided

"OK", after we got or coffee he said "I got a table this way" and he walked up to a chair and pulled it out for me. He might be a player but at least he had manners

"Thanks, Mr. Cullen"

He let out a laugh "Every time you call me Mr. Cullen I look around for my grandfather"

"Oh! Not your father?"

"No, my father is Dr. Cullen, Edward is fine"

"Ah! OK and I meant to tell you last time me 'spoke' that Bella was good with me. I suppose you're wondering why I messaged you."

"I must admit that the curiosity is killing me." He said with a chuckle.

I took a deep breath and asked him to let me speak without interrupting until I was done he agreed. I begin tell him about what had happened with Tyler and how the whole situation had left me shaken and scared to begin a relationship with anyone. As I spoke he seemed to get angry I hoped that I was not insulting him but as they say in for a penny in for a pound.

"So you see I need someone who will go slow with me, let me get used to hand holding cuddling maybe kissing that's all I don't plan on going passed that not until I'm married. The only thing required is that we go out with my friend and other public functions. I know you're thinking what do you get out of this well you get a good very loyal friend" I finished

By this time his at one point green eyes were almost black so I quickly began to retract, "Oh gosh I've insulted you I'm so sorry. Oh forget everything I said it was a dumb idea anyways. I'm going to g-"

"Bella" he interrupted "wait don't go you did not insult me. Sit down give me a moment"

I saw him breathe deeply when he looked back at me his eyes were back to their bright green color they were like two emeralds. After a few more deep breathes he said "Sorry about that I just. My brother's wife was attacked too. Only she was not so fortunate her ex-fiancée did a real number on her it took her a while to trust guys again but my brother won her over and now there're happily married."

"Oh, sorry I brought back such bad memories, you must think I'm a wimp because essentially nothing happed to me and you're sister-in-law has moved beyond something much worse"

"No Bella I don't think you're a wimp. First of all Rose had a good support system her parents Emmett, my brother, our parents. Emmett and Rosalie have been best friends forever and Emmett's been in love with her ever since anyone of us can remember. When this happed he did not leave her side. He was there every day until she would find it weird when he was not around." "You on the other hand have never talked to anyone about this. Am I right?"

I nodded

"As for helping you it would be my pleasure, and you'll be doing me a favor in return"

I narrowed my eyes playfully at him "Oh really and what would that be?"

"Ah well you see I have a sad story myself, I would rather not share it yet but both my mom and Emmett have been pressuring me to find a girl. So if we pretend to date and give you 'practice' I can introduce you to my parents as my girlfriend and they will back off. Oh!"

"What?" I asked

"I just thought about it does your dad still keep his guns clean to shoot guys who come round his daughter?"

I let out a laugh "Not unless you hurt said daughter" I said

"Good, I was getting worried" he said with a smile

I had a feeling that this was going to be a beautiful friendship already I knew that he could make me laugh and that in itself was rare.