A/N: I'm sorry the chapter is so late but I have the last few written out already, so updates should be more frequent.

One month later

You have one new message:

Please call me.

You have two new messages:

I miss you. I really need to talk to you.

Bella, I know that sorry is not sufficient for what I did but I'm sorry, so very sorry that it has come to this. I want to make it up to you so please call me back when you get this.

Remorse. Regret. Guilt.

Every voicemail sounded remorseful and pleading. Every voicemail sent my heart a flutter. I wasn't ready to hear his voice fully. I could listen to a recording but the real thing, I was afraid I would break down and cry. I was contemplating whether I should call him back and I really wanted to. I wanted to stop avoiding him. I wanted to fix our broken past and make the present better. I decided to text him.

Bella- Sorry I've been avoiding you. I just needed some time.

That sounded reasonable and it wasn't a lie. He responded quickly.

Edward- Acceptable and I understand. You have no reason to apologize. I miss you so much. I made a mess of our relationship and I want to make things right... if you'll let me.

Wow, this didn't sound like the man I knew before. All was well with me if he was willing to fix it and not put the blame on me.

Bella- I would love that.

I would say that I missed him too but it seemed too soon.

Edward- Thank you. I would like to talk to you face to face. Can we meet tomorrow?

Bella- Yes. At the old café.

Edward- Okay, I can be there around one. Can't wait to see you.

It would be one month since I last saw him and that was enough to make me nervous. I had no idea what to expect from him. Would he automatically expect us to be together again? Would I say yes? Did we need more time? I needed someone to talk to so I called James.

"So, you want to see him again but you don't think you're doing the right thing?" James repeated.

I sighed. "Yes. Is it too soon?"

"Bella, I can't answer that. Only you know the answer."

"I don't want to make a mistake."

"But if you want to move forward, it doesn't have to be a fixed time. Are you ready?"

"Of course."

"Then, there shouldn't be a problem."

"Thanks James."

"You're welcome. And Bella, the only reason I would tell you not to go would be for selfish reasons that I'm sure you know. But be careful."

"I will."

I loved talking to James, and sometimes I missed living with him, but I needed my own space. I rented an apartment not too far from my job and I loved it. Except that sometimes I got lonely living on my own, coming home to an empty house and an empty bed. When I lived with James, at first, I couldn't sleep by myself. I was so used to sharing a bed, I would sleep with James until I fell asleep and he would carry me back to my bed. Other times, I cried myself to sleep at night. I was used to it now that I had my own space. I did long for company and companionship but I knew that was useless. I went on a few dates but they all fell short. I would wish they had green apple eyes, deep dimples and that crooked smile. I would wish for long muscular arms around me and the kisses could never compare. There was a time I thought James could be the one. He had that loving and caring quality, a gentle smile, those sparkling eyes but all that was physical. It could never work.

*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*

I was looking through a new shipment of books that came through at work. Romantic dramas, they could be called 'welcome to my life'. I was labeling them when I happened to look up just as Ben walked in. Color me surprised.

"Ben, it's been so long!"

"I know, I just had to get away."

"Well, I'm glad to see you. How are you holding up?"

"Been better. How are you?"

"Coming around."

"Angela still works here, right?"

"Yes, she's been out for a few weeks." And it has made my week so much better.

"Okay, she hasn't been answering my calls and I just wanted to check."

"Have you been by the house?"

"No, I didn't want to show up unannounced. Could you call her? Maybe she'll answer."

Ah the awkwardness ensued, but why was he asking me to do that? Surely he knew.

"Ben, you know me and Angela are no longer friends?"

I watched his eyes widen. "Not at all. What happened?"

"The simple act of her sleeping with my boyfriend."

He was shocked and confused. "Are you sure? Ang' would never do that, least of all with Edward."

"I thought so too, Ben."

"When did this happen?"

"I believe the same night you left Angela."

His face went through a myriad of emotions: shock, anger, and finally sadness.

"I didn't want to believe that they could do something like this, Ben, but it happened. She was drunk. He wasn't thinking."

"Bella, I'm truly sorry but is that the only reason you and Angela are no longer friends?"

He was searching my face for something but I was confused. "Yes, I'm sure... What other reason could it be?"

"I'm not sure I'm the one you should be asking," he said sadly and walked out.

What other reason could it be?