AN

Disclaimer – I don't own Twilight…none, nada, zilch. But I do own this story.

This is a long chapter. I had some many hits on the last chapter. I was just so excited to write this one. There is a lot of ground to cover here. So bear with me.

This A/N I wanted to mention a few stories that I absolutely love!

For the Summer by camoozle. Every year Bella waits for the 'Pay Checks' to roll into her sleepy river town and every year Edward's hers, just for the summer. AH, AU, OOC, B/E Great story that spans their lives – and there is also EPOV out there called During the Off Season. It's really good too.

Last Tango in Forks by AwesomeSauce76. Bella Swan has spent a lifetime putting everyone else's needs before her own. Could a chance encounter with a mysterious stranger begin to change all of that? AU/AH LTIF is super HAWT! If you haven't read it – finish this chapter of my story and then hightail it over to AwesomeSauce's page.

I have a few more recs as well – I will share those in future chapters.

BPOV –Friends…Or Something Else?

Edward and I had been in class for a few weeks now. We flirted, well I flirted. We had a really great time. We always walked into and out of class together. It always seemed that we arrived at the same time. No matter who was there first, the other was only a minute behind.

Edward was great. He was everything I looked for in a guy. Smart, funny, extremely sexy, and most importantly he didn't have a problem with a little OCD behavior. In fact, he had a few OCD tendencies himself. I was so thankful that I had a friend that understood these things. Most people just didn't. I thought I was a bit of a freak for these little idiosyncrasies. Alec often did things to belittle me for any OCD thing I did. So I like arranging the ketchup, salt, and pepper when I sat down in a restaurant. I just wanted to make room for myself at the table. He didn't really have to move things and then laugh at me. In hindsight, he wasn't very nice to me. He would always undermine me. Not blatantly, but little things. In the months since I've been apart from him, I've been depressed thinking it was all me, but now I've accepted that he was just an asshole who probably never really cared for me. I also now believed I was better off without him and very thankful not being with him anymore. Though I wish he would have just had the balls to end it with me, instead of running around behind my back.

Edward was so great. I may have mentioned that before. I had such strong feelings for him. I couldn't explain where these feelings were coming from. I've never been one for instantly liking someone. But Edward was different. I felt like I'd met my other half. We complimented each other. We worked on forms in class and we were always partners. There were two more adult men that joined class, but they were partners, so that left Edward and I together. I couldn't have been happier that Emmett allowed us to stay together. Although I did feel like I was holding Edward's training back. I wasn't a big, tough, burly man he could beat on, so maybe he wasn't getting everything he was paying for. So, at one of the evening classes when one of the men wasn't there, I told Edward to go ahead and just be his partner. With a great deal of reluctance from him and persuasion from me, he went ahead. It was an awkward class. I wanted so badly to be near Edward and have our little playful banter while we worked out, but I didn't want to hold him back. He stayed for an extra-long time at my car saying goodbye that night.

Also, when we said goodbye, I got the feeling that he was stressed that he had to leave, not necessarily that he wanted to leave. I wanted to question him about this, but things were so new, I didn't want to come off as the creepy girl that wants to know what you're doing all the time.

The other day, I was talking on the phone on my way to the noon class. So when I got out of the car, I still had my phone in my hand. Before I could tuck it in my bag like normal, Edward walked up and noticed my phone.

"Hey, you have the same phone as me." He said surprised.

"Really? Don't you just love it? It's like permanently glued to my hand, except when I'm here of course." I said.

"Lemme see." He said and quickly swooped the phone from my hand.

"Ok, help yourself." I said shocked at his quickness. He pressed some buttons and flipped screens. I thought he was just checking out the apps I had. Then he handed the phone back to me and I saw I had a new contact.

"You gave me your number?" I asked incredulously.

"Yeah and I got yours. That way if I'm running late to class or not going to make it, I can call you and tell you." He said like it was absolutely not a big deal to exchange numbers with someone.

"How….thoughtful?" The last part came out more as a question. But on the inside I was jumping up and down, doing my best spaz impression. I don't know what it is about this guy, everything he does and I'm like a live wire inside.

"Sure, no prob." He said and we entered class. The next day, Edward called me just before noon to inform me he wasn't going to be in class. I was very glad that he called and didn't keep me waiting. I really didn't want to appear to be the pathetic girl that waits for someone.

While the class was still fun and really exhausting because we worked on blocking with our knees, it just wasn't the same class by myself.

I was brought out of my musings by a knock on my door. It was Alice. She had been surprisingly lenient with the parties these days. Come to think of it, we haven't had once since the night I left and found the Taekwondo studio. Of course, a few days of taking class with Edward and I was so happy. She noticed the change in my behavior and she said that endorphins can only make you so happy, that my change in demeanor must be due to a guy. I couldn't hold it back; I spilled every detail I could about Edward to her. Since then, every night we have a few minute rundown of the day's classes. She was always eager to hear about anything I had to say. She told me she was just so happy that I found someone that made me happy. She also wanted to know when we were going to start dating.

"Bella?" Alice asked as she knocked and opened the door at the same time.

"Yeah…"

"I was just wondering if you wanted to go out to dinner with me and Jasper. It's Friday night and you don't have class tonight…so I was hoping you would. I want you to hang with Jasper. We been dating for over a month and I don't think you really know him." She said while scrunching her face in an unsure manner.

"Sure. I'll go. I haven't been out in forever, sounds like fun. Where are we going?"

"To a new little Italian restaurant in Port Angeles. Sound good?"

"Great, let me just get dressed." I said as I opened my closet door knowing as soon as I mentioned getting dressed Alice was going to go bat-shit crazy over finding me the 'perfect outfit'. I was right, she was right next to me going through everything like a hurricane.

An hour later, I was dressed in comfy but as Alice said, butt-accentuating, jeans and a nice blue v-neck cashmere sweater. It was a birthday gift last year from my parents. I think was the first time I actually wore it though. My eyelashes were mascara'd, my lips were glossed, and my hair was straight as a board.

"Bella, you look so good!" Alice squealed in excitement.

"Thanks Alice. You look really good too." She did. She was wearing jeans as well, but hers had these strategically placed worn out spots and holes. They were also skin-tight. I wondered how she was going to manage eating heavy Italian food in those. Her shirt was a low-cut black little number that had holes in the sleeves as well. Her accessories were perfectly matched and she was wearing 4 inch stilettos. She said she was going for 80's-sheek.

"Jasper should be here in a few minutes. Oh, and he invited his roommate." She said and I gave her a grimace. "Oh come on Bella, I'm not setting you up with the guy. He just didn't have anything to do tonight, so Jasper felt bad leaving him home alone."

"Great, so you're going to be talking to Jasper and probably having a grope-fest, while I get to talk to Mr. 'I have nothing to do on a Friday night'?" I asked incredulously.

"Bella, did you have anything to do tonight?" She asked with a smirk.

"Touche. Fine. I'll play nice and I'll make conversation."

"YAY."

The doorbell rang at that and Alice bounded over to the door. I swear I don't how she doesn't kill herself in those shoes. When she opened the door, I saw Jasper, and Alice greeted him with a hug. Then I saw Mr. 'doesn't have a life either' standing behind Jasper, but I could only see his torso from my vantage point on the couch. So I stood up to get my things so we could leave and I froze. Mr. 'no date' was actually Edward.

"A-A-Alice?" I squeaked. "Can I have a word with you?" I all but dragged her from the room, while keeping my head down so Edward wouldn't see me when they entered. I pulled Alice into the kitchen before completely going insane.

"Alice, that's Edward!" I whisper-shouted.

"Like, the Edward?" She whispered back.

"Yeah, what is he doing here?"

"He's Jasper's roommate that I told you about. He didn't have anything to do tonight, so Jazz invited him along. I didn't know it was the same Edward. He was here a few weeks ago for one of our parties. I guess I didn't think that that Edward was your Edward."

"Ok, ok, don't panic." I calmly said to myself out loud.

"It will be fine. It's a nice coincidence. Now you can see him outside of class. See if you still have that same chemistry." With her eyebrow raised she nudged my arm.

"Ok. I just need a minute. Go in there, so they don't think we are freaks hiding out in the kitchen. I will be out in a minute."

"Ok. Just breathe Bella."

I was freaking out though. Of all the things that could happen. He was here. In my house. I was so excited that we were going to hang out tonight and completely terrified as well. I walked around the corner into the living room where everyone was gathered. I just kept taking calming breaths with each step so I wouldn't do anything to embarrass myself. When I saw Edward, my breath hitched. He looked absolutely amazing. I'd been used to just seeing him in his Gi. But tonight, he was in jeans and a t-shirt. He looked comfortable but absolutely sexy as hell. His hair was its usual disarray. And his eyes sparkled when he saw me staring.

"Hey Edward." I said as I made my way over to sit on the couch next to Alice. Jasper was next to her on the other side and Edward had taken up the large chair we had.

"Hey Bella." Edward said with a smile on his face. It seemed like he wasn't at all surprised to find me here. I may have to ask him that later.

"So, shall we go?" Alice said as she and Jasper stood up.

We deided to take Alice's car since she had a huge SUV we could all fit into. Edward looked a little crestfallen that we weren't going to ride in my car. I usually had a reaction from guys that saw my car. I loved my STi, I put a lot of work into it. I had a friend that owned a garage and he helped me sup it up and make it completely badass. Edward and I were remanded to the back since Alice had to drive. I think she was just letting me have more of an opportunity to sit with Edward.

"So, Edward, Bella tells me that you take class as well?" Alice said to Edward as she eyed him in her rear-view mirror.

"Yeah, that's right. She's been kicking my ass for a few weeks now." Edward said with a chuckle as he nudged my arm.

"Sure, sure." I said sarcastically.

"No, really, you're really good. I bet you could kick Jazz's ass." Edward said with a wink.

"Hey," Jasper whined as he turned around to look back at us from the front seat. "I'll just let you two do the whole sparring-love tap thing." He said with a chuckle as he turned back around.

"Leave them alone Jasper." Alice then hit his arm.

Edward looked at me with a fiery look in his eyes. But only for a moment before Alice started prattling on about some new band or something that was playing an outdoor concert down from the restaurant. We all agreed that it sounded like a fun thing to do. So now, I was sitting here with Edward, on our way to dinner, then a concert afterwards. It started feeling like a real date. Well, double-date.

oOo

We were seated at the restaurant in a cozy little booth towards the back of the restaurant. Alice and Jasper sat on one side and Edward and I sat on the other. It was so nice to sit this close to him but at the same time, I was completely nervous. What if he didn't want the same things I wanted? What did I want? I knew I liked him. I knew I was deeply in like with him. Too soon or love. That much I knew for sure. But did I want a relationship? Did I want to risk our friendship? Did I want to go back down that road again? What if he hurt me like Alec had? I couldn't stand that thought of Edward being anything like Alec. The two were completely opposite. So maybe it wasn't a bad idea for me to want to turn my friendship with Edward into something more.

Then Edward shifted in his seat and his knee lightly grazed mine and I could feel that electric pulse surge through me. I decided then that I really liked that feeling and I wanted him. If he would have me. I knew I was attracted to him. I was smitten the first time I laid my eyes on him. I never questioned that. I just questioned where it would all lead. But Edward didn't seem like the type to cheat or to degrade someone.

I noticed that once Edward's knee touched mine, he made no effort to move it. I, of course, didn't either. I liked this type of touching. We had never done this before. I was utterly turned on at the moment and all he had done with brushed against my knee.

"So, what do you want Bella?" Edward asked as he looked over at me from his menu.

I was dumbstruck and started fumbling over my words. "Wha-um…What? I don't…I mean, well, I've always…"

"To eat?" Edward cut my ramblings off.

"Oh. Um, I haven't really decided. I think I need another minute." I tried to play off my faux pax. I felt like a complete idiot. I don't know what I thought he meant when he asked me that. I had just asked myself that same question, but that was just in my head. God, I hope that was all in my head and I didn't say anything out loud.

"Well, Jazz and I are going to have the mushroom ravioli. It looks delicious." Alice said as she placed her menu back on the table.

"Ew."

"Ugh, mushrooms."

Edward and I whispered our disdain for mushrooms at the same time. We both started laughing.

"You don't like mushrooms either?" Edward asked me when our laughter calmed down.

"No thank you, I prefer not to eat fungus."

"My sentiments exactly." Edward said and we started chuckling again as we finished looking over our menus.

Once we ordered – mushroom free food for Edward and me – we all started casually chatting. It was so nice that we all got along. It seemed that we all had similar interests in music and entertainment. I was very glad that my group of friends was expanding. It filled my heart with so much joy. Oh God, I sound like a hallmark card.

"So, Edward. Alice, told me that you've been to one of her famous parties. I don't remember ever seeing you."

"Oh, um, well, I went to one with Jazz a few weeks ago, but I didn't stay very long." Edward said as he wiped his mouth with his napkin.

"Oh, too bad," It slipped out before I could even think. "I just mean that we could have met then," I tried to correct.

"Yeah, that would have been nice." Edward said and our eyes met. We held each other's gaze for a few beats longer than necessary. Just this little exchange seemed more intimate. Something felt different in that moment. Edward seemed more, I don't know, open. Free. I'm not exactly sure. But something had indeed changed.

oOo

The rest of dinner went by in a flash. Edward never moved his knee away from mine. Butterflies welled up in my stomach. I was really glad that I didn't have alcohol with dinner. Who knows what kind of idiot I would have made of myself. The conversation flowed. Jasper told us about being from Texas and how southern hospitality works. Alice ate the stuff up. She was hanging on to him like he was her life support and if he moved away it would be like pulling the plug. I really missed that. Being in love. Being with someone. I really started to envy Alice and Jasper's relationship and the ease at which they were with each other. I felt really jealous. And I wanted nothing more than for Edward to make a move tonight. Even if it was just a small gesture. Something definable as progress.

We made our way downtown to the concert. The band was, well, actually they didn't suck. Not that they were great or anything. But that just made it easier to tune them out and speak with Edward. For that I was grateful. Alice and Jasper had long forgotten about the band and we now making out in the back of the car. Edward and I had taken a blanket Alice had in the trunk and sat down in an open grassy area. Close enough to hear the music, but far enough away so we weren't tortured by the sound. We were so close on the small blanket our legs were touching.

"So….it's a nice night," Edward began nervously.

"Yeah, it really is. I'm so glad that the rain held off," I lamely tried to retort.

"Bella, I-"

"Edward-"

We spoke at the same time for the second time tonight. It seemed to be a thing we did. It was very strange and very pleasant. "I'm sorry, what were you going to say Edward?" I put my hand up to my mouth to stifle a chuckle.

"I was just going to say that tonight was really fun. The band is awful, but we aren't close enough to be brutalized by the sound."

"Yeah, it really is nice. I'm glad I decided to come tonight. You know I didn't know you were Jasper's roommate. I thought you were going to be some loser that couldn't get a date or something." I said teasingly.

"Oh yeah, well to be totally honest, I kind of knew youwereAlice'sroommate." He muttered.

"What? You knew?"

"Yeah."

"How long have you known?"

"A couple weeks?" Edward said but it came out more as a question.

"A couple weeks. Really. Huh," I said dumbfounded. "Then why didn't you say something?" I inquired.

"Well, I didn't want you to think I was some weird stalker or something," he laughed. "I saw you at that party and I wanted to speak to you. But you left. So I left too. Then I saw you at the studio. So I checked that out. I didn't really know if you were going to join, I just needed a distraction from my life and class provided that," Edward confessed looking a little apprehensive.

"Hmm." I was speechless.

"Bella, I…just wanted to…fuck, I don't know," he said as he started pulling his fingers through his hair.

"It's ok Edward. I get it. You're a stalker. It's ok," I deadpanned. Hoping he would see the sarcasm in my voice.

"Bella, I have to tell you something." He said quickly.

"More than being a stalker?" I joked.

"Haha," he smirked. "No. I don't want you to be upset, but I want you to know something. I know that there is something going on between us." He motioned with his finger pointing back and forth between us.

"Why would that upset me?" I questioned, unsure of where this was leading.

"Not that part. I had a girlfriend…up until the other day." He said and then stopped talking while I took that information in.

"You had a girlfriend? But you stalked me at Taekwondo?" I repeated trying to make sense of what he was telling me.

"Yes, sort of. It's complicated."

"I'm sure I can keep up."

"Tanya, my ex-girlfriend and I had been living together. Jazz is our roommate. But I swear, he can attest to the fact that I tried to breakup with her long before I ever met you. I just couldn't," he sounded as if he was pleading with me to believe him.

"You couldn't breakup with her? That doesn't make any sense."

"She…she tried to kill herself when I did. She sliced her wrist right in front of me. I felt so guilty, I stayed with her. She told me things would get better. But they never really did. Then I saw you. And I went in and talked to Emmett. It seemed like a good distraction. Tanya couldn't object to exercise. Meeting you changed me." He shifted to face me more and he took my hand.

"Bella, I've been trying for so long to get out. I didn't really have a choice. I couldn't just let her die. I couldn't call her bluff on it. The funniest thing is she was actually the one cheating on me. I came home from the noon class the other day and found her in bed with a guy from her work."

"Wow. That's very…um…similar, aside from the whole suicidal thing." Blowing a piece of fallen hair from my eyes, I continued. "My ex-boyfriend, whom I lived with as well, cheated on me. I found him and her in his office." I said and I lowered my eyes and worried the strings on the blanket.

"That's, wow. We are quite a pair aren't we?" He chuckled, obviously seeing humor in this whole situation. His dilemma was strange. If she was cheating on him, why wouldn't she just let him go? That made no sense. But, I didn't really care about her right now. He was telling me that he liked me? Right?

"So, what are you saying? You're broken up, and what does that mean?" I needed to know the answer to this. Does this mean he feels the same way about me?

"Bella, it means that I...," he seemed to wrestling with something. "Ok, I know this is really fast, but I just feel drawn to you. I've tried to deny it, but I just don't have the strength to stay away from you anymore. I'm free of her now. She moved out. I was hoping that maybe, I could…take you out…on a proper date, or something?" He asked fearfully.

"You're right, it does seem fast. People would think you were rebounding," I said as I shift myself more towards Edward on the blanket. He was still holding my hand and I made no effort to let go. "But, I've never really been one to care what other's thought," I qualified.

"Really? Wait, that was a yes to the whole date thing, right?" He questioned.

"Yeah, it was. Edward I feel the same way about you. It was like this thing that just happened. I couldn't explain why or how, but I felt drawn to you too. That's why I went up to you the first day we met and spoke to you before class."

"Huh," he seemed a little surprised by my admission. "So, you like me too, then?" He asked.

"Of course!" I exclaimed as I reach my arms around his neck.

"You don't know how long I've waited for you." He said as he wrapped his arms around my waist. We sat there in a tight embrace for a few minutes. I could feel his breath on my neck. My fingers began to play with the edge of his hair. I've wanted to touch his hair since I first saw him. Soft, messy hair.

"Edward, I just have to ask," I said pulling away from him and immediately saddened by the loss of contact. "Standard, post-breakup, pre-get together questions," I cleared my throat and sat up a little straighter, trying to sound official. "You and her are done?"

"Yes."

"You won't go back to her?"

"Never."

"And you want me?" I asked, pleading with my eyes.

"Since the moment I laid my eyes on you." He whispered and gently brushed his finger along my cheek.

"Good-"

"There you guys are," Alice said as she sprang over to where we sat. She was swinging Jasper's hand on her way over. "We just wanted to know if you were ready to leave. Jasper has to, um, get up early."

"Sure, we're ready," I answered for both of us. I gave Edward a contented smile as we gathered our things and returned to the car. This time in the backseat, Edward and I sat a little closer. At one point, I felt his pinky graze my hand. I reached out and he took hold of my hand. And we sat like that for the rest of the ride home. Chancing small glances at each other and smiling when we caught each other. Things were quieter on the ride back in the car but I'm sure they could hear my heart beating in the front seat. I just couldn't believe this night turned out like this.

And it's not over yet.