Okay, short chapter but mucha Edward/Bella interaction! Enjy.

I was tired. Edward had talked my ear off ever since my parents had left. His idea had been that I should become a writer – something that definitely piqued my interest from the start – and that I could write down memoirs of his life, although they wouldn't really be memoirs to the public, since I was the one that would be published. He would relay to me the story of his life – a life that he had kept private prior to his death and after it as well. He was a complete mystery to anyone who had ever come across the name of Masen and so his story would be considered fabrication – from my own head. Which suited Edward fine, of course, and, because of all the mystery, it would become an instant hit in Forks, though I would have to get it published in a much more "civilized" area, such as Seattle.

I was ecstatic about the idea, for sure, but ever since agreeing, I couldn't keep Edward from containing his excitement at the idea of us working so closely together. I was surprised that he'd so willingly offer up the mystery of his life to me, and eventually the public, but every time I brought this particular up, he always shooed it away, saying that my money problems may lead me to having to give up his house which would mean him going back to a basically private life, which would then cause him extreme boredom after all the excitement my being there had caused. I chalked it up to him secretly wanting to help me because he liked me – but of course I was more privy to this childish fantasy because I fancied him liking me…Though this thought, of course, made the rational side of me shake its head in hopelessness – how could anyone fancy a ghost liking them? A silly notion.

Edward continued to talk through the details the entire time I cooked dinner for myself – since I knew that Alice would be dining out with Jasper. This fact automatically made Edward more talkative since he knew that he'd have me to himself all night – a fact that didn't distress me in the least anyhow. I was actually glad to have the evening to myself – and Edward, of course – but wished that Edward and I could talk about something other than his "awesome book idea."

Presently, Edward was trying to think up an exciting, catchy title that would hook readers across the country. I just nodded to whatever silly title he came up with.

"How about – Edward Masen: The World's Next Mozart," he proclaimed grandly, his eyes looking off into the distance. I rolled my eyes.

"More like, 'Edward Masen: The World's Next Peeves. What you don't know about the incessantly annoying poltergeist of Forks Washington'" I replied. Edward gave me a disgusted face.

"If I'm so annoying to you, Swan, why is it that you blush every time I look at you? Hmm?" At his words, my face instantly broke into an embarrassingly red flush, true to his words – and he wasn't even looking at me!

"Ah! There it is!" he cried triumphantly. Then, more quietly and in that voice that I had come to title his 'husky voice of seduction', "And you look lovely with it, I might add. If I do say so myself, Swan, that shade across your cheeks is delightful."

I glanced over at him – which of course was a mistake – and immediately turned a deeper read. He was closer than I'd thought, so I was in direct contact with his eyes. They were a deep sea green that I longed to drown myself in. He was looking at me with an unfathomably expression, but his face was serious. I tried to slow the quickening pace of my heart – but I failed miserably. After an entirely too long silent stare contest, I was the first to break away. I quickly took a much needed gulp of air and finished slicing the tomato that I needed for the pasta sauce.

"You know, you really shouldn't distract me like that," I mumbled. I saw him frown out of the corner of my eye. I still didn't want to look at him directly.

"Oh? And how do I distract you?" he questioned, his eyes peering at me intently. I gave him a cursory glance before scrunching up my mouth. I wish I hadn't said anything about it. Now I had given him a glimpse of exactly what I thought about him and it would only go to his head. Of course, I knew he would never let it go now, so I regretfully had to finish what I'd so unfortunately started.

"You dazzle me," I mumbled, even quieter than before and took the time to drop the chopped tomato pieces into a bowl before mashing them. I heard him chuckle and I refused to look, because I was sure he'd be doing that smirking thing again where his eyes sparkled with mirth and his mouth did that crooked grin thing…grrr.

"Dazzle you, do I Swan? Well, I'll just have to file away that interesting little tidbit of information for further use…"

"Oh, can you please just let it go? I told you not to do it," I whined, finishing the sauce with a bit of parsley sprinkled in. I turned to him and did my best to keep a stern face.

"Ooo, the look of severity. I tremble in your presence!" Edward mocked, fake-cowering at my feet on his knees. I just rolled my eyes and chose to ignore him. I opted instead to ladle myself a bowl of steaming pasta noodles and some homemade pasta sauce. I took the bowl into the living room and eased myself onto my comfy couch. Edward, unfortunately, followed, still smirking. Sighing, he sagged into the armchair that had been his back when he owned the house. He watched me eat for a while before I could tell the boredom set in.

"I'd like to take you up on your offer previously – about getting to know one another?" Edward stuttered, looking slightly uncomfortable. I almost laughed – I'd never seem him so out of his comfort zone.

I thought for a moment – but really it was just to make him sweat. I really did want to get to know him, and I wouldn't mind letting him know more about myself. Of course, he already knew more about me than I knew about him, what with my family traipsing all over my house and Alice living here…

"Alright, but on one condition," I added, holding a finger up. Edward raised an eyebrow.

"What condition, Swan?"

"That you tell me your story first. You already know more of mine," I replied. Edward frowned and looked as if he were going through an inner battle for a moment before he sighed and his shoulders relaxed. He gave me a small smile.

"Alright, fine. I accept your condition."

"Oh! And another!" I interrupted quickly, an idea forming in my head.

"Yes?" he sighed, a bit exasperatedly.

"Can we wait until Alice comes home and I get ready for bed? I'd rather have this conversation in my room," I explained, hoping that he'd go along with it.

"Why?"

"Because…because it seems more right," I tried to explain, although I couldn't really explain why I felt that way about it. I just got this feeling that it would be better to hear Edward tell his story in a place that was comfortable for both of us, although he did die in that room…

"More right?" Edward repeated, frowning. Then he sighed. "Fine, Swan, however you want it…"

I smiled widely. "Yay!" I clapped my hands. I saw him roll his eyes.

"Don't think that you're going to be able to always get your way in the future, though," Edward grumbled, then I heard him mumble under his breath, "Don't know why I always give in to this woman…" I tried to control my face so that he wouldn't know I'd heard.

"Good. Well then, I'll see you later tonight?" I added, as a clarifier. Edward quirked his eyebrow again.

"Oh, trying to get rid of me are you, Swan?" He looked partially amused, partially sad at the possibility of me trying to get rid of him.

"No," I replied testily, "I was just – fine, stay I don't care…But stop staring at me," I grumbled. Edward shook in silent laughter. I just focused on finishing my pasta and hoping that my blush would die down soon enough. Part of me was hoping that we'd have the light off when we were up in my room for story time – that way if he said anything else that could possibly cause me to blush, he wouldn't see it and be able to make a snide comment about it.

Edward watched me eat and stayed with me all the way until Alice showed up. He disappeared then, but not before winking at me and mouthing, "See you later tonight," and smirking. I was really looking forward to tonight.

Playlist:

Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand

New Deep - John Mayer

Carousel - Iron & Wine

Yes - Coldplay

July, July! - The Decemberists

Alright, a bit of a cliffhanger, but you'll survive another couple days until I can get the next chapter posted. Edward's story is going to be awesome! Please review, and Cheers!