Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters. I am making no money…

Special thanks to Jayeliwood for your support and ideas, but most of all for your help with commas. She is the best beta a writer could ask for. I must also thank ObsessingOverEdward and TheSpoiltOne for all their contribution. All three of you rock!

Chapter 7: Blind Date

Edward Cullen

I flipped through the pamphlet I had picked up from the flower shop. I still hadn't decided which flower I was going to buy Bella today. I didn't even understand why she had fled. I knew my dinner idea had been a bit much, but she didn't have to leave. I was completely frustrated, I had no idea what to do.

I ran my fingers through my hair, sighing as I stepped inside the shop. I felt just as nervous today as I did the first time. I knew things with Bella were going to be weird, but I didn't want them to be. I knew my flower choice had to be special but not to over the top.

"Good morning, Edward," Margaret cheerfully greeted from the register. "What can I get you today?"

"I don't know," I answered honestly, looking around. Nothing in particular seemed to stand out. Why was picking a flower so damn hard?

"Are things not going well with your lady friend?" she inquired, looking genuinely concerned.

"Something like that," I admitted, taking the seat in the stool she kept near the register. "I just don't see what I'm doing wrong," I confided in her.

"Maybe you're trying too hard," she replied before picking up a really small blue flower. I had no idea what it was, but it was pretty.

"What do you mean?" I inquired causing her to smile knowingly.

"Women, Edward," she began, pushing a stool closer to me and taking a seat, "are a lot like flowers." Was she going to give me some sort of vague analogy? Was this counseling?

"Flowers?" I questioned. She simply replied with a nod.

"Now, shut up boy and let me finish," she scolded in a motherly tone. "A lot of time women, like flowers, thrive under constant attention. But, not all do. It seems like you lady friend is not too keen on too much attention. You need to find the right balance with her."

"But, how do I do that?" I asked, trying to understand just how a woman's mind worked. I thought I knew how they worked. I mean women always seemed to fall right into my bed. All women, except Bella.

"You have to give her some attention, but don't smother her," she explained. "You might even want to consider dating other women."

"That can't possibly work in my favor," I stated in annoyance. If I "dated" anyone else, that would ruin my chances with Bella. I wasn't that dumb

"You'd be surprised how motivating jealousy can be," she added, patting my knee in comfort.

"So, you're saying I should ignore her and start seeing someone else?" I questioned, still not understanding what she meant.

"Edward, you have to balance. Pay attention to her, but don't go to the extreme," she responded as I realized that I had done just that the previous night. My dinner had been over the top, I scared her.

"Thanks, Margaret," I said standing up and seeing the pretty yellow flowers in a corner bucket. "I think I'll take a sunflower today."

"Nice choice," she commented, picking up one of the flowers. "Do you have any plans for this Saturday night?"

"None, that I can think of," I answered before I realized I had. Why was she asking me this? Why had I answered? "Why?"

"I know this girl. She's like a granddaughter to me…" she began and I knew just where this was headed.

"I don't do blind dates, Margaret," I warned, shivering at the thought of ending up with a troll. I was perfectly capable of finding my own women.

"Do this old lady a favor. I can promise you that she is a very pretty young woman. I know you won't regret it," she said in a voice I found very hard to let down. She was too much like my grandmother.

"I don't know. I'm not exactly the date kind of guy," I replied, running my fingers through my hair nervously. If this girl was a good girl, I didn't want to just sleep with her and toss her aside. I had no problem doing so, but I couldn't do that to Margaret.

"One date and if you don't like her then I won't bother you about it again," she stated, smiling at me.

"One date!" I warned causing her to laugh.

"That's all I ask," she stated, giving me the sunflower. "You'll see it'll all work out. Just let me know where she should meet you Saturday night."

"I will," I answered, figuring I could put up with dinner. If she was really that bad, I would still be able to hit the clubs afterwards. I needed to get my mind off of Bella anyway.

But, a blind date was not my style. I hated the idea of meeting a random girl and having to sit through dinner. I usually never had to have a decent conversation, because honestly they bored me. Most women I slept with were just there for the sex, and that was just fine with me.

But, one night wasn't that bad. Was it?

Bella Swan

I looked down at the pretty white flower on my desk. It had been four days since the night I had worked late. Edward had not stopped bringing me flowers or my morning chocolate. But, something was very different with him. He still smiled and flirted, but he had not asked me out again.

My answer hadn't changed. I still couldn't date him, but it made me feel slightly jealous. Had he moved on? Did he have someone else in his life? In a selfish way, I didn't want him to. I couldn't date him, but he couldn't date anyone else. I was completely illogical.

But, there was that the date the following night. I didn't know much about who I was meeting other than he would be have a flower for me. I had no doubt that Margaret would be supplying said flower.

"Isabella?" Edward asked, walking into my office. I loved the way he always called me by my full name.

"Yes?" I replied as I looked up at him.

"I'm leaving for the day. You should probably be heading home, too," he said, smiling at me. "I'm sure whatever you're working on can wait."

"Are you sure?" I asked, realizing I would get the chance to pick up Matt and still have time to meet Alice to pick up my dress. My pixie friend had insisted that I pick up a new outfit for my date.

"Positive. Have a good weekend," he said before leaving. He seemed to be in a hurry to leave, and I couldn't help but feel disappointed. He probably had a hot date tonight. But, I couldn't be jealous.

I packed up my stuff before heading out, my phone vibrating the moment I had stepped off of the elevator. "Hi, Alice!" I greeted once I noticed the caller ID.

"I heard your leaving early," she stated happily.

"And, how do you know that?" I asked, rolling my eyes. I searched through my purse, finding my keys then heading to my car.

"Jasper told me he saw Edward leaving," she replied in an obvious tone.

"But, I could still be working," I pointed out as I started the engine.

"Whatever, Bella, I know you're not. Go pick up Matt. I have the perfect outfit for you to wear for your date tomorrow. I designed and made it myself. It's a one of kind," she informed me happily.

"You didn't have to, Alice. This is just a blind date. I'm only doing it to humor Margaret," I replied, hearing Alice deep sigh.

"Just go pick up Matt and meet me here. I'll be waiting," she finished before hanging up.

I picked up Matt and was on my way back into downtown to Alice's studio. "Mom, why are we going to Alice's job?" Matt asked in an annoyed tone. "It's boring."

"Alice made me a new outfit," I revealed, trying to decide how best to tell him I had a date.

"I thought you didn't like new clothes," he said as he looked out the window.

"I don't like to shop, but you know how Alice is. Just be thankful it's not for you, sweetheart. I promise to get out of there as soon as possible. And, we'll grab some McDonalds on the way home," I bribed and his demeanor instantly changing. I usually didn't let him have the junk food he loved so much.

"Can I play in the tubes?" he asked enthusiastically.

"I think that can be arranged," I agreed before arriving at Alice's building.

"Matt, how do you feel about me going on a date?" I asked tentatively. I wanted to gauge his reaction before I admitted I had one.

"I don't care, mom," he said with a shrug, unbuckling himself from the seat.

"You don't mind?" I inquired, getting out of the car and making sure he didn't run off into the busy street.

"No," he answered before following me up to Alice's studio.

"You made it!" Alice shrieked before I had even knocked on the door. She gave me a quick hug before bringing Matt into a hug and covering him in kisses. "You're getting so tall!"

"Can't breathe!" Matt said, patting Alice's shoulder as I pulled her off.

"You're going to kill my son," I laughed, noticing that Matt was wiping all the kisses off his face. He was at the stage where all girls had cooties. It was a stage I knew he would soon grow out of. Although, selfishly I never wanted him to grow out of it.

"Let's go! I have the perfect dress," Alice said as she took me past all the design tables and fabric scraps into her personal fitting area.

"Matt, why don't you start on your homework?" I suggested. I could hear his mumbles of protest forming. "If you finish now, you don't have to do it later." I reminded him. A moment later I heard him take out his books.

"The dress is inside. Now try it on," Alice urged, pushing me through the curtain.

I found the dress hanging on a pink silk hanger. It was a little black dress, but it definitely had the Alice flare. Yet, it still looked like something I would wear. I carefully pulled it on, knowing full well that it would fit me. Alice was never wrong on sizes.

"Hurry up, Bella!" Alice said, practically bouncing before I stepped out. "You look gorgeous!"

"You think so?" I asked curiously. There were no mirrors in her dressing area.

"Look!" Alice ordered, taking me to the set of triple mirrors.

The black dress was held up by one twisted strap and hugged my body carefully. It ended just a few inches above my knee. It showed just enough skin to be sensual, yet classy. I loved the dress, but I wasn't sure if it was for me. I didn't look right in it.

"You look pretty, mom," Matt complimented, appearing at the door.

"You like it, honey?" I asked softly, seeing his small smile.

"Even Matt thinks it's nice," Alice added with a laugh. "You have the male opinion now."

"Thank you, Alice. You're too good for me. I owe you so much," I said as I turned to my best friend. I had a closet full of her designer clothes and had never paid a single cent for them.

"Just be happy!" she whispered as she pulled me into a hug.

"I'll have to find my black shoes," I commented to myself as I walked back into the dressing area.

"Done!" Alice announced, running across the studio and returning in a flash. "I went shopping this afternoon and saw the perfect pair."

"Alice, did you go looking for a pair of shoes?" I asked in a scolding tone with both hands on my hips. I hated it when she spent her money on needless things for me.

"No," she replied, but I knew it was a lie. I had known for a very long time, and I always knew when she lied.

"Alice," I warned.

"I don't want to hear it. They go perfectly with the dress," she explained as she handed me the box. "I want you to look perfectly coordinated when you're out wearing my clothes."

"Jimmy Choos?" I questioned before slipping on the satin black sandals. And, just like Alice said, they matched perfectly with the dress.

"Perfect!" Alice squealed.

I wasn't much into fashion, but even I had to admit that it did match the dress. I had been spending way too much time with Alice.

Edward Cullen

I arrived at Ray's restaurant a few minutes early. Margaret had given me a lavender rose with which to present to my date. My only job was to wait. She would recognize me by the flower.

"Can I get you anything to start off with?" the waiter asked when I was seated on a small table for two which was overlooking the water. The sun was just beginning to set and it caused a nice glow on the entire restaurant.

"I'll wait for my date," I informed our waiter. I didn't want to seem impolite by ordering wine before I met her.

My eyes kept returning towards the entrance of the restaurant. I really had no idea what to expect. Was she blond? Brunette? A redhead? I was extremely curious, but I also wanted to know if I had to make plans to bail out early. I refused to get stuck with a boring date. After all, I knew I couldn't sleep with her. Unless, she was willing, of course.

As soon as she walked in I felt my mouth go dry. Could it be possible? Standing at the entrance was none other than Isabella. She was wearing the most sinful black dress I had ever seen. It wasn't provocative, but it was teasing me.

Was she on a date with somebody? I saw no one with her, but that didn't mean he wasn't parking the car. I knew there was no way I would be able to enjoy my dinner if she were with anyone else but me. If anybody was taking her home and having their way with her it was me. I didn't share, not even what wasn't mine.

Her eyes connected with mine for a second and shock registered in her face. Her eyes left mine only to travel to the table where the lavender rose sat. She instantly flushed red, and her eyes grew wide.

I couldn't help, but smile to myself. Isabella Swan was my date.

A/N: Hey everyone! I know you all hate me right now, but I couldn't resist. It was too easy, and I have to keep you all interested to come back each and every week.

Now what is Bella going to do? Will she go through with the date? Walk out without speaking to him? Speak to him and then walk out? What are your predictions?

A lot of people have asked how old Matt is and he is six years old. Bella and Mike were married five years and separated a little over one before the divorce became final. Bella had Mike practically nine months to the day she married Mike. She was not pregnant when she married him.

Next Chapter: Did you think I was going to tell you? Any Guesses?

Muggleinlove