…'Meyer' made the mold…but we are all here to break it…lol…

Chapter 10

SAM'S DINER had never been so packed. Everyone and their dog had showed up and Bella was a nervous wreck. How was she going to keep everyone interested? She just knew she should have hung more paintings. But no, she had chosen her ten most favorite, all with the idiotic idea that less would be best so that the viewers could focus inward, be more intimate with the ideology and balance behind each separate piece.

Then there were the complimentary drinks, including beer, wine, soda and coffee, as well as the few hors d'oeuvres she had chosen from Sam's catering menu, which would most assuredly run out in minutes instead of the two hours she had hoped for.

"Damn, girl! You're a hit!" Tanya was so excited for her friend as she stood by her side munching on a black olive and goat cheese tapenade. Seeing the panic on her friend's face, Tanya took a hold of Bella's hand and squeezed gently in encouragement and said, "But you have got to relax. Do you want everyone in here to think you can't handle this? You're not a virgin for Christ's sake."

Grabbing two bottles of Dos Equis from the refreshment table, Tanya forced one into Bella's hand and continued, "Now, where is he?" She turned full circle as she sipped her cold one. "That handsome hunk has got to be here somewhere, hiding from you, no doubt."

"Don't make me any more nervous than I already am, Tanya! You know I'm fast approaching train wreck here." Bella took a sip of her beer, looking around and saying, "Where are June-bug and Rosey?" She noticed that Edward's parents were admiring her favorite piece and somehow her nerves calmed a bit. Esme and Carlisle Cullen were some of her most favorite people. They were squinting and gesturing happily as they whispered back and forth to each other. Bella couldn't help thinking that they were a picture perfect pair, with the way they looked into each other's eyes and leaned against each other comfortably.

"Don't worry, girl. I set them up in Sam's office with a party tray of kid-friendly food, all the soda they could possibly want and two computers running their favorite Webkins page."

"Oh, you know about Webkins do ya?" Bella smirked at her friend.

"Webkins is my new middle name!" Tanya swatted at Bella's arm playfully.

"You really are too good to me, you know!" Bella smiled at her friend. Just then someone tapped her on the shoulder. Startled, Bella turned quickly and almost spilled her beer on the floor. "Sam, don't you dare do that again! I've spilled more drinks than I care to admit lately and I don't need it to happen tonight." With that said she playfully reprimanded her boss with a gentle slap on the shoulder.

"My, but you are the picture of sophistication this evening, Bella dear!" Sam smiled a big red faced smile at her, his eyes beaming with pride as he took in her attire.

Tanya muttered a bit under her breath as she lifted her beer to her full lips, "You would have probably fainted if she had worn the red heels…"

Sam smiled at that as he placed a friendly kiss on Tanya's cheek, continuing, "It's not every day that an old man gets to see his favorite waitress all dress up, and without an on apron, too." Sam stepped closer and gave Bella a great big hug. He had always been like a father figure to her, giving her advice and encouragement whenever she needed it the most.

"Sam, you are going to cause a commotion. Some of the other waitresses are here!" Bella looked around a bit nervously to see if any of them were in their vicinity. Nope, they were all gathered over in the corner near the espresso machine, talking animatedly with each other, most likely grateful that Sam had insisted on closing the Diner down for regular business for the entire evening.

"Aw, let them worry about who's my favorite. You, my dear, just enjoy this evening and start milling about. The Henderson's over there," he pointed with his eyes, "are small gallery owners and they look as if they are quite pleased with your work." He gave Tanya the you had better help her through this look and gently shoved Bella in the Henderson's direction.

Tanya took the hint and grabbed her friend by the elbow, gently leading her through the crowd of people. As they approached the Henderson's, Bella whispered, "Oh, God. I've never flaunted myself to gallery owners before, Tanya. What do I say first?" Bella took a long gulp of her cool beer hoping to calm her nerves a little.

"Just introduce yourself, girl. They will already know who you are by your name alone, and the rest will take care of itself."

Bella continued towards the Henderson's, swallowing deeply and taking a deep breath of air through her nose. They were both dressed in evening out black attire and looked to be from the high society side of the tracks. Shaking her hair a bit for confidence, she extended her hand as she stopped directly in front of Mrs. Henderson, "Hello there. I am Bella Swan. Thank you for coming to my showing."

Suddenly Bella felt all her confidence return as Mrs. Henderson smiled back at her openly, saying, "My dear Ms. Swan, where have you been hiding yourself. We have long roots in this area, and I dare say we have not seen nor heard of your work. My husband Ronnie and I never miss an opening," she said as she looped her arm through his. "May I ask if you are contracted with someone already?"

Bella's eyes almost popped out of her head.

Tanya snorted into her beer and thought what better time to chime in and give her friend a moment for composer, saying politely, "Uh um…Hello, I'm Tanya Cole, Bella's best friend. I can't tell you how nice it is to meet you both."

Mr. Henderson extended his hand politely, saying, "You have the most unusually beautiful eyes, Ms. Cole. They are like an Egyptian Princess. So exotic and rare. It is a pleasure to meet you as well."

Shutting her now open mouth, Bella answered a bit awkwardly, "No ma'am, I am not under contract. I like to do it all myself. But to be honest, I have not been very active in the showing department. I'm a single parent and my best efforts are concentrated on the canvas called my children. But I do have a very large selection of paintings available and ready to be displayed."

"Well my dear, you and I are going to become quite close I can imagine. I would love to come by your studio to view the rest. We have very solid connections with other gallery owners who would no doubt just adore your work." Mrs. Henderson opened her small, black evening purse to produce a business card. It read Gallery Nine, New York City.

When Sam had told her they were small gallery owners he failed to mention where and what the how small was compared to. Gallery Nine was one of the smaller leading NYC galleries featuring new artists. And Bella could not believe they were showing what seemed like genuine interest in her work.

Her heart began to beat excitedly.

"I had no idea you and Mr. Henderson were that Mr. and Mrs. Henderson! I've read about your gallery in the Art & Times magazines." Bella grabbed Mr. Henderson's hand and began shaking it enthusiastically now that she felt they weren't a stranger to her. "That showing you did for the children of 911 was fantastic. I actually cried just looking at the images on the page!"

Mr. Henderson's chest puffed out a bit at the recognition, saying modestly, "Gallery Nine is our smallest project but it seems to be our most successful one to boot." He looked at his wife with a twinkle in his eye, continuing, "My dear Nancy here pestered me to no end on this one, and we both are extremely proud of its accomplishments." He bent forward and sweetly placed a small kiss on her white gloved hand.

"But back to you, my dear. A beautiful woman such as yourself can't possibly be unattached, even if you say you are divorce and focused on your children. Where is the man in your life?"

Just then the hairs on the back of Bella's neck stood on end, giving her a feeling of foreboding .

"Hello Auntie, hello Uncle. I didn't think to find you two here. I see you have found our little Bella. Isn't her stuff so small town like I told you. Just adorable."

Bella's heart sank as she realize for the second time that day just who that awful voice belonged to. Lauren Stanley. It was like she was being punished for participating in that farce at the beach this morning. She would definitely get back at Edward if it was the last thing she did.

Lauren gave a quick kiss to each of her relatives and then laid her full attention on Bella.

Suddenly needing support, Bella gripped Tanya's arm like her life depended on it, and, turning toward Lauren, she greeting her with bland warmth in her voice, "Why hello, Lauren. So nice to see you again," she lied.

"Yes, it certainly is," Lauren said waspishly, looking Bella up and down as if judging her attire and putting her into a bracket of some sort. "Did I hear Uncle Ronnie ask where the man in your life was?" She still did not believe that Edward could possibly prefer Bella over her more sophisticate self. Looking around uninterestedly, she said, "Yes, Bella. Where is he? I don't see him anywhere, Bella. You know the one…Edward Cullen…that stupid cheater ex-boyfriend of mine from high school."

Tanya inhaled sharply at Lauren's statement and looked at her friend with interest.

Someone's been withholding information from me…

"Maybe you lost him along the way to the opening…perhaps to, um…someone who has more class!" Lauren looked to please with her brand of poison.

Mr. and Mrs. Henderson both rolled their eyes in distaste at their niece.

Bella could sense that Tanya was about ready to pounce on Lauren's cruel and childish behavior. She needed to get away from her nemesis quickly before the fiancé lie spread any further and ruined the showing…and her reputation along with it. Not to mention Tanya's reaction.

Suddenly, large, strong arms wrapped around her from behind and a warm kiss was placed on the back of her neck. Shivers of pleasure shot down to her toes as she heard a very masculine and very familiar voice say into her ear, "There you are, sweetheart."

Her nipples throbbed with awareness as his long frame pressed intimately against her back, his breath caressing her flesh in a most wicked way.

Bella practically shrieked her nervous reaction. Glancing sideways at Tanya as she grabbed Edward's arms and twirled around to face him, Bella could see that things were slipping quickly out of her control. Holding him at bay, she could tell by the gleam in Tanya's eyes that she was catching on quickly, albeit without any explanation.

Oh, god. Just what I needed. Another person to further complicate things.

Nervous, Bella leaned in close to Edward's ear and whispered vehemently, "I thought I told you not to come here tonight!"

Edward wasted no opportunity and grabbed her by the wrists, moving her arms behind her waist and to the small of her back, effectively forcing her form into direct contact with his hard frame, her soft breast driving him a little crazy. Then he placed a quick kiss in the V of her neck, causing goose bumps of awareness to break out all over her body as she tried to put space between their bodies.

"Sweetheart, I am finding that where you are concerned it is impossible to resist watching that beautiful, sexy body of yours squirm with uncomfortable yearning," he insinuated suggestively, whispering back as he winked at Tanya, who stared at them with undisguised glee.

Lauren, vexed at being ignored and pissed at Edward's close contact with Bella, continued as she noticed their strained energy, "Auntie, Uncle…this is Edward Cullen, Bella's fiancé. Edward…this is my Aunt Nancy and Unc…"

Pppppppppppffft...

Lauren stopped as Tanya sputtered into her drink, coughing a bit on the foamy beer and shaking the droplets from her hand, glancing at Bella and then at Edward with wide eyes and raised eyebrows.

Well, well, well…It looks like someone was a bit surprise by her statement, Lauren thought shrewdly, unaware of the annoyed stares coming her way. Continuing, she said falsely, with emphasis, "Oh no, Tanya. Did I say something upsetting?" Crossing her arms across her huge, fake breasts, she waited, positive that Tanya would be angry at Bella for this obvious lie.

That was it for Tanya. She's had enough of Lauren's classless games. She didn't care that her best friend had not told her about this fiancé thing! Just the sound in Lauren's voice…you know the one, that sound that told everyone around that she was the bad-ass…was enough to show her the way, so to speak. Her claws came out.

Turning towards the Hendersons, who were watching everything with more than mild amusement, Tanya said sweetly, "I am so sorry Mr. and Mrs. Henderson. You both will have to excuse my rude behavior. Usually I have impeccable manners in social gatherings." Tanya paused, glancing at Bella with calm support, "But it seems that tonight I am beside myself with joy. You see," she pause for dramatic effect, "it was my magic that brought these two lovebirds together."

She let that sink in.

Edward and Bella's eyed bugged…

"And I must say that I could hardly wait to talk about it publicly because I had been sworn to silence." Tanya turned and smiled at her best friend and Edward, winking in pleased happiness. "But now that the cat's out of the bag, I have to tell you that I have known since high school that no matter how many undesirables Edward had to go through," her innocent gaze went to where Lauren stood with mouth open wide in disbelief, "he would eventually find his soul mate, Bella."

Dropping her chin and staring at Lauren with one eyebrow raised, Tanya continued with cool, sassy confidence, "Oh, I'm so sorry Lauren. I didn't mean to put you into the undesirable category..."

"Oh," Lauren exhaled, ready to spout back her anger.

Sensing that an intervention was needed or else a huge cat fight was sure to ensue, Mrs. Henderson placed a firm hand on her niece's shoulder and turned her the other way, marching off as she said over her shoulder to Bella, "I am sorry dear, but I really must have a private chat with my niece. And don't you disappear now, because we have lots to talk about in the very near future." And with that Mrs. Henderson disappeared with her fuming niece out the front doors of the diner.

"Well, my dear," Mr. Henderson said to Bella as he gently squeezed Tanya's hand in amused entertainment, "that's my cue. I must be off to tame the beast, if you would! You will definitely be seeing a lot of us. Until next time, Ms. Swan." Turning to look at Tanya now, he smiled his pleasure as he spoke, "And I must say, my dear Ms. Cole, you are quite fantastic. I can't remember the last time anyone put Lauren in her place." Putting his fist to his mouth, he cleared his throat and leaned a bit closer to whisper, "Seems she is always up to no good. But she is my niece and I do have a tolerable fondness for her." Turning to Edward, they shook hands, "Well, Mr. Cullen was it? I can see that you have your hands full, so to speak. We will have to have a nice chat the next time around." And with that he took his leave, humming softly so himself as he left, shaking Sam's hand on the way out.

Tanya, still recovering from the unwanted scene, turned to her friend, placing both hand on her shoulders, ready to give a thorough scolding for not letting her in on the little lie earlier. "BB, I would appreciate it if the next time some twit tries to sabotage you that you let me in on any and every tiny little detail beforehand. How else am I going to have your back?" She laughed as she took in Bella's speechless face, knowing her friend was grateful and embarrassed at the same time.

"And you, Mr. Cullen…I take it that this is all your doing…this little fake engagement thing." Her knowing expression said it all. "You better be careful what you say…and what you do…because there is more than just the two of you involved here, if you get my drift!" Tanya poked her finger into Edward's shoulder as she spoke. "Now, if you two are through pretend playing, I believe that there are two very young girls rushing this way…and by the looks on their faces, they seem very pleased about something."

Bella hardly had time to move away from Edward before June and Rosey both threw their arms around her waist, causing Bella to take a step backward for balance.

"Mama, Mama…Is it true?" They practically spoke in unison, they were so excited. "We heard that you talked with gallery owners." They rushed on, "This is what you have been waiting for, Mommy! Are we going to New York? Sam told us that they want you to do a showing! We want to go with you. Will you take us to the Empire State Building?" They were out of breath and bouncing on their feet in excitement.

"Hold on, girls. Wait a minute." She placed a calming hand on each of their arms. Bella became aware that Edward was watching them closely. Taking both their hands, she bent down to talk to her girls more privately. "Sweeties, let's take it one step at a time." She kissed both of them on their smiling, flushed cheeks, and continued, "I have only just met the Hendersons." Rosey and June's eyes were about as wide as they could get. Bella continued cautiously, "They seemed very interest in my work and the next time we speak I will have more to tell you. But right now, don't you think it is time for the both of you to be going to bed?"

"No, no, no! Let us stay…" they begged. "We're not tired yet…!" Their denial was plain on their faces. Especially Rosey's. June knew by past experience that there was usually no avoiding the inevitable.

"I'll take them home for you, girl," Tanya chimed in, "and you know you better call me later." Despite her irritation at Edward's carelessness, she couldn't let any chance go by where her best girl could possibly get some one on one time with Mr. Sexy Edward. Taking both girls by the shoulder, she led them towards the snack table as she glanced warningly over her shoulder at Edward.

He took the hint and felt a bit guilty as he took in Bella's tense face.

"Hey, B," he said slowly and with caution, "I hope you know I didn't mean any harm. I…uh…just can't seem to help myself when you are near. And I heard what Tasha was saying, so…" he broke off with a sigh, rubbing his hand through the back of his hair in frustration.

His voice spoke his confusion at his own supposedly uncontrollable actions, but Bella was not mollified. Her head snapped up from where she had been focusing her stare. Zeroing in on him, she took a small menacing step towards him as her words hissed out from thin lips in a vicious whisper. "You have certainly done it again friend." She had to glance around to see who was watching. There were more than enough stares. Too many. Too many people that she knew, all looking at her with gossipy interest for the second time in her life. She forced a smile to her face.

That's when she saw it…

People were still eating…drinking…and…and not leaving. But they weren't enjoying the same refreshments Sam had provided. She quickly scanned the room and spotted Sam across the way, by the front doors. He looked at her apologetically, his eyes silently telling her that it was not his doing as he stared meaningfully in Edward's direction.

Her mouth dropped open and she snapped it shut.

Reaching blindly, she grabbed Edward's arm and yanked him behind her toward the kitchen's swinging double doors as several curious eyes followed their retreat. She could hear the whispering as it began, her ears getting hot.

As Bella practically dragged him by his shirt, Edward caught sight of his parent's expectant stares and gave them a devilishly boyish look of innocence. He knew he would have some explaining to do before the night was through.

That was going to be fun.

Suddenly he felt ten years old.

As soon as they were through the door Bella released him like her hand was on fire.

Here it comes...

The words just babbled out of her mouth, her eyes flashing as she began to pace unknowingly. "What the fuck did you do Edward? I mean…I don't need some boy who thinks he is God's gift to this planet to come and rescue me! Everything was going just fine until you showed up." Then she froze as another thought came to her.

Looking pointedly at him she asked accusingly, "And just how long have you been here exactly?" She was practically holding her breath, she was so furious.

On alert now, he answered cautiously, "I arrived about forty-five minutes ago. I saw that you were running out of refreshments so I pulled some strings and had more refreshments delivered for you."

Her hands went to her hair in utter frustration, her stare going to the ceiling. "My budget doesn't allow for that! I honestly don't know why I thought we were ever a friend. You can't just do that, Edward! Holy shit. You obviously never grew up after high school." She threw her fists up like she was asking some silent pleading question to the Almighty above, and began pacing again in front of the expo line.

Edward had never seen anyone so beautiful. He was mesmerized, catching her scent again. Vanilla.

"Don't worry, B. It's on me. I would never presume to place anything on you that you didn't ask for yourself."

Her head whipped around to look at him. It didn't help that he had a small smile on his face when she did.

"What did you just say?" she spit, her hands gripping her hair tight, "Did you just say that you never PRESUME?"

Oh shit…

Her fury unleashed itself in that very moment and she reached for a weapon, a small snarl on her lips. She was going to dismember him. No one had ever made her act on impulse like this…this…person, and she was more disgusted at the sudden realization than she was a split second ago. Grabbing the first thing that her fingers came into contact with, she lifted a small serving tray and came at him with it.

"B, what are you doing?" Edward backed away warily as he realized her intent, his hands held up in defense now. It was obvious she wanted to kill him. Well, he knew that was not really a possibility, but he also knew that an angry woman could be a very dangerous woman.

"Come on now, B. You don't want to make a mistake here, do you? I mean, all of those people out there…they will see you…" he pointed out as he tried to reason with her, backing away more quickly now.

"Ohhhhh!" Bella was incensed.

How dare he.

Wasn't he the one that had caused all of this in the first place? She was sure that hot steam was spewing from her ears.

"You! You are the one who did all of…this…" she pointed her free hand out accusingly towards an invisible mass, leaning forward in her fury, "…you…Cow Head!" Her eyes were flashing.

Adjusting the small tray in her grasp, she moved her arm across her front, like she was going to throw a Frisbee, except that it was no Frisbee at all. Then next thing either one of them knew, the tray was flying through the air and across the kitchen right toward his head.

"Shit!" He exclaimed as he ducked out of the way and the whirling tray crashed into the clean and neatly stored coffee thermoses behind him. A very loud noise erupted as they all fell to the ground in chaos.

Seeing her missed aim, she grabbed the next thing her hand could touch…a plate. Her eyes were almost wild as she looked to see where he was so she could take aim again.

Only trouble was that she couldn't see him anywhere.

Fuck!

The next thing she knew she was being tackled from behind and landed with a whoosh on the floor mat, completely taken by surprise. She wrestled a bit with him to get to her back so he did not have an advantage. This was an easy task because that was what he was trying to do also.

Both of their breaths huffed out of them in their struggle. He was trying to grab her wrists and she was trying to render him unconscious with the plate.

"Get off of me, Edward. Get off…" she screeched.

"Stop it, B." His body crushed hers to the floor. "You are gonna hurt yourself."

A few more grunts and groans and huffs and puffs and he won out, both of her wrists now securely trapped above her head with his strong hands, the plate still held fervently in her grip.

How had things gotten to this point? He knew it was his fault entirely, but he couldn't bring himself to regret much of it…yet. Her anger was still in full force, her chest heaving rapidly with each breath she took, and he was not immune to it either. The feel of her body under his almost drove him insane with awareness, and he could not stop his eyes from glancing down at her heaving breasts.

She felt so good under him.

Edward spoke then as he stared up into her stormy eyes, amazed that she had actually tried to hurt him, and completely aroused. "You know…next time you want to take my head off with the whole town watching," he lowered his head and whispered in her ear, " I'll make it easy for you and build you a platform…you could charge five bucks a head…" A low laugh rumbled in his chest.

Bella could feel the vibrations of his vocal cords run down her neck and through her body deliciously, and she tried hard not to squirm under him. It was extremely hard to ignore her attraction for him when he was pressed hard on top of her.

She licked her suddenly dry lips, looking into his beautiful green eyes, imploring him, "Why did you come here tonight? I told you specifically not to come here tonight, Edward." Bella closed her eyes briefly, trying to hide her emotions, letting out a big puff of air.

At the sight of her pouting wet lips, Edward was lost. He couldn't help teasing her, "Well, I couldn't resist such a blatant challenge from you. I mean, since I am the last man on earth where you are considered…and, we're engaged, remember...I couldn't ignore my responsibility to support you in your hour of need." His voice was husky now as he smiled widely at her, staring at her mouth. He ran his nose along her jaw up to her ear, making her shiver involuntarily.

"Stop it, just stop it now." She pleaded, but she couldn't get another word out as his lips swooped down hard on her, giving her a brutal, passionate kiss. Bella's eyes practically rolled back in her head. The force of his kiss catching her off guard and making her center burn for him.

His lips released hers and he began to trail rough kisses across her check to her ear. Bella knew that if she let him continue things would get out of hand, more than they already were.

Taking a shaky breath, she continued now that her lips were free, "If you had any morals at all you would never have started that fiancé thing to begin with. You have effectively caused more chaos in my life in less than forty-eight hours than I have ever had to deal with before." She began squirming again, unable to remain still under his body.

Edward pressed his weight more firmly to hold her in place under him, his eyes going black with sudden lust, when suddenly, painfully, she raised her knee and stuck him where it counts the most…on his jewels.

"Fuuuuuuuck!" He groaned in pain and released her immediately, rolling off of her body. Bella watched him with wary eyes, not proud of herself at all. But there was no way she was going to let him have the upper hand where she was concerned. She was in charge of her life and no one else.

Hopping up, she straightened her skirt nervously as she backed away from his curled up form on the floor mat. "You can't just do that Edward. You just can't take a hint." Overwhelmed and scared now that she had really hurt him, a tiny and unwanted tear ran down her cheek. "Why can't you just leave me alone? I…I mean…If you had just stayed away like I had asked, you wouldn't be squirming in pain right now!" She self-consciously wiped her tear away and ran her hand through her hair haphazardly. She fought against every instinct in her to go to him now.

He just groaned again, "Owwwww." His eyes were opening and closing in an attempt to bear the pain like a man. "God, B….B." He gulped in a labored breath and shot her a slightly menacing look. "You really know how to...mmmm, ahhh…get your point across…"

She had definitely hurt him. "Look, Edward. None of this would have had to happen if you had just backed off." She was desperate for him to see her point. "I am not interested in getting involved with you. You are bad news and everyone knows that you can't hold a relationship at all." She was reaching, she knew, but she wanted to put that solid wedge between them and save face when she walked out of here. All those people out there were going to talk forever and it would be just like when Riley had left her all over again.

The looks and the talk. Ugh!

"Go back to your so called life in New York, ok. I am sure there are plenty of women there who would love for you to play with them…" With that she turned and walked quickly out the swinging doors, hearing him cough on the floor, hoping he would be unable to come after her in his state.

Oh God. She had really lost control. Not a proud moment at all.

Upon entry in to the main room, Bella immediately scanned the room looking for Sam. She spotted him in the corner. She did her best to ignore everyone else there, but suddenly the clapping began. She stopped dead in her tracks and glanced around in confused disbelief. The room was still crowded with people, her guests, and yes, they were actually clapping for her.

She was mortified!

She did not want the people of this town to applaud her actions tonight. She wanted them to applaud her work, for Christ's sake! Damn that Edward Cullen! Was anyone even looking at her paintings anymore?

He could rot on that floor for all she cared.

Rushing over to Sam now, she said quietly and breathlessly, "Sam, I'm so sorry for the scene just now. I…I told him not to come here and now look what happened…" She pointed out behind her blindly.

Sam took in the hurt look in Bella's eyes and put a calming arm around her should. "Bella, dear. I don't think it's that much to worry about. If anything, everyone got a bit kick out of your so called 'side show'." He chuckled low and carefully. "But I think you had better go on home now. We will clean up for you tonight. I think you deserve it."

She couldn't let him clean up. "No, Sam. It will take hours!" She glanced around at the place and finally noticed what everyone was enjoying as their new refreshments. Salmon, locks and miniature bagels with Champaign!

Ohhhhh…the nerve of that guy!

"Who the hell does he think he is…my knight in shining armor?" She hissed as quietly as she could to Sam.

"Now Bella, dear. Don't you think you are being a little too hard on the guy. I mean you are 'engaged', right?" Sam put emphasis on the word engaged as he looked at her with raised eyebrows. He knew that something was up. But just what part Bella had in that story he did not know. He knew she would tell him when she was ready. "Look. I'm not gonna say that the guy should of done what he did with the refreshments, but honestly I think his head was in the right place. Maybe he just wanted to impress you." With that said he waited for the explosion.

"God, Sam! Not you, too." Bella was positively fuming, her hands in tight clenched fists at her side.

Were all the men ganging up on her?

"Fine," she said with clarity, "after what you just said you can definitely clean up this mess. You deserve it. I'm going to go home and try not to sink into a hole." She glanced around again at the people still watching her. Damn this small town. It's not like she was the latest freak show.

Edward was going to pay for this.

Turning back to Sam, she continued, "You tell Edward Cullen, if you talk to him, that he needs to remember what I said about 'bad boys'." She used the gestured quotes there and Sam laughed at her. Actually laughed at her.

Shitmotherlovinghell!

With a quick but angry peck to his check, Bella spun on her heel and left the diner as people began applauding again.

Fuck my life…

a/n…kitchen scene was so freaking fun to write…and who knew…bella really knows how to 'handle' edward when she needs to…lol…

…let me know what you are thinking please…review, review, review…

Xxx jess