I'm so sorry everyone! My laptop was infected with a major virus and I lost almost everything. I am trying to get re-inspired after this downfall Please forgive me for posting this so late. I hope you enjoy it. As always...these characters do not belong to me...I only have the privilege of borrowing them from S. Meyers. Thanks to my dearest Binky911 for having such patience with me.

CHAPTER 11

~ EDWARD POV ~

"SHIT!"

The expensive pen left my fingers only a second before I realized what a bad idea it was to throw it. It crashed to the floor and slid down the office hall. My assistant Lauren peeked around the corner then picked up the discarded pen and brought it to me.

"Well I'm not sure what this pen did to incur your wrath but I'm happy you aren't taking it out on me!" She eyed the chewed up pen and handed it to me. "I know you usually chew up the plastic pens and the pencils but now the Cartier too? Are you okay? You haven't been yourself the last couple of weeks. I don't think your vacation did you much good."

"I'm sorry Lauren. I'm trying to balance this and it just seems to keep stumping me. I think I need to take a walk or something and then come back to it. Fresh eyes you know?"

I was embarrassed to have pitched a temper tantrum like that. What if we'd had clients in the office? Furthermore, I can't believe I had taken to biting up the Pasha Cartier pen that Rosalie had given me for Christmas last year. I would have to buy another one before she saw how I had mutilated her gift. Biting propitiated me and lately I needed all the calming I could get. I couldn't get over how brainless I had been holding my BlackBerry over the railing I knew better than that. How many times had I seen inebriated individuals drop their phones that way, granted not in to the sea but how stupid!

Rose definitely had Bella's contact information and she would be back from her trip any day now. I had already decided I would deal with the taunting if it meant I could be back in touch with Bella. I had had already tried to get in touch with her but I could only suppose that with being on vacation she had turned her phone off as my messages had gone unanswered. I knew Rosalie would take every opportunity to make me squirm once I asked for the contact information, but it would be worth it. I didn't want to imagine what Bella was thinking of me right now.

"I'll be back in a half hour. I need to get some air and some coffee." I told Lauren as I passed her desk. "Do you want anything?"

"No thanks, Edward. I'm alright."

I stopped by Jacob's office and peeked around the door frame. "Hey buddy. I'm going out to pick up a coffee do you want anything?"

Jacob looked up from the pile of papers scattered across his desk, "Do you want some company?"

"No I'm good. I just need to clear my head. I have a ton of numbers running through it and I need a break."

"Just numbers?" he mumbled, barely loud enough for me to hear, "Bring me back an Americano black?"

"You got it." I wasn't going to take him on. I didn't want to entertain this new side of my personality. I didn't get like this. I was a happy guy with a great life and now I was throwing tantrums over numbers?

As I got in the elevator my phone vibrated.

BBMessage Alice:: happy birthday bells ::

happy birthday bells?

BBMessage ECullen:: Alice have u lost ur mind? LOL What does happy birthday bells mean? ::

BBMessage Alice:: oops sorry Edward. It's Bella's Birthday today. I guess I sent the message to u by mistake. Sorry o.O ::

Bella's Birthday today? Are the fates smiling on me? Play it cool Edward.

BBMessage ECullen:: I wasn't aware. I'd like 2 send her my birthday wishes. Would u mind sending me her contact info? ::

BBMessage Alice:: ISABELLA SWAN Accept to Contacts? ::

Yes I accept. Oh Alice I could kiss you.

BBMessage ECullen:: Thanks Alice! Hope ur good! Loving the new playlist btw. ::

BBMessage:: Yes I'm great! Remember to keep it on shuffle! Have 2 run now & UR WELCOME xo ::

I sent Bella an Invite Contact BBM request. At that moment I realized I hadn't yet pushed the button in the elevator to get to the lobby, I reached over and pressed the large L. My head was not functioning properly and I was developing that unfamiliar feeling in my stomach again.

Come on. Accept. Accept. Accept. I bumped the phone repeatedly against the heel of my hand like that was going to make the reply come faster. Each second I waited for that reply seemed like an eternity. The elevator doors opened to the large glass lobby and I could see it was beautiful outside; I looked forward to getting out in the air because I suddenly felt claustrophobic. I kept checking the phone but my request was still unaccepted. Alice had sent me all her contact information. Should I call her?

I had walked two blocks to the coffee shop and now the two blocks back. With a coffee in each of my hands I couldn't check my phone. I hadn't felt it vibrate or heard a tone so I knew she hadn't answered and yet I was itching to check. I had made up my mind that if by the time I sat at my desk she hadn't answered, I was going to call her.

As the elevator doors opened to our floor my mood sank; I had forgotten about my appointment with Mr. & Mrs. Young. They hadn't seen me come out of the elevator so I stopped by Jacob's office quickly to drop off his coffee. I checked my watch as they were about ten minutes early but that didn't give me enough time to call Bella. As I passed back through the reception area I greeted them and told them I would be ready for them in a couple of minutes.

Almost two hours later I said my goodbye's to the Youngs. It was a long meeting but it was important to spend that much time with new clients as we had much to discuss. I closed my office door, sat behind my desk slumping down in my chair and took a sip of my now cold coffee. Blech! I took out the stir stick, one of my favorite chewing items and checked my phone.

My updates stated: Bella is now a contact. I was now sitting bolt upright in my chair and had the room just gotten hotter? I felt like that 16 year old boy asking a girl to prom. What should I say? I loosened my tie pulled out my collar and decided to go with the simplest action.

BBMessage ECullen:: Happy Birthday Bella! ::

BBMessage Bella:: How did u know it was my birthday? ::

Damn it she seemed upset. Of course she had every right to be upset with me. I had made a promise to remain in touch and had failed.

BBMessage ECullen:: Alice ::

BBMessage Bella:: Why would Alice tell u it's my birthday? ::

OK no 'seemed' about it. She 'was' upset.

BBMessage ECullen:: She sent a birthday message 4 u 2 my phone by accident. ::

BBMessage Bella:: Oh I c. ::

BBMessage ECullen:: Bella I'm really sorry I haven't been in touch with u. It's a long story. ::

BBMessage Bella:: I think I can keep up. ::

BBMessage ECullen: My phone dropped over the side of the ship. ::

Even as I typed it I realized how stupid it sounded but it was the truth.

BBMessage ECullen:: I couldn't get a replacement until I got back 2 LA and then I realized I could only back it up to b4 I left for Seattle so I lost ur contact info. ::

No answer...

BBMessage ECullen:: I know it sounds absurd but that really is what happened. ::

BBMessage Bella:: OK well thanks for the birthday greeting. ::

BBMessage ECullen: Bella. Please. I haven't stopped thinking about u. ::

Is it that she wasn't interested? I knew I hadn't misread the signs. She had felt the electricity. I was 100% sure of it.

BBMessage Bella: Likewise but it doesn't matter. ::

BBMessage ECullen:: Can I call u I would like 2 discuss this? ::

BBMessage Bella:: I think we should leave it alone. ::

How had I fucked this up so badly?

I put my cell phone down and frustrated ran my fingers through my hair several times! The coffee stir stick found its way to my mouth and I chewed one end until it was completely flat.

Ring. Ring.

Lauren was paging me from the reception desk.

"Hello Lauren."

"Edward I'm sorry I forgot to pass this on. The Volvo dealership called for you while you were meeting with the Young's. Your new car is here."

"Finally! Perfect! Thanks Lauren."

Finally, something to lift my spirits! I paged Jacob and asked him to give me a lift to the dealership. I had traded in my old Volvo just before we went on the cruise and ordered a new Electric Silver C70 with all the bells and whistles: leather steering wheel with aluminum inlay, upgraded multimedia package, sport pedals, just about everything! I had been taking taxis for the last couple of weeks and I couldn't wait to get behind the wheel of my new baby.

I was so happy to be rid of the salesman who was turning over my car. I knew what I bought, I didn't need this man hovering around explaining all the features. I inhaled deeply before I pressed the button to put down the three-piece retractable hardtop. There really was little that could compare with the smell of brand new car. I plugged in my iPod and couldn't wait to listen to the twelve high performance loudspeakers, two subwoofers and 900 watt digital amplifier. As I had promised Alice, I left the playlist she had loaded onto my shuffle. The next song was If I Never Your Face Again – Maroon 5 & Rihanna. I loved this song and turned it up. As I turned on to the highway singing along with the song, the familiar words were suddenly taking on a new meaning.

'Cause you keep me coming back for more

And I feel a little better than I did before

If I never see your face again I don't mind

'Cause we got much further than I thought we'd get tonight

Baby baby please believe me

Find it in your heart to reach me

Promise not to leave me behind

(Promise not to leave me behind)

I had to find a way to make things right with Bella. The engine revved as I pressed down hard on the gas.