A/N: Here's the party!! I'm warning you now, it's not all festive. Don't hate me. This too shall pass.

SM owns twilight.

Chapter 10 – Dinner and Ditchers

Saturday morning was beautiful. The weather was warm and the sun was actually shining. I sipped my morning coffee on the patio, watching Rio chase ducks around the lakeside. He apparently thought the fowl were either blind or stupid, since his strategy included lying down on his belly in stealth mode. A nearly sixty pound Boxer attempting to creep undetected was a sight to see. The ducks stood paralyzed in fear until the last moment, and then flapped wildly across the lake to safety. I laughed as he bounded into the water after them, only to return disappointed. He trotted over to me, whimpering, wanting the game to continue.

"It sucks boy, I know." I consoled him.

I knew the disappointment of an exciting chase all too well. How had things turned complicated so quickly? Being with Edward was now my constant desire. But he didn't want me back, at least not in any real form. He said he wanted me, and emotionally my heart believed him. But intellectually, his demand for an 'indirect' relationship told me different. His words were outweighed by some unknown factor. That mystery was apparently more important than the feelings he had for me, however strong.

When I talked with him online, I felt complete happiness and utter disappointment, simultaneously. His presence answered a silent call by waking me from the monotony that was once my life. Emotions, which I had worked years to forget, resurfaced. They brought vibrancy and color to my feelings, which were before just shades of gray. Unfortunately, the limitations of his presence used those emotions against me.

I felt his words pierce me over and over.

It's better if we keep this indirect.

And I bled.

The irony was that I didn't have to bleed. I could walk away. I could choose another path. Did I truly need a connection with someone which may never mature?

I had done that before. Sean had been there for me physically, but never emotionally. He never shared my heart. Although I had a companion, I was left incomplete and broken.

Edward offered me his emotions, yet refused anything physical. That option was a mirror image of the brokenness I had felt in Phoenix. The irony made me laugh, but I wasn't happy.

Was I condemned to only taste of love? I longed for the completeness of giving myself to someone. Was Edward my soul mate? What if he changed his mind? What if I changed his mind?

He won't. He might! He won't.

I recalled Alice's comments from last night and the changes she noted in Edward since my arrival. Her words gave me the confidence to continue solving the puzzle. If it meant that I would bleed daily from the pain of his unwavering convention, then I would. But if Edward refused to change, I would force myself to move on. The thought of walking dead again, among the living, seemed like a nightmare.

I always knew you were a masochist.

Tanya.

She held the key, at least in part. Was she the reason he was so bitter and withdrawn? I wondered how long it had been since they were together, or if he still kept in touch with her. I had too many questions and no answers. Only patience would provide them.

And you're great at that.

Right.

"C'mon, Rio, we'll chase them again later. Never give up, boy." I stood and walked into the cottage.

Alice arrived around 5:00 p.m. hauling bags of hair products, clothes and shoes. At least I thought it was Alice, since I caught a glimpse of her spiked pixie hair from amongst the inventory of Neiman Marcus. She headed straight to my bedroom where we spent the next hour assessing the number of times I could blush within a two minute period.

"Bella you have to try on these, too. I want to see the entire ensemble!" She was relentless.

"Alice, don't think three and a half inch heels, and a black cocktail dress, are a bit much for tonight?" My anxiety was rising.

She rolled her eyes while throwing me the other heel. "It's a 'dinner party,' Bella! It's after 7:00 p.m., and being held at Carlisle's home—cocktail dresses are a must! Plus, I'm wearing four inch."

"I don't think Jessica or the others will be dressed quite so formally." I tried another avenue.

"And you want to conform to Jessica Stanley's taste? Please, Bella. This is just barely past business casual. You're going to wear this wrap with it. See?" She demonstrated the wrap with the dress. "You can even let it fall absent mindedly from your shoulders, on occasion."

"Uh-huh," I answered.

I turned around and looked in the mirror. The black dress was gorgeous. It had a vintage starlet inspired neckline, and draped across my chest onto a ruched bodice. The cap sleeves balanced on my shoulders, giving the perception they would fall down my arm any moment. A short pleated bubble hem revealed my legs in a classic way. Wearing my basic heels would have sufficed, but the strappy numbers took the dress, and my legs, to the next level. I sat down beside the vanity and bit my lip nervously. My thoughts turned to Blue Eyes and his reaction.

"You'll still be at least two inches shorter than Edward, Bella. And he will love it." Alice assured.

How does she do that?

The mind reader was already working on my hair as she chatted. She was more than excited over her plans to snare Jasper.

After a triumphant sigh, Alice placed both hands on her hips. "If all goes to hell in a hand basket tonight, and we end up alone, I'll definitely spoon ya." She kissed my cheek and spun me around to look into the mirror. I gasped in surprise. My long brown hair was loosely pinned up on each side, with slight curls trailing down rebelliously, from the top. The tendrils teased at my bare shoulders and made me giddy with excitement for the first time.

"I told you! Go ahead. Say it. Say 'You were right, Alice'." She squealed.

We laughed and I kissed her cheek in return. "You were right, Alice. I love it." I felt beautiful, and sexy, and powerful.

Powerful enough to weaken BlueEyes' resolve?

Maybe!

She left me to finish my make-up, and I knew she'd be disappointed. I only applied powder and eye-liner—nothing else.

I picked her up for the drive over together. Alice was wearing a red Asian-inspired cocktail dress and four inch heels, as promised. Her dark hair against the red sateen was sexy enough, but across the front and side of her dress was the prize— a black embroidered dragon snake.

She tossed a tube of lip gloss over to me and hopped in. "I knew you wouldn't put anything on. And those lips have to be poppin', my 'Boom Boom Girl!'"

"Well I'm glad to see you brought your pet snake along," I replied.

We giggled while I applied the subtle copper lip gloss. As I admired my lips in the visor mirror, I imagined placing them on Blue Eyes.

The driveway was paved with cobblestones. Luminaries guided the way for parking and the path towards the rear lawn. The back of the house was composed of stone accents, encompassing huge walls of glass. Open verandas stretched across the first and second story, overlooking the lake.

Arriving fashionably late, I could tell that most of the guests were accounted for. When we walked onto the main courtyard, I glimpsed James hugging Carlisle in greeting.

Manly Hugging?

Why don't you prostrate yourself Creepo?

What a fake.

I planned on talking with Carlisle tonight, if given the chance. I hoped it would be received well. We scurried inside, not wanting to be caught by James in a painful conversation about himself. Jessica and the other female staff were already enjoying the free flowing wine. They were wearing a variety of slacks and dress shirts, as well as a few cocktail dresses. Alice flashed me another 'told ya so' grin before I could hide my relief that we weren't overdressed. We started our greetings as I broke out in internal hives. Entering social events was what I hated the most. Although I hadn't seen Edward, I knew he was here from his Volvo.

He probably arrived 20 minutes early.

Mike came up beside me, beaming like summer sunshine. Alice winked and flitted away for drinks, which left me unattended and trapped.

"Hey, Bella. How's it going?" He asked.

"Fine, Mike, and you?" I wished for someone to save me.

"Great. It's going great! And you look stunning, by the way." His grin was childlike.

I smiled half-heartedly in return. I knew I had to do something about his eagerness for my attention, but what? He seemed to miss subtlety. My consternation was short-lived when I heard a cackle from across the room.

Jessica's head was bobbing excitedly over something someone had said to the group. She was wearing a bright colored sequin top with slacks. It reflected a rainbow of colors in our direction. Ms. Rainbow to match Mr. Sunshine!

"So, Mike, you still running every day?" I prompted.

He looked thrilled as I continued the conversation with him.

Don't get too excited buddy.

"Yeah! Why, you want to join me one day?" He responded.

"Me? No—Rio likes our alone time together." Watching his face drop was painful in an 'Aww, that's sad' kind of way. "But this past week, Jessica was saying she wanted a running partner, and I've seen the two of you get along so well at work." I pointed across the room towards Jessica.

"Oh really?" Mike considered my words with mild disappointment, and curiosity.

I nodded eagerly, hoping he would follow my lead. "She's really sweet. She said she needed motivation. I thought you could help her out."

We didn't have to continue the conversation further because a booming voice resounded down the hall. Rose and Emmett appeared from upstairs together. Rose wore a winter white dress that clung to her curves. Their expressions told me volumes, given the fact he had been 'showing her his room'.

Emmett walked directly up to me, and Mike, slapping him on the back heartily. "Is the food ready? I'm starving!" He moaned, causing Rose to laugh.

"In a few minutes, Emmett." Esme approached our group with Alice by her side. "Bella, we are so glad to have you here, and in our home."

"Thank you Esme. Your home is beautiful." I felt awkward speaking to Edward's mom.

"Thank you. It's like a sanctuary for me. I love to sit and admire the lake at night. It's so peaceful." Her personality was instantly likeable.

"Mom, sorry to interrupt, but when, exactly, can we eat?" Emmett begged.

Everyone laughed at the big oaf, but Emmett pouted in response.

"We're waiting on your brother and Jasper to join us. They are most likely terrorizing the caterers in the kitchen," Esme explained.

"We'll go round them up!" Alice chimed while pulling me away eagerly. She whispered in my ear as we rounded the corner and passed through two large mahogany doors. "Catch a Chef, Bang Blue Eyes."

I laughed out loud, entering the huge gourmet kitchen and galley. Jasper and Edward were chatting side by side and watching the food preparation. I gathered they were avoiding the pleasantries of outside as well.

Alice wasted no time in her maneuvers. "Hello, gentleman. What's so hot in here you can't join the party? Besides us, I mean, and we just arrived!"

Jasper almost dropped the carrot stick he had in his mouth. His eyes were glued on Alice and her sashay over to his side. Edward smiled while continuing to drink his beer. He made eye contact with me, but only for a brief moment.

"Hello, Edward, Jasper." I smiled.

Jasper spoke first. "Hey, Bella. You look beautiful tonight."

Edward nodded in greeting. "Hello, Bella." His words were so soft that I barely registered them. He was wearing a white oxford shirt and black blazer. His hair was just long enough to look unkempt, and his eyes were icy blue.

"You guys look great yourself." My social awkwardness was heightened by all the politeness. I yearned for someone to start an argument so I could feel more comfortable. Alice gave me a signal to occupy Edward as she began asking Jasper about the meal the chefs were preparing. He was a guest tonight, but of course instrumental in the menu planning. He walked her over to one of the islands to describe the various selections, which left me with Blue Eyes.

Edward turned to me, his eyes slowly raking over my body. I watched as he took in my face, my shoulders, and my legs. The silence accompanied by his perusal was killing me.

I had to speak. "Alice forced me to dress for the occasion; I know it's a little much."

He sipped on his beer slowly, once again watching the other activity in the kitchen with feigned interest. But he responded under his breath, without looking at me. "You're always too much for me, Bella, that's the problem."

My body flushed in arousal. I thought about reaching out to touch him, just a few feet away.

No, you can't.

One of the caterers who knew Edward interrupted and introduced himself. He began giving me his family history in the process. I glanced down to make sure my name tag wasn't there. People inevitably approached me in the strangest situations to divulge personal information I'd rather not know. Needless to say, Edward slipped out during the middle of this dialogue. His uncanny ability to leave me hot and bothered was something I was growing accustomed to.

Turn me on and run, BlueEyes.

One advantage of being trapped with the sous chef was my ability to eavesdrop on Alice. I listened from the periphery while she wrangled with Jasper, her unknowing victim.

"What's this Jasper?" Alice leaned over the counter while her dress rode up her thighs. She pretended to reach for some cooking utensil just out of reach. I saw Jasper shift in position to avoid Alice's ass from rubbing against him. It was a futile effort since she leaned back from the counter and stumbled, purposefully, into his body.

"Oops!" She giggled, looking up into his eyes. "I think I need you around more often, Jas."

He grinned in response. His hands also lingered on her hips for a bit too long. "I'm always here for you Alice."

I could hear the love in his response. I almost squealed knowing she could fulfill her longed for desire if she braved the moment. The chance to push the issue was much easier than we had imagined. I held my breath while I eavesdropped, totally ignoring the story about Kansas farming in a hailstone from my new friend named Joe.

"Oh yeah?" Alice countered. "Even if I want you to be there for me, in bed?"

Damn!

I almost choked on the wine I was nursing. Leave it to Lil' Firecracker to give the big finale first. Heck with preliminary displays, huh Alice? Jasper was noticeably quiet, but didn't move away. Instead he leaned over and whispered something in her ear. It was just out of hearing. But the answer must have been positive, because Alice giggled in response.

With the heat in the kitchen rising, Esme walked in and demanded that we disperse. She no longer had patience for delaying the party.

A huge mahogany table, set for eighteen, was placed on the central veranda overlooking the rear lawn and lake. Space heaters and candles sporadically decorated the area, creating a romantic yet rustic ambiance. I claimed a seat next to Carlisle, followed by Alice and Jasper. I noted that their eyes hadn't left each other's since the kitchen. My assumption was that operation 'Catch a Chef' had been successful.

If only I could Bang Blue Eyes.

Esme, Rose and Emmett sat across from me, with Edward on the far end of the table. He sat next to James, Jessica, Mike and other guests. I wondered if he had avoided proximity to me on purpose.

Probably.

The dinner was amazing. The wine flowed without ceasing. This pleasure allowed James to become more arrogant as the night waned. I could hear him from our end of the table as he explained his life experiences with loud guffaws and overtures.

Leaning over to Carlisle, I spoke quietly, "Do you mind if I speak with you before leaving tonight? I hate to mix work with pleasure, but I'm not sure of your schedule next week."

He smiled in return. "Of course, Bella, we can talk in my office upstairs."

A sudden scream startled me, and the rest of the guests, which caused everyone to quiet. I saw Jessica standing in tears, with red wine covering her entire outfit. She glared at James, who seemed too drunk to care that he had knocked over the bottle of wine onto Jessica's lap. Edward offered her his napkin, but Mike stood up and led her from the table. Esme followed them into the house in search of club soda.

I watched Edward lean over to James and whisper something amid the chaos. Whatever he said, it caused Creepo to abruptly stand and walk over to Carlisle. He quickly bid goodnight and left the party before most people even recognized what had happened.

I wonder what he told him?

"Looks like the party's wineding down!" Emmett laughed.

"Funny, Emmett, very funny," Rose chastised.

Carlisle gave me directions to his office and promised to meet me there after checking on Jessica. His office was immediately at the top of the stairs. It was full of leather furniture and medical journals, organized succinctly on each shelf. His office had a private balcony as well. I opened the glass door to take in the moonlight and view of the lake while I waited. The wind was beginning to pick up, creating ripples across the water. It caused me to shiver in response. When I turned to walk back inside, I felt my heel catch in one of the cobblestone joints. I tried to pull it free to no avail.

Great, now I'll have to undo all the straps to retrieve my foot!

Thanks Alice!

I bent over to rescue my heel when a pair of cold hands grabbed my calf and ankle in assistance. When I jumped in response, I came face to face with Edward. His eyes were now the palest blue, with the moonlight reflecting specks of silver surrounding their depths. I could feel his breath against my face as he worked my heel free from the stone. His hands caressed my leg slowly while placing my foot back on the ground. I fought the urge to stroke his hair while he looked down, and held my breath in the moment. He finally stood next to me with his hands still resting on my hips, frozen.

Edward reached up to adjust my wrap which had fallen off of my shoulders in the process. His fingers softly grazed my arm, my shoulder, and my neck.

"You've broken your own rule," I whispered, counting the beats of my heart.

"What's that?" I asked.

"No direct contact." My cheeks flushed.

"You were in distress, it doesn't count," Edward responded quietly. His face was now inches from my own.

"Well I'm still in shock, so this doesn't count either." I leaned into his arms, placing my left hand on his face.

I traced his jaw line while pulling him towards me. Looking into his eyes for a sign of resistance, I saw none. My lips parted as I touched his, tasting a combination of alcohol and sweet nectar. I licked the outside of mine; relishing the taste I had only dreamed of. He opened his lips in returning the kiss, deepening the intensity as his tongue met mine. His hands tightened reflexively around my waist.

As my arms entwined around his neck, the tenderness of the moment changed. Fierceness overtook us both. Our kisses became ravenous, with each challenging the other to take in more. My head started to spin and I could feel myself falling. I pressed my body against his, bracing for the impact.

A sudden knock from inside the office ripped us apart. My body screamed from the loss of contact. Carlisle walked to the door with a pale, stricken look on his face. Was it fear, or anger? Had he seen the kiss?

"Edward, you have a phone call. It's urgent. You can use my office line" His words were terse.

Edward immediately went inside, grabbing the phone frantically. Carlisle joined me on the veranda and displayed an apologetic smile. We floundered through trivial questions about my first week, both of us preoccupied with what was occurring in the other room. Edward finally returned. He shook his head silently, responding with a 'no' to Carlisle's unspoken question.

"I need to leave tonight. Can you arrange for coverage?" He asked Carlisle robotically. His tone once again sounded distant and cold.

"Of course, take all the time you need." Carlisle walked quietly back inside, leaving me alone with Blue Eyes.

"I don't have time to explain, Bella. Not right now. I'm sorry I have to go. I shouldn't have let things get this far. Please forgive me." His words felt like I had been slapped.

Edward left me standing there, stunned. He didn't wait on a reply.

I dropped my wrap to the ground as I watched the man of my dreams disappoint me, ditch me, and disappear.

A/N: I know! Sorry---I'll make it up to you…If you want BlueEyes back by the end of next chapter, let me know. If you want him to stay away and contact her indirectly, you also have a vote. The option with the most reviews wins! Yes, I'm bribing for reviews. Shameless!