Disclaimer: The characters of Twilight are owned by Stephenie Meyer. The original characters, content and ideas of this story are mine.

Chapter 13

A Growing Friendship

BPOV

"Edward this is perfect I love everything about this apartment. I don't think it's necessary to look anywhere else."

"If you're sure than we can go to the leasing office and get the application filled out and then maybe go grab some lunch?" he said more as a question.

"Sounds good."

As we rode the elevator back down to the leasing office Edward surprised me with a very unexpected question.

"Sooo,… how's Jacob doing?"

"He's…well let's just say he is not happy about my decision, but give him time and he'll get over it."

As we made our way to the leasing office Edward, being the gentleman he is, opened the door and placed his hand on the small of my back as I walked in which of course made my body temperature rise.

"Ms. Swan, did you like the apartment?" Mrs. Brown the leasing agent asked.

"Oh yes absolutely I did, I loved it!"

"Great, so here is the application to fill out and you can bring that back down with a picture ID and proof of income. The credit and background check usually takes 2-3 weeks to come back and that particular apartment will be getting painted and we will be installing brand new carpet in the two bedrooms, so unfortunately it will not be ready for you to move in for six weeks."

"Oh wow that long? Is it possible for them to have it ready…?"

"That will be fine Mrs. Brown she will bring the application and the necessary documents back down in let's say within forty eight hours, is that okay?" Edward said cutting me off.

"Yes that is perfectly fine I'll see you Monday Ms. Swan." I nodded and walked out of the leasing office a little annoyed.

We rode the elevator back up to Edward's apartment and while Edward tried to make small talk I kept quiet. He opened the door to his apartment and when I walked in I headed straight to the bedroom.

"Bella" Edward called out and I turned around and stared at him, "are you okay?"

"Fine" I said turning on my heels, going into the bedroom and closing the door.

Who does he think he is cutting me off and talking for me as if I'm a kid and he didn't even ask me if I wanted to stay with him for the next six weeks. I mean honestly I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but that is so not the point. Just then there was a knock on the bedroom door.

"Come in" I said sitting up on my bed and quickly grabbing my book as if I were reading.

Edward opened the door cautiously and stepped into the room and cleared his throat when I did not look up from my book.

"I wanted to give this to you" he said holding up a set of three keys on a Volvo key chain. "This key is to get into the building, this is to the top and bottom locks on my front door and this one is to my car."

I stared at him with no expression

"My parking spot number is 2 and I just thought it would be nice to have a way to get around when I'm not here." He said offering me his crooked grin.

Uuggghhh! Stop looking at me like that it makes it so hard to stay mad at you!

"Thank you, you can leave them on the dresser." I said and then continued to fake read my book.

Edward turned to walk out the room and stopped just outside the door and turned back around and just stared at me until I finally looked up meeting his gaze.

"I'm sorry" Edward said his voice thick with emotion.

"For?"

"For… for whatever I've done to upset you."

"Look Edward, I know you mean well and I appreciate everything you are doing to help me I really do, but believe it or not I can speak for myself and I am capable of making adult decisions."

"I didn't mean to make you feel like I was treating you like a kid and I am very aware of how intelligent you are."

We stared at each other and with his eyes he was pleading with me to not be mad.

"I guess I just feel very protective of you Bella, I'm sorry."

"It's okay I know you didn't mean any harm." In said offering a small smile

"So, I have some errands to run, but I was thinking you might let me take you to dinner?" he said more as a question.

"Well that depends, where did you have in mind?" I said in a teasing voice because the truth is he could be taking me to McDonalds and I would have said yes.

"I know a great Italian restaurant called Cellini in Midtown that I think you would like."

Oh, no fair Alice must have told him that I absolutely love Italian food!

"I guess that will be okay what time should I be ready?"

"Well I was hoping you could take a taxi and meet me there at about 7:00pm?"

"Okay I'll be there."

"Thank you." He said walking over and giving me a chaste kiss on the cheek and then walked out closing the door behind him.

I slowly raised my hand to my cheek and sat there dumbfounded trying to remember what I was doing before the Adonis knocked on my door. I needed a cold shower and quick!

EPOV

I walked out of Bella's room and literally ran to mine and closed the door with my heart beating three times its normal rate. Did I just kiss her on the cheek and where the hell did that come from? I showered and changed into a pair of dress pants and a button down shirt. After standing in the mirror for over fifteen minutes trying to do something with this mess of hair I have I finally decided to let the unruly look ride. Grabbing my wallet and keys, I headed downstairs to catch a taxi.

"Good afternoon Mr. Cullen how are you?"

"I am well Franklin, how about you?"

"Good sir."

"And how is the Mrs.?"

"She is doing Fine sir."

"Good I'm glad to hear that. Tell her I said hello and that she makes the best brownies on the East Coast."

"Yes she most certainly does and I will tell her you enjoyed them."

"Yes please tell her I said thank you. Oh and Franklin Ms. Swan is coming down at about 6:15 and she will need a taxi to Midtown can you please have one waiting for her? She is meeting me for dinner in Midtown."

"Yes sir I will have a Taxi waiting for her."

"Thanks."

My cell phone rang as Franklin opened the taxi door for me to get in. I looked at my phone and though it was a Forks, Washington area code I did not recognize the number.

"Hello" I said more like a question.

"Hey Edward, it's Emmett Bella's cousin."

"Hey Emmett how's it going?"

"I can't complain at all how about you?"

"I'm good just out running some errands."

"Is Bella with you?"

"No she's back at the house do you want my landline number?"

"No actually I was calling to talk to you if you have a moment."

"Sure what's up?"

"Listen Edward I'm just going to cut right to the chase. I'm pretty much the only family Bella has left and I know you and your family really care about her and would do anything for her, but I'm not convinced this move to New York is a good one for her."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean she knows no one in New York besides you and Bella's been through a lot and I just don't think she is thinking clearly. I don't want her to make this move and look up in six months and regret it because she did it hastily."

"I understand your concern Emmett I really do because I would feel the same if it were Alice, but Bella's a grown woman and I've already felt her wrath of trying to make decisions for her, sooo… what do you want me to do."

"She respects you and your opinion you could change her mind if you talk to her."

I took in a deep breath closing my eyes and sighed heavily before responding.

"Emmett I can't do that. This is a decision that Bella made and I won't interfere with that, she'd never forgive me besides I know I'm not family but I really care about her and please believe me when I say I will protect her as best I can and if I see things are becoming too much for her here in New York you have my word that you will be the first person I will call. But for now we have to let her try to figure out her own path."

Emmett was silent and I didn't know if that was good or bad, but then he spoke.

"Okay Cullen I'm going to hold you to that and if anything goes wrong call me and I'll be on the first thing smoking to come get her."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

I hung with Emmett just as I reached the building I was having my meeting at with Aro Volturi at Volturi Property Management. He was showing me a building with spaces for rent in Midtown and I hoped the space would be big enough to open a small bookstore. If so my family and I are going to pitch in together to rent the space and have it converted into a bookstore/ tutoring center as Bella's graduation gift from all of us. It would probably take almost a year before all the rehabbing is done and the shelves are fully stocked with books, but it would be worth it to see Bella's dream come true for her.

"Hi I'm here to see Aro Volturi."

"You're name?" the receptionist asked batting her eyelashes in what I assumed was suppose to be sexy but look more like she had something in her eye.

"Mr. Edward Cullen"

She picked up the phone and starting dialing numbers and in a tone too low for me to hear she spoke into the receiver.

"Mr. Cullen, Mr. Volturi will be right with you. Would you like coffee or tea while you wait?"

"Uh, no thank you." I said offering a polite smile. What is it with woman and showing their cleavage in the work place? Don't they know that's it's what we men can't see that intrigues us? My internal rant was interrupted by a tall older looking man with jet black hair in a ponytail and very pale grayish skin. Very odd look for New York I thought.

"Mr. Cullen?"

"Yes" I said standing and extending my hand to him.

"Hi I'm Aro Volturi please come into my office."

His office consisted of a wooden desk with a laptop computer and a printer on a small table behind him and two wooden chairs with gold seat cushions sitting in front of his desk. There was a small picture window behind him and one solitaire picture on the wall of Manhattan in the 1920's. Hardly the look I would have expected for a man who owned twenty five percent of the buildings in downtown New York passed down from his father.

"So Mr. Cullen I understand you are looking for a long term lease agreement to open a bookstore in Midtown."

"Yes and I am interested in the space you have for lease on 5oth street that is 2000 sq. feet."

"I see and how soon were you looking to sign a lease and for how long?"

"Immediately and for at least five years to start."

"That particular space can be leased for $6500 monthly with your first month free if you sign a lease for at least seven years." He said in a subdued tone.

I leaned forward folding my arms in front of me and placing them on his desk looking him in the eye.

"If you bring that price down to $6000 a month you'll have yourself a deal."

Aro smiled and extended his hand to me to seal the deal.

"I'll draw up the necessary paper work and you can come and sign the lease next week."

"Sounds great" I said standing to walk out of his office.

"Bye Mr. Cullen" the receptionist said as I passed her on my way out.

I turned and nodded my head in her direction before exiting onto the street.

I stood outside the restaurant waiting for Bella to arrive happy that I had made reservations ahead of time because the wait time for seating was ninety minutes. It was now 7:10 and our reservation time is 7:15 but no sign of Bella. I stood there watching one taxi after another let passengers out but still no Bella. 7:12, 7:14 okay now I'm getting a little irritated where could she be? As I looked down at my watch again I felt a tingling sensation that made the hairs on my neck stand up and when I turned around I came face to face with the most resplendent brown eyes that I have ever had the pleasure of looking into.

"Hi" she said smiling

"Hi" I said trying to hide my excitement but failing miserably. As I stepped back to take in her appearance I became even more dazzled. Bella was wearing a tan linen sleeveless dress that stopped right above her knees and showed off her long legs. The dress hugged her curves without being too tight and revealing and she had the matching blazer hanging over her forearm. Her gold clutch purse matched the gold sandals and complimented the tan dress as well as the gold jewelry she was wearing. Her hair was swept up into a bun with a few spiral curls at the nape of her neck. She had on very little make up which made her look very natural. She was simply elegant and exquisite.

"Sorry I'm late I lost track of time."

"Huh, oh…no don't worry about it actually our reservation is now."

We entered the restaurant and were seated right away at a table near the back. The lighting was dim and there were individual small votive candles on each table which made for a more elegant and romantic feel. As I looked around there were couples all around us some holding hands and some just gazing into each other's eyes. I wondered if Bella felt uncomfortable at all, I certainly hope not. The waiter came with the wine selection and we both order a Riesling by the glass.

"This is a really nice place, what's the occasion?" she said sipping her wine.

"You're the occasion." I said simply.

"What do you mean, why would I be the occasion?"

"I wanted to take you out to celebrate you for being brave, strong, persistent and an over-comer. You've been through so much these last few weeks and yet giving up was never an option for you and you are still going with a determination I admire so much. And tonight I just wanted to say congratulations to you for all that you have accomplished."

With tears in her eyes Bella touched her glass to mine and took another sip of her wine as one solitaire tear rolled down her cheek. I reached over and wiped it with the pad of my thumb while cupping her face and she closed her eyes and leaned into my touch. I then grabbed her other hand with my hand and gently kissed the back of it.

"You okay?"

"Yes…I just…I just have never had anyone go to these lengths to try to make me happy and I really appreciate all that you have done."

The rest of the evening was spent getting to know one another on a more intimate level and the more wine we drank the more we opened up. I learned her favorite color, favorite music, favorite animal, likes and dislikes and even her fears. I told her all about Tanya and our relationship and how looking back in hind sight I was never really happy I just did what I had to in order to keep her happy and Bella said it was pretty much the same for her and Mike. By the time we left the restaurant I was glad that I had not driven because neither of us was in a position to be behind the wheel of a car.

Standing outside waiting on a taxi we talked and laughed a lot and I could not remember the last time I smiled this much. We played name that tune all the way home where one of us would hum the tune and the other had to guess the song title, which in turn brought on a whole new wave of laughter because tone deaf and drunkenness definitely don't go together. Once back at my apartment we both went to our own rooms. I quickly stripped off my clothes leaving my boxers on and lay across my bed and then there was a soft knock at my door.

"Come in" I said sitting up and Bella walked in wearing a pair of boy shorts and a tank top and sat next to me crossing her legs.

"Edward I have to admit I was terrified to move here and in a way I'm even more terrified when I think about my future, but I wanted to tell you I am really glad that I am here with you I couldn't have asked for a better friend. Thank you for opening up your heart, your home and your life to me."

We sat and talked until both of us drifted off to sleep and when Bella stirred in the early morning hours I opened my eyes to find her lying with her back pressed to my chest and my arm around her midsection holding her securely to me. I don't know how we got in this position but I did know at that moment I wasn't letting go. So I pulled her closer, inhaled her wonderful scent and drifted back into oblivion.

A/N: Thanks again to those who reviewed and also those who sent story alerts. The story alerts I appreciate but please also take a moment to leave me your thoughts in a review. Bella and Edward's friendship starts to get tested next chapter when James, Jessica and Lauren enter the picture! Hope you enjoy!