A/N: Last night the site wouldn't post this update. If you're getting another notification, sorry. Just wanted to make sure everyone was able to open the link. Happy Sunday. :)

When I open my eyes again, Edward and I are still on the couch, our legs tangled together, my head resting on his chest. His hand moved away from my boob sometime within the last few hours.

I wonder if he woke up and realized it. Hm. Either way, it'll be my little secret.

I can feel his heartbeat thumping in my ear, his breathing steady. I try not to move, even though I'm about to pee my pants. I don't want him to wake up.

Right now, being like this, I can pretend this is how my life should be.

I haven't let my mind wander to this kind of place in so long. A few months after my dad was killed, the loneliness set in. I started hooking up with anyone who caught my attention for the night. For a few months, I let things get out of hand; my wild nights became a little too frequent. I didn't want to be alone. I was still living in the house I grew up in, and having someone there with me, even a stranger, made me feel better.

But that was short-lived.

I woke up one morning with some guy I brought home, standing in the kitchen with the fridge wide open, drinking out of the milk jug. Gross. That's one of my biggest pet peeves and besides, who does that in a stranger's house? He broke two major family rules. Drinking from the jug and standing with the fridge open.

I can still hear Charlie yelling like it was yesterday, "Bells, don't stand there with the fridge wide open. You'll run up the electricity bill!"

Standing there, watching the jug-guzzler, I was disgusted. Disgusted by this guy, disgusted by the milk and even more disgusted that I let myself become this weak and pathetic. After that day I realized that the best way for me to move on with my life was to be alone. That way, my heart could never be broken again.

Of course I've had occasional hookups (no one worth mentioning), but when it came to love, when it came to giving my heart to someone, that would never happen for me. And I'm okay with that. It's how it should be.

I just didn't expect him.

I move Edward's hand from my hip and rise slowly, careful not to wake him as I untangle my body from his. I'd prefer not to have the awkward good morning conversation accompanied by morning breath.

Pet peeve number two. Morning breath.

I sneak off to my room and find Alice sprawled across the bed, face down in my pillow. I hurry into the shower, hoping neither of them wake up before I can escape the apartment.

Leaving Alice and Edward alone should make for an interesting conversation.

.

.

.

"Dress You Up, this is Bella." I'm out of breath after running to the phone.

"Good morning, Bella. This is Esme. Am I interrupting?"

"Hi, Esme." I take a seat on the white stool behind the counter and catch my breath. "Nope, not interrupting. I was just unpacking some stuff that came in today. How are you?"

"I'm fine dear, thank you." She pauses. "Sorry to call you at work, but I wanted to make sure you were coming for Thanksgiving. Alice said she invited you, but I thought I'd call and ask myself."

Holidays are the hardest for me and Esme always tries to make them better.

I squeeze my eyes shut and clear my throat. "Of course I'll be there. Sorry I didn't let you know. Things have been a little crazy lately."

"Don't be silly, hon. I wanted to make sure you were coming. We'll be having a few more guests over this year, so I need to get a headcount."

"Oh, okay. Well, count me in."

"Great!" Her voice sounds energized. "My nephew Edward will be joining us. I don't think you got a chance to meet him the last time he was here. He's quite a fine young man."

Fine is an understatement but HOLY CRAP how am I going to pull this off? I need to join Alice's acting class. Like, yesterday.

"Edward? I ... uh ... I thought he lived in Chicago."

"He does. But he's going to be in town. He's been through a lot the past few weeks and I'd like for you and Alice to show him a good time."

Oh, Esme, if you only knew.

.

.

.

This past week has been fun. Alice came over again on Wednesday and watched Magic Mike with me since Edward refused to. He conveniently said he had work to do, so he read on the couch while Alice and I watched it, giggling and drooling like teenage girls. Occasionally I'd see him peek over his book and roll his eyes.

"These guys are disgusting. The scrawny one's all dirty looking."

"Oh, yeah. We like them dirty. The dirtier the better." I replied with giggle and winked over at Alice.

"Exactly! Did you see the way he picked her and wrapped her legs over his shoulder? Bella, we seriously need a girl's night out. I wonder if there are guy strip clubs in Seattle? Oh, wait. Don't you work at one, Edward? " Alice laughed as she shoved popcorn in her mouth.

"Oh, that's right! He does!" I picked up a piece of popcorn from my bowl and tossed it at his head.

Edward caught the popcorn, threw it up in the air and caught it on his tongue.

Wet. Tongue. Me. Dead.

My phone beeps, tearing me from my popcorn porn memory. It's a text from Alice. "Parents are out of town 'til Sun. Wanna go to the movies 2nite? Ask Edward to come. It's gonna be a group of us. Movie starts at 7"

Me and Edward? Out in public? Out of this apartment?

I look at the clock, glad I have a few hours to get dressed. I text back. "I'm game. Not sure about him. I'll ask."

I knock on his bedroom door and hear him shuffling papers before he answers.

"Hi, there." He smiles down at me. I smile back as I lean in the doorway.

"Alice just texted, inviting us to the movies tonight. I guess her parents are out of town so you don't have to worry about them seeing you. I'm not sure what movie, but there'll be a group of us … " Stop rambling, Bella. "... if you don't want to go I understand."

"Sure," he interrupts. "I'd love to get out, take my mind off of this case I'm working on."

"Okay, good." I chew on my lower lip as I look up at him. "Movie starts at seven. I'll let her know we're coming."

I take a quick shower and hurry to pick out something to wear. I giggle to myself as I pull out my new Louboutin Python Skull Mexico boots. Come here sexiness. I pair it with my tightest jeans and a white corset top.

I'm so bad.

I find Edward waiting in the living room. He's looking through my record collection when I walk in.

"Ready to go?"

He turns around; his eyes scan down my body, his mouth wide open.

Mission accomplished.

I grab my purse and keys. "I'll drive."

.

.

.

Edward doesn't say much on the way to the theater. He's preoccupied by all the texts he's getting. By accident (I swear it was an accident) I see the name 'Tanya' at the top of his phone.

Why is he texting her?!

I turn on the radio, needing a distraction from my annoyance.

"Who all's going to be here?" Edward asks as we pull in.

"I'm not sure. Probably the usual crowd. Alice, Lauren, Seth, Jasper."

Jasper! I haven't seen him since my crazy drunkfest. This is going to be awkward.

I see my friends waiting out front. My heart stalls when I see another certain someone amongst the crowd.

"Your friends?" Edward nods his head in their direction as he park.

"Yep, that's them."

Friends, ex-boyfriends. Yep. Definitely them.

They turn in our direction as we walk up.

"Yay! Everyone's here!" Alice claps excitedly.

"Everyone, this is my cousin Edward. Edward, this is everyone."

"Hi. Nice to meet you all."

A certain someone's eyes narrow.

"Edward is it?" He steps forward, cocky smile with his hand out. "I'm Mike. Mike Newton."

My eyes dart over to Alice who is covering her beaming smile.

Alice. How could you!

"How's it going, Mike?" Edward's voice is hesitant, probably unsure how to read him.

"It's going great now that my favorite girl Bell is here." Mike walks up to me and pulls me into a tight hug.

"I've missed you girl." His arms wrap around my body, my face is buried in his chest and I'm thankful I can't see Edward.

"It has been a while, hasn't it?" I pull away smiling.

"Too long. Way too long." Mike gives me a good look over. "Woo!" He shakes his head and turns away. "Who's ready to see a movie?"

I close my eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.

"I am," Alice chimes in. "Let's hurry so we don't miss the previews."

I glance at Edward, who's clearly agitated. If looks could kill, Mike would be dead.

Alice links her arm with mine and leans it. "Edward looks a jeeeaaalous," she sings in my ear.

I roll my eyes and whisper back. "Why in the world would Edward be jealous of Mike?"

Alice pulls my ear closer as she whispers. "Because Mike has had you."

She bursts out laughing and hurries to the candy line.

Just then, Jasper walks up to me.

"Bella." He nods with his normal, stoic expression.

"Jasper. Hi." I sigh. "Listen, I really want to apologize for what I said that night." I remember back to the horrid YouTube video, my words to him way out of line.

"I'm sorry for what I said to you. I know you're a great guy. I just ... I just don't want Alice to get hurt. She's a nice girl and as you can tell, I will lose my mind to protect her."

Jasper looks at Alice and smiles.

He clears his throat. "I actually wanted to thank you for that night. You were right. Right about Angela about me. Alice deserves the best and I want to be the person to give it to her."

I gasp as I turn to him.

"Jasper!" I whisper. "You're done with Angela? Finally?"

"Yep. As of that night. I've been taking my time, letting things die down a bit before I make my move with Alice. Tonight I'm going to ask her out. Finally."

My stomach flutters for Alice and my eyes fill with tears. She's been in love with Jasper for so long now. Always from a distance. Waiting on the sidelines.

"You've made the right decision. She's the best."

Just then, Mike yells out from the line. "Bell, you want to share some candy? Twizzlers still your favorite?"

I smile at Jasper and walk towards Mike. My new boots are clicking against the tile floors. I sound like I'm making a grand entrance.

"Yep. Still my fave." I smile at him and Alice winks knowingly.

Edward walks up behind me and whispers, "Would you like to share some popcorn with me?"

My mind flashes to my earlier popcorn porn memory. Edward tossing it up in the air and catching it on his tongue.

Thank God he can't read my mind.

"I'd love to. Thanks."

As we take our seats, Mike sits to my left and Edward's on my right. Alice decided on a horror flick, which wouldn't be my first choice, but, at least it's not some sex filled romance movie. That would just be too awkward right now.

The movie is scarier than I expected. At one point I scream and bury my face in my hands and Mike quickly leans in, asking if I'm okay.

"Just a little freaked out. I'll be sleeping with the lights on for weeks." I laugh lightly.

Mike hands me his jacket. "Here, use this to cover your face."

I grab it from him and set it across my lap.

"And Bell," Mike leans in and whispers, "If you need someone to keep you company, I'm always up for it."

Just then Edward lets out a loud cough that sounds remarkably like the word "Asshole."

I turn to Edward, who smirks. "I must be coming down with something."

Mike shuffles in his seat and turns back to watch the movie.

I guess no more popcorn and twizzlers for me.

After saying our goodbyes accompanied by a long uncomfortable hug from Mike, we head back to the apartment.

Edward was quiet the whole way home. It seems Alice's little plan backfired.

As I park the car outside my apartment building, Edward breaks the awkward silence.

"Please tell me you did not date that guy."

His words catch me off guard.

"I wouldn't say we dated." I pause. "He's a nice enough guy that I've known for a long time."

I grab my purse and head inside. Not sure if I should be pissed right now or not.

"Nice enough? That's your standards? Nice enough?" his voice harsh.

I toss my purse and keys on the counter.

Okay, now I'm pissed.

"Who are you to talk about my standards? You don't want me to go there with you, Edward Cullen. I remember Tanya quite well."

He narrows his eyes at me.

"Yeah, and I'm not with Tanya anymore, remember?" He shrugs off his jacket, laying it on the back of the chair.

I really shouldn't go here but I can't help myself. My filter is lost.

"Really? You aren't? Could have fooled me, with all your texting back and forth."

"You have no idea what you're talking about. Yes. I was texting her, but it was about a case we're working on. Not about us. I don't text out my relationship issues like a ten year-old."

I swing open the fridge and grab a Capri Sun from the shelf and slam the door shut.

"Fine. So you weren't sexting her. I don't really care anyway."

I repeatedly try to stab this stupid little straw into the foil pouch.

DAMN YOU, CAPRI SUN!

Edward grabs the drink and pushes the straw in. "You drive me absolutely crazy, woman." He shakes his head with a smile as he hands it back to me.

I stick out my tongue and walk past him and head into the living room. I've got to get away quick. That smile's confuzzling my brain.

I take a long sip from my drink and set it down. "And what's it to you who I've been with? It's not like you're interested in me, or better yet, that I'm interested in you."

Take that, buttmuncherface.

He walks towards me, and I stumble back into the wall. He keeps coming until he's inches from my face, his arm resting on the wall above my head.

"Bella, is that what you think? That I'm not interested?" He takes a deep breath, his voice softer as he continues. "I lay in my bed, every night, wishing I was with you. Wishing I was kissing your perfect mouth."

He leans his head on my shoulder and a soft moan escapes my lips as I feel him against me.

"You deserve more than 'Nice enough', Bella. You deserve more than some guy who has no idea what his future holds, no idea how to deal with his past, no idea how to move forward. You deserve more."

He pulls back and looks down at me.

"So don't ever confuse my unworthiness with me not being interested.

"You deserve better than me."

He pushes away, walks into his room and shuts his door.

I stand there dumbfounded, my body drowning and my brain in shock.

Did that just happen?

I take a deep breath, walk to my room and put on my biggest, ugliest granny panties I own.

A/N: Heart clincher! How adorable is Edward, though?

First (as always) thanks to the hubs for fixing my typos and my run-on sentences because I just like them and I would go on and on and on if he didn't tell me to stop and put a period. :)

Second, I wanted to thank you all for your reviews, faves and follows. I'll explain just how much I love them.

Me (grocery shopping this morning): I just got a review. (pulls over cart to read it) OMG! They were so nice. (walks down the aisle forgetting to grab what I needed) OMG! They're reviewing the next chapter! (reads it and gets all giddy and zooms past the people because DAMN IT, PEOPLE LIKE MY STORY!) OMG! This nice lady just reviewed my whole story! (gets home missing half the stuff I meant to buy)

Moral of the story: I love all your nice words, even though I have no toilet paper. :) Thank you.

These people have rec'd and pimped my story and I wanted to give them a shout out. Modernsafari1, MizzezPattinson, Nicffwhisperer, KatieA_Tyler and PunkPrincessPix. Thank you so much! (If I missed you, sorry! These are the recents ones I knew about)

Bella's outfit will be posted on my polyvore account. Check my bio for the link. :)

Until next time! xoxo