A/N: I want to make sure to thank everyone who has left me a review on this story. I've been overwhelmed by the results and, unfortunately, have not had the time to respond to each one, like I want to. I've tried to make sure that I've responded to any that had a question. I've started a thread on the Twilighted forums that I'm hoping to use to answer questions that you all have and to give a little inside information on the story. I'd love for everyone to drop by, say "hi" or ask your questions. I will still continue to try to respond to reviews that do have questions. You can find me at http:/www . twilighted . net/forum/viewtopic . php?f=44&t=16112. I would love to get into a deeper discussion with everyone despite reviews. I will try to explain Bella's behavior a bit, as many are kind of upset with the way she's acting.

Also, as always, a big thanks to my pre-reader, EternallyCullen, and my beta, Jenny Cullen, aka Jenrar for their help and feedback. You are both lovely!

The next week was one of the worst weeks Bella could ever remember. Things at Dr. Cullen's office had gone well, but home had been miserable for her. Edward had not come back; he had only called her once to ask a few questions, just as she had suggested.

Matthew was moping at Edward's sudden disappearance. "Mom? When's Edward coming back?" he asked.

Bella sighed. This was what she had been afraid of in the first place – Matthew becoming too attached too quickly, and then having to deal with the grief and pain when Edward pulled back.

But why did Edward pull back? she asked herself. When she was finally open and raw with herself, she knew exactly why.

She had pushed him away, all because she was afraid of being hurt, but in exchange, she had inadvertently caused pain to her son – and herself. He apparently had needed a positive male role model, and Edward had seemed to take an interest in Matt – and her. But just as she always did, she had hurt him before he could so the same to her.

"I'm not sure, honey. His assignment may be over," she said.

"But he'll still come back around, right? I thought he liked me."

The hopeful look on his face broke her heart. "I don't know, sweetie. He's really busy with school. He may not have time."

Matthew looked down, his face sad. "Figures," he whispered.

After that conversation, the night didn't get any better. Matt cried himself to sleep, and Bella was tempted to do the same. She knew she had to fix things, but part of her wondered if the clean break would not be easier in the long run, even though it was difficult at the moment.

Her dilemma was answered when Edward walked into his father's office the next day.

"Hey, Brenda," he said to the receptionist. "Dad around?"

"Hi, Edward," she said a bit breathlessly. "He's seeing a patient."

He nodded and walked through the door. "Will you tell him I'm in his office, please?" he asked.

"Sure," she sighed, her eyes following him.

Bella was at the nurse's station, completing some forms, when she heard Edward's voice. She normally did not pay attention to what was occurring at the reception desk, so she was a bit disturbed that she was already so attuned to him.

He walked through the door and by her station. He nodded at her, walking on to his father's office.

Bella was stung. But wasn't this what you wanted? Didn't you want to just get the project completed and cut all ties? You knew it would be less painful that way…

Still, if she admitted it to herself, it was already very painful. And it was hurting Matt.

She had to apologize, as much as she despised admitting she was wrong.

She continued doing her work, while keeping an eye out for Edward. After an hour, she overheard him bidding his father good-bye, and she stood at her cubicle, waiting for him to pass.

He stopped and talked to Laney for a few minutes, and then, when he was walking by her, she spoke up.

"Edward?" she said softly.

He turned to her, his eyes hooded. "Yes, Ms. Swan?"

Okay, it hurt a lot. She wasn't sure why she cared, but it bothered her that he would be so cold to her, even though that had been her plan to begin with. "Do you have a minute?"

He looked at her for a few moments, before nodding. She led him into an empty supply room. Her mouth was suddenly dry.

"Look, Edward, I won't take up much of your time, but I just wanted to apologize for my behavior the other night. You were right. I-I keep waiting to get hurt again, and I ended up hurting you, instead. I'm sorry," she said, her eyes filling up with tears, despite her best effort to keep them at bay.

He sighed. "Bella, do you really think I would deliberately hurt you, especially after knowing your history. I know it's hard for you to trust anyone, and I know you have a son to protect. I respect the hell out of that. But don't treat me like the bad guy – especially before you even get to know me."

She nodded, feeling a tear escape and rolling down her cheek. "You're right," she whispered, and jumped when she felt his thumb come into contact with her skin as he wiped the lone tear away. His simple touch had sent electric volts through her entire nervous system, causing her skin to tingle.

He pulled his hand back. "Apology accepted." He smiled that lopsided smile at her.

Her heart began to beat faster, and she took some deep breaths to calm herself. She wasn't sure what was going on, but it was freaking her out a bit. No man should be able to wield that kind of power, and no woman could be immune to that type of charm. "So, do you still need to come over for your project?" she asked, hoping he would not hear the quivering in her voice.

He looked appraisingly at her for a moment. "Do you think you could get a sitter for tomorrow night?"

"I don't know. Why?" Her heart was galloping at the glint in his emerald eyes.

He smiled at her. "It's a secret, but it has to do with the project."

She hesitated. "Um, all right," she agreed. "Do I need to wear anything special?"

He shook his head. "Just be you."

Bella felt as if her heart were in her throat suddenly. "Okay," she choked out.

He grinned at her. "Great. I'll pick you up around five tomorrow night."

She nodded numbly. "Okay."

He said good-bye to the rest of the staff and walked out to his car. Bella was still standing in the supply room; again, she wondered what the hell had just happened.

xXx

"I think you look great," Angela said to her, as Bella was made to pirouette in front of her. She was wearing an outfit she had borrowed from Angela – a pair of soft gray dress pants, matched with a black, tailored, button down shirt.

Bella looked down at herself, self-consciously smoothing imaginary dust from her pants. "Are you sure? What if I'm too dressed up for what he has in mind?"

Angela shook her head. "You look fantastic. And you're not too dressed up; you're dressed for anything. There's a difference."

Bella mock-glared at her best friend. "What's the difference?"

Angela grinned at her. "The difference is, you look fabulous! He won't be able to take his eyes off of you."

She rolled her eyes. "That's not what we're doing. We're working on his project."

"Alone? When the project is about Matt? Yeah, sure." She grinned even wider at her.

"Really, Angela. This is more of a business meeting." Bella offered a lopsided grin.

Angela burst into laughter. "You are so delusional, Bella. But I want you to promise me one thing."

"What?"

"Promise me that you won't let your temper get the best of you. You've given Edward a really hard time, from what you've told me, and it sounds to me like he just wants to help."

Bella laughed guiltily. "Yeah, but it's so hard when he says something stupid to me."

"Give him a chance, Bella. He could be the best thing that's happened to you in a long time. Don't be so sensitive."

"The best thing?" Bella asked. "I told you, this is more of a business meeting than anything."

Angela rolled her eyes. "It's a date, Bella! Open your eyes, girl!"

Whatever… Edward would not want to date me. Our worlds are too different. Bella finally nodded, just to appease her friend.

Matt walked into the room, carrying his new coloring book that Angela had brought him. "Wow, Mom. You look nice."

She laughed. "Thanks, kiddo."

"Is Edward still coming over?" he asked, his chocolate brown eyes shining in anticipation.

"I hope so," she muttered, continuing to smooth her clothing. "Or else I got all dressed up for nothing."

Just at that moment, a knock sounded on her door, causing Bella's stomach to plummet. Oh, God. He's here, and we're going to be alone. She thought of the last time she had been alone with a man who was not her father and shuddered. Get a fucking grip, Bella. He's not going to ravish you in the car. She felt the familiar feelings of panic and took some deep breaths.

Angela eagerly opened the door. Her gasp was audible, even to Bella. "Hi," she said, a bit breathless. "I'm Angela, Bella's best friend. You must be Edward." She thrust her hand forward to take his. "It's so nice to meet you. Bella's done nothing but talk about you for days," she said with a big smile on her face.

Bella felt her face flush hot, instantly. She was going to kill Angela.

Edward laughed lightly. "Has she? I hope it's been good things," he said, and actually looked worried, causing Bella to feel even worse.

Had she really been that big of a bitch?

"Oh, yeah," Angela chimed in. "Nothing but good things. She's really looking forward to tonight, too."

Bella gritted her teeth. "Ang, you think I can talk a bit?" she asked with a tight smile. She knew that Angela was trying to sway him to her side before she could be alone with him. Angela's trust in her self-control – at least, where Edward was concerned – was obviously low on the confident scale.

Bella could feel a matchmaking scheme going on in Angela's head.

"Hey, Matt!" he called out, and laughed when Matt ran over to hug his legs. "I've missed you, too, buddy," he said softly.

Bella felt a lump in her throat. This could end up worse than she thought. She could deal with her own pain when things came to an end, but she hated to put Matt through that.

"I've missed you, too, Edward. Guess what? I got a hundred on my spelling test this week!"

Edward gave him a high-five. "Good job, man. I'll have to bring you a treat when I come back."

Matthew did a small happy dance. "So, you're gonna come back?"

Edward's bright, green eyes slid up to meet Bella's. "I'm planning on it."

She felt her heart turn a flip flop, and her stomach dropped. What the hell is going on here? What is wrong with me?

"Shall we?" Edward asked Bella, holding the door open.

"Matt, you be good and listen to Angela," she said, stooping down to give him a hug.

"I will, Mom," he said, hugging her back. "Bye, Edward!"

"See ya, Matt. Angela, it was a pleasure to meet you," he said as he held the door for Bella, gesturing that she should walk ahead. "I hope to see you again."

Angela grinned. "Oh, you will."

Edward walked beside Bella to his silver car, that, to her, looked so out of place in the parking lot filled with older, less flashy cars. He was close enough that their arms brushed occasionally, but he made no attempt to touch her.

He assisted her into the car with a small smile, and then quickly made his way over to the driver's side. "So, how has your week been?" he asked politely.

Like hell. "Fine. Yours?" she asked in return, determined to make her prior behavior up to him. Angela had told her to give him a chance, so she would try.

He nodded while pulling out onto the street. "It was long. I hadn't realized how quickly I had gotten used to driving to Forks and hanging out with you and Matt."

Hanging out with you and Matt. Was that what we had been doing? Or is he glossing over the fact that I was a school project that he had to deal with?

Stop it, Bella! He's been nothing but nice and kind, although he has no clue about your life, apart from what you've told him.

You haven't told him much, except for the bad parts, and he's still coming around.

Yeah, for school, dipshit!

But what if Ang is right, and it's not just for school?

Don't be a damned idiot! You know the truth. No decent man is going to want a woman who is drawing Medicaid and had a child as a teenager. He's gonna think you're just looking for a meal ticket.

But what if he's different?

He's a man! Don't forget your motto that men are scum! You're just gonna get hurt again.

But he doesn't seem like that type, even though he is privileged. He's different. Why don't you give him a chance? You haven't been out with a man since you were sixteen.

Yeah, and remember how that went?

"Bella?" Edward interrupted the war going on in her head.

"Sorry. Daydreaming," she partially explained. "Did you say something?"

He smiled that crooked smile that was quickly becoming her favorite. "Yeah, I said that we're going to Port Angeles, as long as that's okay with you."

She returned his smile, a bit of shyness making hers fainter. "Yeah, that sounds fine. What are we doing, anyway?"

"I told you, we're working on the project."

"Then what's in Port Angeles?"

He turned his emerald eyes upon her. "A place where we can get to know each other a bit better and hopefully start over?" He phrased the last as a question.

Don't be an idiot! she screamed at herself. "I-I think I'd like that."