Chapter 27

AN: Hey all! Two updates within a week :) Hope you enjoy!

Although my mind was still on that photo, I steered our conversation in a different direction.

"So," I began, with a smile, "Tell me more about Alice. She seems like quite a character."

"Ugh," Edward groaned with a smile of his own, "Is she ever? She doesn't know when to shut up, and she embarrasses the crap out of me, but I love her."

"You know," he continued fondly, "She's the reason we're together."

"Is that so?" I asked with some surprise.

"Well…yeah," he began earnestly. "I never would have come up to you in that club if it wasn't for her. And I never would have shown up for coffee that night. And…you probably wouldn't be sitting here right now if she hadn't manhandled the phone away from me earlier," he finished sheepishly.

"Well, then," I stated seriously. "I'm going to have to get her a thank you gift I suppose."

That got me an amused little chuckle from my man. "You know, she would love you forever if you did. She adores gifts."

"Then you'll have to help me pick out something perfect for her," I suggested.

"Sounds like a plan," he affirmed.

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All told, it turned out to be a wonderful, relaxing evening.

We chatted for an hour or so after dinner, before I figured it was time to head out. I had a busy day coming up, with an early meeting as well as therapy with Angela after work.

Besides, it was good to have been allowed into Edward's personal space, but I didn't want to push it too far. And he seemed good with that decision too.

I never did get a tour of the upstairs. But, I understood. Although I was curious to see the bedroom, that is about as personal and intimate as it gets. I knew my sweet man wasn't ready for that step yet, and I could wait. Hopefully, we would get there sometime in the future.

We did make plans for the upcoming weekend, though. A night out with Rose and Jasper, assuming they'd be free and agree to it. I would call Rosie tomorrow to make sure.

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EDWARD'S POV

Well, Emmett had entered and exited my house, and I survived.

I don't know what I was so scared of. Well, actually, I do know. But, that wasn't so much about Emmett as it was the ghosts of my past.

Still, the night had been a success and my heart was slowly opening up and my fears were being alleviated as well.

I really needed to call Alice and thank her for pretty much forcing me to get over myself. Yet again.

Without that annoying, yet lovable, little pixie – I don't know where I'd be.

I mentioned as much to Emmett tonight, though I didn't go into detail.

But, honestly, without Alice's intervention in my life, I would be a recluse. She helped pick up the pieces after…well, after everything went down in college. That photo Emmett had picked up tonight was the mark of a new beginning for me. Alice had snapped the shot and framed it to remind me of how far I'd come and to give me hope for the future.

Still, the demons of the past were always lurking somewhere. But with each passing year, they faded farther into the background. And with Emmett nearby…he made life worth living again.

My thoughts drifted to the night things really began for me and Emmett. The night my crazy best friend dragged me to All the Rage…

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STILL EDWARD'S POV

Why had I ever agreed to this? This was the last place I wanted to be.

But, I knew why.

My best friend had coerced. It was so hard to say no to her. Even when I wanted to say no and actually voiced the words, Alice wouldn't accept my answer. She was used to getting her own way.

I guess I should be grateful that I had gotten out of her last few attempts at setting me up. She was forever finding the perfect guy for me that I just had to meet. I always tried to get out of it, but every once in a while I'd go – just for my own sanity. If I didn't, I knew she'd continue to bug me incessantly. Sometimes it was better to just cave in, agree and get it over with.

Tonight was one of those nights that I'd caved to her begging. She wanted me to meet this guy that would 'be perfect' for me.

It seemed that, in her book, any single gay man was my perfect match. I knew she meant well and was trying to get me out of my shell, but my hopes were not high for meeting someone I could really be in a relationship with.

And, of all things, this guy wanted to meet me in a club. That knowledge in itself made me realize this couldn't possibly be the guy for me. I hated the club scene and everything it stood for. But I had promised the pixie and if I went tonight it would get me at least a few weeks reprieve from her matchmaking.

The guy was awful, as expected. She must not know me very well if she thought he and I would hit it off. We barely attempted to make small talk. Not that we could hear each other anyhow.

Actually, he tried to grope me and when he realized he wasn't going to get anywhere he went off in search of someone else. Within five minutes he was headed to the back room with some punked out twink.

Finally, I could get out of there. I tried to make my way to the door, but it was slow going. The place was crowded and every few feet there was some guy making a pass at me. Some more rude and forceful than others. I had nearly made it to the exit when I saw him.

Emmett. The gorgeous muscled man with piercing blue eyes and killer dimples.

I had become just a little bit, or maybe full-blown, obsessed with him over the past few weeks. I hadn't been able to get him off my mind since I saw him in my father's office. Twice now I had seen him and tried to deny the feelings that were welling up inside me.

Long forgotten feelings that I'd buried down deep, were bubbling to the surface. I'd been trying to ignore them, but now that he was here, I couldn't help it as they washed over me. Something told me that this man was special. There was an instant connection that I felt and I didn't know what to do about it.

He was dancing with someone, but it didn't seem that they were involved. Just having a friendly, if a bit touchy-feely, dance. I watched for a few moments and was about to turn and leave when he broke away from the red-haired guy and headed to the bar.

I watched intently as he smiled and talked with the bartender, looking so at ease. My body was moving forward before I even realized it, almost without my permission. I was heading straight towards him, no plan. This wasn't like me. I never did anything like this. I didn't try to pick guys up. Granted we had met before, sort of.

Before I could wrap my mind around what I was doing, I was standing close behind him. I breathed deep and cleared my throat, half hoping he'd turn and half hoping he'd ignore me and I could leave and get back to my quiet boring life. I had no idea I'd be meeting a man that I could fall in love with.

I am so grateful that Alice pushed me to go out that night, and all those other stupid times too. Because, after meeting all those losers, I ended up with a man more amazing than I could have ever dreamed.

Emmett is kind-hearted and funny, he brings out the best in me and makes me want to try and be a better man. He makes me feel so much that it's scary sometimes. I still have a lot to let go of, from my past. But, he is so patient and understanding. And he pushes me too – and I need that.

I have never felt this way about anyone before and I really hope that I don't mess things up with him. I don't think I could ever find another guy like him and I really don't want to try.