"Oh my god! Could Alice have been any more transparent?" Bella asked, tugging gently on the end of a strand of hair. Rosalie spared her a sideways glance, and then turned her attention back to the road. She didn't bother to try and suppress her smirk.

"What are you whining about?" Rosalie asked, snorting. "Everyone at the table could tell that you two were-"

"Rose," Bella warned, narrowing her eyes.

"What? All I was going to say was that you were both making eyes at each other."

"Right, I'm sure that that's exactly what you were going to say."

"It was. Everyone could see that you two were attracted to each other."

"Oh god," Bella groaned, sinking lower in her seat.

"The very least you could've done was kiss the poor guy and put him out of his misery. He stared at your mouth for ten solid minutes."

"He did?" Bella perked up, eyeing her friend suspiciously.

"Please. And all that crap you guys spouted about kids and Texas and-"

"It wasn't crap," Bella defended hotly. "I love Texas. I want lots of kids. I wasn't lying."

"And you wouldn't mind having them with Edward, either. I get it. You want lots of – how did Alice put it? – sex and babies." Bella giggled right along with her friend. "Alice is such a slut."

"Says the girl who hooked up with someone in a truck." Bella gave her a pointed look, and Rosalie shrugged.

"What can I say? The sex is better when I'm angry."

"He must've really gotten under your skin. He sure was good looking, though," Bella hedged, watching Rosalie.

"More's the pity. He's an asshole."

"You don't think you were kind of mean to him?"

"Mean? No. Honest? Yes. It's not my fault if the guy can't handle the truth."

"You're going to be nice to him tonight, right?" Bella asked worriedly. She wanted Edward to like her. She'd done nothing but think about him all night, which hadn't made for a good, restful sleep like she'd needed. She didn't want him to dislike her just because her friend had slept with his friend and then ignored him. She would understand if that happened, because Edward seemed like someone who was loyal to his friends, but that didn't mean that she would like it. Actually, it would probably break her heart if he decided that he didn't like her.

"Speaking of your little boy toy," Rosalie began, "Do you know who he is? More importantly, do you know who his mother is?"

"Apparently you do," Bella shot back. "How did you know her name, anyway?"

"You're kidding, right? Esme Cullen is one of the biggest names in interior design right now."

"Interior design? You know I don't follow stuff like that." She sighed.

"Well if you and the cowboy wind up getting married and having lots of sex and babies," she said. Bella blushed. "Then maybe you could put a good word in with your mother in law for me. I'd kill to have her do even one room in my condo – even if it's just the bathroom!"

"We just met, Rose. Isn't it a little early to be talking about marriage already?"

"Alice just met that other guy last night, and you heard what she said in the bathroom. She's planning their wedding already."

"I would say it worries me, but it's Alice, so…" Bella shrugged, and Rosalie laughed.

"I know, right? He'd better be good to her, is all I can say."

"Do you think it's weird that we're not even discussing the potential that he might be a psycho killer who takes women home to slaughter them?"

"Why do you have to take it there? Don't be stupid. Everyone there knew him by name. Besides, if Alice trusted him, so do I. He seemed nice."

"So did Emmett," Bella hedged carefully. Rosalie stiffened.

"He was a good lay, I'll give him that. That's about all I can say for him. His personality is like sandpaper." Bella remained silent as Rose pulled into the bar's parking lot. Her heart was racing at the thought of seeing Edward again, and suddenly it was the only thing she could think about. He was the only thing she could think about. "Speaking of laying someone – if you get the chance, you should totally attack your guy. You need the release, and he looked like he had very strong hands." Bella turned to level a glare at Rose, but instead her gaze landed just beyond her friend. There he was, leaning against the side of a rusty red pickup truck. When he caught her eye, his face lit up, and the smile he gave her made her stomach feel like it was doing backflips. Rose sighed.

"Why don't you ride over there in his death trap with him? I'll follow you guys there." Rose suggested. Bella scrambled to unlock her seat belt. "Jesus, at least the asshole's truck was from this century." Bella ignored her and got out, barely remembering to close the car door behind her.

"Hi," Edward said shyly, his cheeks pink. It was the most adorable thing Bella had ever seen.

"Hi," she answered, her smile so big that it almost hurt. "Is it okay if I ride with you? Rose-"

"That would be nice," he interrupted, his smile widening. Bella bit down lightly on her bottom lip to keep from giggling. She didn't miss the way his eyes darted down to her mouth, and then back up. "I'd love for you to ride out to the ranch with me. It'll give me some time to get to know you better."

"That would be nice," Bella agreed. For a moment, they just stood there, smiling at each other.

"Are we going to leave anytime soon, or are you two just going to stand there and eye-fuck each other?" Rose asked through the open window. Bella could feel her face heating.

"Rose!" she hissed angrily, turning to shoot her friend a dirty look. Rose smiled unrepentantly and shrugged. Edward cleared his throat and opened the passenger side door of his truck.

"After you," he said, grinning at her. She smiled and lifted herself into the truck, biting down on her lip again when he closed the door behind her. It seemed like it had been ages since any man had opened a door for her at all, let alone a car door.

"So," she began, after he'd pulled out of the parking lot. "How was your day?"

"It just got a hell of a lot better," he said, smiling at her. She felt her cheeks warm up again, and she smiled back. "It wasn't a bad day. Emmett and Jasper were polar opposites today, so that made it … interesting."

"Was Emmett angry?"

"I wouldn't say angry, really. Distracted, yes, but not angry."

"And Jasper?"

"Jasper had his head in the clouds all day long," Edward laughed, shaking his head. "He was so out of it that I doubt he knew whether to scratch his watch or wind his butt." Bella giggled, and he smiled at her again. "But I'm beginning to think I understand the feeling." She bit down on her bottom lip again, this time trying to stifle the pleased smile that was trying to surface.

"What did Alice do all day, then?" She wondered aloud.

"She distracted Jasper, of course." He chuckled and turned down a gravel road. "She damn near annoyed the living daylights out of Emmett, what with all the questions she asked."

"She was with you guys all day?" She tried to keep the note of jealousy out of her voice. What she would have given to have seen Edward working all day around his ranch… her mind ran wild with the possibilities, and she squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. Edward frowned, mistaking her discomfort for something else.

"Is that okay?" His brow furrowed with worry. Bella found that she really wanted to smooth it out with her fingertips, and then her lips. Maybe she'd been around Rose too long, because suddenly all she could think about was sex. "He said he didn't want to leave her at home alone, because she was new to town, and I didn't really mind that she was there, because she didn't get in the way of anything."

"No, it's fine," she said, trying not to stare at his profile. God, he really was amazingly attractive. Had she not noticed everything last night because of the bar's dim lighting? His eyes were the most beautiful shade of green. His hair was such an unusual mixture of brown and copper, and his neck… God help her, but she wanted to kiss down the length of it so, so badly.

"Bella?" She was startled into focusing back on his face, which was a little pink. "We're here. Are you okay?"

"Yes," she said, giving him what she hoped was a reassuring smile. She glanced around. "I guess I just overthink things sometimes."

"Are you sure you want to … I mean, you don't have to feel obligated to cook for me. I mean, us – just because your friend-"

"Edward," she said, gently laying her hand on his right forearm, "I don't mind. I want to cook for you." She could see the way his throat moved when he swallowed, and it made the interior of the truck feel like the temperature had gone up a hundred degrees.

"Okay then, if you're sure." His voice was soft, and it sent shivers down Bella's spine. Is that what he would sound like when they were in bed? She realized her thought and her eyes widened. "What is it?"

She shook her head to clear the fog from it, and smiled at him. "Nothing. I've just spent too much time around Rose, is all."

"You're sure everything is okay?"

"Yes, Edward. I'm fine. I'm happy to be here – I'm happy to be with you." She blurted it out before she could stop herself, but when she saw the pleased look on her face, she was glad she'd said it. Tanya couldn't have been very nice to him, she thought, if he was so easily pleased by her just wanting to be there.

"Okay. Let me show you around my home, then." He got out of the truck, and just as Bella had suspected that he might, walked around and opened the door for her to get out. He even held his hnd out to help steady her. She slipped her hand into his, and shivered slightly. His hand, though callused from his work, was warm and gentle. She was happy when he didn't let go of her, and instead held her hand to lead her towards the house that she hadn't even noticed until now.

"This doesn't look like a farm house to me," she breathed, taking it in. He chuckled.

"No, I imagine it doesn't. It's not a typical farm house. Momma designed it herself. It's mostly meant for a big family to live here – I don't need all this room, but maybe someday…" he trailed off and shrugged without looking at her.

"Holy shit." Bella turned to see Rose nearing them. She'd almost forgotten about her friend, and she felt a momentary pang of guilt for it. "This is fucking incredible."

"Thanks," Edward said, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. Rose pointedly looked at their joined hands, and then back up at Bella, who smiled brightly. Rose rolled her eyes. "But I can't take credit. I was just telling Bella that this is Momma's doing." Rose's eyes brightened considerably as Edward opened the door.

"You don't keep it locked?" Rose asked, frowning. Edward shook his head.

"There's only one way onto the ranch, and it's monitored by cameras. Besides, Emmett and Jasper are already here." At Emmett's name, Rose's eyes narrowed.

"Well, show us around," Rose prompted, following him inside. Bella didn't know what to look at first. The door they'd come in had led straight into a huge kitchen and dining room area. The ceilings were high, there were beautiful polished wood floors, and – holy hell – the appliances were all stainless steel. Were those marble counter tops?

"I think the tour is maybe over for Bella," Rose said, smirking. Bella was loathe to do it, but she let go of Edward's hand to explore the kitchen. There was an island in the middle of the floor with tons of counter space and a sink. The stove was behind her, against the wall, and it was a flat top – and there was a grill installed right next to it. The refrigerator was industrial sized, though it had an ice maker installed on one door. It also appeared to dispense filtered water.

"I could live in this room," Bella breathed, looking up at the huge window that was directly above the island. There was a beautiful wooden table surrounded by ten matching chairs, and it all sat in front of windows that stretched from the floor to the ceiling.

"Until you see the bedroom, anyway," chirped Alice, walking into the room. Jasper was right behind her, and they were both grinning like Cheshire cats. Bella ignored them in favor of the open door that was beside the fridge. When she poked her head in, she gasped. It was a pantry that was bigger than her apartment's bathroom! There was even a ladder on wheels that reached the topmost shelves. She turned amazed eyes to Edward, who was staring at her with such an intense look that she felt tingles all the way down to her toes.

"While the kitchen is very interesting," Rose began, sounding a little bored, "Can we move on and let Bella drool later?"

Edward shook his head a little, and gave Rosalie a quick smile before motioning for her to follow him. Bella gaped for a moment more at the kitchen, her pulse quickening at the thought that she was going to get to play around in it later. Alice moved to her side and looped an arm through hers, making sure that they lagged at the back of the small group.

"Well? Are you totally head over heels in love, or what?" Alice demanded, her smile wide and knowing. Bella shrugged and felt her face heat up. Alice squealed, which caused Edward to look over his shoulder at them. His curious look moved from Alice to Bella, and he gave her a soft smile before turning back and launching into an answer to some question that Rose had asked him about the living room that they had just come to a stop in.

"You should spend the night here with him," Alice suggested, nodding to herself as she looked around the room. Bella's jaw dropped.

"I can't do that!"

"Why not?" Alice's genuine confusion almost made Bella want to laugh. Almost.

"I just met him yesterday."

"So? I just met Jasper yesterday, and I already know that I'm going to marry him. Rose just met Emmett yesterday and they're going to get married." Bella snorted, drawing the attention of the blonde, who frowned before she turned back to Edward.

"They are not going to get married. She hates him."

"They had sex last night within hours of meeting."

"So? You don't have to like someone to have sex with them," Bella whispered back pointedly. Edward was leading them down a hallway, pointing out various rooms, but she was having trouble concentrating on anything other than the way his body moved as he walked. Alice elbowed her side. "Ouch!"

"Seriously, just find a side room and attack him, already," Alice suggested. Bella gasped, scandalized.

"I will not!"

"Get it out of your system! You're going to drive both of you insane until you do."

"I just met him!" She hissed. "What about that don't you get? I do not jump into bed with men right after I've met one!"

"How's it any different from a one night stand?"

"It's not, but-"

"So jump him! Have some fun. I would say that you need to see if there's any physical chemistry there first, but I can guarantee it in your case, considering the way you look at each other."

"And how's that?" Bella snapped, flustered. She didn't need Alice's encouragement to ogle Edward's backside any more than she already had been. They came to a stop outside a set of closed double doors on either side of the hallway.

"This is one of the guest rooms," Edward explained, opening one set of doors. Alice grinned.

"What's that room?" she asked, nodding her head towards the set of closed doors.

"Um," Edward began, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. "That's my room." Bella felt the heat right down to her painted toenails.

"Can we see it?" Rose asked eagerly. "I'd love to see a masculine bedroom designed by your mom!" Bella's eyebrows shot up, and Rose shrugged. "What? She usually does bedrooms in feminine colors, or makes them neutral – as a rule, she doesn't usually do masculine rooms."

"She did Jasper's," Alice piped up. Rose's eyes jerked to the side, where Jasper leaned against the wall, and he nodded.

"She also did Emmett's," Jasper drawled, his eyes still focused on Alice. He missed Rose's gaping mouth. "She did Emmett's entire house, actually."

"That Neanderthal has a house?" Rose blurted.

"Where did you think he lived?" Bella asked, amused.

"In a cave," Rose snapped. Bella bit her lip to keep from laughing, but there was no mistaking her friend's predatory look of interest. Alice turned back to Edward.

"Do we get to see your room?"

"Um," he said again, clearly embarrassed.

"You don't have to," Bella said. Everyone's eyes turned to her. "What? A bedroom is a sacred space. Why would you want him to share it with everyone?" Rose's eyes narrowed in disappointment. Alice aimed a calculating look at her. All Bella could see, though, was the grateful smile that Edward bestowed on her.

When Edward had showed everyone all that there was to see, the group slowly moved back to the kitchen. When they got there, Edward seemed unsurprised to see Emmett unloading bags of groceries onto the island.

"What did you bring?" Edward asked, moving to help.

"Just what short stuff over there told me to," Emmett said, nodding towards Alice. Alice smiled and clapped excitedly before moving to lean into Jasper. Her back pressed against his front, and he wrapped his arms around her waist before leaning in to press a kiss to the spot behind her left ear. She giggled and snuggled up closer to him. Bella turned away, feeling as though she'd interrupted something intimate, and her eyes met Edward's. The look he was giving her shouldn't have made her feel as lightheaded as it did, but how could she help it, when he was looking at her as though she was something to eat? She cleared her throat and turned to Emmett.

"What did she have you buy?"

"Some special cheese, elbow macaroni, potatoes," Emmett listed, looking through his purchases. "I bought some meat, since I kill at the grill." Jasper murmured his agreement. Bella sighed.

"I thought I was supposed to buy the groceries?" She asked, putting her hands on her hips and turning to Edward. He grinned.

"Now, what kind of gentleman would I be if I let my guest buy the food? You're already cooking it, which makes me feel bad enough."

"Men," she huffed, without heat. Rosalie rolled her eyes, and Alice giggled. "All right, but you're all going to need to get out of my way. Shoo! Out of my kitchen." Edward's smile nearly split his face in half as her friends, who were well aware of how controlling she was in her kitchen at home, left the room. Alice pulled Jasper behind her, and Emmett, though he kept his distance from her, followed Rose out into the living room. Edward lingered for a moment.

"Do you need any help finding anything?" He wondered aloud.

"Just point me in the general direction of your pots and pans and your utensil drawer, and I'll be good to go. Also, do you mind if I raid your pantry?"

"Not at all." He was still grinning as he moved past her to open cabinets so she could see their contents. "Pots and pans down here, and plates and cups up top." He opened what had appeared to be a sliding wooden door, and Bella felt her jaw drop for what felt like the hundredth time that day. The door he'd opened revealed two convection ovens, one stacked on top of the other.

"I want to live in your kitchen," she admitted breathlessly, moving to stand next to him so she could examine the ovens more closely. "If you don't really cook, why do you have a kitchen like this?"

"Momma designed it, remember?" He said, his ears turning pink. "I think she was holding out hope that either I'd learn to use it, or I'd marry someone who knew how." She turned to look at him, but his eyes were averted to the floor. They were standing so close…

"I think every mom wants that for her son," she said, nodding. "She just wants to know that he's going to be taken care of the way she would do it." His eyes darted up to hers, and her breath caught in her throat. He was so beautiful. If he would just lean a little bit closer, their lips would be touching. Maybe he was as shy as she was , though, because he seemed frozen in place, just like she felt.

"Hey, Edward," Emmett began, barreling into the room. He stopped as soon as his eyes fell on his friend and Bella, who jumped apart self-consciously. "Aw, hell. I didn't mean to interrupt anything, I just needed-"

"It's okay, Emmett," Edward said, shaking his head. He cleared his throat. "What did you need?" He followed Emmett out of the kitchen, leaving Bella leaning against the counter and trying to clear her head.