I don't own an recognisable characters. The rest, though, is mine. Happy reading xx

It was starting to drizzle by the time I left class on Thursday, so I zipped up my raincoat as I made the short bike over to the Cullen's house in North Queen Anne.

It was a nice neighbourhood, and I passed block after block of beautifully manicured lawns before arriving at a modestly sized, albeit beautiful weatherboard home. I carried my bike onto the porch and rapped against the door.

When a tall, gorgeous man dressed in dusty carpenter pants and a stained white t-shirt opened the door I frowned and looked down at my phone, checking the address I'd added to my notes.

"I'm sorry, I think I might have the wrong address," I started.

"Are you Bella?" Intense green eyes bore into mine curiously.

"Yes," I hesitated, confused. Maybe this was Lizzie's brother.

"I'm Edward, thanks for coming." He jutted out a hand, and I limply shook it. This was Edward? He only could have been a few years older than me, and he definitely didn't look like he could be the dad of a seventh grader. "Come in," he welcomed me, stepping back to let me pass.

I quickly wiped the shock from my face and smiled as warmly as I could.

"Lizzie will be down in a minute. Just showering off after soccer practice."

"Cool," I bobbed my head, looking around. This place was nice, in an understated way. Lots of timber and furniture that I could tell was custom made. It was also a little messy, but in that lived-in kind of way with books and paperwork strewn across most surfaces and sweatshirts slumped on the backs of the chairs.

"Can I get you a drink," Edward asked, walking past me into the kitchen.

"Um, water's good." I followed behind, trying not to be impolite by staring at his home. I stood across the kitchen island and watched as he drew two glasses out of the cupboard. My eyes subtly flickered to his hands. No ring, huh.

"So, you're a friend of Jasper's?"

"Yeah, he's dating my roommate. He said his brother works with you."

"Riley. He's a good guy."

"Yeah," I nodded awkwardly, accepting the glass of water. It was unprofessional and maybe even a little judgemental of me, but I just couldn't imagine how the Adonis in front of me was a dad. I dutifully avoided his gaze, and it must have made me look like a kid caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

"Have we met?" Edward asked suddenly, a crease crinkling his brow.

"Um, I don't think so," I mumbled. I was sure I'd know if I met this man before.

"Hmmph," he sighed, squinting his eyes like he didn't believe me.

Footsteps thudded down the stairs then, and Edward's concentrated expression melted into a smile.

"In here, Liz!"

A girl with a mop of damp, blonde hair rounded the corner, dressed in an oversized baseball jersey and cutoffs, her feet bare on the wooden floor.

"Lizzie, this is Bella. Bella, Lizzie."

I gave a small wave and smiled at the girl.

"Hi Bella," she said in a friendly voice. She had a pretty face. Pale skin with a smattering of light freckles over her nose, an angular jaw and dainty lips. Her eyes were the same mossy green as her father's and I couldn't help but smile to myself; this one would definitely break some hearts one day.

"Bella, I've prepared some of Lizzie's essays for you. If you want to work over on the kitchen table, I'll just be in here making dinner. Do you need me at all?"

"No, it's okay. I'll just go over this with Lizzie."

We made our way to the table and began going over Lizzie's essays. She pointed out the things she didn't understand, and was attentive as I talked her through her work. Lizzie was sweet and polite even when she huffed in frustration when some of the concepts I was explaining lost her. By the time our hour was up, I gave Lizzie some further reading to help with her next essay and stood collecting my things.

"How'd she go?" Edward asked when he walked me to the door, dishrag slung over his shoulder. I had to remind myself how to swallow.

"She's smart, it just seems like she needs some extra help with some of the bigger concepts in the curriculum. I think we should probably stick to an hour and a half once a week, and if she's still struggling in a few weeks, I can come twice a week."

Edward nodded thoughtfully. "Thanks, Bella. She's really strong at math, it seems like the less logic-heavy subjects just aren't made for the way she's wired."

"I get that," I chuckled. "I was always the opposite, though. I could barely add two plus two in school."

A small amused smile tugged at his scruffy cheek. God, he was good looking.

"Anyway, I'd better get going before the rain starts again. Same time next week?"

"Sounds good," Edward smiled. I hoisted my bike down the porch steps. "I knew it!" He gasped.

I spun around in alarm, seeing bright pearly whites as Edward threw his head back in laughter.

"You're the cyclist who flipped me off the other day."

I was baffled. I what now? I opened my mouth to ask him what he was talking about then snapped my mouth shut as it dawned on me. I glanced at the driveway and clocked the dark grey pick up parked there then snapped my eyes back to Edward's amused face. Shit, there goes this job, then.

"Ahhh… yeah?" I ducked my head in embarrassment. "In my defence, you did almost run me over," I grumbled weakly.

I heard a snort and peeked up between my lashes. "I had my turn signal on," he rebutted, but there was a smile in his voice.

"Did not." God, I sounded like I should be his pre-teen kid, not her tutor. I expected to see irritation in his face, but instead his features were still colored in amusement.

"Okay, truce," he raised his hands. "I'm sorry for cutting you off, and I'm glad you weren't hurt. I should've checked my blind spot more carefully."

I smirked, but I could still feel embarrassment pooling in my cheeks. "And I'm sorry for flipping you off," I replied quietly.

"I'll see you next week, Bella." The crooked smile that quirked his lips was almost enough to take my breath away.

I decided to leave before I put my foot in my mouth, and mounted my bike with an awkward wave before taking off down the street, praying a sink hole would appear and swallow me up.

By the time I got home some of the humiliation had faded, and all that was left was the burning question running through my mind.

Whose dad looks like that?