WRECKED

A special request from EternallyAddicted

Three weeks. Three whole weeks of anticipation and excitement, and just between the walls and her, a dose of anxiety. Also three weeks of testing makeup and hairstyles and earrings and shoes to ensure she fully looked like she belonged in the slinky sapphire dress with the thigh high slit. Now looking at herself in her full-length bathroom mirror, Bella grinned with satisfaction.

It had been a while since she'd last dusted off her best products and shined herself up for public consumption, but she'd wanted to take her time to sort herself out after the fall she'd taken when her last relationship had imploded. She'd owed that recovery time to herself and to the future she wanted to build, whether that ever included anyone besides herself. As her grandmother was fond of saying, You want someone to love you with their whole heart, then love yourself that way first. Grandma swore it was how she'd landed Bella's grandfather and had enjoyed sixty years of marriage so far. Bella had taken those words to heart over the past months, and she'd found the more she came to love herself, the less she worried about what the future might hold. It was a kind of peace she hadn't known was possible. It also had brought her a new level of self-confidence, hence the sapphire dress.

Her phone buzzed with an incoming text and she laughed at the message: Time to SAMTP

Her best friends, Alice and Rosalie, had an affinity for coming up with phrases for things and had been entertaining her with them since the first day they'd met during high school nearly a decade ago. Their current favorite was Slay and Make Them Pray, meaning they would be looking so amazing there was no way someone wouldn't want to meet them.

Bella slipped her phone into her purse, locked up her townhouse, and headed down the walkway to the shiny black SUV idling in front of her home. A man in a suit climbed out of the driver's seat and opened the back door for her. She could hear the laughter of her friends and it brought a smile to her face.

Once seated comfortably beside them, she found the source of their amusement. Rosalie was sharing a video of her newest dating app match, a man wide enough to easily fill the space the three of them were currently occupying.

"He really took your challenge to heart," Alice giggled.

Bella chuckled. "Pretty sure he wasn't thinking with his heart when he sent her that."

"Still more restrained than a dick pic," Rosalie murmured while tapping to rewind the video.

Alice's smile flipped to a speculative stare. "Are you actually considering a date with him?"

Rosalie shrugged. "Why not? He made me laugh. That's a prized quality in these dark days of online dating."

"Touché," Alice replied solemnly. And then she locked eyes with Bella and a wicked grin graced her lips. "When are we activating your profile?" Before Bella could react, Alice continued. "You said not to ask before you were ready and your everything tonight screams you are ready."

Bella laughed. "Alice, please let me just enjoy tonight before you slap me with your three-year dating plan for me."

"I pared it down to eighteen months," she replied stiffly. And then snorted at herself. "Okay, I get what you're saying. We enjoy tonight for tonight."

BEBEBEBE

Standing stoically in front of the bar and looking down on the men sitting at the table before him, Jasper looked exactly like the leader he was. He was dressed in his freshly pressed black chef's jacket and pants, his ugly but necessary black crocks, and wore the expression of a commander about to give his loyal troops their marching orders.

"Edward and Emmett, your job is to observe our guests and let me know immediately if anyone isn't having a good time. Do not interfere. Do not offer to help them have a good time. Just tell me so I can handle it. Appropriately. And I mean this with every ounce of seriousness possible, do not get your dick wet in my place. I promise they'll never find your bodies."

Edward snorted at Jasper's bellowed command. He knew he was being addressed just as much as Emmett was, but he also knew he had more self-restraint than his buddy. Besides, he doubted there would really be anyone that spectacular on opening night. Not that he had any doubt that Jasper's new wine and tapas bar wouldn't be a huge hit, but it was a Wednesday night. Women who liked to be seen liked crowds and those happened on Friday and Saturday nights.

Emmett said nothing, which raised Edward's suspicion and he glanced over to find him smiling down at his phone. Interesting development since half the time he didn't know where the thing was and the other half he used it to loudly broadcast sports scores. Neither instance had ever put that cat swallowing the canary smile on his buddy's face before.

"And James and Jacob," Jasper continued, "If you want to see the sun rise tomorrow, pour the drinks exactly as you were trained and charge the exact menu price for them. No overpours and no comps. Not a single one."

Jacob gave a mock salute. "Yes, Sir, Chef, Sir."

"Promise," James drawled while making an 'x' in the air over his heart.

Jasper sighed heavily and Edward wondered if the man wasn't regretting every choice he'd ever made that had helped to create this eclectic friend group of theirs. He and Emmett and Edward had grown up together on the same street so there was never a chance for escape there. James had been Jasper's roommate in their first year of college and had just kind of never left. And then there was Jacob, the youngest of the group. He'd started out as a dishwasher at the crappy place Jasper had worked at before stepping out on his own, and had now worked his way up to bartending at Jasper's new place.

"Re-lax," Emmett said with his signature dimpled grin. "We've got this. More importantly, you've got this, Jaz, man. Opening night is gonna be a slam dunk, and once word gets out, the place will be a beast."

Jasper nervously curled and uncurled his hands into fists. "If I can keep you four on task and keep the front of house and kitchen running smoothly, this might just work."

"When have we ever failed to execute one of your ingenious ideas?" Edward asked him.

Jasper let out a breath and his shoulders relaxed a little. "Thank you, guys. This means a lot to me, that you would all jump in to help me make this happen."

Emmett was the first to his feet, reciting a lyric from a song the group had spent hours trying to sing along to in the cramped loft apartment he shared with Jasper and James. "We'll walk this road together, through the storm."

James and Jacob stood together and said the next line, "Whatever weather, cold or warm."

And then Edward stood and put a hand on Jasper's shoulder. "Just lettin' you know that you're not alone."

Jasper smiled for the first time in days. "You're all terrible, but I love you bastards."

The guys grabbed hold of him and made kissing noises at him until he started to laugh. The sound was proof they'd managed to calm him down and shift him into the right headspace for tonight. They let him go and each headed off to take care of final tasks before the doors opened.

BEBEBEBE

Alice was the first out of the SUV and onto the decently crowded sidewalk. Thanks to Alice's yearly insistence that they each get a dress they wouldn't normally wear, the three friends were destined to be standouts in the crowd waiting to experience the city's newest attraction.

Alice gave the hem of her glittering pink thigh high dress a quick tug down and then slipped into the line. She seemed to be perfectly comfortable in the dress despite its short length and the skin-baring cutout at her left hip. It certainly did its intended job of making her short legs look longer, and the shade of pink complimented her black hair and dark brown eyes. Rosalie followed next, her dark green flowy dress with its front slit and her silver high heels gave her a goddess vibe. The color wasn't one she wore often, and Bella loved the way it brought attention to Rosalie's striking eyes which were a rare violet hue. Bella was last, very careful not to let her sapphire dress ride up any higher on the slit side than it already did.

Once inside they were seated at a three-person table with a round high-gloss wooden top and comfortable black velvet chairs. The overall interior design of the restaurant held a mix of industrial and wood with a polished concrete floor that shined in the low, comfortable lighting.

"This place is S-A-S," Alice said, looking all around.

"Super Adorable and Sweet about covers it," Bella agreed.

"It's more packed than I'd expected," Rosalie shared. "That's a good sign for them."

Alice smiled as she touched Rosalie's arm. "They did have the best hype person putting out their deets."

Rosalie blushed. "Thanks, Ali."

"If the food and wine taste as good as this place looks, it'll quickly move from hype to truth," Bella said. It always amazed Bella that as confident as Rosalie was, she was equally nervous about her work being great.

Within a couple of minutes, a female server stood before them with a wine menu that contained both glass and bottle pricing. While the ladies looked it over, the server explained how the tapas menu tonight would work; it was preset, but she assured them it would amazing. After a little back and forth, the ladies decided to go with a glass each so they could share. The server wrote down their choices, assured them she'd be back soon, and disappeared off into the crowd.

They each looked around the room, taking in more of their surroundings while they waited. Bella noticed much of the décor on the walls seemed to be black and white photos instead of trendy art pieces like most places used these days.

"Well, hello there," Alice murmured.

Rosalie and Bella's phones vibrated seconds later. Bella lifted hers from her lap while Rosalie was already holding hers. They looked at each other and then they opened Alice's text.

Alice: Bella has an admirer.

Rosalie: Where?

Bella: Are you sure?

A: Over your left shoulder, Roe. At the last table in the back.

Rosalie and Bella each took a turn glancing about the room while trying not to make it obvious they were looking for anyone in particular. Sitting alone with an arm lazily resting across the back of his own black velvet chair sat a man in all-black—jacket, turtleneck, pants, and shoes—with a jaw sharp enough to cut and blonde-brown hair tousled enough it had to be on purpose. He did indeed seem to be laser focused on their table, though Bella doubted he was truly looking at her.

B: I don't think he's looking at anyone. He looks bored.

A: Uh no! That man is hungry!

Rosalie stared at Bella as she typed, a wicked smile curving her lips. And he's ogling you like he wants you for his appetizer, dinner, and dessert.

Bella chuckled while typing her response. Roe, stop! That poor guy is probably waiting on his girlfriend to stop checking her makeup in the bathroom and get back to their table.

R: That is not a girlfriend guy. That is a full on man who will wreck your whole world and make you thank him for it.

A: ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY

Bella smiled and shook her head at her friends before texting them a reply. You two are ridiculous.

R: We're jealous. We're not the ones he's staring at while he licks those biteable lips of his.

Bella could feel her skin flushing and all she could think to type was three dots.

Alice sent her a laughing emoji while laughing at her. Yes, you! Woman, you are on fire tonight in your sapphire dress. The very same one I had to almost literally twist your arm to get you to buy.

B: Excuse you! I totally had my eye on this dress before you said anything!

R: PHONES DOWN! SIR HOTNESS APPROACHES!

Bella shifted toward Roe so she could slyly look over her shoulder and watch the approach of the man. Oh but he was tall, and the closer he came, the more striking his features.

"Ladies." The greeting came from a deep velvet voice that reminded Bella of dark chocolate, her favorite late-night snack while reading. Though he'd spoken to the table, his stare was solely focused on Bella and it was hard for her to hold back her smile. He continued, "I noticed your table was empty and thought you might be in need of wine suggestions."

Alice had been resting her chin on her fist, but she sat up fully at his question and asked one of her own. "Do you normally wear glasses?"

His head shifted to the right slightly as he focused on her. "No, my vision is fine."

"Then you were staring at our friend much harder than we thought," Roe said, smiling up at him.

There was a quick flash of shock in his blue-green eyes that was immediately replaced with humor. "My apologies. My only defense is that I went blind to everything but your friend." Those vivid orbs were once again studying Bella, filled with an intensity that she had not garnered from the opposite sex in quite some time. This night was turning out to be amazing and she hadn't even gotten her wine or food yet.

BEBEBEBE

Edward had started out with every intention of following Jasper's orders for tonight, but there was a saying about something, something, best laid plans. It was not his fault the gorgeous bombshell brunette had chosen opening night to visit. And honestly, how much restraint was he expected to have when tempted to this degree? Vivid brown eyes that he could feel the weight of, hair so dark, wavy, and shiny that it looked like a river of liquid chocolate, and golden skin wrapped in an enticing blue dress that fit her every curve. Fuck Jasper's rules.

Although, if he had listened, he wouldn't have just delivered the frontrunner for worst pick up line to ever leave his lips.

The brunette's painted dark pink lips curled into a sinful smirk. "You're what? Six-two? And that line is what you reached for?"

He laughed at her sass. "Admittedly not my best, but I'm on the clock here. I'm focused on making sure our V-I-Ps are enjoying themselves and you gorgeous ladies are very important." He figured a little truth mixed with a compliment would get him on their good side.

He figured wrong.

All three of them laughed at him.

"Shouldn't you have a name tag if you work here?" the short one in the pink dress asked. Edward had already pegged her as the true ball buster of the group, which surprised him. He had guessed it would be the near-Amazonian in green who would fill that role.

In his experience, girlfriend groups had set roles. One was the overprotective ball buster suspicious of everyone, one was the motherly soft shoulder to cry on, and one was the free spirit always two steps away from leaving the city to join a commune in the forest. He'd pegged the short one for the forest dweller, the tall one for the protector, and the brunette for the softie. He'd figured wrong for the second time in as many minutes.

"I never said I worked here," he corrected. "I'm helping out a friend. And making three new ones."

At that moment, their server appeared with their wine selections. Strike three. Edward distractedly ran a hand through his hair while trying to come up with a reason to linger at their table.

Some god somewhere took pity on him because the brunette asked for his name.

"Edward," he gave her, having learned long ago not to give out his last name unless he wanted to be found.

"Well, Edward, this is Rosalie, and this is Alice. I'm Bella." She offered her hand and he wasted no time in bringing it to his lips and pressing a kiss to her soft skin.

"Bella," he said, tasting the name on his tongue and deciding he liked it very much. "Is there a number to go with your lovely name?"

She grinned while pulling her hand free. "Does yours?"

He leaned into her, bracing himself with a hand on the table and catching a whiff of some sort of floral perfume. "You've had my number since you sat down."

"Excuse me, Edward," one of the servers said, appearing at his elbow. "You're needed at the bar."

The last thing he wanted to do was walk away from this table without Bella's number, but he'd promised Jasper his help. After letting the server know he'd be there soon, he focused his attention on Bella, leaning into her space again. "Don't leave until I get back."

Bella's brows pulled together. "And why would I agree to that?"

"You want me to have your number."

She moved the slightest bit closer to him and the way her dress moved with her body did interesting things to his own. "What is it that you really want, Edward?"

"To find out what you eat for breakfast."

"Shouldn't you know what I like for dinner first since I'm a V-I-P here tonight?"

He stared at her lips for a second before lifting his darkened eyes to her curious gaze. "I'd rather dessert."

Her blush started high in her cheeks but quickly spread to her chest. "I might be here," she said, trying to hide her smile behind the rim of her wine glass.

"I'll be back soon," he promised. He made his way to the bar, wondering when the last time was that a woman had actually made him work for her attention.

Just as he reached the bar's edge, he heard a loud hissing sound. He looked up to the ventilation tube, hoping they weren't about to have a malfunction.

The hissing sound came again but was followed this time by Emmett's attempt at a whisper of his name.

Edward leaned over the bar-top and wasn't sure what to make of the sight before him. Emmett was crouching low with beads of sweat rolling down his pale face.

"Did you pick at the raw ingredients again?" Edward asked.

Emmett stood but made sure to bend forward so that Edward acted as a partition between him and the patrons. He practically shoved his phone in Edward's face while tapping hard on the screen. "You talked to her. You saw her. Up. Close."

Edward snatched the phone and looked at the dating profile on the screen. "This is what you've been smiling about? You started online dating again? How did you manage to forget what happened last time?"

"It's a different site with grown-ups on it," he defended. "She is on it." Emmett chanced a glance over Edward's shoulder. "She looks fucking perfect. And did you see her long legs?"

"If you think she's that hot then why are you're hiding instead of introducing yourself?"

"Because I'm dressed like Jasper's bitch and not a man who has his life together," Emmett whined.

Edward had seen many, many, many versions of Emmett over the years but he had never seen one this strung out about a first impression with a woman. While Emmett's outfit of a black vest over a grey long-sleeve button down with black jeans was not the worst outfit he'd ever worn, it was definitely not an outfit for meeting the caliber of women sitting together at that table, so Edward took pity on him. "Is there something you want me to do? I can't stand here and hide you from sight all night." Nothing and no one was going to keep him from getting back to that table before Bella left.

"Cover for me so I can hide like the coward I am, okay? I have a date with her tomorrow night and that's when she's supposed to see me, not tonight in this getup."

"Get him out of here," James said, his southern accent thicker with his annoyance. "There's barely enough room for Jacob and me as it is."

Edward glanced over his shoulder to check he was right about the ladies not looking his way—he no longer felt the weight of Bella's stare. "Walk with me, Em. Straight across the bar and into the kitchen. You can work in the back with Jasper."

"Fucking life saver, dude," Emmett said while practically duck-walking to stay hidden behind Edward's slightly shorter height and less broad frame.

Once Emmett had been deposited into the kitchen and made to swear he owed a favor, Edward did a full walk around exactly as Jasper had requested. He'd thought it would be quick and easy until he found the sourpuss couple sitting in the last booth along the main wall. He knew he was not the one for defusing whatever their situation was so he dutifully headed back to the kitchen to report to Jasper.

By the time it was all sorted out, the ladies were standing and checking their purses. Edward cursed under his breath and tried not to make it obvious that he was rushing toward their table.

BEBEBEBE

"Oh, Bella," Rosalie sang. "Incoming."

Bella looked up and right into Edward's determined face. His intensity made her heartrate skyrocket. She'd thought he was only joking about wanting her number but his was not the look of a man in a joking mood. His was pure determination.

Alice chuckled as she waved the bill at her friends. "I'll just go take care of this."

"And I'll be right over there checking out the photos," Rosalie said before leaving Bella standing alone at the table.

She didn't have time to argue because he was already standing next to her, so close that she felt his heat and smelled his cologne, something with cedar in it. Her grandfather liked cedar for building things and his workshop always smelled amazing.

"Leaving so soon?" Edward asked.

"It's a Wednesday night so we all have work in the morning," she explained.

"You can stay for a drink with me and I'll have you home by ten."

She smirked at his forwardness. "I don't ditch my friends or take rides from strangers."

He reached for her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it. "I want to be your friend, Bella. Stay so we can get to know each other."

She took her hand back. "I'm not opposed to getting to know you, just in it happening tonight." She reached into her purse and pulled out a card that she handed to him.

Edward looked at the front, flipped it to find the back empty, and then studied the front. He frowned as he flipped the card again, making absolute sure there was nothing on the back. "This is an address."

"It's where I'll be Tuesdays through Fridays," she explained. She took a step back and smiled. "If you really want to get to know me, stop by." Before she could overthink what she was doing, she turned toward Rosalie.

Edward gently gripped her arm and turned her to face him. "You're really not going to give me your number?"

"I thought we'd already established it's not my number you actually want." She took the card she'd given him, noting the imprint of his fingers from how tightly he'd gripped it, and slid it into the breast pocket of his suit jacket. She gave it a pat as she smiled up at him. "You know where to find me."

She felt Rosalie behind her and turned to link arms with her. They collected Alice at the front door and headed out to the SUV. Rosalie climbed in first, followed by Bella, and Alice last.

Once the vehicle was moving, the silence was broken by all three of them speaking at once.

Bella asked Alice about her red face.

Rosalie asked Bella about her shaky legs.

Alice asked Bella about her nearly full body blush.

They laughed together and then did rock, paper, scissors to see who would get their question answered first. Bella won for a change.

Alice's smile filled her whole face. "I have a date."

"Deets," Roe demanded.

"I went up to the bar to pay our bill," Alice began. "Before I could hand it to the hostess, this gorg man came out of nowhere and took it from me." She chuckled. "The look on the hostess's face made it clear this was not the norm. He introduced himself as the chef and owner, Jasper, and wanted to know how I'd enjoyed my night. I told him the wine and food had been delicious, but he was by far the most delectable morsel I'd seen tonight."

Bella gasped. "You did not."

"You know she did," Roe said through her laughter.

Alice's smile was absolutely devious. "I must not tell lies."

"What did he say in response?" Bella asked.

"Well, after he collected his wits, he said our dinner was on him and he hoped we'll be regulars. Then he asked when I thought we might be back. So I asked a question of my own … when and where he planned for us to meet for a first date."

Roe practically cackled while Bella shook her head in awe. She wasn't sure she'd ever be able to be that forward, no matter how much self-confidence she had.

"Did you score a date?" Roe asked.

Alice beamed. "He's swamped with getting the restaurant going but he's taking Saturday morning off to meet me for breakfast at my favorite place."

Roe shook her head while smiling. "The sheer amount of spunk contained in your four-foot-ten body is incredible."

"Why thank you," Alice replied with a mock bow. She sat back so she could lock her dark brown eyes on Bella's face. "Deets. Now."

Bella couldn't stop her blush despite reminding herself there was nothing to be embarrassed about. "I don't know what to say."

"We could start with if you're going to see him again," Roe replied.

Bella shrugged. "I gave him my card. If he shows up, then I'll see him."

"What did you think of him?" Alice asked.

"I think … I think he was intense." Bella bit at her lip for a second, trying to figure out what else to say. "And he smelled of cedar. And the way he said the things he said … I think he might actually be a little into me."

Roe and Ali laughed, and then Roe said, "Like the Titanic was a little sunk?"

"Okay, okay," Bella gushed. "He made me feel like if we had been the only ones there, there would have been a lot less clothing and talking. And I'm pretty sure that if we were to get physical, that would be the last time I saw him. He is not looking for a girlfriend."

"How do you feel about that?" Roe asked softly. She had been such a source of comfort in those early months after the breakup when Bella had needed a shoulder to cry on.

"Honestly, the thought of something just purely physically enjoyable with nothing attached to it is really appealing right now." Bella shrugged. "I don't feel ready to invest time into anyone but me just yet. Is that wrong?"

"You take whatever time you need," Roe said, patting her hand.

Ali squeezed Bella's other hand while smiling at her. "I have a good feeling about this."

Roe looked between the two of them for a moment. "Okay, I'm just gonna say it … If fingers and feet are anything to go by, Bella, you are in for a memorable time."

"Right!" Ali cried.

"You guys," Bella whined while slinking back into the seat and hoping it might swallow her up. Rather than let that happen, her best friends wrapped their arms around her and hugged her tight.

What a night this had been! Good friends, good food and wine, and a potential rendezvous with a handsome man. Totally worth all the work she'd put in with the dress, hair, and makeup. She only hoped Edward would look at her with that same intensity when he saw her in her everyday look. If he saw her …

BEBEBEBE

"Miss Bella," Angela called, her head poking through the crack in Bella's office door. "There's somebody asking for you."

Bella tried to keep her focus on her report, not wanting to lose her momentum. "Who is it?"

In typical teenage fashion, a surly non-helpful response was given. "Some guy."

With a sigh, Bella clicked save and closed out the document. She'd just have to try again tonight after everyone went home. Not knowing who it might be, and just in case it was a donor, she checked her outfit and light makeup to make sure she looked the part of the responsible adult on the premises.

When she reached the front desk and saw the backside of her visitor, she came to a sudden halt. It had been almost two weeks since she'd given Edward her card, and it had been a week ago that she'd decided he wasn't interested in seeing her again.

He turned and as he looked her up and down, his eyes darkened the same way as that night at the restaurant. It gave her a boost of confidence and she smiled as she stepped toward him. "Hi, Stranger," she greeted.

Edward smirked as he crowded her, his cedar scent wrapping around her like a warm blanket. "I've passed this place hundreds of times but never thought much about it."

Bella looked around the place with a proud smile. It wasn't a fancy building by any means, but it did a great job of giving teenagers a safe place to land. "That was me up until a few years ago. Now, I couldn't imagine not being part of this."

"What exactly do you do here?"

"Let me take you on a tour," she offered.

He glanced at his watch for a few seconds and then nodded at her.

They walked side by side and Bella was fully aware of how very little space there was between their bodies. His heat and his scent were distracting, and she found herself working hard to keep her focus. She showed him the rooms for homework, TV, tutoring, and music and explained how each helped to keep the kids out of trouble and doing well in school. She showed him the tiny kitchen where they were able to provide snacks and drinks. There were the three almost closet sized offices that she and the managers used, and the actual closet where they kept board games, spare clothing, and school supplies for those who needed them.

It wasn't until she showed him the tiny basketball court out back that he seemed more than politely interested in her tour. They had lost their only male volunteer months ago and none of the ladies who worked here could play. Sure, they could participate by refereeing but that didn't earn trust like actually being in the game with the kids did. She wasn't sure what made her feel this way, but she felt certain if she got him to play with them, he would end up being a regular volunteer.

"They could use one more," she suggested, watching his face closely.

Edward smirked as he shifted his gaze from the game to her face. "I was wondering about that note at the bottom of the card."

She had written 'wear something comfortable', not sure if he would find anything that interested him about the place but hoping anyway. "You don't seem to have taken it seriously," she teased, once again taking in his tailored black suit jacket, black shirt, black dress pants, and black dress shoes. She wondered if black was his signature color the way that pink was Alice's.

He started to pull his jacket off, his eyes never leaving hers. "There are easier ways to get me naked."

Bella's face immediately began heating up. "I love this job so you just behave."

He chuckled while folding his jacket over his arm. "You got a changing room here?"

"Just over there," she said, pointing to a door at the back right.

He leaned in and whispered into her ear. "Stay put this time."

Her blush deepened and she couldn't help watching him until he was out of sight.

"Miss Bella! We can't get the lids off!"

Bella shook her head to clear it and then walked over to the makeshift art studio area that started almost where the court ended. It was why they only had the one hoop at the other end—too many balls smashing into the tables and sending paint flying.

She was in the middle of complementing Maddie on her gorgeous beach scene when she felt the weight of Edward's stare. He stood just a foot away wearing a sleeveless grey shirt that showed off his well-defined arms, black basketball shorts that stopped just above his sculpted calves, and an expensive pair of orange running shoes. She recognized those because she was a runner herself, usually during the quiet early morning at dawn. Once again she found herself appreciating how strikingly handsome he was.

Bella walked Edward over to the group of teens on the court and introduced them all to each other. His height made him worth arguing over for whose team he would be on to the point that Bella had to resolve it by pulling out her phone and performing the digital coin flip that she used to end many of the disagreements around here. It also came in handy on nights when she and Ali and Roe couldn't decide what to watch—which were many.

With the teams set, she withdrew to the art area, leaving Edward to bond with the kids while also getting to enjoy the sight of him moving fluidly around the court. The first time she heard him laugh, it left her breathless. By the time the game was over, she'd become so familiar with it that she no longer needed to look up to make sure it had come from him.

To her unexpected but happy surprise, Edward stayed long after the game ended and even helped her close up the building for the night.

"You do this every day?" he asked, placing the last chair on the table in the homework area.

"Just Tuesdays through Fridays."

He grimaced. "Still too much time with teenagers."

She laughed. "Admit it! You had fun with the kids today. And you're already thinking about when you can come back."

He joined her in the doorway, leaving hardly any room between them. "You have an awful lot of opinions about me for someone who just met me."

"Oh so that wasn't your laughter I heard during the basketball game?" She could tell from the lines at the edges of his eyes that he was fighting with everything in him not to smile. "My mistake. I'll just let the kids know you were absolutely bored to tears and have no interest in returning." She turned and started walking toward her office.

She didn't get far before she found herself spun around and pressed against Edward's chest. "Thursdays," he said, his eyes on her lips.

"So we'll see you in two days?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"When do I get to see you?"

She swallowed thickly, knowing what he was really asking. "When the time is right."

His eyes met hers as his lips pulled down into a deep scowl. "If you're some kind of hopeless romantic, I'm the last person you should be with."

"As it so happens, I am a hopeful romantic. But lucky for you, I'm also a fan of sexual pleasure and I have no doubt you're the right man for that job."

"Just not now?"

She stepped away and looked around at this special place she loved despite the hardships that came with dealing with impoverished teenagers. "Nothing is worth risking this job—these kids."

"I respect that," he replied, slipping his hands into the pockets of his shorts. "You have until Thursday night to decide on when and where."

She found herself laughing. "How generous of you."

His voice hit that dark chocolate pitch as he said, "You have no idea."

"I uh," she said, fighting to clear her head. "I need to lock up and get home. I have to be back early in the morning to open."

"I'll give you a ride home."

She wasn't sure that was entirely wise, but she also wasn't ready for their time together to end. Plus, she would bet whatever car he drove would be more comfortable than the bus she normally took home. "That would be great. Thanks."

She quickly grabbed her things from her office, locked the door, and made her way to the front entry. Edward was leaning against the wall, his gym bag on his shoulder, and his eyes staring down at his feet. She wondered what he was thinking and if he would answer if she asked. In the end she decided they weren't at that level of friendship yet and left it alone.

She was right about his car beating out the bus. Between the super comfortable leather seats and the deep rumble of his voice as he talked about growing up with his two best friends—one of which was the chef who had asked Alice out—she almost fell asleep and likely would have if she hadn't been in charge of navigating for him.

He slowed the car and brought it to a smooth stop in front of her townhouse. He leaned down to see out her passenger window. "Nice place."

She smiled as she looked out at her home. "I wanted to be on my own but still be close to my grandparents in case they need me. They live just a few streets over."

She felt the weight of his stare as he said, "You like helping people."

She opened her mouth to respond but was cut off by the roar of sudden rain slamming down onto the car. "Well that's just rude," she said, trying to see through the wall of water sliding down the windshield.

Edward laughed and then reached into the backseat for his gym bag. He plopped it onto the console between then and pulled out his jacket. "This time, really stay put." He opened his door and stepped out while trying to cover his head with the jacket. The water must have felt cold because he let out a loud yelp that had Bella giggling. She could barely see the outline of his body as he crossed around the front of the car and came to her door.

She slipped out of the car and under his jacket with him, and it was her turn to yelp at the coldness. They both laughed and then started walking as fast as they dared toward her home.

They made it under the portico, but sadly the jacket had not done much to keep them from getting drenched. They looked each other over and laughed again.

"Your hair," Bella giggled while reaching up to brush the rain away. She'd be lying if she said she hadn't been thinking about running a hand through it since that first night.

He caught her wrist and used the grip to pull her against him. His mouth crashed down on to hers and she eagerly met the needy pace he set. Her entire body warmed from their fiery kiss, making it a struggle for her to not grab him and press further into him. While her body felt fully ready for more, she knew her mind wasn't quite there yet. With great effort, she pulled out of the kiss and stepped back from him.

"Bella." His gaze was nothing short of hungry and his arms corded with restraining himself from grabbing her again. She knew then it really was going to feel like being wrecked when she was finally ready for what he was offering.

She made herself turn around to unlock and open the front door. Once she was safely standing on the other side of the threshold, she turned to face him. "Thank you, Edward. For everything."

"Two days, Bella." He reached in and pulled the door shut as if he couldn't trust himself if he looked at her any longer.

She flipped the deadbolt and then turned and leaned against the door to support her shaking legs. Her entire body felt flushed and her lips tingled. If this was her body's reaction after a single kiss … It brought to mind a lyric from a song she'd heard recently but had not fully understood until now—I'd suffer hell if you'd tell me what you'd do to me tonight. With the fire burning between them, pleasure was not going to be the right word for what was coming their way. Armageddon might be closer to the truth.

BEBEBEBE

Edward pressed harder on the gas, determined to put as much space between him and that house as soon as possible. The car was almost a blur flying past the few cars on the road this late at night.

He drove straight home and slammed to a stop in his usual spot in his three-car garage. He turned the engine off and then stared at his hands white knuckling the steering wheel for an endless amount of time.

"Fuck!" He screamed it out a couple more times before finally relaxing his hands and leaning back into his seat. He was in such deep, unending shit. And it was the fault of his best friends. Those two galoots had poked and prodded at him until he'd agreed to go to the address just to shut them up. And now …

Now he wanted to drive right back to her place and finish that kiss. He wanted to peel the wet clothes from her body and make that moment the when and where.

But she wasn't ready yet. And that should have been the end of things. He didn't wait around for friendship or whatever else she wanted because this wasn't going to be anything other than a one-time thing. Life was less complicated that way, less annoying and burdensome.

And yet he didn't want to wait until Thursday to see her again. He'd just risked getting his car impounded with the way he'd sped home to get away and now that he was here, he wanted to drive back to her. What the hell was wrong with him?

No. No, this was stupid. He would go ahead and volunteer a couple Thursdays at the center, that wouldn't hurt anything. And it had been a while since he'd physically gotten involved in a project instead of just writing out anonymous charitable donations. He could consider this research to see if her center was a worthwhile cause, to see if it belonged on his list of organizations to sponsor.

Done. Decision made. He'd just grab his gym bag, go take a hot shower, and then work on his laptop until he was ready to sleep. That was exactly what he should be doing.

He pressed the top name in his call log and waited impatiently for it to be answered on the other end. His call went to voicemail. So did the second and the third. But the fourth got him an answer.

"Dude, what the fuck?" Jasper barked into the phone. "You better be dying."

Edward ignored his surly attitude. "Ask Alice when Bella takes her runs."

"What? What are you—" Jasper was interrupted by Edward impatiently talking over him, repeating his demand. "Uh, yeah, I guess I can ask that … Edward, are you okay?"

"Call me back as soon as you have the answer." Edward ended the call and then grabbed his bag and headed inside. He took that hot shower he'd wanted and then settled in at his desk and pulled open his laptop.

He was still staring at the same screen when Jasper finally rang him. "You ever call me like that again without it being an emergency and I'll beat your ass," he threatened.

"Don't send me to voicemail then," Edward replied. "Did you ask her?"

"Yeah, I asked her. But I'm not telling you what she said until you tell me why you want to know."

Edward flicked the steel ball on his Newton's cradle and enjoyed the satisfactory sound of it smacking into the others on the pendulum. "Tell me."

Jasper laughed. "That bossy tone doesn't work on me, bro."

He shifted in his chair and leaned back into the supple leather. "Was just thinking she and I could go running together."

"Thinking with your head and not your dick with a woman? Will wonders truly never cease?"

He ignored the taunt. "When does she run?"

"Bella." Jasper rarely missed anything so of course he had noticed the lack of her name in their conversation. "Bella enjoys running at dawn. She likes to watch the sun come up and doesn't like the sidewalks to be crowded."

"I only asked for a time," he growled, not sure why he was annoyed by the extra information.

"You only are freaking the fuck out. What happened today?"

"Nothing. I showed up at the address and it was a center for teens so I hung out with the kids some and learned what she does there."

"Potential new project?"

"Maybe. I need to know more about what they're trying to accomplish and what the long-term plans are for the program and the building they're in."

"So the running is part of the research?" Jasper questioned, though he already knew the answer and they both knew that.

Edward watched the movement of his cradle for a bit before answering, trying to calm his mind and figure out what had him in knots. "I saw the shoes when I dropped her off and thought it couldn't hurt to get to know her more before we hook up."

"I know you're not going to listen to me, you rarely do even though I'm usually right, but I'm going to say it anyway … This once, don't make the end the goal. Let the journey have your focus instead."

"Remind Emmett we're meeting at your place at 9am tomorrow to go over the financial portfolio for Vita Nova. Love you."

"Love you too, you stubborn ass."

Edward smiled slightly as he set the phone down on the desk. He really was lucky to have Jasper and Emmett in his life. They'd grown up together on the same street, went to school together from Elementary to High School, and pretty much spent every waking moment together. Where there was one, there were all three. It had driven their parents and teachers crazy sometimes, usually those times when Emmett was in charge of picking what they did that day, though Edward had often gotten them in trouble too.

He stood and stretched, groaning from the feeling of his shoulder muscles tightening further and then finally relaxing. He made his way down the hall to his bedroom, flicked on the fan he could not sleep without, and then sprawled across the expensive foam mattress that never failed to relax him into slumber.

When he woke to his alarm, he was still unsettled but at least he had a plan for the day. Take a run with her, get home to clean up, get to Jasper's for their meeting, and then this afternoon meet with his financial advisor to go over the decisions he and the guys made.

He slipped on his grey shirt that did a decent job of soaking up his sweat, his favorite pair of black running pants, and his current favorite orange running shoes. He grabbed his wallet, phone, and keys and headed out.

He pulled up in front of her place and did just as he had yesterday, leaning over the passenger side to look up at the townhouse. There was a light on upstairs and he figured that was her bedroom.

He debated between knocking on her door or staying in the car until she came out. He wasn't sure which would make her more comfortable. He was still thinking it over when she stepped out of her front door. Her brown hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail and it swung back and forth while she locked her door. She stopped to yawn and he took that moment to inspect her gear—gray sweatshirt with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, navy running shorts, and the lime green shoes in the same brand as his own that he'd noticed last night.

He looked back up and found her staring straight at him and smiling. He opened his door and stood, leaning his arms on the roof. "Where are we running?"

She rolled her eyes, but her grin stayed in place. "I don't remember agreeing to share my run with you."

"You want to," he assured her.

She proved him right with her question. "Have you stretched yet?"

They went through some pre-run stretches, the both of them going for the arm swing, but then Bella sat for hamstring stretches while he did his preferred standing quad stretches. If he was honest with himself, he'd been a little worried her shoes were just for show and she actually didn't enjoy running like he did. He'd never bothered before to find something in common with the woman he wanted to sleep with. Then again, he'd never spent this much time working on getting to that point.

They started at a slow jog, but it wasn't long before Bella began to pick up the pace. They were at a comfortable running speed by the time they passed her grandparents' house.

"Morning, Nana!" Bella yelled out while waiving to the white-haired woman sitting on the porch swing. "Give Poppa my love."

"Watch out for cars!" her Nana yelled back.

"Promise!" Bella replied, smiling wide. "She warns me every time," she confided to Edward.

"You're close to them?" he questioned.

She nodded. "My parents weren't so great at being parents, especially after they divorced. I think for a while they did try, but … My summers here were always my favorite. My grandpa likes to woodwork and lets me hang out in his shop with him for hours. My grandma lets me cook with her and she's been trying for years to teach me how to crochet but I'm not very good at it. Anyway, they noticed how unhappy I was with the constant shuffling between my parents so they offered for me to stay with them full time. I got to stay at the same school for longer than a year and I met Rosalie and Alice so it all worked out."

"Did you stay with them while you were in college?"

"Yeah, they said as long as I kept my grades up, I could stay with them as long as I wanted. Free home cooked meals and no rent? I'd have been an idiot to pass that up."

"How'd you end up at the center?"

"I joined a volunteer group my Senior year in college. They helped out different places in the community all through the semester. The first place we went was a soup kitchen. The center was the second and I pretty much fell in love right away. I started volunteering on my own nearly every weekend." She suddenly laughed and it lit up her whole face. "I even roped Roe and Ali into volunteering just so they could hang out with me. Every year, Ali comes down to consult on prom attire and Roe visits to help with college applications and resumes. Around the time I graduated, a full-time slot opened up and I've been there ever since."

"What's your favorite thing about working there?"

She thought about it for about half a block. "I know what it's like to be their age and feel all alone, to be scared they'll always be alone. I also know what it's like when someone finally sees you and makes you believe you're not alone at all and never will be. The security and warmth that gives … I want to give that to others, even if it's just for a few hours a day."

Edward was blown away by her selflessness. It had been sometime since he'd met someone who looked at helping others the way that he and the guys did. That it was about doing it for the people who needed it, not for them.

"Oh, gosh, Edward, I'm so sorry," Bella said as they slowed to a stop in front of her townhouse. "I've talked your ear off this whole run and barely let you get a word in."

"I didn't mind," he assured her, knowing full well that he'd made sure there wasn't room to ask him questions.

"Let me make it up to you. I know where to find the best coffee in town and it's only a short walk away."

He glanced at his watch, seeing there was plenty of time and no good reason to refuse her. He smiled at the hopeful look on her face. "Okay, but it really better be the best coffee."

"Do I detect a hint of snobbery?" she asked as they started walking the same route they'd just run.

"A hint? No, not a hint," he replied, laughing a little. "Jasper says it's a full-on crime against normalcy."

Bella laughed in that full body way she had and almost tripped over a crack in the sidewalk, but Edward caught hold of her hand and righted her. He also didn't release her hand once she was steady. She didn't seem to notice or mind as she rattled off her observations about Jasper and Alice as a new dating couple.

Edward was so busy watching the expressions that flitted across her face while she talked, he didn't notice where they were headed and was completely shocked to find they were once again outside of her grandparents' home.

Bella pushed on the wrought iron gate and it opened with a squeak.

"Are you sure they won't mind having a guest this early in the day?" he asked, reluctantly following her up the steps.

"Nana would only mind if it was more people than the fridge had food for," Bella replied. She picked a key from the ones on the lanyard around her neck and unlocked the door. "Nana, I'm here for coffee and I've brought a friend," she called out as she ushered Edward inside and closed and locked the door.

She led him down the hallway and to the left, right into a huge kitchen where her grandparents sat at a little round table with four chairs.

She gave her grandparents kisses on their cheeks, introduced Edward, and then forced him to sit while she grabbed their coffees.

"Well, now, Edward," her grandfather said, never taking his eyes from the newspaper spread out before him. "How do you know our Bella?"

He said the first thing that came to mind. "I'm volunteering at her center."

Her grandmother chuckled. "She's drafted yet another friend into service to our community."

The grandfather lifted his eyes to Edward's—the same shade of brown as Bella's. "You gotta watch the women in this family, son. They get their way no matter how much we balk."

"Oh, Poppa," Bella said as she set a mug down in front of Edward. "Don't make it sound so bad. We don't ask for much."

"Just unyielding love and loyalty," her grandmother said while reaching over and taking hold of her husband's hand.

He patted hers gently while smiling at her. "Nothing much at all."

"Cream or sugar?" Bella offered, spinning the lazy-susan in the middle of the table to put them in front of Edward.

"I take it black," he answered.

"Like your clothes," she said, smiling down into her mug before lifting it to her lips.

Edward took a drink of his own coffee and had to admit it was pretty good. Not better than his expensive press at home, but still better than about ninety percent of the ones he'd tried at cafes over the years.

"What's on the agenda today, Bella?" her grandmother asked. Edward listened closely, wanting to know that information as well.

"I'm working until eight and then I'm heading over to Ali's. She and Roe want me to help them decide on their outfits for their upcoming dates."

"Have they finally found some nice young men to settle down with?"

Bella laughed. "Maybe. It's a bit early to tell just yet. This will be Ali's third date and Roe's fifth."

"Fourth," Edward corrected.

"Fifth," Bella insisted with a knowing grin. "She's counting Monday's midnight walk as the fourth."

Edward wasn't used to Emmett not sharing every detail—they would be discussing this later.

"Edward, what do you know of these young men dating our girls?" her grandfather asked.

"I grew up with Jasper and Emmett," he shared. "They both are hard workers and straight shooters. I wouldn't want anyone else to have my back."

"I can't wait to meet them next week," her grandmother gushed.

"Next week?" Edward asked, looking at Bella and noting how her blush spread across her cheeks.

"I haven't had a chance to invite Edward yet, Nana," she admitted.

"Then now's perfect," she said, giving Bella's hand a pat. Edward was pretty sure there had been a wink as well.

Bella fidgeted in her seat as she said, "We're having a barbeque next Friday night. If you want to come, if you're not busy … Ali already invited Jasper and Roe invited Emmett."

Her grandmother jumped in before he could respond. "We'll be celebrating Bella's birthday with all of you, starting around six. Poppa and I will be off to bed by eight, but you all can stay as long as you want to enjoy the pool and hot tub."

"We've got plenty of rooms if anyone overindulges," her grandfather added. "Bella knows how to lock up when you all are done for the night."

"I'll have to check my schedule, but if I'm free, I'd love to join," he shared, watching Bella's smile grow wide and fill her face.

Edward did not in fact have to check his schedule. Anything that might be on it didn't stand a chance of remaining. And since he now had plans to be here next week, it no longer made sense to hold Bella to choosing a when and where tomorrow night. She could decide after her birthday. It would be his present to her. Sure, that made total sense and wasn't out of character for him at all—or so he told himself.

BEBEBEBE

"Make a wish!" Ali and Roe chorused, standing on either side of Bella at the head of the outdoor dining table.

Bella knew exactly what she would wish for—for her new routine to last just a little longer. Since that first morning over a week and a half ago, Edward had joined her every morning for running and coffee, called her almost every night, and had shown up on both Thursdays at the center just as he'd said he would. He'd asked her a million questions in that time but one, and she was going to use her wish to hope he wouldn't ask again for at least a few more weeks because she knew the minute that he did, the countdown would start for the end of their time together.

She chanced a quick look his way where he sat beside Emmett and across from Jasper. He was laughing at something one of them had said, his head thrown back and his right hand resting over his heart. Intense Edward was an experience for sure, but the relaxed version of him was by far her favorite. In between his questions, she'd gotten to ask some of her own and she'd quickly come to realize how loyal and kind he was to the people he cared about. He had a brilliant mind and saw the world in ways few others did. He was someone worth getting to know more and that was why more time with him would be her wish this year.

Bella smiled as she blew out the candles and received a round of applause from her family and new friends.

"Happy Birthday, my beautiful girl," Nana said as she hugged Bella tightly. She pulled back and held her by her shoulders. "It's too late at night for your Poppa and me to be eating cake so you just save us each a slice for tomorrow."

"You're heading up already?"

"A beautiful night like tonight is for the young. You enjoy it with your friends." Nana was not at all discreet in her staring at Edward before setting her eyes back on Bella. "We'll see you for breakfast in the morning."

Bella gave her grandmother another hug. "I love you."

"And I you. Now go on and have fun." She planted a kiss on Bella's cheek, collected her husband, and disappeared inside.

"They didn't want cake?" Alice asked, offering Bella a slice.

"You know, Nana," Bella said with a nervous laugh. "She doesn't like Poppa to have sweets too late."

Roe snorted. "Or to be a buzzkill for her granddaughter."

Bella popped a bite of cake into her mouth rather than say anything.

She felt the heat at her back seconds before the dark chocolate voice rumbled at her ear. "Is the taste as good as the look?"

Her face instantly flamed and she had to force down a breath to get her brain back into gear. She had discovered a few things she did that knocked Edward on his ass the way he constantly did her and used one of them now—looking over her shoulder at him and making sure her eyes landed on his lips first and then met his gaze. Something about his intensity brought out her confidence and she found herself doing things she never would have dared before.

But it rarely lasted long, just like now, and she laughed at herself as she turned to face him fully. "Do you want Alice to cut you a slice?"

He took her plate and set it on the table, his eyes never leaving hers. "I have something for you."

"Is it new runners so you can stop complaining about the color of mine?"

"Those are jokes, not complaints. The dayglo color makes it easy to pinpoint your exact location." He reached into his back pocket and pulled out an envelope. "You never ask for anything for yourself, even when pressed for ideas for your own birthday. You deserve to receive as much as you give, Bella. Anyone not willing to do that for you doesn't deserve your time."

Their hands brushed and lingered for a moment and then she was peering into the envelope and smiling wide enough to hurt her cheeks. Knowing she didn't have a car of her own, knowing bus fares added up, and knowing she sometimes got out so late it was a race to the last bus of the night, he had given her both a gift card for the bus system and the local ride share company.

"Edward, this is too much," she said, trying to give back the envelope. It was too thoughtful and too perfect and as much as she told herself to not get attached, it was near impossible when he did things solely because he knew she would like them or need them.

He slid his hands into his back pockets to thwart her. "Take them or I'll show up every night to drive you home."

She knew he meant his threat, so she laughed while wiping away an escaped tear. And then she hugged him, burying her face in his sweater and soaking up his cedar scent. "Thank You."

"Drinks in honor of the birthday girl," Emmett announced, offering a glass full of something pink to Bella and a beer to Edward.

"Thank you, Emmett," she said as she stepped back from Edward and took the drink. She gave it a small sip and was happy to find it tasted of watermelon, one of her favorite flavors.

"Emmett spent a summer bartending," Edward shared as his hand wrapped around hers in the tiny bit of space between them. She'd noticed he liked to do that, just randomly hold her hand pretty much anytime they were standing next to each other.

"What about you? Did you ever work in the service industry?"

He snorted. "Exactly once. I was not gifted with my friends' temperament for handling the section of society that delights in torturing service workers."

"Really," she asked, looking up to see his expression. "You do so well with the kids."

"Teenagers are definitely little assholes," he said with a grin. "But they get a pass because they're just trying to figure things out and the majority of them grow out of it."

"Jasper told Ali that you three are still working on growing out of it."

His mood seemed to sour. "Yeah, well," he said as he brought his bottle to his lips. "He's not wrong."

"Bella, time to change," Alice announced. "You guys can change in the guest room just off the kitchen."

"Are you going to join us?" Bella asked Edward. He was the only one who hadn't brought a bag.

"Another time maybe. I need to head home and work on a couple of things, but you have fun." He gave her hand a squeeze and then let it go.

She did her best to smile and not show any disappointment. "Thanks for coming, and for the thoughtful gift. I appreciate it." She scurried inside before her face could give her away.

She headed up the stairs and joined her friends in her bedroom. Even though she only spent weekends here now, her grandparents had not changed a thing about her room.

"Are you excited to wear your new suit?" Alice asked, holding the garment out to her. It was a floral strapless one-piece they'd found at their favorite thrift store.

"I think I said something wrong to Edward," Bella confided to the girls. "He's leaving."

"Did he say why?" Roe asked as she put her arm around Bella's shoulders.

"Just that he had things to work on," Bella replied.

"What were you talking about before he said that?" Ali questioned.

"Adults and teenagers being brats and how Jasper said the guys were still growing up," Bella explained.

"Then whatever his reason is, it's not anything you said, Bella," Roe assured her. "That's a normal conversation between friends."

"You're right," Bella said. "Of course you're right. Let's change and go enjoy the pool and our friends."

"Hey," Ali said, gently gripping Bella's chin. "You don't always have to make things easier for everyone else. If you want to talk about it, we can talk about it."

Bella leaned forward and planted a kiss on her friend's forehead. "I love you. Now let's break in these new swimsuits and finish celebrating my birthday. I only get one a year."

As Bella changed and listened to the chatter of her best friends, she hoped she hadn't jinxed things with her wish. She hoped she truly wasn't the reason Edward had decided to leave early. She hoped she'd wake to her usual text asking which door he should meet her at for their run.

Bella headed down first, wanting to stop off in the kitchen and snag one more of her grandfather's scrumptious ribs before getting into the pool. Just as she reached the kitchen, she heard raised voices coming from the guest room directly across the hall.

"You don't get to decide that for other people." That had sounded like Jasper.

"I'm trying to do the right thing." She thought it sounded like Edward, but he had left. Hadn't he?

"It's not the right thing. It's the easy thing."

"So what if it is?"

"You of all people know better."

"I don't want to hurt her."

"You really think dipping out on her birthday for no reason won't do that? Even I'm not that dumb." That was definitely Emmett, which meant the other person was Edward after all.

"Take your head out your ass and put the damn trunks on."

"I already told her I was leaving."

"Then she'll be happy to see you changed your mind."

"You don't know that."

"We all know it, bro, including your stubborn ass."

Bella heard Roe and Ali coming down the stairs so she slipped into the kitchen and did her best to pretend she'd been there all along and hadn't heard anything she wasn't meant to. She'd have plenty of time to think about it later. Right now, she just wanted to enjoy time with her friends.

She stood with the fridge door open, pretending she still had an appetite and just couldn't decide what to snack on. She had expected one of the girls to come for her but the heat at her back made it clear it wasn't them. She'd just ignore what she'd heard so that everyone could keep having a good time.

She forced a smile as she closed the door and turned toward him. Her resolve to let things go melted at the heated look in his eyes. What was going on with him? With them? "I thought you went home to work."

His dark eyes drank her in and he swallowed thickly. "Bella."

"Please don't feel like you have to stay. You don't owe me anything."

His warm hands caressed her arms as they slid down, leaving goosebumps in their wake. They reached her elbows and curled around her at last, gently pulling her into his space, just a sliver of air remaining between their bodies. "I'm sorry. I'm not always the friend that my friends deserve."

"It's okay."

"It's not," he urged. "It's not and don't accept that behavior from anyone, especially me. I messed up before, but I promise there is nowhere I want to be more tonight than right here."

His words and his touch reassured her that they were still friends and that he really was here because he wanted to be and not because he'd been forced. She felt such relief that all she wanted to do was get rid of the seriousness and get back to enjoying a fun birthday. And she knew just how to do that. "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

Barely keeping her laughter down, she asked, "Whose trunks are you wearing because they're absolutely terrible and I know you wouldn't pick those out for yourself?"

He glanced down and grimaced at the salmon and grey checkerboard pattern. "At least I'll never make the mistake again of just assuming my gym bag made it into the car."

"That's why? You forgot it?"

He gave her a sheepish smile. "I was focused on not forgetting your gift."

She leaned in and pressed a kiss to the edge of his jaw. "Thanks for being my friend."

He laughed and spun her, moving his hands to her shoulders to guide her out of the kitchen. "Come on, birthday girl. We have a pool to enjoy with our friends and I hear there will be toasts in your honor."

"Are we running tomorrow? I might have to limit the toasts."

"Oh, no, we are going to hear them all," he said with a dark laugh. "And then we run. It's a great hangover cure, trust me."

"There they are! The party can resume," Ali cried happily. She was standing waist deep in the pool with Roe while Emmett and Jasper were sitting together at the edge of the deep end.

"Was she sneaking more ribs?" Roe asked. "She always believes she has room for more."

Bella grinned at her friends, knowing exactly how to tease them right back. She dashed toward the pool and cannonballed into the deep end, splashing Ali and Roe just as she'd intended but also soaking Emmett and Jasper at the same time.

Edward stood at the edge of the pool laughing at everyone right up until Emmett grabbed his legs and yanked him into the pool. He came up sputtering water and laughing, promising Emmett there would be payback.

The group enjoyed the pool and the many ridiculous toasts until it was time to be mindful of the neighbors and take their noise indoors. After drying off and changing clothes, they all met up in the den and squeezed in together on the sectional couch for popcorn and the yearly tradition of watching 80's action movies. Nestled between Edward and Roe, Bella smiled to herself, certain this had been the best birthday yet.

Ali popped in her favorite movie to start the night—The Last Starfighter—which the guys had somehow never seen and quickly led to them all debating favorite video games from their younger years. It also led to plans being made to meet up at Jasper and Emmett's for a video game night.

Somewhere between Krull and Enemy Mine, having Edward's warmth and cedar scent wrapped around her won out and she slipped into a deep, contented sleep.

BEBEBEBE

"Do you have plans Saturday?" Edward asked while flipping a chair and setting it down on the table.

Bella did a quick mental recall of her calendar. "Not yet."

"You do now."

"Do I? Just like that?"

He grinned at her while grabbing for another chair. "I showed up here just like that, didn't I?"

Bella blushed, remembering how frantic she'd been when she'd called him this morning—a Wednesday morning. There was a flu bug going around and it had gotten every adult at the center except her. She hadn't wanted to close the center, but she'd known she couldn't handle it by herself either.

"Thank you, again," she told him.

"Stop that. Again," he replied. "I never mind helping my friends."

Bella smiled to herself, amazed that her wish had actually come true and she'd gotten to spend the past nine weeks getting to know him better. "So what are we doing Saturday?"

"A few things."

She laughed at his ability to always find a way to dodge questions he didn't want to answer. "You have to tell me something. How will I know what to wear otherwise? What if you have hiking planned and you show up and I'm dressed for sunbathing?"

He crowded her in the doorway, his eyes lingering on her lips for a moment before meeting hers. "We wouldn't leave your place in that case. But I have plans for us so wear something you're comfortable in, in public."

"Do I get any hints?"

"After our run, I'm taking you to breakfast. No offense to Nana, but it's time you experience the true best coffee there is."

"And there it is," she said with a laugh. "Jasper warned me your coffee snobbery could only take so much."

He wrapped a tendril of her hair around his finger. "You enjoy teasing me."

She wasn't sure how to respond to that so she changed the topic. "If you need to work tomorrow instead of coming here, everyone will understand."

"And disappoint my teammates? Not happening." He cut her off before her mouth could fully open. "Do not thank me again."

"Then can I offer you dinner? Nana stocked my fridge with her beef stew."

"I honestly would love that, but I really do have to work tonight. I have a midnight deadline that can't be postponed." He must have seen her disappointment despite her best efforts to hide it because he gently cupped her cheek. "Promise, Bella. It's really work."

"Then please leave the rest of the closing duties to me. Get home and get to work."

"It can wait another half hour while we finish up and I drive you home." He backed up his statement by walking into the TV room where he slid one of the chairs back into place.

"And deny me the chance to use my birthday bus pass? I don't think so."

"Bella." He was using his don't argue with me tone and while that usually got him the opposite result he wanted, she let him win in thanks for his help today.

"Okay, okay. I give," she said with a laugh. "You finish in here, I'll tidy the kitchen, and then we can leave."

Almost exactly thirty minutes later—he enjoyed being punctual—he dropped her at home, waiting until she was inside before driving off. She tossed her bag on the couch on the way to the kitchen, wanting to get the beef stew going on the stove as soon as possible. She had only nibbled on a few snacks today and was starving.

She had just gotten everything warming on the stove when her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and smiled as she tapped to answer it. "Hey, Roe. How was the big pitch meeting?"

"It went better than I expected."

"It usually does."

"True," Roe said with a laugh. "So I hear Edward is taking you out on Saturday?"

"How did you hear when I just found out a little while ago?"

"The guys gossip. Worse than us."

Bella laughed. "Yeah, I noticed that too."

"Ali and I were wondering if you wanted to hit up the thrift store for something to wear."

"Actually, the weather is supposed to be perfect for that cream sweater you guys got me last Christmas."

"Oh that will go nicely with the skinny jeans we got you for your birthday."

"Exactly what I was thinking."

"Any thoughts on where he's taking you?"

"Only that I'm sure it'll be unexpected. Oh and he said coffee was involved."

"Have you guys talked about …"

Bella knew what she was referring to. "No."

"How does that make you feel?"

"Honestly, Roe, I'm okay with it. There's no doubt a night with him in that way would have been memorable, but his friendship, that's priceless."

"I gotta say, I wasn't sure he was capable of it, not that man we met at the restaurant. But the one we've gotten to know these past months, I like him. I'm happy you're happy, Bella."

"I am, Roe," Bella promised. "And I'm also starving so please forgive me for this call being short."

"What are you having?"

"Nana's beef stew."

"Jealous!"

Bella laughed. "Love you, Roe."

"Love you too."

Bella ended the call and set her sights on dinner. After stuffing herself to the brim, she practically waddled up the stairs and into the shower.

Wrapped up in her comfiest pajamas with her belly full, Bella nestled into bed with the book Jasper had gifted her. Ali and Roe must have helped because they were the only ones who knew how hard she'd been eying this particular special edition hardcover of Pride and Prejudice.

It wasn't long before she drifted off with her mind full of a mix of images of the English countryside and guesses at what Saturday might bring.

By the time Saturday morning had actually arrived, Bella was bustling with excitement and nervousness to finally find out what surprises Edward had planned for the day. She practically jumped at the sound of his knock on her door.

"Hi, Friend," she greeted as she stepped outside.

"Wow." His breathy compliment had her blushing darkly.

"You look wow yourself," she said, taking in yet another all-black ensemble, this one with a fitted sweater and jeans.

"Breakfast." The way he said it made her think he was saying it to himself. He took hold of her hand and led her to his car, opening the door for her like usual. He waited until she was settled and then closed it. He seemed to be talking to himself while coming around to get into the driver's seat.

"Everything okay?" she asked as he started up the car.

His lips curled into the sexy grin that never failed to make her knees weak. "Perfect." He took hold of her hand again, curling his fingers around hers and resting their joined hands on her thigh. She smiled back and relaxed into the seat, reassured by his touch that he was fine.

While he drove them along, this time at the actual speed limit, she looked out at the passing buildings to try to guess where they were going. A couple times she thought she knew but then they crossed over into the pricier side of the city and things quickly stopped looking familiar.

The car smoothly followed the winding road up the hillside where the yards grew bigger and the houses sparser. Edward suddenly slowed and then turned onto an almost hidden road between towering Douglas Firs. Not far in a gate came into view and Edward pressed a button on his phone while slowing down further. The gate immediately began to open, and Bella looked between it and Edward. He only smiled, giving nothing away.

Just a ways past the gate the road turned into a paved driveway that curved in front of a modern L-shaped one-story of steel and wood with a massive window wall along the front entrance. The simple beauty of it took her breath away.

"This is gorgeous," she breathed. "What is this place?"

"My home."

Bella whipped her head around and stared wide eyed at him. "Your home."

He smiled as he wrapped a tendril of her hair around his finger. "I've wanted to bring you here for a while now, but I know it can't compete with Nana's place."

She smiled so wide her cheeks hurt. "I want the full grand tour."

"Come on," he said, laughing as he finally let go of her hand and her hair. "I'm ready for coffee."

She managed to get out of the car while ogling the house and not tripping on her own two feet. "Poppa would fall over if he saw this place," she murmured as she followed Edward up the few slate steps to the front door.

"We'll have to have them out for dinner one night. Soon." He opened the front door and stepped back, waving her inside.

The entryway melded into a spacious living area with comfortable-looking leather couches that invited you to sit before the white-washed brick fireplace. To the left was a short hall leading to the short end of the L-shaped home, and to the right was a bright kitchen with a massive white waterfall countertop over forest green cabinets. She had no doubt the leather barstools lining it would be as comfortable as the seats of his car.

"What do you think so far?"

She looked over her shoulder, finding him standing stiffly with his hands in his front pockets and wearing an expression she didn't recognize. She'd never seen his face pinched like that before and she wondered if he might be nervous, though she had no clue what he would be nervous about.

"Edward, it's gorgeous. Jasper and Emmett must love hanging out here."

He came over to her, slipping his hand around hers. "Time for coffee." He tugged her into the kitchen and sat her on a stool.

She watched in awe as he bustled around the kitchen, grinding coffee beans, boiling water, working a French press, and then finally setting a cup of steaming coffee in front of her. He added a brand-new bottle of creamer and a sugar bowl that still had the price tag stuck to it. He always took his coffee black but he knew she didn't and he'd bought these just for her. She felt her eyes trying to water and pushed the sensation away.

"Try it," Edward urged. "I promise Nana will never know you liked anyone else's coffee better than hers."

She laughed at his teasing and then smiled wider when she saw he was finally smiling. Once she'd put in her cream and sugar, she gave his coffee a taste test. "Okay, yeah, I see why you're a coffee snob."

"Nana's is my second favorite," he assured her.

"You don't have to lie."

"I would never lie to you."

She had always let him initiate the handholding, but she took a chance in reaching across the island for his, wanting to wipe that serious look off his face. "Thank you. This is a great surprise."

"This is not the surprise."

"It's not?"

He grinned. "Breakfast is the surprise. I'm making you my famous French Toast with toasted almonds and maple syrup, and a side of fruit salad."

"That sounds amazing. And also like a lot of trouble. You really don't have to."

"Bella."

She winced at having brought out his no arguing tone. "Sorry."

He cupped her chin and lifted her eyes to his. "When people who care about you do things for you, it's never trouble. It's always a way to show how much they care."

She moved his hand from her chin to her cheek, pressing into the warmth of his palm. "I care about you too."

He grinned as he let go. "I'm going to cook. You are going to put on any music you like." He handed her his phone, open to an app with all kinds of playlists showing. They had names like morning workout, afternoon focus, and the bear's party list.

"Did you make these?" she asked, tapping on the bear one to see what songs were included. She could tell right away this was for Emmett and it made her laugh. "If Emmett is a bear to you, what's Jasper?"

Edward snorted from inside the fridge door. "A cranky bald eagle."

Bella backed out of the bear list and went searching for the eagle one. She found it right next to one labeled heart of gold. She tapped on that one instead, finding a treasure trove of love songs both old classics and newer hits. She bit her lip as she snuck a glance at Edward, finding his back to her as he cracked eggs into a bowl. How long had he had this list? Who had he been thinking about when he made it?

She shook her head, knowing that was not a question she had a right to ask. She went into Jasper's list, found it full of classic rock, and smiled with delight at the sight of Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie. The familiar rhythm poured from speakers she couldn't see and of course the acoustics were perfect. She smiled to herself, thinking back on all the big and little ways Edward had revealed his desire for things to be just so. From his clothes to his car to his way of talking. And now she could add his home and coffee to the list.

An hour later, she added the French toast to the list. She ate way more than she should have but it had just been so good. "I'm going to have to run twice a day for the next week after that."

Edward laughed as he closed the door of the dishwasher. He'd refused all her offers to help clean up. "Settle for a walk in the backyard?"

She hopped off the stool and joined him at the glass double doors leading from the kitchen to the backyard. They stepped out onto a large deck with its own kitchen and dining areas. The deck was one of three and was shaded by a large tree that had been built around. Two steps down gave you the option to go left where a small deck filled with seating sat under the other half of the tree or you could go right and follow the steps down to ground level where there was more seating surrounding a large fire pit.

"You must have the best sunset views here," she said, trying to imagine a sky of pinks and oranges filtering through the branches of the tree.

"I love the city, but I work better here in the quiet."

"Is this the view from your office?"

He smiled slightly while his eyes scanned the yard. "I wouldn't get anything done. I kept this for my bedroom." He looked at his watch and his smile spread. "I'll show you later. We have to get going or we'll be late."

"Late for what?"

"Your surprise."

Despite her best efforts to get more of an answer out of him, he gave nothing away as he drove them back into the city. They drove out of the business area and into a suburban one with cute little homes grouped together in what felt like a true neighborhood and not just houses packed on top of each other.

Edward parked in front of a building that looked like it had been part of the neighborhood for a long time. He got out before she could ask any questions and came around to open her door. Holding tight to her hand, he led over to the clearly locked doors and the 'closed until two' sign taped to them.

He pulled out his phone, spoke to someone for a moment, and then tucked it away again.

Minutes later, a grey-haired man full of wrinkles and the kindest smile unlocked the door and let them inside. "Edward. So good to see you, son."

"You too, Mr. Sam." Edward smiled at Bella while tugging her forward. "This is my friend Bella I was telling you about."

"Well, now, Miss Bella," Sam greeted with a nod. "Edward didn't exaggerate at all for once."

Bella blushed while Edward groaned.

Sam chuckled and gave Edward's shoulder a few pats. "You gotta be done by one so we can get the ice ready for the kids by two."

"Yes, Sir. I'll put everything back the way I found it."

"Good man." Sam patted Edward's shoulder once more, nodded at Bella, and then disappeared.

"Where are we?" Bella asked, not having seen any signage on the building or inside the lobby.

Edward's only answer was to tug on her hand and walk her through a set of double doors.

Bella gasped at the sight before her. "A hockey rink."

"Sometimes. Right now, it's for ice skating."

"How did—" She closed her mouth, unsure what she even wanted to ask.

As if she wasn't astonished enough, Edward honest to God blushed right in front of her eyes. "Nana is surprisingly helpful when you tell her you want to do something special for her granddaughter."

Bella laughed and threw her arms around Edward. "This is perfect."

He returned the hug, lifting her up and burying his face in her neck.

They stood that way for several moments before he set her down on her feet, releasing all but her hand.

When they got to the entrance to the ice, she found her own coat, hat, and mittens waiting for her. Ali and Roe's sudden need to borrow kitchen utensils while she was at work now made a lot more sense.

She let out a shaky breath and lifted her eyes to his. "It must have taken you days to plan this."

He smirked as he tucked her hair into her hat. "Not really. I'm efficient."

She laughed as she slid her arms into her coat. "Of course you are. How did you find this place?"

He finished righting his coat on his broad shoulders and then looked all around before setting his eyes on her. "I grew up here. Jasper, Emmett, and me, we probably spent more time here than we did at home. We lived just a few blocks down from here. Turns out hockey is a pretty great outlet for boneheaded troublemakers. We were never really good at it, or even really tried to be, but we had fun."

This wasn't a random surprise, not really. This was Edward. His home, his passions, his past … He was a classic book—hard to relate to at first but by the end you fully understood what made him great.

For the third time today, she was hugging him with all her might. "Thank You."

He held her just as tight, cradling her head against his chest. "I'm going to have to ban you from thanking me or we'll never make it through the whole day."

She laughed as she pulled away. "You can't really have more planned. This—" She was silenced by his glare.

"If you utter the words 'too' or 'much', I'm pushing you down on the ice."

She held her hands up in surrender but made no attempt to hide her wide smile.

When they first hit the ice, they were equally shaky on it. Unsurprisingly Bella was the first and only one to take a spill. She took three more before their time was up and knew she would be sore tomorrow. She didn't care though. Tomorrow's pain was absolutely worth sharing these moments with Edward today. Once he had gotten used to being on the ice again, he'd literally run circles around her, smiling at her the whole time.

When they left the rink, he drove her around the neighborhood, pointing out the house he'd grown up in as well as Jasper's and Emmett's. He took her past their elementary school and the building that had once been their middle and high school but now held pricey apartments. She'd thought she had understood what it meant for the guys to grow up together but she'd been wrong. History was what they shared. Her friendships with Roe and Ali were a drop in a bucket compared to the well of time bonding the guys together. It made perfect sense to her that Edward wouldn't share this with just anyone. It would have to be someone he considered a true friend.

Their next stop was a movie theater to see a horror film she'd begged the girls to watch with her to no avail. The two of them spent practically the whole two hours huddled together, jumping at the scary bits and wincing at the gory ones.

"You have two choices," Edward announced as he maneuvered his car out of the theater's parking lot. "Early dinner at a restaurant or Chinese takeout at my place."

That was a no brainer to Bella. "Your place." She had noticed that his deck had space heaters and would beg if necessary to be able to eat outside and watch the sunset.

After granting her outside dining wish and stuffing her with Chinese food, Edward had brought her inside and lit a fire. He'd somehow convinced her to join him in sitting on the massive floor cushions and playing a round of chess with him. She'd lost pretty early on but had received an amazing consolation prize for her efforts—real hot chocolate with mini marshmallows.

She smiled to herself while hugging her mug against her chest.

"What are you thinking?"

She turned away from the fire and toward the couch Edward was sitting on. He had his feet propped up on the coffee table, his laptop open on his legs, and somehow the sexiest pair of black readers she had ever seen on a man.

She decided to give him a teasing answer. "I pick friends really well."

A low rumble of laughter came from him.

She set her mug on one of the coasters and then joined him on the couch, tucking her legs under her. "I know you don't want to hear it, but I really need to say it. Thank you for today."

He sighed as he set his laptop and glasses on the table. "You shouldn't. My reasons were purely selfish."

She laughed as she said his name. "What are you talking about? You took me on an adventure and showed me where you grew up. What's selfish about that?"

He slipped his fingers under hers, his eyes never leaving their joined hands. "I wanted to know. Just once. I wanted to know what it felt like to share all of this, all of me with someone else."

She brought their joined hands to her lips and kissed his knuckles. "That's not selfish. That's sharing with a friend. I'm so thankful it was me you chose."

They had not kissed since that rainy night on her porch though she was certain they had come close a number of times over the past months. Not until now, with his hands cradling her face as if she was made of porcelain and his lips burning against hers, stealing every breath she tried to take. She'd always felt a level of want in his touches but never need like this. He needed her. The thought had her feeling lightheaded.

He stood and lifted her up, wrapping her legs around his waist. "Bella."

She nodded her consent and then leaned in to press her lips against his neck for reassurance.

He let out a curse as he started carrying her down the short hall that led to his office and bedroom. From the pressure against her stomach, she knew exactly which room he was taking her to.

He set her gently on the bed and then crawled over her, being careful not to fully put his weight on her. They kissed like that for a long while until she felt overheated and couldn't stand her sweater for another second. When she finally got it over head and pushed her hair out of the way, she found he'd gotten rid of his sweater as well. He was also kneeling on the floor and tugging her pants off.

She took the pause to look around the sparsely decorated room. It was neat and organized, like him. The few personal items in here were all candid photos. The bed felt like a cloud and was no doubt expensive but the sheets … "Cotton sheets?" she asked, running her palm over it again to make sure.

He was suddenly leaning over her again, pressing her into the mattress. "They remind me of my home growing up."

She held his face in her hands as she breathed her words against his lips. "God, you're perfect."

Somewhere between that kiss and the thousandth one, the rest of their clothing disappeared. A few more after that and he was slowly sinking into her while whispering the sweetest words in that dark chocolate voice she loved. She was beyond speech and could only show him through her tender kisses and gentle hands sliding over his back.

He took her higher and higher until his name became a plea, an unending chant begging for him to release her from the edge he had her dangling over. When he finally let her fall, she pulled him with her and for one perfect moment, their hearts beat together.

As she worked to catch her breath, her brain started to catch up with her body and began demanding she talk to him about this, right this minute. But Edward's clever hands soothingly rubbing circles on her back had other plans and she drifted off still arguing with herself.

Light behind her eyelids pulled her out of sleep and she opened them to find sunrise creeping through the upper portion of the bedroom's floor to ceiling windows. Her eyes closed in the slow blink of the just waking and opened on Edward's face, his blue-green eyes studying her.

She smiled while touching her fingers to the stubble on his chin, something she'd never seen before. "Hi, Friend."

He pressed his lips to her forehead, saying her name like it was a prayer. When he settled back beside her, his eyes were darker. "I need to tell you something and I need you to hear it all, okay?"

She grabbed his hand and hugged it to her chest. "I'll listen to anything you want to share with me."

His eyes focused on his finger as he wrapped it up in her hair. "I never asked for your answer and you never asked me why." His eyes met hers and she saw the raw nerves there, his pure vulnerability. "I had hoped it was for the same reason as me, that you didn't want our friendship to end. You were … unexpected in every way. Beautiful and confident in your blue dress that night. And then at the center, beautiful in a different way, in spirit and heart. I started to feel … there was this calm in being with you and you're so warm and giving. It got to where I couldn't risk that, not even when I thought it was better for you. Last night, last night was perfect but I know it could also mess things up if we aren't careful. I want to do whatever it takes to make sure things between us just keep getting better, that we keep getting closer. And I really want you to still be a hopeless romantic and want the same."

It felt like a two-ton weight was sitting on her chest as she processed his words. "You want me?"

He smiled as he cradled her face in his warm palm. "I love you, Bella. I don't just want you, I need you."

"Am I dreaming?"

He pressed his body to hers, running his fingers along her collarbone. "Does this feel like a dream?"

"The best I've ever had. If I wake up right now, I'm gonna be so pissed."

He chuckled and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. "I love you."

"I wished for you," she said, tracing his lips with her fingertip. "For my birthday, I wished for more time with you, to get to know you better. I think deep down, the hopeful romantic in me already knew the truth … I love you, Edward."

His smile was a thing of beauty worthy of being painted and put into the Louvre. "Can this be how every day starts? You naked in my bed and telling me you love me?"

"Sadly no, but only because Nana and Poppa rely on me being close at least a few nights a week."

He leaned in and nuzzled her neck with his lips. "Then I'll just be naked in your bed while you tell me you love me."

She laughed and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. "I love you. I'll tell you that wherever and whenever you want."

Bella sighed from having a heart so full. Edward had done exactly what Roe had said he would, just not in the way. Her world was wrecked, and she was thankful for it, and she would get to build a brand new one with him in it. He was the someone who loved her as much as she loved herself. If that wasn't the most hopeful thing in the world, she didn't know what was.

BEBEBEBE

"Miss Bella," Angela giggled, her head poking through the crack in Bella's office door.

Bella grinned, knowing exactly what was coming next.

"Your boyfriend is here."

"Please tell him I'll be right out." Bella passed her hand over her dress to press a few of the wrinkles out and gave her light makeup a quick check in the mirror. She knew it wouldn't make any difference to Edward, but it made her feel good to look nice for him.

"Hi, Friend," she greeted, giving him a big smile. "What brings you by?"

He wrapped an arm around her waist, knowing it was important to her to keep things as professional as they both could stand. "I wanted to see the progress out back."

She smirked at him, knowing he was here to verify the progress.

"I know," he sighed. "Anonymous."

She patted his back in commiseration. "Would it have been better for you if Ali hadn't outed you?"

"Probably not," he admitted. Edward owned two companies, one for his consulting work and one for his charitable pursuits. The charitable one, Vita Nova, was an LLC that made donations to community organizations dedicated to improving the lives of others. Sometimes that was a scholarship, sometimes it was a silent partnership in a new business, and sometimes it was an anonymous donation that gave a center for teens the funding to install a full basketball court and a small running track. Jasper had let slip that information to Ali and as she put it, he never swore her to secrecy so it wasn't her fault she'd immediately told Roe and Bella.

The back doors of the center were hard to see through the crowd of teenagers monitoring the construction crew leveling the ground that used to be their basketball court.

"How's it looking, guys?" Edward asked them.

A full minute of everyone talking at once followed and likely would have kept going if Edward hadn't touched his finger to his nose. It was a trick his youth hockey coach had used on him and his friends when they were young.

"One at a time," he reminded them. "Stanley, what's your take?"

"How come the new court is gonna be so far back?"

"Because it's going to be a full court and that spot has less windows to put at risk."

"So what's going where the old one was?" Joy asked.

"A track for running and walking made with the same materials as at the collegiate level. Basketball isn't the only way to a scholarship. Track has some too."

One of the more quiet kids spoke up, a young man named Carlson. "When are they gonna be done?"

"Hopefully in just a few short weeks."

"As long as it doesn't rain," Bella added, wanting them to have realistic expectations. It took a lot for these kids to trust and she never wanted them to feel like they were let down by anyone working with the center.

"Bella's right," Edward said, backing her as he always did. "Rain might get in the way or sickness. You guys remember when the flu ran through here last winter?"

There were head nods and mumbles in response.

"As soon as the court opens, I'll be here on Thursday and Friday afternoons to help you guys break it in."

The kids immediately devolved into playful taunts and name-calling over who had dibs on Edward. They left them to it and ducked into Bella's office for a moment alone.

"Did you hear back from your client? Did he like your report?" Bella asked, knowing Edward's latest project had been weighing on his mind.

"I did and he did." He checked all around and then snuck a quick kiss in. "I've been dreaming about doing that all day."

Bella laughed. "Then you weren't much help to Jasper today."

Edward grunted. "He didn't tell me the help he needed was cleaning out the deep freeze. I'm throwing out the clothes I wore."

Bella tried not to laugh. "That wasn't very nice of him."

"Yeah, well," Edward said while running a hand through his hair. "I did sort of bail on inventory night. Speaking of … what's the plan for our night?"

"It's totally up to you. Nana and Poppa invited us over for her lasagna and garlic bread, but she said to tell you that she will understand if you're tired and she will keep leftovers just for you."

"I love Nana."

Bella did laugh at that. "She loves you too."

"What about you?" he asked, twirling her hair around his finger.

"I love you most," she promised, lifting her face up in invitation.

He promised the same before kissing her thoroughly.

Bella sighed, her heart near to bursting with happiness.

Her favorite part of romance books had always been the happily ever after ending. With Edward, her happily ever after was just beginning.