THE FOURTEENTH TIME

We stream movies well into the night. Edward refuses to do more than kiss my forehead considering I haven't slept in more than 24 hours. When I finally yawn, he's all about making a show of tucking me in, lying next to me under the heated blanket. The combination of his cool skin and the warming blanket is oddly soothing. I drift into a deep sleep.

I dream of whirling colors and the smell of moss and dirt. When my eyelids drift open, Edward is facing me, lying next to me, his eyes closed. It looks like he could almost be sleeping, like he's pretending to dream.

I reach up and trace the dark circles under his eyes. "You still talk in your sleep," he mumbles.

"Great."

He smirks and my stomach flip flops.

"Are you going to tell me what embarrassing thing I said?"

He peeks at me, one eye slightly open. "You wanted to experiment?" Another smirk.

I turn beet red.

The smirk grows more pronounced and fuck if it isn't the sexiest thing. "Care to elaborate?"

I shove away from him abruptly, crawl over his body to get out of bed. "Nope." I say it so the p pops.

He's sitting up, a smile dancing across his face as he watches me try to find something to eat.

I pull the milk out of the fridge and grab a box of sugary cereal. "Stop that," I order.

"I'm not doing anything."

I look over my shoulder as I pour the cereal in a bowl. "You're smirking."

He makes a show of putting on a cold mask of indifference.

"Better." I comment as I add milk and stir so the sugar is evenly distributed. I love a good cinnamony drink at the end.

As I take my first bite, sitting at the only table I have in my small space, I realize I don't even know where he lives right now. So, I ask.

"Nowhere." He shrugs. "I've been staying at a motel."

"Oh," I try to sound surprised but I reveal how sad that makes me by the tone of my voice. I know he doesn't have to sleep or anything, but thinking about how he's just in a motel bums me out.

"It's fine. I don't need much."

Irrational Bella is all for him moving in with me. Rational Bella says Nope. She pops her p too. Too soon. Irrational Bella is back with a winning argument: He's your mate. I purse my lips. If - when - I'm a vampire, we're going to be living together forever, yeah?

My phone starts ringing; it interrupts my internal debate. I pick it up and notice it's Charlie, likely calling during his lunch hour. "Shit, I was supposed to call Charlie yesterday."

Edward gestures that I should proceed. "Should I leave?"

I shake my head as I pick up the phone, giving him permission to stay. "Hey, Dad."

"Bells," he sighs. His voice is gruff, "You were supposed to call me-"

"Yesterday! I know, I know. I'm sorry. I ran into…" I look at Edward and he points at his chest, his eyes telling me that I need to be honest with Charlie. Then, he makes a show of picking up a book and flipping through the pages randomly. Very convincing. "An old acquaintance…" I say. Edward snorts. I guess I'm not very convincing either.

"Anyone I would know?" Charlie asks, intrigued.

"Yeah…" I take a bite of my cereal to give me time.

"Bella." That's the Cop voice.

When I told Renee, she handled it. Her voice echoes through my head: Your father won't.

"Please don't be mad." I shut my eyes tightly and drop my spoon. It clangs as it hits the side of the bowl.

"Bells." This time, he sounds apprehensive.

"I ran into Edward," I try to say it upbeat, like it was just a random encounter. The words come out in a rush. I open one eyelid to see Edward is still pretending to read: the book is covering his face and one finger is tapping the cover restlessly. I close my eyes again.

The noise Charlie makes is between a scoff and a growl. After Edward left, I wouldn't have been surprised if he picked up his rifle and went hunting. It's a good thing Edward's bullet proof. And fast.

"Look, nothing's happened. We just… hung out. It's been four years. And he's changed." My voice is all high and squeaky. "And he apologized! More than once!" I add.

I hear a sigh through a receiver.

"Nothing's happened!" I almost shriek.

"Very convincing," Edward mutters.

I glare at him, but the book is still covering his face, so he isn't susceptible to my death stare.

"I don't like this," Charlie scolds.

"You don't have to. I'm not asking you to like it." My tone is defensive. "We just hung out. Got coffee." I'm such a bad liar. "I'm a grown woman and not a child anymore. I know how to handle myself." He sighs, and I remember all the nights he'd wake me up from a bad dream and hold me to his chest tightly. I remember the worry in his eyes. "I won't let it get bad again," I finish apologetically.

"Okay." Sounds like he's anything but alright with it.

"Okay," I repeat. I roll my shoulders in an attempt to unstick the tense muscles. Make a conscious effort to unclench my jaw.

"If that changes, I need to know." He advises.

"If what changes?" I'm so strung out from being literally strung out yesterday and now blind sided by my father.

"Your relationship with that boy."

I nod and then remember he can't see me. "We're just friends."

I hear Edward chuckle quietly.

"So," Charlie segues awkwardly. "How was Florida?"

"Good, Renee is good. Still sunny and humid and warm. We spent time on the beach, did some antiquing." I drum my fingers on the table. "How is work?"

"Good." This is why we don't really talk on the phone. What a titillating conversation.

"Billy?"

"Good, just heard Jake is engaged."

I gasp and my eyes fly open. "What?!"

"Yeah, met a nice girl out on the Rez. Told me something just clicked."

Oh, so he imprinted. I peer over at Edward but he's already looking at me, book laying across his lap, confused by my reaction. "That's great!" I mean it. I'm so glad he isn't waiting around for me. We only kissed once - in my car, after he killed Victoria to protect me - but I'm not going to tell Edward that. It was like… kissing a sibling. Super awkward and forced on my part. I was a fool to think the bond I have with Edward would allow me to be with anyone.

Charlie mmms in agreement. "I'm sure he'd love to hear from you."

That's a no. I'm not opening that can of worms; it's been almost two years since I last saw Jake. Plus, vampires and wolves don't mix. "Sure, sure."

"Well. Thanks for being honest with me," Charlie says.

"Yeah," I say, feeling a little guilty about lying to him. But he needs to see this relationship as something that came about slowly. Because it did. And I'll make sure we don't move too fast this time. Even if we are destined.

"Love you, Bells."

"Love you too, Dad."

"Call me next week at the usual time." He prompts in his Dad-Cop voice.

"Will do."

When I hang up, I slump in the chair and then slither to the floor, covering my face in my hands in chagrin.

"That went well." Edward says with mock cheer.

I groan.

"We're just friends then?" He inquires politely.

When I remove my hands from my eyes, he's on his knees in front of me, mock pouting.

"Shut up." I snap, only half joking.

"If it makes you feel any better, I haven't told my family yet either."

I groan again, louder this time.