Author's Note:

Hello! First, I want to say thank you for the reviews! I love hearing from you and I hope you continue to enjoy the story!

Now, I wanted to clear something up. There have been several reviews asking why Edward doesn't just let Tanya go. I've responded to some, but I can't respond to the guest reviewers, so I just decided to address it here. I'm not a doctor, so I'm not surprised I didn't describe Tanya's condition very well, but I am sorry for any confusion. Tanya is in a coma, and there is no hope for recovery. I suppose she isn't entirely brain dead though, as there is enough function that she is breathing on her own. She is not on life support, so pulling the plug isn't an option as there is no plug to pull! There are no machines keeping her alive. She would have a feeding tube, but other than that, nothing is being done to prolong her life, and other than measures to ensure minimal suffering, nothing will be done to save her as her condition deteriorates. For story purposes, it needed to be this way, because let's be honest…if she were already gone, the story would be pretty boring! I hope this helps if you were wondering about why Edward didn't let her go after the accident.

Thanks again for reading my story! Now let's see what Bella's up to in the days following her lunches with Edward and Alice.

I still don't own it…

Chapter 7

BPOV

The next couple of days after lunch with Alice passed uneventfully. I hadn't heard from her, which wasn't surprising, but Edward and I had texted back and forth every day. It was nice to just keep up with a friend and chat about our weeks with no agenda or tension. Thursday afternoon, Edward reminded me that the next evening was game night at his house. I told him I'd be there and asked if I could help with anything. He responded that he was planning to make fajitas and asked if I could make the margaritas. I agreed and stopped at the store on my way home to grab what I'd need for the next day.

Friday afternoon, I texted Edward just before I left for his house to see if he needed anything else and to make sure he was home since I was a little early. He said he had everything, and he was home since his mother had picked Maggie up from school, along with Tyler and Kate, so the kids were all taken care of while their parents had a night free.

I arrived at Edward's house just before five. I was early, but I figured I could help him prepare dinner and have a batch of margaritas ready to go before the others arrived. He greeted me at the door with a smile, and I groaned inwardly at how attractive he looked with a dish towel hanging out of the pocket of his low-slung jeans and a faded long sleeve t-shirt stretched across his broad shoulders. I really needed to get my reaction to Edward under control. He was my friend, just like he'd always been. Nothing more. Pulling myself from that train of thought, I followed Edward to the kitchen and set the bags containing the margarita ingredients on the counter.

"I'm here to assist," I told him as I removed a bottle of tequila from my bag.

"I thought you were bartending this evening, Ms. Swan," Edward teased.

"I have many talents, Cullen. I can handle food prep and blending the booze," I said and flashed him a grin over my shoulder.

"Good to know. In that case, I'll let you help me chop the veggies," he said and handed me a knife and cutting board.

We chatted about our weeks and Maggie for a few minutes before falling into a companionable silence while we worked. Edward had music playing and I could hear him softly humming along. It was so easy to be with him and I noticed that we worked together very well. As much as I knew I shouldn't even allow the thought to enter my mind, I couldn't help but picture us working together in this kitchen as a couple, preparing dinner for Maggie and talking about our days. It was a lovely daydream, but a dangerous one as well, so I turned my focus back to the peppers I was chopping and Jimmy Buffet crooning over the built-in speakers.

Once all the prep work was done and Edward started cooking, I turned to the blender. I loaded the ingredients in and was adding ice when I heard the opening strains of Margaritaville. Edward and I shared a look and laughed at the timing, just before I turned on the blender and momentarily drowned out the music. Just as I finished the first batch, Rosalie and Emmett arrived. I heard them before they were in sight due to Emmett's booming voice heralding their arrival. I grabbed two of the margarita glasses Edward had sitting on the counter, salted the rims, and filled them just as they entered the kitchen.

"Perfect timing!" I said as I handed them each a glass.

"Yum!" Emmett exclaimed as he took a large gulp and immediately got a brain freeze. "Ow! Dang it, Bellsy, you made mine extra cold on purpose!"

"Damn it, Em, you've uncovered my evil plot," I said sarcastically with a roll of my eyes. Rosalie rolled hers as well as she laughed at her husband. "It's not my fault you drank it too fast."

"Well, I needed a drink. I deserve it after the week I've had. Speaking of," he said as he eyed Edward over the rim of his glass, "I got another call from Heidi Carrington right before I left the office."

Edward groaned and growled at his brother. "Do not even say that name to me tonight."

"Don't worry, Ed, I talked her down for you, so I don't think there will be any more changes."

Rose and I laughed, knowing they were talking about one of their more difficult clients. The subject quickly changed though and the four of us talked and worked on finishing dinner as we waited for Alice and Jasper to arrive. Once they were there and dinner was finished, we all made our way to the dining table and fixed our plates. I was hoping the evening wouldn't be too awkward after my disagreement with Alice earlier in the week, but it didn't look promising considering she hadn't said a word to me since she walked in. It didn't take long for that to change, though. She pounced as soon as we were all seated.

"So, Bella, did you get here early?" she asked.

"Um, yeah, I did. Thought I'd help with dinner and Edward commissioned me to make the margaritas," I responded.

I knew what she was doing, but I had nothing to hide. I met her gaze with a steady look, letting her know she wasn't going to rattle me. She huffed a little, but she let it go. Conversation carried on around the table, but I was on edge. Alice had been acting strangely for the last couple of weeks and I thought we had gotten past it at lunch, but that didn't appear to be the case. Alice made another pointed comment about me helping Edward host the evening and I caught a questioning look from Rose, but I just shrugged, not knowing what Alice's problem was. I'd been trying to figure it out for two weeks. I rose from the table to refill everyone's drinks, ignoring the miffed look on Alice's face. I assumed she didn't like me making myself at home, or playing hostess as it were, in Edward's house, but she needed to get over it. I would have done the same in any of their homes. Perhaps it was immature, but with the way she'd been acting, I took a perverse sort of pleasure in egging her on. I returned the pitcher of margaritas to the fridge and before I could sit back down, Alice spoke up.

"Bella, did you already tell everyone about your date tomorrow night?" she asked, and I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Well, Alice, since I don't have a date tomorrow, there is nothing to tell."

"Oh, no, don't tell me you forgot! You're going out with Paul. Remember, I told you about him at lunch the other day!" she said with a forced laugh.

"I remember perfectly, Alice. You told me about him, and I told you I wasn't interested. I am not going out with Paul or anyone else you pull out of your hat." I tried to keep my tone even, but I was beyond frustrated with my best friend at this point. My frustration clicked up to full blown anger at Alice's next statement.

"I know you said no, Bella, but I know you and I know you were just being stubborn. I called Paul for you and set it all up!"

"You what?!" I asked, trying to keep from raising my voice. I was aware of the silence that had fallen over the group, but I wasn't about to let this go. "I am not just being stubborn Alice, I told you I wasn't interested. If I want a date, I can get a date. I don't need your help, and I sure as hell don't need you making plans for me like I'm a child. I don't know what your problem has been lately, but you need to get over it and lay off." With that, I stormed out of the room, needing space from my meddling friend.

"What the hell, Alice? You told me she was on board," I heard Jasper say as I left the room, but I didn't stick around to hear Alice's reply.

I went into the living room to calm down, but I spun around, ready to go another round when I heard footsteps behind me. I slumped down onto the couch when I saw it was Rose. She sat beside me and rubbed my back to soothe my temper.

"Hey, you okay?" she asked.

"I don't know, she's really been pissing me off lately," I told her.

"What's going on? You two don't generally fight like this."

"Yeah, I know. It's usually just not worth arguing with her, but she's gotten really pushy lately. Well, more than normal anyway," I said with a roll of my eyes. "She's always been like this to a certain extent, even when we were kids. I learned to deal with it long ago, but the last couple of weeks she's been acting really weird. I think she's pissed that I've been hanging out with Edward, but I don't know why it's such a big deal. And she's all of a sudden super adamant that I date more."

Rosalie nodded sympathetically. "I noticed she was acting weird at our place a couple of weeks ago. Was that about Edward?"

"Yeah, I'd run into Edward after visiting Tanya the day before that and she's been pissy ever since. She's made it clear she doesn't want me and Edward hanging out, but I don't get what the problem is. We're friends. If he weren't her brother, I'd think she was jealous," I said.

"I agree, it is odd. But we all know she gets like this sometimes. You know how to handle her, you just have to stick to your guns," Rose said in encouragement.

"I know. Thanks for letting me vent, but we better get back in there," I said as I rose and started back toward the dining room. Just before we turned the corner to rejoin the group, however, I froze, causing Rose to bump into me. It was Edward's voice that stopped me in my tracks, and I paused to try and make sense of what I was hearing.

"So, Alice, I'm confused," Edward was saying, "you just told me the other day that Bella was seeing someone, so why are you setting her up on blind dates?"

I heard Alice start to stammer, but before she could answer him, I stepped back into the room. "What is he talking about, Alice? You're telling people I'm dating? Why does it matter so much that you have to lie about my personal life?" I demanded.

Alice looked around the group as we all watched her waiting for an answer. It seemed like the guys were all afraid to move, so they just sat quietly trying to stay out of the line of fire. I looked back at Alice and could see the emotions flicker across her face. She went from looking like a deer in headlights to calculating, then settled on sheepish.

"I'm sorry, Bella. I didn't mean to lie; it was just a misunderstanding. I've just been so worried about you since the divorce. It's been a year since it was final, and I just want you to be happy. You're my best friend and I love you," Alice said then covered her face with her hands, hiding her tears.

I was too mad for her tears to sway me completely, but I relented slightly. "If you love me and want me to be happy, then why can't you just back off like I've asked you to do multiple times. Being pushy and trying to manipulate me into going on a date because you think I should is not okay." I raked my hands through my hair in frustration. I hated fighting with my friend, but she'd crossed the line. I looked back at her just in time to see her tears magically dry up and her expression turn to irritation.

"I am not manipulative," she said petulantly, "I'm just trying to be a good friend and do what's best for you because I know you won't do it yourself."

"You don't get to decide what is best for me, Alice."

"Fine, just don't come crying to me when you realize how sad and lonely you are," she said as she rose from the table and pulled on Jasper's arm. "Jazz, let's go, I'm clearly not wanted here."

Alice swept dramatically from the room and Jasper rose to follow her. I smiled at him sadly when he squeezed my arm and murmured an apology as he passed me on his way to the front door. Just as he stepped past me, I heard Alice's voice from the doorway.

"Oh, Bella, you need to call Paul and cancel your date unless you just plan to stand him up."

"Nope," I called loudly enough for her to hear me as she walked away thinking she had the last word. "You made the date; you can break it!"

A second later, the front door slammed, and I turned back Edward, Emmett, and Rose. "I'm so sorry, guys. I didn't mean to ruin the whole evening." I said as I sank into a chair and dropped my head into my hands.

"No worries, Bells, it's not your fault. We all know how Alice can get," Emmett told me. Rose hummed in agreement and Edward reached over and rubbed his hand down my back. I looked up at him and gave him a sad smile.

After a moment of somewhat awkward silence, Rose walked behind Emmett's chair and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She leaned down and spoke softly in his ear. "Well, Emmy, why don't we call it an early night and you take me home and ravish me."

Emmett nearly knocked her over as he shot to his feet. "Hell yeah, baby, let's go! Bye, Ed, see ya, Bells!" he bellowed as he hauled his laughing wife to the door.

I giggled as I looked over at Edward, who was shaking his head with a smile. You could always count on Emmett to lighten a mood and I had a feeling Rose had propositioned him with that intent. I was grateful to her, even if it did leave images in my brain I'd rather not see. I rose from the table and started gathering dirty dishes. Edward tried to stop me, but I wasn't going to leave him with the mess.

"I ran your family out of your house, the least I can do is help clean up," I told him as we entered the kitchen and deposited dishes in the sink.

"You didn't do anything, Bella," Edward assured me. "Emmett and I are more than aware of Alice's talent for pushing people's buttons. And just for the record, I'm on your side. Alice crossed a line."

"Thanks," I said, "but I really don't want to come between you and your sister. I just don't know what her problem has been lately. She's not usually this bad, but she's been acting weird with me ever since she found out you and I had coffee a couple of weeks ago."

"You're not coming between us. Don't take the blame for her behavior," he said then began to load the dishwasher as I rinsed things off.

"Do you mind me asking what she said to you to make you think I was dating? Has she been weird with you, too, or is it just me?"

"I wouldn't say she's been weird with me, other than when she called me last weekend. We chat regularly, so it wasn't weird that she called, but she asked about our trip to the zoo and when I told her that Maggie had worn us out, she made a comment about you not being too tired for your date that evening. I knew you hadn't had a date, since you fed Maggie and me, so I wasn't sure what she was getting at. I just said I didn't know you'd had a date and she said you were seeing someone. After tonight, I wonder if she wasn't trying to warn me off in some way."

"I feel the same way. I think she's pushing me to date to push me away from you," I said sadly.

"Well, it's a good thing that Alice isn't the boss of us," Edward said, and I laughed at his juvenile statement. "She doesn't get to make decisions for either of us and I enjoy spending time with you, so she'll just have to get over it."

"Ditto," I said. "It's none of her business. I just hope she backs off soon. I don't want to fight with her."

"I don't want to fight with her either, but it is none of her business. I'm sure she'll get over it soon enough. Now, no more about my bratty little sister. The kitchen is clean, so how about we relax with a beer in front of the fire?"

I nodded and took the bottle of Corona Edward offered me and then followed him to the living room. I kicked off my shoes and settled on the couch as he detoured across the room and flipped the switch on the gas fireplace. The room took on an amber glow with the only light coming from the fire and a small lamp next to the leather recliner. Edward came to the couch and settled beside me. He slouched down and propped his socked feet on the coffee table and rested his beer on his stomach. I curled my feet under me and watched the dancing flames. We sat in comfortable silence for a while, each sipping our beers, lost in our own thoughts. I finished mine off and handed the empty bottle to Edward when he held his hand out. He leaned over and placed both on a side table, before sitting back up. He raised his arm and dropped it around my shoulders before speaking softly.

"Penny for your thoughts," he said, and I knew he assumed I was brooding.

I laughed lightly and told him, "Actually, I was just thinking that I need to have my fireplace converted to gas. This is really nice and so easy to just flip a switch."

He chuckled softly and said, "Just so happens I know a guy who can help you with that. And you're right, this is really nice."

With that, Edward pulled me tighter into his side and I leaned into him and laid my head on his shoulder. We talked quietly about random things, both of us careful to avoid any heavy topics. We'd had enough heavy earlier in the evening. I was in the middle of telling a story about work when I noticed his breathing had deepened. I glanced up and saw that he was asleep. I knew I should probably sit up and scoot away, but for some reason it felt right to be held by him. I tried hard not to think about the way he made me feel, but it was getting harder and harder to deny the attraction I felt. More than physical attraction, I felt this invisible pull whenever I was around him. I wasn't sure what had changed, but something obviously had because I'd never felt this way in the past. Maybe it was that I was getting to know him on a deeper level now or that we shared a kinship over our difficult marriages. One thing I knew for certain though, was my feelings were growing and I was helpless to stop them. I told myself again that I should pull away and leave, but I couldn't make myself move. I was too comfortable, and I convinced myself there was no harm in enjoying this closeness for a few minutes. Just because I had these feelings for Edward didn't mean I'd ever act on them, so I snuggled in a little closer and listened to Edward breathe.

I hadn't meant to fall asleep, but the next thing I knew I woke up on Edward's couch, laying half on top of him. At some point, he must have woken up enough to pull us into a horizontal position and pull the blanket from the back of the sofa over us. Edward was still asleep, snoring lightly, and I didn't want to move but I knew I needed to get home. My resolve to keep my feelings in check was waning, so I needed a little distance. I slipped off the couch carefully to avoid disturbing Edward. It may have been the coward's way out, but my defenses were down, and I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep from baring my soul to him if he woke up and captured me with those deep green eyes. I successfully got up and slipped my shoes on without waking him. With one last look at his peaceful face, I slipped out the door and drove home.

Author's Note:

There you have it. Bella is struggling to keep her attraction at bay…can you blame her?

Next up, we're back with Edward.

Let me know what you think!