Ten

Conflicted Hearts and Morning Conversations

Bella's POV

I sat at the chipped kitchen counter in our cramped kitchen, the warm morning sun spilling through the dusty window. My spoon lazily stirred the soggy cereal in my bowl as I tried to untangle the jumble of thoughts in my head. Memories of last night's romantic dinner with Edward clashed with the ominous presence of my father's investigation. How could a single evening hold such contrasting emotions?

"Morning, gorgeous!" Rosalie's voice broke through my reverie as she sauntered into the kitchen, her hair a perfect mess, like she'd stepped out of a Vogue shoot titled 'Effortlessly Fabulous.' She dropped into the chair across from me, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "So, spill. How many times did you and Mr. Broody McHandsome get it on in your dreams last night?"

I couldn't help but laugh, even as a blush crept up my cheeks. "Rosalie, seriously?"

She raised an eyebrow, unrepentant. "What? I'm just looking out for my girl. And you two are basically on the cover of some epic romance novel in my head. I'm just getting the juicy details."

I shook my head, trying to keep the smile off my face. "Well, if you must know, there was…some kissing. A little more than kissing. And then, uh…I woke up."

Rosalie rolled her eyes dramatically. "Come on, Bella. Give me something juicy to work with here. If you won't write the steamy scenes, I'll just have to fill in the naughty bits myself."

I laughed, shaking my head at her. "You're terrible."

"I always want to give you the best," she beamed. Then her expression morphed into one of concern as she gazed at me intently. "But truly, you seem burdened with the weight of the world. What troubles you, my dear?"

I hesitated, my spoon paused mid-air. Rosalie was the one person I could tell everything to, yet this…this was complicated. "It's Edward," I started slowly. "But it's also…my dad's investigation. And Felix."

Rosalie leaned in, her teasing demeanour gone. "Okay, explain. Who the fuck is Felix?"

I took a deep breath, setting my spoon down. "I'm falling for Edward, or at least I think I am. But my dad's investigating his company, and there's something off about Felix, this guy involved in a merger with Edward's firm. I don't know what it is, but my instincts are telling me something's wrong. And I'm supposed to be helping my dad figure it out."

Rosalie's eyes narrowed slightly as she considered my words. "So, you're caught between your heart and your duty. Classic Bella."

I groaned. "You make it sound so simple."

"Well, it's not. But honestly, Bella, you've got to trust yourself. You're one of the smartest, most intuitive people I know. If you think something's off, it probably is. But that doesn't mean Edward is bad news. Maybe he's caught in something he doesn't even realise. You've got to follow your heart, but keep your eyes open, you know?"

I nodded, the knot in my stomach loosening just a little. "Yeah, I guess. But it's hard when everything feels so tangled up."

Rosalie smirked, the light returning to her eyes. "Well, while you untangle that mess, how about you do me a favour? If Edward has a hot brother, can you set me up? You know, to keep things balanced."

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Actually, he does. His name's Emmett, and he's…well, he's pretty much the opposite of Edward. Runs a mechanic shop, super laid back, total teddy bear."

Rosalie's gaze ignited with desire. "A mechanic, huh? I have a weakness for men who know how to handle their tools. Perhaps you should introduce us."

"If you play your cards right," I teased, feeling lighter already. "But I've got to figure out this mess first."

Rosalie nodded, a smile playing on her lips. "And you will. Just remember, no matter what happens with Edward, you've got me in your corner."

I smiled back at her, feeling a surge of gratitude. "Thanks, Rosalie. I don't know what I'd do without you."

She flung her hand nonchalantly. "Come on, you'll be alright. But hey, at least we can have some juicy gossip and maybe even score some awesome tips. Now spill, where's the mechanic's shop?"

EPOV

I leaned back in my leather chair, tapping my fingers against the polished wood of my desk. My phone buzzed in my hand, the screen lighting up with a message from Bella.

Bella: Thinking of you… not to make that ego bigger or anything.

A smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth. She was quick, sharp-witted. I liked that.

Edward: Too late. You're already stuck in my head. What are you going to do about it?

Her reply came almost instantly, and I could practically hear the playful tone in her words.

Bella: Maybe I'll keep you guessing. We'll see how good you are at following hints.

I chuckled to myself, the tension in my shoulders easing as I typed back.

Edward: Careful, Bella. I've never been good at waiting. You might get more than you bargained for.

Bella: Promises, promises…

I was about to send another reply when a sharp knock on the door snapped me back to reality. Before I could respond, Tanya walked in, her expression stern and all business. I turned my phone face down on the desk, the momentary levity gone.

"What is it, Tanya?" I asked, my voice sharper than intended.

"We need to talk about the merger," she began, her tone equally clipped. "Felix is pushing to axe the Henderson account."

The Henderson account. One of the few remaining clients that had been with Cullen Architectural Design Group since the beginning. My jaw tightened. "No. That's not happening."

Tanya crossed her arms, her gaze narrowing. "Edward, the numbers don't add up. Henderson's bleeding us dry, and Felix has already made his decision. It's a done deal."

"Not if I have anything to say about it," I snapped, feeling the tension coil tighter in my chest. The thought of cutting ties with one of our longest-standing clients, especially at Felix's behest, was unacceptable.

Tanya's expression didn't waver. "This isn't just about you, Edward. It's about what's best for the company."

My hands balled into fists on the desk. "I am what's best for this company, Tanya. Not Felix, not anyone else. And I'm not letting him—or you—dictate how we do business."

She scoffed, her eyes flashing with anger. "You're letting your ego get in the way again. This is why we're in this mess in the first place, Edward. You refuse to see the bigger picture."

"Do not presume to lecture me on the grand scheme of things," I spat, towering over my chair. The space felt constricted as my rage consumed me, dispelling the tranquility I had just held. "You believe Felix holds the superior knowledge? You believe cutting ties with one of our long-standing clients is the key to salvaging this company? You are a fool, Tanya."

Her mouth tightened into a thin line, but she didn't back down. "Maybe it's time you faced the facts, Edward. You can't keep running from this."

"Running?" I repeated, my voice rising. "Is that what you think I'm doing?"

Tanya took a step closer, her eyes locking onto mine. "Yes. And everyone else does too. You're drowning, Edward, and you're too stubborn to admit it."

The accusation hit harder than I expected, stoking the fire inside me to a blazing inferno. "Get fucked, Tanya," I spat, my voice dripping with venom. "You want to talk about running? Fine. Watch me run right the fuck out of here."

Without another word, I slammed my hand down on the intercom, barking an order to my assistant. "Get the car. I'm leaving for the day."

Tanya's eyes followed me as I grabbed my jacket from the back of my chair. "You can't just leave, Edward. Not when everything's falling apart."

I paused at the door, my hand on the frame as I glanced back at her. "If you want to keep your job you'll shut your moth. I need a time out, Tanya. Before I do something we'll both regret. So get off my back."

With that, I stormed out of the office, not bothering to wait for a response. I could feel the tension in my body thrumming like a live wire, the urge to get away from everything—this office, this business, this fucking mess—overpowering everything else.

As I walked out, I grabbed my phone and quickly texted Bella.

Edward: You've got me thinking about you… all day.

Bella: Good. Let's see how long you last.

Edward: Not long, but I'll let you know how it goes.

I slipped the phone into my pocket, the weight of the situation pressing down on me as I headed to the car. The urge to get away was overwhelming, and I didn't want anyone knowing where I was going—not yet. I needed to clear my head.

By the time I realised where I was, the familiar sight of Emmett's garage came into view. The sound of clanging tools and the scent of motor oil filled the air, grounding me in a way nothing else could.

I parked the car and took a deep breath, feeling a slight sense of relief as I prepared to spend some time with my brother. Maybe here, in the noise and grease, I could find some clarity.

The moment I stepped into the garage, I could sense Emmett's apprehension. He looked up from under the hood of a car, wiping grease from his hands with a rag. His eyes narrowed slightly, not in anger but in cautious curiosity. We hadn't spoken much recently, and I knew why—my fault, all of it.

"Hey," I greeted, my voice rougher than I intended.

"Hey," Emmett replied, his tone neutral. He turned his attention back to the engine, not inviting me in, but not shutting me out either.

I stood there for a moment, feeling the weight of the silence between us. It had been too long since I'd been here, too long since I'd taken the time to see my brother. The realisation gnawed at me, making the words that came next even harder to say.

"I've been a dick," I admitted, the words tumbling out. "I know it. And I'm sorry, Emmett. I've been missing my baby brother, more than I realised. I'm struggling, man. I just needed some time out."

Emmett paused, the rag in his hand still as he processed what I said. When he finally looked up, his expression had softened, but there was still a hint of reservation in his eyes. "Yeah, well… you've been busy, I get it. But, you know, you could've picked up the phone."

"I know," I said quietly, taking a step closer. "I know I should have. But I'm here now, and… I just want to help. Maybe we can work on this together? Like old times?"

He raised an eyebrow, glancing at the car. "You want to help work on a car? In that suit?"

I shrugged, pulling off my suit jacket and tossing it onto a nearby workbench. Then I rolled up my sleeves, the familiar scent of motor oil already starting to calm the storm in my chest. "I could use the distraction. What are you working on?"

Emmett hesitated for just a second before nodding. "Dad's old car. Trying to get her running again."

A wave of nostalgia hit me as I looked at the car, memories of our father tinkering with it filling my mind. This was more than just a car—it was a piece of our history, a link to the past I'd been too preoccupied to honour.

"I'll help," I said, the decision made. "Let's get it running."

Emmett handed me a wrench, and I joined him under the hood, the tension between us gradually easing as we worked side by side. It felt good, the physical labour grounding me in a way I hadn't felt in a long time. And as we worked, the barriers that had built up over the years slowly started to come down.

After a while, Emmett broke the silence. "So, what's going on with you? You said you're struggling."

I sighed, wiping the sweat from my forehead. "Yeah, it's… it's a lot. The company's in trouble, and I've got Felix breathing down my neck. And then there's… Bella."

Emmett glanced at me, curious. "Bella, huh? The girl who had you so distracted at that fashion show event?"

I couldn't help but smile, even as I focused on tightening a bolt. "Yeah, her. She's… she's something else, Emmett. I can't stop thinking about her."

He let out a low whistle. "Wow. Never thought I'd hear you say that about anyone."

"Me neither," I admitted. "But it's true. She's got me all twisted up inside, in a good way. And I'm scared, Emmett. Scared, I'm going to screw this up like everything else."

Emmett chuckled, shaking his head. "Man, you're overthinking it. Just be yourself—well, not the asshole part. The good part."

I laughed, the sound surprising me with how genuine it was. "I guess I have missed you, Em."

The mood shifted slightly, and Emmett's expression turned more serious. "I'm not a baby brother, you know. I can handle things just fine."

"I know," I said, meeting his gaze. "But you'll always be my little brother. Doesn't mean I don't respect you. I just… I'm trying to make up for lost time."

He nodded, the tension between us finally dissipating as we returned to the work at hand. It felt like old times—comfortable, familiar, and real. And I didn't realise how much I'd missed him until now.

Just as we were settling into a rhythm, the sound of a car engine sputtering to a halt outside caught our attention. We both looked up as the door to the garage opened, and in walked Rosalie, her long blonde hair spilling over her shoulders, looking as stunning as ever.

"Rosalie," I greeted her with a grin. "Didn't expect to see you here."

Rosalie shot me a playful smirk. "Car decided to quit on me just outside. Figured I'd pop in and see if it could be saved."

I turned to Emmett, who was still taking in the sight of her, clearly a bit stunned. "Emmett, this is Rosalie. She's a friend of Bella's."

Emmett blinked, snapping out of his stupor as he offered a slightly awkward smile. "Uh, nice to meet you, Rosalie. I'm Emmett. I'll take a look at your car, no problem."

Rosalie grinned, her confidence undeterred by the brief awkwardness. "Thanks, Emmett. Bella's told me a lot about you."

As Emmett moved to take a look at her car, Rosalie turned back to me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "By the way, Edward, Bella won't shut up about you. She's been talking in her sleep, and let me tell you, it felt like I was intruding on something very… private. Sounded sexy, though."

Emmett, who had just knelt down to inspect the car, let out a deep chuckle and gave me a playful pat on the back as he stood back up. "Looks like you've really got it bad if you're showing up in her dreams now."

My cheeks flushed with heat, but I couldn't wipe the smirk off my face. "Thanks for the heads-up, Rosalie. I'll have to ask Bella about that."

Rosalie winked at me, clearly enjoying the moment. "Do that. And maybe tell her to keep it down next time. Some of us are trying to get some sleep."

Emmett shook his head, still laughing. "Man, you're one lucky guy. A girl dreaming about you...in that way."

"Surely you appear in the fantasies of many women," Rosalie asked him slyly.

"Not that many," Emmett scoffed.

"Hmm, just the lucky few," she purred.

I can feel the sexual tension between them as she shamelessly checks him out while he bends over to look into the car again.

"You want a personal visit?" Emmett asks with zero hesitation, briefly looking over his shoulder at her.

"Maybe if you play your cards right," Rosalie laughs seductively.

"I'm an expert at cards," he shoots back before turning his attention back to the car, causing Rosalie to openly admire his muscular physique.

I hate to think what would have happened between them if I wasn't here.

Rosalie rolls her eyes playfully before turning back to me. "Well, whatever you're doing is definitely working. Anyway, I'll leave you boys to your bonding time. Just make sure my car doesn't give out on me again, Emmett."

Emmett nodded, regaining his composure. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of it."

As Rosalie walked out of the garage, Emmett's eyes followed her, a look of astonishment still plastered on his face. He waited until the door closed behind her before turning to me, his expression a mix of awe and disbelief.

"Dude," Emmett finally said, shaking his head. "She's the hottest girl I've ever seen. How the hell do you know her, again?"

I chuckled, recognising that look in his eyes. "She's Bella's best friend. They live together."

Emmett let out a low whistle. "No kidding? And she's single?"

"As far as I know," I replied, already anticipating where this was going.

Emmett grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Think you could put in a good word for me? Maybe get us all in the same room again?"

I raised an eyebrow, amused by his sudden enthusiasm. "You want me to set you up with her?"

"Hell yes," Emmett said without hesitation. "Come on, man, do your brother a favour. I'm not asking for much, just a chance."

I pretended to think it over, though the idea was already forming in my mind. "Alright, how about this—how do you feel about a double date? You and Rosalie, me and Bella?"

Emmett's grin widened. "Now you're talking. Set it up, and I'll owe you big time."

"Consider it done," I said with a nod, already mentally planning how I could arrange it. "But just so you know, Rosalie's got a sharp tongue. You'll have to keep up."

Emmett laughed, clearly undeterred. "I like a challenge. Besides, with looks like that, she can say whatever she wants. I have plans for the tongue."

I shook my head, smiling at his excitement. It felt good to see him like this, and for a moment, the weight of everything else seemed to lift. Maybe this double date idea was exactly what we all needed—a chance to relax, have some fun, and maybe even see where things could go.

"Alright, I'll talk to Bella and see when we can set it up," I promised. "But don't screw it up, Em. She's important to Bella, and I don't want things getting weird."

Emmett nodded seriously. "I won't. Promise. I'll be on my best behaviour."

I laughed at that, knowing full well that 'best behaviour' for Emmett still meant a lot of teasing and playful banter. But that was exactly what made him who he was, and I had no doubt Rosalie could handle it.

As we returned to working on Dad's car, the mood in the garage had lightened considerably. For the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of normalcy creeping back in. And the thought of spending more time with Bella—especially in the company of Emmett and Rosalie—made the future seem just a little bit brighter.

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