Bella was no stranger to conflict or confrontation, for that matter, so the man, Edward's words shouldn't have shook her the way they did.

From the back entrance of the hotel, she wheeled her personal cart that held leftover signed copies of her book, as well as business cards and messenger bag containing her notes and schedule. The blue sky and sunshine was like an unexpected bonus since she'd forgotten her umbrella. Even spring days brought rain over half the time in Washington state. She was well aware—Forks was a 3 hour drive and it still gave her a pang to think about it.

No matter how far she had progressed in her life and career, reminders from her teenage years still poked at her unexpectedly like prickly thorns. Some wounds needed to be healed again and again; like her dad. She wondered how Charlie was. No doubt the man would die alone in that same house where she'd practically grown up. As conscious as she had become, she still hadn't managed to spend more than five minutes in his company or on the phone without completely reverting back to her old self. He'd called her a few times over the past couple of days, and she'd avoided speaking to him. It had been years since she'd seen Charlie. One day, she thought, she'd come out of the spiritual closet, be able to tackle that broken relationship, forgive him…

No, she couldn't go home again.

It didn't matter how strong the tug was to see him; the resistance was like a tidal wave that loomed over her. Resistance was persistence. She knew that better than anybody.

Everyone had their demons, and the poor girl's dad, Edward, was no exception. Even though he'd been rude to Bella, it wasn't about her; he was just projecting his frustration about his own past and insecurities. When would parents understand that they couldn't control their daughters? The sooner he discovered that, the better off he'd be. Edward, like most, lived his days without a thought to why he was really here. He didn't see the bigger picture. Through her videos, she pecked at those who were unconscious to awaken them from their slumber. She tried her best to meet them at their level.

It was a lonely life.

Edward's attack wasn't unusual. People—mostly men— rejected her when their beliefs were challenged. But, if Edward could just see past them, he might just see… No doubt the law of attraction was just another new age-y supposition. What he thought didn't matter. When she was being authentic, nobody could fault her.

The idea of that sweet child having created a vision board with Bella and Edward together…Bella had never heard of anything so inspiring. As crazy as it was for her to drop out of college and follow her mentor to Europe and spend the next few years learning the principles of metaphysics, she was glad she did it. Was it crazy to follow his advice and start making her own videos? Was it insane to open herself up to the criticism that followed? People's scathing remarks and judgments were like razor blades…at first. But she'd come to realize that she was only a mirror that reflected things they often did not want to see.

Her phone buzzed, and she sent the call to voicemail…again. She shut her trunk and pressed the button on her fob, arming the car with a chirp from the alarm. With the rest of the day free, she could have gone to see Charlie. But, she couldn't do it. Instead, she headed back to the hotel and up to her room. She decided to contact Angela, her manager and good friend, to meet with her later for dinner.

The man, Edward, was as handsome as a devil, his vulnerability showing as his daughter tried to sway him. Those angular features, the thick bushy brows, the hair that invited the touch of fingers…the broad shoulders and build that embodied masculinity. And those eyes—the hazel that leaned more towards green than brown…they were like an invitation to swim only to get sucked into a whirlpool of desire.

No, Bella. She stopped herself. It didn't matter what he looked like…or the last time she'd been with a man. Her purpose was not to entertain herself with the indulgence of physical pleasure. Anyway, Edward made it clear he wanted nothing to do with her…not that she would've encouraged Renesmee's desire. Besides, where was the girl's mother? He wore a ring on his finger, and she couldn't imagine that his daughter would want a replacement for her. No, it was as though she was gone—out of the picture. Dead…

Either way, it didn't matter. They'd departed on a rather sour note. It was too bad because she'd quite enjoyed speaking with them. Renesmee was quite the delight…miles ahead of most adults she'd met. Her dad had no idea what he was up against with that young one.

It wouldn't surprise Bella if she received a strongly worded email from him. She smiled in anticipation. In fact, being the intuitive she was, she looked forward to it.

Edward

He blew out a breath as they exited the conference room. All he wanted was to get out of there and put as much distance between them and that devil woman as possible. He could only anticipate the damage she'd caused. Was he doomed to be pestered about remarrying forever? What had Bella done?

Though they had a room at the hotel for the rest of the weekend, he simply wanted to pack up and make the 4 hour drive home to Portland. Renesmee would be crushed, but Edward couldn't see past his anger. The nerve of that woman!

"Daddy," Renesmee said, as he pulled her along to meet his pace. "Talk to me."

Edward pushed away his temper and replied in a calm voice, "I'm through talking about this."

He inserted the card into the reader of the door, and before the mechanism clicked, Alice opened it, holding her arms out to Renesmee.

"How did it go?!"

Renesmee flew into her embrace. "Bella Swan was amazing, Alice. I wish you could've been there."

It had been Edward's idea to keep it to just the two of them, though he was well aware that Alice was a big fan.

He grabbed his suitcase out of the closet and set it on his bed as Nessie continued.

"And she talked to us during the seminar and then invited us back after."

"No way!"

"And she is just as amazing in person!" Nessie gushed.

"I'll bet."

"But, Daddy was rude to her, and we left."

Edward's head turned to find Nessie and her nanny staring at him, Alice's brows drawn together.

"I…she said some things she shouldn't have."

"So did you!" Nessie shot back, arms folded and now eyeing him as he went to his dresser drawer.

"No, no. I'm not getting sucked back into this again." He was definitely not going to do this with her. "Alice, let's pack our stuff," he said. "We are leaving."

"What?" Renesmee asked, moving towards the suitcase and looking up at him. "I thought we were staying in Seattle until tomorrow. You said it was part of my birthday present."

Her birthday.

This was why they were here. And she was looking at him with those soulful eyes that managed to punch a nice fat hole in his resolve. "Fine." His shoulders slumped. They weren't in any danger of seeing Bella Swan again, and hopefully they could get through the rest of the weekend.

He was relieved that the two had dropped the talk of Bella Swan because he swore if he never saw her again it would be too soon.

The valet took the Volvo, and Edward, Alice, and Nessie entered the restaurant a few miles away. Alice had taken her shopping and had found the pinkest, frilliest dress he had ever seen, and Ness wore a nice little tiara to go with it. This fine restaurant had been Edward's idea as Nessie would have been content to go to a pizza parlor with pinball machines. But, he insisted this was a special occasion and was determined to celebrate her 8th birthday without the bitter feeling the seminar had left him with. He hoped the gesture and the new laptop for her to open the next day would salvage the effect of this trip.

They were seated right away, and Alice's eyes were wide as she took in the surroundings as no doubt she'd never been to such an establishment. During the seminar, he'd sent her off to purchase a proper dress to wear for the occasion, and though the lemon yellow garment was dressy enough, it drew attention to the eye. Wearing his own black suit, he felt at home with the restaurant's fine tablecloths, candlelit settings, and extravagant prices.

By the end of the meal, he'd slipped the waiter money to sing to Nessie, and when the chorus of suited servers arrived, a violinist accompanied them. When Edward, Nessie, and Alice finished their entrees, a small chocolate cake was brought to the table, with a single candle, and Alice spoke, "Make a wish, Nessie!"

Enthusiastically, his daughter's cheeks inflated with air, and she blew out the tiny flame, closing her eyes, as they applauded, and looked from Alice to Edward.

"What did you wish for?" he asked but wanted to take it back as soon as he said it.

Fortunately, Alice cut in, "You can't tell," she said with a wink. "Otherwise it won't come true."

Drizzled chocolate syrup and sprinkles decorated the top of the small cake and Edward handed the large slice to her. "Enjoy," he said, wanting to watch her gobble every last bite of the huge hunk of cake.

"No, this is for us to share," Nessie said. "Like my wish."

Edward sucked in a breath. He didn't dare press. They'd had a deal, and he was counting on her to stick to it. He'd already fulfilled his obligation. "What about Alice?"

"Absolutely," she said, "Alice too."

Angela cut her steak into small bites, and Bella eyed her own vegetable dish filled with its savory glaze. It didn't bother her that Angela wasn't vegan, nor did she expect her to change.

"So, you've been quiet," Angela observed, taking a bite. "You had a great show."

Bella mused at what Edward had said. He called it a show, inferring that she was an entertainer or the like, when she was nothing of the sort. "Yes, it was a good one." She kept her gaze on the plate.

"Yeah, that man and his daughter…that was gold, Bella!"

She looked to her friend as she finished what was in her mouth. "What does that mean?"

"That means that your other viewers will see that you not only appeal to adults but also to children having difficulties with their parents. That could be huge." She pushed her round glasses higher onto the bridge of her nose. Angela was a knockout, Bella always thought, but her friend hid behind the rims, and her sweet nature often left her passive when it came to men. Bella thought Angela was perfect the way she was and wouldn't dream of asking her to put on contact lenses and let those big brown eyes pop or to wear a dress that hugged her curves. She was perfect just as she was. And certainly too good for Mike, her long-time boyfriend.

"Right. It is as it shall be."

Angela's brows pulled together. "Alright. What's going on? You never told me how it went when you met them backstage."

"The girl was sweet as can be, borderline people pleaser. Dad has a strong personality, though not quite overbearing." Her own father had a passive aggressive nature, and that was damaging in itself. Bella smiled. "Yeah, apparently Dad wanted me to tell her that we would never be together."

Angela's mouth dropped open. "What?"

"Yes, the girl made a vision board and apparently she is manifesting me."

Her mouth stayed open and her gaze comically drifted from the ceiling to the table and back to Bella. "That is the most adorable thing I've ever heard! She was manifesting you…for him!"

"For them. She's a real smartie too. He's gonna have his hands full." Just like her own dad did with her.

Angela held up her fork mid-air. "What did you say?"

"I referenced how the law of attraction works. And not to get hung up on a specific outcome…"

"Oh…right, because the universe may deliver something better…"

"What? You sound like you don't believe it."

Her shoulders dropped. "I've been manifesting Mike to propose to me…and yeah, not so much."

"I did say something better," Bella said with a smile.

"Haha, very funny. So anyway, was that it? Cause as far as dads go and your typical audience, that man was pretty hot."

"He got upset because I didn't tell her what he wanted me to tell her. Instead, I just explained how the law of attraction works. It's out of my hands."

"Oh. I see."

"He left in a huff, and that was that…"

A chorus of "Happy Birthday" broke out on the other side of the room, and Bella turned around, smiling as they caught the backs of the servers singing elegantly with the accompaniment of a violin.

When the group broke apart, she caught the view of Renesmee with a small tiara, grinning as a cake was set down before her.

Angela said, "Oh, no way! Is that them?"

"It looks like it." Plus one. A younger lady in lemon yellow. Could that have been a girlfriend? No wonder Edward had been so adamant about discouraging her.

"Go say hi," Angela pressed.

"Are you kidding? He really doesn't like me."

"I'm sure he doesn't."

But, Renesmee was, no doubt, a big fan. It was the girl's birthday, and apparently she'd dragged her unwilling father to go see Bella. How special was that?

"I have an idea." Bella pulled her book and a pen from her oversized purse and wrote a message on the inside cover. She wished she had a bow for the occasion and took the hair ribbon out of her hair. After wrapping it around the book, she centered its small decorative flower and rhinestone. "Ange, will you do me the honor?"

"What are friends for?" Angela grinned. "Now?"

"No, catch them as they leave. I don't want to upset him."

"If he already doesn't like you, then giving his daughter your book will probably piss him off more. Gimme, gimme, gimme!" Angela's eyes looked wider than usual, even with her glasses, and she was ready to spring from the chair into action.

This wasn't about creating drama. This was about giving a gift. "Angela!"

"They're getting up! Hurry."

"Okay," Bella said and handed it to her.

Once they turned the corner, she couldn't see past the tables full of people, and Bella wondered how her book would be received. When Angela came back a few minutes later, she beamed and sat down.

"Oh, Bella." She fanned her face. "Wowza. That man—phew!"

"What? Did you give it to Renesmee?"

Angela sat back down, the smile stuck to her face. "I did…and she hugged me so tightly." She braced her arms around herself. "She wanted to come back and thank you in person, and that man, in his hotness, stared at me as if I had brought them your head on a platter. He didn't say anything, but he just sort of seethed. Mission accomplished." She stabbed at a piece of steak.

"I was just trying to give the girl a present. That's all."

Pointing her fork at her, she said, "You did. And now they'll have more reasons to think of you…and manifest you…which is what you secretly want, isn't it?"

"What?" Bella's cheeks reddened. "No. I have no interest in dating a man with a child." And obviously he had a girlfriend already. And besides, he despised Bella.

Angela chewed the bite thoughtfully. "At our age, it's not like you're gonna find much of anything else. But you can try manifesting…"

Bella waved her hand at her friend. "Stop it."

"Oh that's right. You don't have to. They're already manifesting you."

A/N: Hi there! Busy week and I am so grateful to EdwardsFirstKiss, who is beta-ing this story for me! She is awesome! So many thanks to you all for reading and to the followers and reviewers! Stay with me for more!