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Chapter 16

Bella scowled at her reflection in the mirror. If Edward just wanted to be best buddies, she certainly wasn't going to spend hours primping for him. On the other hand, it wouldn't hurt to show him what he was missing. She finally settled on a long, flowing skirt and a light sweater, knowing it was cool out.

He knocked on the door promptly at seven, and she tried not to look upset when she answered it. He looked amazing, wearing khakis and a dress shirt that made his eyes look insanely green. She'd always known he was gorgeous, but it had never really mattered before.

He smiled at her, and she tried to remember that they were just friends, and that she was totally okay with that. "You ready to go?" he asked.

She nodded, and was surprised when he held his hand out to her. Taking it, she asked, "Where are we going?"

"You'll see. So…how have you been?"

She shrugged. "Okay, I guess. You're really not going to tell me where we're going?"

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise."

She pouted. "I could act surprised."

He laughed. "I'm sure you could. But just let me do this, okay?"

"Fine," she sighed.

Fifteen minutes later, they pulled up in front of Edward's apartment. She turned to him, confused. "Did you forget something?"

"No, this is where we're having dinner."

"Here? You know, when you said 'nothing fancy,' I didn't realize you meant ordering pizza and drinking beer."

"Probably because that's not what I meant."

"What?"

"Will you just trust me?"

She sighed and got out of the car. "Fine. But this better not suck, Edward."

He walked around the car and took her hand. He was doing that a lot lately.

They walked up to his apartment, and Edward unlocked the door. He flipped on the lights, and as far as Bella could tell, everything looked normal. Where was the big surprise?

She found out when they turned the corner into the kitchen. The small table was elegantly set for two, with china that Bella recognized as Esme's, and two tall ivory tapers just waiting to be lit.

"What is all this?" she gasped.

"I thought I'd make you dinner…and we can talk."

Turning around, she looked him in the eye. "Is this a date?"

He nodded slowly, keeping his expression neutral.

"Oh." Her face grew warm, and she ducked her head.

He tipped her chin back up. "If it's okay with you, that is. I thought since you went to all the trouble of talking to Emmett…it was the least I could do."

"You talked to Emmett?"

He nodded, sliding one hand around her waist and pulling her a little closer.

"And he's okay with…this?"

"It's going to take him some time to adjust to, but yeah." His hand stroked small circles on her back. "I owe you an apology."

"For what?"

"I should have been the one to confront Emmett."

She smiled up at him. "You had a lot more to lose. But," she added, taking another step closer, "if you really feel guilty, I'm sure there are ways you can make it up to me."

His free hand came up to cup her neck. "What did you have in mind?"

She pressed her hands to his chest, toying with one of the buttons on his shirt. "For starters, we can finish that kiss from the other night. After that…it's negotiable."

He closed the distance between them, found her mouth with his. As her lips parted beneath his, he decided he was going to like negotiating with her.