Rose stood outside on the porch debating whether or not she should knock. It had been a week since Edward had been at her house helping her in her time of need and despite what she might think of him, her mother was right. She should thank him for being there for her.

She finally lifted her hand and knocked and the door immediately swung open to reveal Edward leaning against the wall by the door. Suddenly a thought clicked.

"Have you been standing there the whole time I've been standing here?" She asked

"I might have been"

"Then why didn't you just open the door?"

"I didn't want to interrupt the little debate you had going on with yourself"

"Why you li..."

"Come inside. You're letting all of the cool air out"

With that he turned and walked back inside leaving her to follow him. She started grumbling as she stepped inside and closed the door behind her. The house smelt of whatever he was making and the aroma brought her right to the kitchen where he was taking something from the oven.

"I didn't mean to interrupt your dinner. I could always come back"

He turned to send her a blank stare before turning back to what he was doing. Then he suddenly started walking towards her causing her to step back until she felt her back against the counter. Standing too close for comfort he raised his hand causing her heart to speed up. He leaned closer still and out of her mouth slipped his name is a rather breathy whisper.

"Edward"

His eyes dropped to hers and without breaking their gaze she heard the cupboard door open and glass tinkle against each other. That's when he looked away from her and walked to the fridge to get a bottle of champagne. He poured two full glasses and handed one to her.

"You did that on purpose!" She accused before accepting the glass.

"Hmm" was his response

"Snicker doodle" she grumbled

When she heard him chuckling as he walked away she glared at his retreating back as he bent over and lifted the foil to inspect the contents of the dish.

"Instead of standing there starring daggers at my back why don't you make yourself useful and set the table. For two"

He turned to look right at her when he said the last two words and she gulped the champagne she had in her mouth.

"I didn't come for dinner. I only came to thank you for the other night. I appreciate what you did"

"You can thank me by joining me for dinner"

"You strike me as a man that needs his solitude."

"My solitude can wait. You know where the utensils are"

"So darn bossy"

She heard him chuckle as she turned away to go set the table and she had the strongest urge to turn back and throw her champagne at him.

While she was setting the table which didn't take long she debated whether or not it was a good idea to join him for dinner. The whole thing just seemed too intimate not to mention the atmosphere was unusually charged.

Before she could make up an excuse to leave he came out of the kitchen and placed two plates on the table that dared her to pass up a meal that looked and smelt this good. He sat down then glanced at the empty chair.

"Do you usually eat standing up?"

"Are you always this cynical?"

Without responding he reached for his fork and started eating. She watched him for a minute before finally picking up her own fork and started eating. She involuntarily closed her eyes and savored the great tastes as she chewed. And when she opened her eyes he was staring at her with an expression that made her face heat up.

"I take it its good then?"

"I think you already know the answer to that"

While they ate she got a good look at him. Her eyes roamed all over him as if memorizing his every feature.

"Enjoying the view?" She heard him say.

"You enjoy making me angry don't you?" She asked in returned

His eyes danced with amusement as he looked up from his plate to stare back at her.

"You make it so easy" he said

She shook her head then went back to eating in silence.

"How is Ms. Emma?" He asked after a while.

The question somewhat surprised her.

"She's fine. She's at a sleepover at her friends house"

"Sounds fun"

"For the girls it is. I'm guessing not so much for the parents that's babysitting seven screaming girls tonight"

He sent her a half smile then went quiet. And for some reason she wanted to keep talking.

"She likes you you know"

He looked up at her with raised eyebrows.

"She talks about you a lot lately"

"From the frown on your face I'm guessing you don't like that" he said in a cool tone.

Was I frowning?

"I don't mind. I just hate it when she gets attached to persons that doesn't stick around"

"Is that what happened with her father?"

She looked up at him with a frown.

"Who told you he's not around?"

"It was only a guess. There's no evident of a man in your life"

Not sure how to answer that with anything else but the truth she shook her head and replied.

"He didn't stick around when he found out I was pregnant. He was new to town and very charming. It didn't take long for me to fall for his charms. Soon we started dating and one thing lead to the other and I ended up pregnant. When I told him he skipped town in the middle of the night."

"Did you love him"

"I wouldn't have slept with him if I didn't"

A nod was the only response she got from him before he got up and cleared the table. He came back from the kitchen with another glass of champagne which she had to refuse.

"I already had two glasses. Since I'm driving home I don't think I should have a third"

"OK"

She watched as he finishes his glass and placed the other glass in the table.

"Thank you for dinner. It was a lovely surprise"

"I guess we both turn up to each other's house when we need someone"

"Thank you for helping my daughter and I when I got sick."

"It was no trouble at all. I came by that night to apologize for offending you at dinner at your parents house."

"Thank you for that, but you weren't wrong with what you said. I guess I was only offended because the truth is a hard pill to swallow sometimes."

"Apology accepted"

She smiled at him and shook her head. Immediately he went still and stared at her before blinking and looking away.

"I should get going"

But I really want to stay a little while longer.

"Thank you for a lovely evening ms. Rose"

"No problem"

As he walked her to the door and pulled it open to show her out she was extremely aware of how close to her he walked. When she turned to say goodnight she gasped when she realized how close he stood. She held her breath as he raise his hand to her face and almost groaned in protest when he dropped his hand back to his side without touching her.

"Rose"

"Edward"

With that she turned and walked to her car feeling flushed and hot all over.

That was interesting.

Don't forget to vote and comment. I want to know what my readers are thinking about this story