Friends with Benefits

Chapter Ten

Things I own: my sanity, not enough time to write and incredible friends and family!!

Things I don't: Twilight, Edward and Bella (Damn. It.)

Chapter Ten

EPOV

"Sorry about losing it," Bella said, pulling back and wiping her nose. "I never realized how hateful that man was. And to assume that we were sleeping with each other? Paul obviously doesn't know me. I can't do that to anyone. If I'm in a relationship, I'm committed to that person. Regardless of how much an asshole they are. Yes, I've had my slutty phase, but never, never have I slept with more than one man."

"No threesomes?" I snickered.

"Do you want to eat the delicious gravy I made you?" she quipped angrily. "Or would you rather wear it?"

"Bella, I'm just teasing," I said, pressing my cheek to her hair. She snuggled against me. "I'm sorry that he was so hateful towards you."

"That's Paul," Bella shrugged.

"He treated you like that on a regular basis?" I asked, my ire building. "Oh, his ass is grass."

"Down, tiger," Bella said as she climbed into my lap and straddled my legs. "Don't beat up my ex. I kind of like having you around and I don't have enough money to bail you out of jail. Stay, Edward." I snarled at her. Giggling, she patted my head. "Good BFF."

"I'm not a dog, Bella," I deadpanned.

She shrugged before getting off my lap and walking to the kitchen. I followed her, setting the kitchen table as she began boiling water to make the pasta. "Do you want anything to drink?" Bella asked. "After today, I'd like to have a glass of wine but I do not want to drink alone."

"I'll have a glass," I said, pulling out two wine glasses. Bella shoved a bottle of merlot along with the wine opener towards me. Opening the bottle, I let it breathe while Bella finished making the pasta. A few minutes later, Bella carried a large bowl of spaghetti, placing it on the table. I poured the wine, sitting down and watching her pull out the meat from the gravy. Placing a smaller bowl along with a container of Romano cheese, she sat down next to me.

"I apologize if this isn't up to my usual standard of awesomeness," she said, making a heaping plate of pasta for me. "Store bought meatballs and Jewel sausage." She wrinkled her nose, putting the plate in front of me.

"Bells, it's probably going to be delicious," I said.

"So, enough of my drama. Tell me about your day, Edward," she said, twirling her spaghetti on her fork. I'd yet to master thatand needed to use a spoon. She teased me about my inability to eat spaghetti. At least I didn't hack it up like my brother.

"Well, I had an unexpected day at the courthouse," I replied. "Eleazar, the man who hired me, needed someone to sit in with him on a case. His usual second chair was at home with a sick child and he asked me. Bella, it was so cool. I learned so much from him, watching him cross-examine, how he handled everything in the courtroom and well, just being there with him. He asked me to be his second chair on the next case he gets. This is huge!"

"Edward, that's fantastic! You're a great attorney and I'm not surprised that Eleazar is taking you under his wing," Bella said encouragingly.

"It's like he's grooming me to take over his job. It was an amazing day," I smiled crookedly.

"What about that other case?" Bella asked.

"Oh, I had a junior associate work on the assignment I was supposed to do today. We should be ready to go to trial next week," I answered. "Other than dealing with the troll, how was your day?"

"Eh, it was fine. We read the first two chapters of Lord of the Flies in my English class and started on medieval history in my one history section. Fairly boring. Just counting down the days until Friday. Then, next week, only two days and the rest of the week off for Thanksgiving. Are we going to your parents' place? I'm not flying back to Forks. Christmas, yes but not Thanksgiving."

"I'm certain you are more than welcome," I said, picking up my plate. "I'm also very glad that you're not going back to Forks next weekend." I walked to the sink, breathing deeply. It's Bella. She'll say yes. Right?

"Why?" Bella asked.

"Well, my firm is having a benefit. A black-tie affair and I was told by my other boss, Marcus that all associates needed to be in attendance. I was praying that I didn't have to go, but Marcus, who's the man in charge of the benefit noticed my name wasn't on the guest list. He pretty much demanded that I come. With a date."

"Who are you taking? Please, don't say Tanya," Bella deadpanned.

"Not Tanya," I mumbled, turning to face her. Blushing furiously, I twisted my watch around my wrist. "You?"

A/N: Ah, my adorkable Edward. I love him so. Leave me some!! Back to Bella next chapter.