Friends with Benefits

Chapter Sixty-Six

Things I own: my sanity (though, that's debatable at times), not enough time to write and incredible friends and family!!

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

Chapter Sixty-Six

EPOV

A month after Bella's tumble, she was back at work. She was also very quiet. Her smart ass comments were next to nil. I felt like she was pulling away from me. It was due to my hovering while she was recuperating. I acted like a boyfriend. Bella wasalso adamant on doing as much as she could for herself. She had said numerous times that she was not ready for a relationship. I was, essentially, forcing a relationship on her when she expressed that she didn't want one.

"Mr. Cullen, you have a phone call on line three," said the new assistant for the associates, Heidi. "It's Phil Dwyer from the case you're working with Mr. Denali."

"Thanks, Heidi," I said, picking up my receiver to talk to Phil. He was a former baseball player, accused of doping up while he played the game. His numerous MVP awards were in danger of being stripped from him. We had several depositions from his former teammates, stating that he never doped up along with various medical tests as well. "Mr. Dwyer, it's Edward Cullen. What can I do for you?"

"The press, Edward. It's slandering my name. All over the sports magazines, online and cable programs, they're saying that I juiced up," Phil snarled. "How can they say that?"

"They can't. When you're name is cleared, we can sue each publication for defamation of character and slander. From theresearch we've conducted, you're fine. All of the medical test that we've found, there was no indication that you were using steroids. However, we need to make sure that it was your blood tests, your urine tests. Once we get that clear indication, the case will be easy. Until then, I'll pull together an injunction to stop the stories from being aired," I said to my client.

"Thank you, Edward," Phil breathed.

"I'll be in contact once I get the paperwork filed with the court," I said, my fingers flying over the computer keyboard. We hung up and I managed to type up the injunction, asking for all publication of my client's alleged steroid use to be not be mentioned until he was proven innocent or guilty, whichever the case maybe. I flagged down a junior associate and a paralegal, telling them to file the paperwork with the court as soon as possible.

Just before the end of the business day, Heidi came in with the signed paperwork. "Here you go, Mr. Cullen," she said, handing me the file with the injunction.

"Thank you, Heidi," I said, looking over the information. "Can you make sure that Mr. Denali gets a copy of this, too? I also need ten copies."

"Sure, Mr. Cullen," she blushed, taking the files back. I had my email program open, sending the injunction to all of the publications that I had discovered while the paperwork was being filed. I was nearly done with my correspondence before I had to send the same information via snail mail. When she came back, I quickly stuffed the envelopes with my letter and a copy of the injunction. Heidi took the stack of envelopes to be sent out early tomorrow morning. "Is there anything else, Mr. Cullen?" Heidi asked timidly.

"We're good," I replied, giving her a friendly smile. She blushed, tucking her blonde hair behind her ears. "I have some more work to do, but if you want to go, you're free."

"Um, actually, Mr. Cullen, I was wondering if I could pick your brain?" she murmured nervously. I arched a brow. "Can we get some coffee?"

"Tonight?" I asked, my heart kind of stammering.

"Yes, Mr. Cullen," she replied. "I can wait until you're done." I nodded, working through my remaining assignments and logging off my computer. Dressing in my winter coat, I stopped by Heidi's desk. She gave me a timid smile. We left the office, walking to a nearby Starbucks. Ordering some coffee, Heidi and I sat down at a table.

"What's up, Heidi?" I asked, sipping my coffee.

"Well, I just started and I love it here at the firm," she said, her skin blushing.

"You're doing amazingly well, Heidi. A true asset to the team," I said, not lying. She was conscientious, driven and smart. Additionally, she was working on getting her own law degree in night school at DePaul. "You said you wanted to pick my brain?"

"I was curious," she began, twisting her coffee. "What is the firm's stance on relationships between associates, paralegals and attorneys?"

A/N: Say what?