Chapter 21 Teaser

"Edward, man," Jasper said with a shake of his head when he caught his eye. 

Edward held up a hand and said, "Not now, Jasper."

Jasper sighed as he saw his best friend's shoulders sag. He had been worried all week as he watched Edward revert back to his old habits. He'd tried to talk to him, only to be shut out completely. Apparently, he was sad to say when he looked at Isabella, he wasn't the only one. 

He walked closer to Edward and leaned in next to his ear. "I don't know what the hell has gotten into you the past few days, but if you don't pull your head out of your ass and talk to me, Emmett, or Isabella, I'll pull it out myself and it won't feel fucking good. Knock it the fuck off, Edward, and stop shutting all of us out." 

It had been some time since Jasper had talked to him that deadly calm voice and Edward had forgotten how damn menacing he could sound. "Jas," Edward said quietly. 

"I don't want to hear it, Edward. Talk to her. Just keep in mind, if she doesn't have a smile on her face the next time I see her instead of the heartbroken look she has now, I'm kicking your damn ass," Jasper said then walked off before he said something he would regret. 

"Bella, darlin', come find me tomorrow and we'll go over the new contracts we're giving the featured authors," Jasper told her as he approached. 

She tried to smile at him, but it didn't look much at all like one. "Sounds good, Jasper," she answered him.

His fingers turned into a tight fist and he shot Edward a withering glance before he wrapped his arms around her for a hug. "It'll be okay, darlin'. I'm here if you need me, okay?" he reminded her quietly. 

He was Edward's best friend, but in this case, Edward was on his own. Until he knew what the hell was causing Edward to act like a damn fool, he was firmly on Isabella's side. 

"Thank you," she whispered and kissed his cheek. 

Jasper patted her on the back and kissed the top of her head before striding out of the office, but not before hissing, "Fix it, Edward. Now," when he walked past.