Disclimer: Stephanie Meyer own major characters. I own this plot.
A/N: Thanks everyone for all the alerts and/or favorites! But really, not one review? lol please, please leave some comments for me! To be honest reviews keep me wanting to write more =]
I sighed as the warm water lapped around me. The jacuzzi jets underneath me worked out the stress of the day, and the wine I was currently sipping finished relaxing that the powerful jets couldn't: my mind.
After the soothing bath, I stood in front of my walk-in closet, supplies with endless amounts of clothes, once again thanks to Alice.
What's the use of having all these clothes if I don't even know how to use it right? I silently grumbled, not wanting to bring Alice into this whole personal ordeal. As if reading my mind, her picture popped into my cell screen as it vibrated loudly against my nightstand.
"Hey Alice," I answered, holding my phone to my ear with my shoulder while I browsed rack after rack of clothes.
"Are you ready for the cookout, or what?" She asked excitedly. In the background, I could hear Esme and Carlisle's bickering. She must be there early to help.
"Alice, are you calling just to make sure I'm still going?" I asked, teasing her. She was Emmett's little sister after all, so I can't say I'm surprised.
"Maybe." She replied in her happy sing-song voice.
"Well I'm about to not go, if I don't find something to wear." If it was possible, I would say I heard her roll her eyes at me.
"I would go over right now, but...I'm helping out over here." Exactly as I predicted. "Remember those dark denim shorts I made you buy at the mall last time we went?" Why, yes, I remember. The little devil is at the bottom of my bottom drawer.
"Yes, I remember." I answered, grumbling at the thought. Those shorts were way too short.
"Bella, stop being such a prude. Those jeans are not even that short. It's not like anyone can see your ass in them. Plus they're really tight, so they won't ride up. Trust me on this one." I hadn't realized I said that out loud, whoops.
"Alice," I whined, trying to get out of using the pants before I even looked for them. Maybe I could say I lost them. That's a credible excuse, right?
"I know they're at the bottom of your bottom drawer, Bella. That's where you put all the clothes that you hate, including that expensive french lingerie I bought you for your birthday last year." I cringed, both because I practically rejected her present and because it was too racy.
"Just wear those shorts with a comfy tee, we're going casual tonight. Leave your hair down and shake it around a bit-it'll be the perfect just-fucked look." I cringed at her use of words.
"Christ, Alice, what if someone hears you?" I heard her snort on the other side of the line.
"Bella, I'm in my old bedroom." Oh yes, I remember her frilly childhood room. "The only ones in this floor are the boys, and they're in the game room." Game room, three doors down the hall. I was relatively safe.
"Alright," I grumble, "I'll see you in a bit."
"Bye, sexy!" She yelled, laughter in her voice. "Work that ass tonight!" I laughed and hung up, shaking my head as I retrieved the stripper shorts from the bottom of the drawer.
I slipped them on and repressed the urge to rip them off. These jeans were tight. Fitted to me like a second skin, they outlined everything clearly. On the upside, I thought as I looked at myself in the mirror, my ass looks really nice in these.
I threw on an old ratty one-shoulder tee I got at a concert a couple years ago. The color reminded me of Edward's eyes. I had barely seen him in years. He was two years older than Alice and I, so when he moved out for college, I really lost touch. I mean, I wasn't that close to him before, because puberty had made me shy and awkward, especially after he turned me down.
When he came over for holidays I completely avoided the Cullen household, inviting Alice to my place or out somewhere else. Then when it was my turn to go to college, I went as far as I could from Washington-moving to Connecticut. Connecticut was great, but after I finished my degree my parents kidnapped me and brought me back home, where I started the Swan Fashion Company. The company took off running, and as I became increasingly busy I often ended up blocking out the Cullens, particularly Edward.
Alright, I can't run away anymore. Time to be Isabella Swan, CEO. I slipped on my good ole' chucks and walked out the door, setting up the security alarms before I left. I lived in a really nice neighborhood, but anything happens nowadays.
I arrived at the Cullen household shortly after, parking my car down the curb because their parking lot was bursting with cars. Apparently they invited lots of people over. So much for being casual. Their yard and home was absolutely teeming with people. Most of these people were older, and I recognized some as Alice's aunts and uncles, other childhood friends, and close friends. Among these people were my parents. Mom noticed me first.
"Bella!" She ran over and hugged me tight. I talked to them a lot, but I didn't visit much. I felt bad about it, but the company really took out a chunk of my time.
"Hi, Mom." I said, awkwardly trying to get out of her bear hug. This was cute when I was little, but now its getting kind of embarrassing. She finally let me go and gave me a quick once over, particularly eyeing my jeans.
"I see someone is trying to get picked up tonight." She said, arching an eyebrow. I flushed crimson and chose to ignore her. "Just don't let your dad see those, he's in the den." The den, otherwise known as man cave was just the game room where the guys got together for sports or games.
"Thanks," I remarked sarcastically. "Have you seen Alice?" Mom put her finger to her chin before answering.
"I think she was out in the patio with Esme a couple of minutes ago." I thanked her, making me way out the double glass doors to the back yard. It was perfectly kept as always, and as I walked next to the swimming pool I relived all of the old memories of my childhood. Emmett throwing me into the pool repeatedly, and Edward storming out and helping me back to ground. I always thought of him like a protective big brother...until I started high school.
I spotted Alice's spiky black hair before I saw anything else. Moving quietly behind her, I was poised to scare the jitters out of her before-
"Bella!" I knew that booming voice anywhere, damn that oaf. I turned around and gave Emmett a glare, but he ignored me and gave me one of his huge hugs. Alice slapped him away before enveloping me in a hug as well and dragging me over to sit on the patio lounge to greet Esme. She looked pleasantly surprised, giving me a huge hug and gushing out how she missed me. I smiled and sadly explained all the work I was usually subjected to, taking away most of my time. On Esme's right was a gorgeous strawberry blonde with a bitchy look on her face.
Sitting down next to Alice, I whispered to her, "What's with the bitchy blonde?" Alice tipped her head back in laughter before answering.
"That, my friend, is Tanya. Edward's girlfriend." It was all she needed to say for me to hate her. But she really was gorgeous. Tiny frame, long strawberry curls, big blue eyes and pouty pink lips. She had a sunkissed glow that made my pale skin want to take a hike. Long legs and predominan cleavage finished her look. Alice and I shared a moment of silence before she dragged me over to the grill, too bored with her mother's conversation and too mean to try to talk to the bitchy blonde.
"Two cheeseburgers, please." Alice told a struggling Emmett, who was trying to appropriately grill about fifteen different things at once. A sheen of sweat was starting for under his huge and ridiculous chef's hat. He looked at us wearily and I felt a moment of pity; but it didn't last long.
"Edward!" He boomed, "Get your ass over here and help me with the grill!" I resisted the urge to run away, partially due to Alice's nails dug into my arm. She knew I liked Edward, and she wouldn't let me get away with it. Literally.
Edward came bounding from the garage soon enough, his copper hair shining in the sunset's glow. Jogging over, he quickly took one of the grilling forks and help him turn over all the meat. Alice glanced at me and then at Edward with a speculative gleam in her eye.
"Hey, Edward," She said, smiling at me. "Look who's dropped by!" He turned over some meat quickly before glancing my way-and doing a double take. I flushed as his green eyes appraised me in shock, lingering on those damn shorts that left little to the imagination.
"...Bella?" He asked dubiously. I grinned and nodded at him. He wrapped his arms around my waist and gave me a hug. This time, I actually like the hug. His scent was different than before, but if anything, it smelled even better. The spicy scent invaded my senses and left me wanting to sniff after him.
Leaning back to look at him, I realized that he was even hotter than before, if possible. He appeared to have grown some inches, towering over me. His jaw became more pronounced and his body became more muscular. Not Emmett muscular, but definitely lean, if his biceps had anything to do with it.
"Well, are you going to give us a drink or what?" Alice teased, slapping Edward on his arm. I resisted the urge to glare at Ali as his arms let me go.
"Uh, sure. You girls want some beer?" Alice scoffed and asked for a can. Edward's clear green eyes looked at me questioningly.
"I'll have a beer too." I grinned.
"Can or bottle?" Cans tended to spill all over my clothes. No, thanks.
"Bottle." I said turning away from him and taking my cheeseburger from Ali. What I didn't see was his hard swallow at the mention of me with a bottle.