I apologize for any mispelling, I have been awake all night for no real reason and I'm very tired.
But thank you to all the reviews and favorites and follows.
Enjoy!
It may move a bit fast but it'll slow down in a couple chapters.
I do not own Twilight!
The low bass is pulsing through the walls, making it impossible to hear the drink orders being thrown at me at the bar.
Several drunk patrons are yelling over each other to get their alcohol and I'm about ready to spray them with beer. One man wants a whiskey neat, some woman wants a gin and tonic, someone else is yelling vulgar insults.
If it wasn't a crime, I would've throat-punched someone by now.
"Hey, go take a break," Bree smiles at me and bless her, I could kiss her right now.
I sigh in relief as I slip away from the bar and head to back, taking in a deep, calming breath. It's only midnight and I've got three hours left of this bullshit.
After a good minute of just breathing, I punch out for break.
Thirty sweet minutes of bliss before returning to hell.
As I exit the office, I head out onto the busy dance floor, avoiding bodies and dodging grabby hands. When I make it to the second floor, I'm in need of a severe shower. I find Alice and Jasper a few moments later and collapse next to them, absolutely wiped.
"How's is going?" Alice leans against me, offering me a drink.
I take it and chug it down, only realizing it's alcohol when it burns my throat, "Oh just peachy."
"Come on sis, I told you this wasn't necessary," she sits up, her big eyes giving me the best mom look she can manage.
I roll my eyes hard enough to look into my skull and lay out on the couch.
"How many times do I have to tell you that I'm not taking your money?" I question and she heaves an exasperated sigh.
"You're my sister! Am I supposed to just watch you take shit from drunk idiots and be okay with it cause you refuse to let me help you?"
"Yes!"
"Oh, my God, Bella, you are so frustrating," she looks down at me and I wink, smiling.
"That's why ya love me! Now let's stop talking about this. I'm going to finish my shift in a few hours and then I will go home to my bed and sleep for five years," I sigh dreamily, just thinking about the bed.
My eyes begin to close after that thought and the noise fades away into a sweet silence.
When my eyes snap open, I jerk up, looking around. Alice and Jasper are gone and sitting next to me a strange man. I look away but quickly do a double take.
Holy shitsticks, this man is fucking godly.
Smoldering, green eyes, coppery hair that looks like he's just had sex, and at his lips play a coy smile. A quick flash of sweat hits me and it suddenly feels far hotter than before.
"It's rude to stare, ya know," I manage to say.
He leans back, a drink in his hands. His fingers are long, almost like pianists' fingers. Mm, what he could do with those...
NO BELLA, BAD. BAD.
"Oh, but I want to. You are quite exquisite."
His voice is rough but smooth like silk and I blink. What the hell is going on inside my body?
I feel all gooey and strange.
"You got the time?" It's the first thing to pop into my head as I don't have a response to his words.
"12:43. Jasper gave me me the terribly awkward task of waking you up if you were still asleep by 12:50," he explains, his sharp eyes watching me.
"They entrusted a stranger to wake me up?" My throat is parched and scratchy as I speak.
The ridiculously sexy man nods, taking a sip from his drink. I watch his throat move as he swallows and, as creepy as it sounds, the sight is hot.
"A stranger to you maybe, but I'm a close friend of Jasper's. Edward Cullen ring a bell?" He raises an angled eyebrow and realization dawns on me.
"Oh, yeah, the elusive friend."
"Elusive?" He questions and I lean back in the couch, crossing my arms.
"Yes, elusive. Any time there's been a group outing, you seem to be missing. Charity events, parties, birthdays, the like. Tell me, what kind of friend are you if you're around?"
He lets out a low, deep chuckle, and finishes off his drink. When he looks over, there's a storm in his eyes and fuck me if I don't want to jump right in.
"I'm a very busy man. I can't very well make money if I'm partying all the time, now can I?"
"No, but it can alleviate the stress of being a so-called busy man," I lift a shoulder.
His eyes rack down my body and I'm immediately conscious of what I'm wearing; A tight, knee-length black dress that hugs my body and pushes up my chest. I only wore it because it gets me good tips but from the way he's looking at me, I feel completely naked.
"I can think of a few stress-relievers that don't include alcohol or a crowd," he remarks and I feel a blush color my cheeks.
He's definitely confident.
I stand up, looking down at him.
"Well, Edward Cullen, if you'll excuse me, I've to get back to work," I give him a wave that feels incredibly awkward and turn away.
Just as I reach the stairs, I hear his voice and turn my head toward him.
"I never got a name." He's standing and the suit he's wearing seems out of place yet perfect for him.
"Bella," I tell him and a smile breaks out across his seemingly perfect face.
I turn and head down the steps, meeting Alice halfway.
"Don't ever leave me alone with a stranger again," I shake her shoulders and she giggles.
"Come on, Bella. I would never leave you with someone I don't trust with my own life. I also really had to go pee and Jasper had to go help out. You were out cold," she explains as she starts to head back up the steps.
"I'll see you at home later!" She waves at me and I roll my eyes.
Once I'm punched in again and standing behind the bar, I see just how much bigger the crowd as gotten. Jasper and Bree look overwhelmed and it doesn't help that we've had like four callouts and two no-shows.
When the last customer stumbles out, I want to rip my hair out.
.
.
The last two hours have been utterly stressful and I've been cussed out and groped more than a few times.
Every employee looks about ready to collapse but we're not done yet. Oh no, now we get to clean. That takes an extra hour or so and I've cleaned up way more bodily fluids than is normal. Food is tossed about everywhere, drinks spilled and dried to the tables and floor, and questionable stains color the chairs and couches.
Last time Jasper ever does a no-guest list night.
"Bella you can head on home. I've got it from here," Jasper tells me as he seems me wandering the place with a trash bag, searching for strays.
I snort, "I don't think I can make it home without falling asleep."
He smiles and shakes his head, grabbing the bag from my hand.
"Well, I can take you and we'll leave your car here. Not like anyone is gonna steal that old, rusted thing," he teases and I shove him lightly.
"That truck was a gift and I will drive it till it dies," I proclaim and walk toward the office.
Once I'm punched out and my purse is across my shoulder and chest, I head back out.
"Need a walk out?" Jasper offers but I shake my head.
"No need. I was trained in self-defense. One of the benefits to having a cop dad. I'll be good," I give him a thumbs up and escape out the door before he can offer again.
Once I'm in the safety of my car, it takes me about ten minutes to reach the condo and when I park, I truly have no idea how I even made it in one piece.
My body hurts as I drag myself to the elevator and then to the door, unlocking it and slipping in, locking the door. Alice is crashed on the couch with the flat-screen playing Dirty Dancing. I chuckle at the sight and head into my room, stripping off the dress.
A quick shower later, I'm in a pair of shorts and a thin shirt, crawling beneath my soft, fluffy sheets. I'm so tired I don't even have to wait for sleep like usual. It hits me quick and hard and I immediately pass out.
.
.
I get a blissful two hours of sleep before my alarm rings in my ear loud enough for me to shoot up quickly in the bed and fall after attempting to climb off the bed.
"Shut the alarm off, for the love of God, please!" Alice cries and I groan, crawling over toward the phone and turning it off.
A part of me wants to curl up and die but another part of me, the logical part, is screaming, you have bills!
I manage to lift myself up onto my aching feet and brush my teeth, slathering on deodorant. One my boobs are back in their cotton cage, I grab the white and purple dress and button it up, slipping on my socks and shoes and pulling up my hair into a ponytail.
I pin the name-tag to the dress and grab the hat along with my keys and purse.
"Bella, come on," Alice starts as soon as she sees me and I sigh. "You are so much better than this. You didn't go to college to work dead-end jobs. Come on, just, for once in your life, let me help you."
"I am not having this conversation again, Mary Alice. I'll see you later and it's your turn it buy drinks tonight," I remind her and then I escape out the door before she can continue to hassle me.
I pass Jasper as I'm leaving and I can almost feel the pity emanating off of him in waves. I hold in any sound that wants to come out and rush out to my car, driving downtown to the diner. It's not so packed today but it's early Saturday morning and most people are still sleeping in.
"Hey, Karen," I smile at the manager and she waves, looking haggard.
I walk toward the back and set my things in a locker and clamping the lock around it. It took two break-ins before I had the common sense to buy an actual lock.
Once I'm punched in, I slip on my apron and grab my notepad and pen, heading out behind the counter.
"Busy night?" Wendy asks and I snort.
"When is it not," I shake my head as I start a fresh pot of coffee.
She looks at me, bustling with excitement and I turn to her.
"It's not busy yet so come on, spill."
A low squeal escapes her and she's bouncing, "Henry proposed!" Her whisper-scream is more of a scream-scream, catching the attention of some customers. She covers her mouth but the smile is still painted on there.
"That's awesome!" I give her quick hug, making sure Karen doesn't notice. "It's about time. Only took him like seven years and two kids."
"Oh, gosh, I know. But he was saving up and then the car crash and being laid off didn't help. But he got the ring he's been wanting. It'll be small but you and Alice are invited of course. It's a small ceremony so unfortunately, no plus ones. We haven't set a date but we're thinking something in the fall..."
Her voice drifts off to the back of my head as I nod absently, watching the door.
A familiar, tall man waltzes in, dressed in a tailored black suit. Copper hair strewn about yet somehow still tamed. Piercing, green eyes.
"No chitchat. Someone help the customer," Karen snaps and Wendy blushes with embarrassment.
"I've got it," I call out and walk toward him, still a bit mystified.
"Did you follow me?" I half-tease when I approach him.
He's slow to look up but when those eyes meet mine, another wave of weakness fills me. A crooked smile graces his lips and he leans back, utterly relaxed.
"I did not but this is a pleasant surprise nonetheless," he muses, resting his arm on the booth. "Did you just start?"
I shake my head absently, "I've been working here for almost four months."
He scratches his cheek, a curious look in his eyes.
"How strange. I've been coming for a while and I've never seen you. Must be fate."
The wink he shoots me sends shivers rushing through me and I don't like it one bit.
"Uh huh, sure. What would you like to order?"
"Hmm. How about some sunny-side eggs, bacon, french toast, and a date with you?"
I cross my arms and he doesn't seem fazed by the look I'm sending him. "I'm afraid someone else already took that date. But I can get you everything else."
Edward's eyes are watching me silently and he stands up slowly. I didn't realize how tall he was before but up close, he towers well over six inches over me and I feel far too small.
"What time does your shift end?" He leans in and I get a whiff of spice and something else I can't decipher.
"I don't think I should tell you that," I move back, giving him a hard stare.
"Alice might know, right?" He widens his eyes a bit and I full on glare at him.
"Yes..."
"Then save me the trouble," he moves a bit closer and step back again.
"You don't even know me. Why would you want to go on a date with me?"
He shrugs and leans back against the table, "Call it curiosity. You, Bella, have peaked my interest. Many people know who I am and yet, you appear unfazed by my presence."
I wouldn't say unfazed, you walking sex machine.
"And who, exactly, are you?" I stand up straight, meeting his eyes.
"If you go on a date with me, I'll tell you."
Say no, you idiot. He's a stranger. Probably a stalker. Forget the fact that you haven't had sex in almost a year and WALK. AWAY.
"I get off at 5."
He grabs the pen and scribbles something on a napkin and I can't resist staring his ass.
"Here's my number. Call me when you're off," he sets the pen on the napkin and walks toward the door. "I'll see you then, Bella." With a wink, he's gone.
Bella, you idiot.