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The Twilight Twenty-Five

except not. 'cause I didn't finish it on time. okay.

Prompt: #i don't know
Pen Name: iambeagle
Pairing/Main Character(s): Edward/Bella


Then

I was kind of a fucking wreck.

He's not going to show, I thought to myself, pulling my phone out of my clutch to reveal the time. Edward wasn't late, seeing as how it was only seven forty-five, but still.

My nerves regarding tonight had been present all day long, despite the fact that we―Kate and her closest girlfriends―had been consuming alcohol all day long. There were bloody marys at brunch, mimosas at the spa, and a glass of champagne to accompany a weak moment before I decided it was nearing eight and I should wait outside for Edward.

"Why are you freaking out?" Kate had questioned with a perfectly arched eyebrow before I exited the hotel.

I had no real, justified reason as to why I was freaking out, other than the fact that I had invited a stranger to accompany me as a date to my cousin's rehearsal dinner. I kept that bit to myself, deciding she could figure it out on her own. She gave me a look, one that conveyed I wasn't allowed to blame her if this backfired, even though it was her idea.

With my back against the cool concrete of the hotel, I opened my clutch again, trading my cell phone for the lone cigarette Kate had given me five minutes prior. It was more of a want than a need for the nicotine. I wasn't a smoker, not really, but I wanted something to calm my nerves and distract me from everything.

I brought the cigarette to my lips, sighing as I realized I had no lighter. I focused on the people bustling past me, and reached out to tap an older man on the shoulder, hoping he could help me out.

"Excuse me?" I asked politely, receiving zero attention from the man as he kept walking down the sidewalk. "Sir?" I said loudly, causing the man's steps to falter as he slightly looked back at me, clearly annoyed. "Do you have a light?"

He grunted something and kept walking, and I stood there, not sure why I was so surprised a stranger hadn't helped me out. And then my thoughts were on Edward, the stranger who was overly nice to me on a plane; the stranger who let me sit in his seat, held my hand, and carried my luggage.

"Hey," a voice behind me called out, and I spun around, face to face with the person I was just thinking about. "You look nice," Edward said, appraising my strapless navy dress with twinkling eyes.

"You showed," I blurted out, his mouth turning up in a small smirk.

"You invited me," he explained, rubbing the back of his neck. "Didn't you?"

I nodded, feeling the purposely messy chignon at the nape of my neck bob along with me. My eyes traveled from his smiling face, taking in the black suit jacket, crisp white shirt, and black slacks that seemed to fit his body perfectly.

"You look nice, too," I said, returning the compliment.

"You smoke," he assessed, eyeing the cigarette in my hand.

My mouth opened, no words escaping for a good second. "Well... not really. I'm just nervous, I guess."

Keeping his eyes on me, he reached into his pocket and produced what I needed. "Why would you be nervous?"

"Because..." I reached out for the lighter, rolling my eyes as he teasingly pulled it away before I grabbed it.

"Do I make you nervous?" His index finger curled, his way of beckoning me, wanting me closer.

Two steps toward him closed the distance, and he flicked the lighter as I leaned over, letting the tip of my cigarette meet the flame. With an inhale and a quick exhale, I mumbled, "I was nervous you were going to stand me up."

He laughed, shaking his head. "I wouldn't do that."

"Well, how should I know that? I don't know you."

"You say that a lot. I don't know you," he mocked, good naturedly.

"I say it because it's true." The words were just out of my mouth when a pedestrian bumped into my shoulder, knocking me into Edward. His hands reached out to steady me, shooting a glare over my shoulder at the person who pushed me into his arms.

"Maybe we shouldn't stand in the middle of the sidewalk," he suggested, chuckling as I wiped ash off his jacket, his hands still on my shoulders.

"Good idea," I mumbled, glancing up at him.

His look was piercing as he searched my face, eyes full of amusement. And maybe it didn't matter if I knew nothing about this man. I decided I wanted to.

"So, The Oak Room," he said, shoving his hands into the pockets of his slacks as he leaned back against the building. "Have you ever been here before?"

"No. You?"

"Nah."

"But you've lived in New York for how long?" I asked, inhaling the last of the cigarette before dropping it to the cement, suffocating the flame with my heel.

"For a while," he replied, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't make a habit of visiting all of the cliché tourist traps when I moved here."

"Oh. You're one of those people." I laughed, shaking my head as he grinned. "The Oak Room is not a tourist trap, just so you know."

"And how would you know?"

"I googled tourist traps in New York. The Oak Room wasn't on the list," I admitted. "But if being here cramps your style or whatever, you can leave."

He sighed exaggeratedly, pretending to think it over. "I'll do it for you. I'll eat the overpriced food and get drunk on overpriced liquor."

"Actually, everything tonight will be free, so..." I trailed off, deciding to blurt out the truth and get it over with. "So, you know my cousin, the one who is getting married? Well, her rehearsal dinner is tonight," I explained, watching as his brows furrowed in confusion before realization set in.

"You invited me to the rehearsal dinner?" he asked, chuckling.

"In my defense, I did want to go out with you. I just have limited time on my hands, so..." I stopped speaking, because he didn't look convinced. "I needed a date and Kate thinks I need to get laid."

Edward smiled widely, causing his eyes to crinkle in the corners. "Wow."

"Too much information?" He shrugged, still smiling. "My honesty is only going to get worse from here on out. That happens when I drink."

"Alcohol plays as a truth serum for you?" he questioned.

"I thought that was the case for everyone," I shot back, crossing my arms over my chest as a breeze picked up. "We should go inside. They're waiting."

"I don't know about this now. You tricked me into being your date. I feel duped or something."

"Don't feel duped," I disagreed. "You should feel flattered."

"Is that so?"

"It is."

He clicked his tongue, narrowing his eyes. "I'm going to need you to answer some questions before I agree to this."

"Fine. Ask away."

"Why don't you already have a date?" he immediately asked.

"This is Kate's third wedding. I'm kind of over the whole date thing," I explained honestly. "Especially when I knew I'd have to ask said date to pay for a flight to New York."

"Ah. So you figured you'd just meet a charming man in New York and trick him into being your date?" he asked, leaning closer.

"Who said you're charming?" I scoffed, though I could tell neither of us were convinced by my words.

"Insulting me isn't the best way to get me to be your date," he chastised.

"Fine, you're charming. Will you be my date now?"

"Only if you agree to go out with me again before you leave," he countered.

"Okay. Only if you agree to take me to all of the tourist traps. Oh, and you have to be my date for the actual wedding."

He responded by placing a hand on the small of my back and guiding me inside the hotel.

"Is that a yes?" I whispered.

"For you? Sure," he answered simply.


So, I didn't finish The Twilight25. Go fucking figure. But, hey. I'm still going to write this. Mostly 'cause one or two people will break my legs if I don't.

Thanks, Kim. Thanks, y'all.