"Hey."

I looked up and smiled at Masen's worried face. "Hi."

"Alice said you were looking for me. You okay, Bella?"

I swallowed and nodded. "Yeah. I, um, I just wanted to make sure tonight was still on?"

He frowned. "Are you sure you are up to this?" He leaned closer, speaking softly. "Are you in pain? How is your back?"

"I'm fine."

"You're pale. Did you eat lunch?"

"Oh. Um. No."

He dug in his pocket and pulled out a granola bar, tearing off the wrapper, he handed it to me. "Eat this and I'll go get you something more substantial."

I took the granola bar, shaking my head. "This is all I want. Thank you. " I paused, looking at it. It was my favorite kind. Edward had brought my favorite kind to me last week. I glanced up at Masen, my eyebrows furrowed. "How did you know these were my favorite?" I asked suspiciously.

He shook his head, grinning. "I didn't. They're my favorite, Bella." He pointed behind him. "I keep a huge box of them on my desk so people can help themselves. I can't believe you didn't know that."

My shoulders slumped. Edward must have gotten it from there, and it being my favorite was simply a coincidence. There had been nothing meaningful in the gesture as I had thought. As usual I had read too much into a simple snack.

"Bella?"

Masen was crouched down beside me. When had he moved?

"I think I should take you home."

"No. Really, I'm fine. The day is almost over. You're still coming tonight?"

"Yes. Be careful 'til I get there."

"I will."

He studied me for a moment then rose to his feet. His hand went back in his pocket and he dropped a few of his Werther's candies on my desk. "You need the sugar."

"You keep those on your desk too?"

He shook his head. "I only share those with special people, Bella."

I blinked up at him. "I'm special?"

His finger traced my cheek. "More than you know."

My eyes followed him back to his desk.

*()*MPOV

I sipped a beer, watching Bella from the end of the bar. She was sitting alone at a small table, her back to the wall. There were a few empty glasses in front of her and she was sipping on a tall glass filled with clear liquid. I wondered if it was water. My eyes scanned the bar and I found Rose, surrounded by a bunch of guys, laughing and drinking, seemingly forgetting about the woman she had insisted accompany her tonight. I had been there for about fifteen minutes, but held back from going over to Bella. I watched twice as guys came up to the table and she rebuffed them politely. I could see the tension in her shoulders and my own hands curled into fists every time someone moved toward her. I drew in a deep breath. I knew we'd both had enough of this farce. She clearly didn't want to be in this place anymore than I wanted her here.

Picking up my drink, I walked toward Bella, staring intently, willing her to look up and see me. Finally her gaze lifted and the most beautiful smile I had ever seen broke out on her face. Warmth, relief and welcome were in that smile.

And all for me.

Masen.

I grinned as her hand reached out to me and without a thought I took it in mine and leaned forward to brush my lips across her soft cheek. I could smell the gin she was drinking and I chuckled. Not water at all. Up this close, I could see her eyes were a little unfocused. "Drinking alone, Bella?"

She giggled, the sound making me smile again. "I had to do something to pass the time."

"Rose deserted you already?"

She nodded. "She was surrounded by admirers about five minutes after we walked in. I think she's a regular. I've been alone most of the time, just people watching."

I gaped at her, my eyes scanning the table. "Please tell me you haven't drunk the contents of all these glasses. You won't be able to walk."

She shook her head. "I've only had two drinks, Masen. The rest belong to Rose and … the others. I'm only keeping the table safe."

I snorted. "Sounds like fun for you."

Her smile was shy. "It is now you're here."

I looked down at our entwined hands. I rarely went to bars, but this was fun. It was great, actually.

We both drank, although Bella more than me. I did order some munchies at the bar, since I knew Bella probably hadn't eaten anything except the granola bar I had given her. I didn't want her smashed.

Rose hadn't been overly happy to see me, but accepted the "I was in the area and bumped into Bella," explanation before deserting us once again. I had a feeling Bella's debt was paid regardless.

The alcohol loosened Bella's tongue a little, and most of the night was spent talking, our heads close together to hear each other over the music as we got to know one another better. Her sense of humor kept me laughing, and I must have done the same for her since she never stopped smiling. More than once I noticed men looking at her and I slowly moved closer, silently staking my claim. Finally, I couldn't get any closer unless I pulled her into my lap.

Which, at that point, I had no objection to doing, but I wasn't sure Bella wanted that much closeness with me ...

Yet.

"What was that?"

"What?"

Her finger poked me. "You growled."

"No, I didn't."

"Yes, you did. I heard it."

I sighed. "Rose isn't the only one with admirers here, Bella."

She giggled, looking around. "Are you being checked out, Masen?"

I laughed. "No, silly girl. You are. I noticed when I got here, while I was waiting for my beer, a couple guys came over to talk to you."

She shrugged. "They can come over and look all they want. Not interested."

"No?"

She shook her head. "Nope."

"Nobody here interests you, Bella?" My voice was slightly rough with longing.

"I didn't say that, Masen." Her hand flicked toward the room in front of us. "None of them do."

I pressed a little nearer to her. "Maybe someone a little … closer?"

Her cheeks flushed. "Maybe."

I smiled. I could live with that … for now.

*()*

Bella was rather drunk. I stopped drinking after two beers, wanting to keep a clear head and look out for her. The food I ordered helped clear my head further, so I was fine and rather amused by tipsy Bella. Nobody was bothering with us anymore. I couldn't get closer to Bella, with my arm draped around the back of her chair and her pressed into my side, her head tilted up as she chatted away at me. I was completely happy with how the night was going. Bella was seeing Masen, and it seemed, liking him.

Me. She liked me. I had wanted that for so long.

A new song came on the speakers and her eyes widened. "I love this song!"

I smiled as I recognized "Amazed" by Lonestar. It was a song that always reminded me of Bella.

She bit her lip and looked at me nervously. "Would you dance with me, Masen?"

Hold her in my arms and feel her pressed up against me again? To that song?

Hell yes!

I stood up, held out my hand and helped her off her stool, making sure she was still able to stand on her own. "Yes."

On the dance floor, I pulled her close, being careful to avoid the bruised spot on her back. I wasn't a good dancer by anyone's standards, but I could at least keep the rhythm and move around the floor. Bella seemed fine with that, her arms around my neck and her face buried into my chest. With a contented sigh, I rested my cheek on the top of her head, humming along with the music, swaying and holding her close, our bodies moving together in a sweet cadence. One song bled into the next and still we continued that way. I didn't want to leave this moment or release her from my arms.

"Masen?"

My lips nuzzled the top of her head. "Hmmm?"

"Tonight was great. Once you got here … tonight was great."

I tightened my arms. "Maybe …" I hesitated. "Maybe you'd let me take you out one night, Bella?"

She tilted her head back, her blurry eyes blinking in the light. "Yeah, I so would."

I grinned at her. "Yeah?"

She nodded, pursing her lips, the liquor making her brave. "Are you gonna kiss me later?"

It was time to stake my claim. I shook my head and stared into her eyes.

She gasped softly. "No?"

I lowered my mouth to hers.

"No, I'm gonna kiss you now."

EEP!

Um ... see you Tuesday?