BPOV

It only took a couple of shots after I got to the bar and one Pink Panty Dropper to get me back on the dance floor and grinding up on Edward like we were in a gansta rap video. I didn't know why Rose swore by those cocktails until I looked them up the next morning only to realize it was a combination of tequila, Everclear and pink lemonade. It was a wonder I didn't pass out after one. Edward seemed to take it in stride, though I admit I know very few guys who would just be shocked, outraged and disgusted if a girl started rubbing up on them like a dog in heat on the dance floor. I was thankful Edward was enough of a gentleman to not let me bust my ass on the floor and when I began to stumble around a bit, he pulled me back off the floor for "a breather." He then made sure I had plenty of water while Emmett teased me about being a lightweight.

By eleven thirty, Rose was hammered and trying to slut it up for Emmett. She took off her bra at the bar, stuffed it down Emmett's pants and said: "There's more where that came from, big guy." That signaled to Emmett it was time to get her home for the evening before she started taking off more articles of clothing. He told me he was taking her back to his place since it was closer, and promised to send me a text so I would know she was safe for the night. One of the things I most respected about Emmett is that he always wanted to make sure Rose got home okay, and that I knew where she was in case she wasn't coming home to our place that night.

Alice and Jasper then had to leave because one of Jasper's students spied him at the club and wanted to talk about the class. Apparently, the kid didn't understand why he was getting a D and thought being in a fraternity automatically meant professors had to give you at least a B- on everything. Jasper tried to explain to him that his assignment was a paper on all-black units in the Civil War, not on how "badass Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman were in 'Glory.'" Then the kid said "It's not like the outcome of the Civil War was even important" and Alice had to escort Jasper out of the building before his head exploded or he went on a murder spree.

"I have a feeling that kid's grade is now an F," Edward said as Alice physically pulled Jasper out of the club. Jasper's eyes were huge and dark and he pretty much looked like he wanted to drain the kid's soul or something. "Maybe less than an F. What can you get that's lower than an F?"

"Could Jasper get in trouble for punching a student, even if it's off campus?" I asked curiously.

"I don't want to find out," Edward shook his head. He looked around the room and then back to me. "And then there were two, I guess."

"Who knew we were the most hardcore out of the group, huh?" I giggled. The Pink Pantry Dropper had definitely lifted my inhibitions. "I mean, every time we've been out, you and I are the only ones who can keep up the party, you know? They're just lame."

"Yeah. You're only allowed water for the rest of the night," Edward laughed.

"Hey, at least I'm not slutty drunk like Rose," I snorted. "I haven't taken any of my clothes of yet, thank you very much."

"Yet?" Edward gulped.

"I guess I don't have much of a filter after a couple of drinks," I shrugged. "So, you wanna dance some more? I bet there are some chicks out there who would totally like to sexy dance with you…"

"Yeah, but after seeing you sexy dance with me, they'd probably think I was taken," I admitted.

"Eh, you're right," I nodded. "Besides, all the guys here are butt ugly and there is no way I'm letting you go home with some hot chick and me go home alone. Nuh-uh. This is my night."

"Maybe we should get you some coffee on the way home," Edward remarked.

"Probably," I sighed. "Do you think if I walk into work hungover and with raccoon eyes tomorrow Irina will feel as though she's done her job getting me out of my shell? I have this vision of her saying something like 'you've learned well, my young Padawan,' but in her accent, you know. I can't do it. I can't do a Russian accent."

"It's okay that you can't do a Russian accent," Edward said, apparently trying to calm me down. "You know, I should probably get you home, too. You have to wake up pretty early to get to work, right?"

"Can I do like…two more shots?" I asked him.

"If I let you do that you'll hate yourself and then me in the morning," Edward shook his head.

"You're so good," I said, throwing my arms around him. "You're like my own personal Chimney Cricket."

"Uh… you mean Jiminy Cricket?" Edward said.

"Are you questioning my Disney knowledge?" I huffed.

"Bella, I hate to break it to you, but his name is Jiminy Cricket," Edward assured me. "You can Google it when you're sober."

"I'll do it right now!" I said, pulling out my phone. Edward held his head in his hands as I typed quickly on my keypad. Furiously, I looked up at him. "You ruined my childhood Edward."

"Yeah, you need to get home," Edward said.

I have to admit, Edward was pretty good about hauling my sort of drunk ass home. I could still walk straight and think pretty coherently, but I had no verbal filter. Anything I thought came straight out of my head. I told Edward that his hair was pretty and his eyes were green like shiny emeralds and then proclaimed "Bohemian Rhapsody" was my favorite song before belting it out along with the car radio. Edward didn't seem to mind that last one though, helping me with all the voices and singing along. Finally, we got to my building and Edward insisted on parking the car and walking me up to my door.

"You usually only see me to the lobby," I pointed out as I pushed the button in the elevator.

"I usually don't have to worry about you accidentally going to the wrong floor or passing out in a janitor's closet or something," Edward pointed out.

"You win this round," I snorted. "I'm going to be pissed at myself tomorrow, aren't I?"

"Well, at least you had a good time, tonight right?" Edward shrugged.

"The best!" I said throwing my arms around him and giving him a big bear hug. "You're the best, you know? Planning all this for me…"

"It's the least I could do," Edward shrugged. "I mean, I'm trying to be a good friend and all. I guess that's part of it, right?"

"You're a great friend, Edward," I nodded. "It's too bad you don't let more people see that."

The elevator dinged open and I yanked Edward into the hall with me, pulling him down to my apartment door like I kid might pull their parent into a toy store. Edward didn't seem to mind, though he did have a bit of a hard time keeping up with me. I always had a lot of energy after a few drinks. Rose thought I could win a gold medal for track and field if they allowed me a couple of shots before competing. We finally stopped at my door where Edward paused to catch his breath and possibly put his arm back in its socket.

"I'll send you a text when I get home, okay?" Edward said.

"Sure," I grinned. "And I'll see you Friday, right?"

"Of course," Edward nodded. "Let me know how the meeting with your new section editor goes."

"I will," I agreed. "And if you need anyone to complain to about your sister's crazy wedding stuff, I'm your girl!"

"Got it," Edward laughed.

If things in my life were ever easy, the night would have probably ended right there. We would have said our goodbyes. I would have gone into my apartment, maybe taken a shower and gotten ready for bed and to sleep off my hangover. Edward probably would have gone home and done whatever his nightly routine is. Everything would have pretty much gone on as it always had. Of course I, Bella Swan, can never do anything the easy way or the graceful way. So, instead of just thanking Edward for taking me home safely, I leant forward and kissed him, full on the mouth, possibly with tongue. I'm still fuzzy on that part.

Since I was buzzed, it took a few seconds for my brain to catch up with the rest of me and, after sucking on his bottom lip some and possibly feeling up his tongue with my own, I realized that I was in the hallway kissing him. It was probably the most sobering feeling in the world. Instantly, I jerked back, said a hurried goodnight and rushed into the apartment. I saw enough to find Edward had a sort of dazed look on my face but I didn't stick around to see his reaction after that. For all I knew, he stood out my apartment in a frozen, shocked state for the rest of the night. Still slightly toasted, I readied for bed and went to sleep.

It wasn't until the head-pounding hangover set in the next morning that I really realized what had happened. I woke up, glanced around my room and then the entire evening came rushing back to me like a PSTD flash back. I had kissed Edward. Quite possibly with tongue. And no lie, he was a good kisser even if he didn't seem to realize what was going on. I groaned and tried to smother myself to death with my pillow. When that didn't work, I did the next best thing and called Rose.

"Son of a bitch! Who turned my ringtone up that loud?" Rose shrieked upon answering the phone.

"I kissed Edward!" I shrieked at her.

"Wait? What?" Rose said.

"I had some shots and a Pantry Dropper and I kissed Edward and then ran inside like a scared little girl," I moaned.

"Shit," Rose groaned. "Emmett better be making his mother's hangover cure because I am not ready for this."

"I have to see him later this week!" I moaned. "What am I gonna do?"

"Was he good?" Rose asked curiously.

"Yeah," I admitted sheepishly, "but seriously, I'm mortified. I mean, I'm not the type of girl who goes around kissing guys when she's drunk!"

"Bells, every girl is the kind of girl who goes around kissing guys when she's drunk," Rose snorted. "Just be glad you knew who he was."

"What do I do? Do I text him or call him or do I wait for him to call me back?" I groaned. "And what do I say? I mean, they don't exactly make a Hallmark card for 'Sorry I molested your mouth when I was drunk!'"

"Hey, maybe he liked it," Rose said.

"But what if I'm not ready for him to like it?" I pouted.

"My God, Bella," Rose groaned. "You're all pissy because you can't find a boyfriend and then you meet a guy whose glasses give you nerdgasms, who's a great kisser with his own business and super rich parents and you're too afraid to make a move! Put on your big girl panties and deal with it!"

"Okay," I frowned, "but not today. I'm still hung over."

"Fine, give it a day, but you need to call him," Rose said. "Use the time to figure out what exactly you want. The last thing that poor boy needs is whiplash."

"But what if he doesn't like me like that?" I pouted.

"Then he's an asshole or gay," Rose said. "Emmett, if you put onions in my omelet, I swear on all things holy I will throw up!" She groaned and turned her focus back to me. "I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Okay," I sighed.

I took Rose's advice and tried to think about what I wanted from Edward or what he might want from me. Finally, I just decided to feel out his reaction and see where to go from there. I called him on Wednesday, but it went straight to voice mail. By Thursday, several texts and a couple of voice mails were still left unreturned. I contemplated asking Alice to get in touch with him for me, but I didn't want to seem desperate. Instead, I opted to wait until Friday. Talking to him one-on-one after the meeting seemed like a good idea, especially since I kind of wanted to know why he was avoiding me.

However, when Friday rolled around Irina informed me the website meeting would have to be moved to Monday. Edward apparently needed to reschedule due to a "family emergency." I called him again, only to receive the message that his voice mail box was full. It all seemed like Edward and I were headed down a path very familiar to me. I was starting to feel like maybe I had tricked myself into seeing something that wasn't there or that, yet again, I had been played for a fool.

A/N: It's not as bad as it seems. Edward has some 'splanning to do, I agree, but you'll see on Wednesday how Awkward Edward had another week of plain bad luck. Also, Happy Mother's Day, especially to my mother who is disgruntled that her birthday and mother's day are within a day of each other.