As soon as my building rises on the horizon, glass glimmering in the sunlight, I smile. I actually can't fucking wait to see my baby— my dog. I hope Bella's not afraid of dogs.

"Shit," I mumble and fish my phone out of my pocket. I forgot to turn it back on after I made it off the plane.

Alice whips her head around once she parks the car, the Masen grin plastered on her freckles, sun-kissed face.

"Forgot to text New York?" She asks, opening her door.

I don't answer but type in my password instead and feel my heart beat a little more steady when a notification rolls in.

You officially forgot about me, Masen? I guess that risk in the bathroom wasn't worth taking?

She ends the text with a sly-face emoji. As if I'd forget about her.

"Tell me, man! I'm dying over here! I haven't been able to make fun of your ditzy parade since you left for Italy!" Alice is being dramatic, and she knows it.

"She's not a part of that parade, you little meerkat."

"Then what is she part of?"

"Our fucking morning routine, soon." I grin.

"Edward, seriously. You have an actual girlfriend?"

"We haven't discussed labels." I shrug, thumbs hovering over the screen of my phone, itching to reply.

I couldn't even if I tried... I just got home. Miss your lips, baby.

"Then why the sudden Edward-gets-it-together show?" I get out of the car and grab my bag, sling it over one shoulder. "Oh, fuck, E! Did you get her knocked up?" My sister keeps on rambling. I can't hold back my laughter.

"You really think I'm that stupid? No, Ally. You're not about to become a godmother. Toss those dreams in the nearest trash can, please." I run a hand through my hair, craving a shower.

"You remember when you brought Jasper home?" I ask her, pushing the button to call the elevator in the underground garage.

"Yeah, duh. He's the love of my fucking life." Sea-green eyes roll as she inspects her lilac manicure.

"And what did you say to me when I told you 'no fucking my friends'? That he was too fucking old for you?" Alice just turned twenty-one in August, and Jasper has been my best friend since I moved us out to Miami at eighteen.

"That I couldn't help myself, we couldn't fight the attraction." She shrugs. I still remember that night of her nineteenth birthday, eating red velvet cake I made from fucking scratch for her. Jasper came over, which wasn't odd. What was, was my twenty-seven-year-old best friend, sticking his tongue down my baby sister's throat.

"Let's just call that a family trait, okay?" We arrive on the thirteenth floor, and as Alice unlocks the door, my phone chimes again.

Give me your address, I'll ship my closet over if you're okay with that.

I chuckle at her message.

Leave the parka, little Doe.

God knows she won't need it. Hell, she won't need any clothes at all…

You better keep me warm, then…

I'll make sure of it, baby. Send all your delicates to 1 Collins Ave, apartment 1304, Miami Beach.

Once I hear Persephone's paws patter on the hardwood floors of the living room, I stuff my phone back into my pocket. A wide grin spreads on my face, and as Alice opens the door, she jumps right up — heavy paws on the tops of my thighs.

"Oh, baby P, I've missed you." I pat her silky head and stare into Persephone's deep, dark eyes. She barks enthusiastically and immediately starts licking my hands as I crouch down. "Who's been a good, little girl?" I feel ridiculous talking to her like this, but I can't help myself. I've been away from my puppy for far too long, and it seems like she shares my opinion on that.

"You gonna ask New York the same thing when she gets here?" Alice asks slyly. I cock my head at her and she makes her way to the fridge, pulling out two beers. "No, you don't do good girls, do you, Edward?"

"I don't do good girls, no. Only the fucking best." I wink at her and grab a bottle from her hands, realizing I might have to make a few changes to our drinking habits.

Go check out Creaatingmadness' new one-shot: Princess For Ransom!