– HAPPENSTANCE –

Chapter Nineteen

He's sitting on a wooden railing dividing the cabins from the parking lot, his face cast downward as he toes at a rock with his shoe. I take a second before Edward notices me to shamelessly look him over, everything I see sending a rush of longing through my body. Jeez, he is hot, like GQ-freaking-cover-model hot, and knowing what a great personality he has only adds a splash of fuel to the flames.

There is absolutely no denying it. I like him. A lot.

I try not to let myself be worried or discouraged that we basically just met today—as in truly, properly met and got to know each other by more than name—but in reality, it does seem a little foolhardy to be so giddily into someone I've only spent a few hours with, especially since it was only happenstance that brought us together.

Call it fate, kismet, destiny, what's meant to be—I've never really been one to believe in any of it. Looking at Edward now, though, with a flurry of smitten butterflies flitting around in my belly, I'm suddenly hoping the universe finds a way to prove me wrong about its pull on my life.

Be cool, Bella, just like he thinks you are. Don't get all overexcited and scare him off.

With a deep breath, I smooth down my dress and walk toward him, letting my shoes crunch against the gravel to announce my arrival. Edward looks up at the sound, his grass-green eyes widening at my approach, that signature crooked grin twisting up one side of his mouth.

My steps falter a bit as his gaze travels the length of my body, his lips parting slightly as he takes me all in. I feel fevered, cursing the prickle of sweat rising on my back, the telltale blush that is probably burning on my cheeks. Edward stands when I reach him, raking his fingers through his hair before sliding his hands into his pockets.

"Wow. When you said you wanted to get cleaned up, you really meant it," he says, and I go a little weak in the knees. "I feel kinda underdressed now, for wherever we're going." Edward hasn't changed his clothes from earlier, but he still looks damn good in his t-shirt and baggy cargo shorts. The man could probably wear an old potato sack and I'd still be wiping the drool from my chin.

"What, this?" I reply in an attempt to appear nonchalant, motioning down at my dress. "It's nothing. Just something I threw in my suitcase. You look great."

Raising an eyebrow at me as he holds my stare, Edward simply smirks and shrugs. "If you say so."

"I say so."

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