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It would have been nice if our ride was longer, but it wasn't. Every second brought us closer to the bluffs, and I'd have to let go of Edward's hand.

I felt electric, like my skin was a live wire. I hadn't been this into someone since high school.

And the fact that he was holding my hand, purposely, was better than sex.

Well, maybe not sex with him. I was fairly sure that would be the most marvelous thing ever.

He loosened his hand a little and started playing with mine, scratching softly against my palm and tracing shapes across my skin. It was simple but sexy and I felt it deep inside, fluttering in my belly, tightening the space between my thighs. How could something so innocent feel so illicitly delicious?

The ground beneath us became rocky and rough, jarring me from my tactile fascination. Seth slowed and pulled up next to the row of cars already parked.

Biting my lip, I craned my neck to try and see who was already there.

Jared's car. Tyler's. Mike's. Leah's.

Clouds of smoke puffed fatly from the tailgate of the red truck Tyler drove, and I suspected that was where Embry and the others were.

He was a sweet guy, and so cute. But I couldn't deny the way I felt for Edward. I'd barely spent any time with him at all and already there was this connection, this feeling. I didn't want to not know him.

I didn't want to lose this… whatever this was.

We let go when Seth shut off the car. Jasper jumped out first, moving his seat up so Edward could climb out. Even if I'd wanted to, I couldn't take my eyes away. He peeked at me – finally – as he backed out of the seat and grinned, this teasing, sexy half grin that went straight to heart. And lower.

Seth let me out on his side and I followed him over to where everyone else was hanging out. Embry smiled when he saw me and I smiled back, feeling guilty as hell.

"Hey," he said, kissing my cheek.

"Hi," I said, trying to focus on him. My gaze drifted right back to Edward though, who was already in a conversation with someone else.

Embry wasn't the hovering, clingy type, though, so things were casual. We sat around and talked; joints were passed, beers were shared and eventually someone brought their guitar out and started playing quietly. And because I was surrounded by musicians, everyone took a turn, strumming and singing, some songs silly and others sad or romantic.

I did my best not to look at Edward, and to listen to Leah and Embry – who I was sitting between - but it was hard. I was drawn to him. There was no light up here but the moonlight, so it was easy to keep my staring secret. I could tell when he was watching me though, his eyes glowing like cats eyes in the dark, and though he kept his distance I could feel him anyway.

"So what have you been up to all day?" Embry asked, leaning back against the side of the truck.

"Not much." I shrugged. "Classes, work. The usual."

He nodded, yawning. "Yeah man. We have a show tomorrow night… it's pretty small, but at a really cool spot. You should come out."

I glanced sideways at Edward. "Maybe I will."

Embry ran his finger down the side of my face, making me shiver, but not in the way he was probably hoping for.

"You okay?" he asked suddenly.

"Yeah," I laughed, nodding. "I'm fine."

A brisk wind picked up, blowing my hair around, and I loosened my ponytail so that I could smooth back my flyaways and put it back up.

"You seem kind of distracted," he said casually, looking back toward the group.

"I am," I admitted.

He glanced back, frowning slightly.

This was it. I needed to just say it. Not that I was crushing on his friend, but that I didn't think seeing him was a good idea. He was way too decent a guy for me to continue faking attraction.

There was a little flurry of activity across from us. Edward had the guitar now, and he was playing the chords to a song I felt like I should recognize, but couldn't quite place. Before I'd been glad for the darkness, because it hid me. Now I wished we had some light. He was beautiful when he played, and I would've loved to have seen his expression just then.

Jasper snickered. "Uh oh…"

There was a round of similar sentiments from the other guys sitting around, most of whom were either band mates or friends who also played. They all had such a dynamic; I felt like a little out of the loop, but it wasn't so bad. Mostly it was just fun to watch them all.

After playing for a minute or so, Seth, who I hadn't realized was gone, reappeared with another guitar and started playing alongside Edward. I got goose bumps, it sounded so amazing.

Then Edward stated singing.

As if I wasn't already head over heels.

Leah Clearwater, who sitting to my left, giggled. "He's such a charmer," she whispered.

"What do you mean?" I asked, smiling tentatively.

"I mean, come on – this song?"

I looked back to Edward. He was grinning as he sang now, and everyone was completely rapt.

He'd been looking down at his guitar but now he looked up, and straight at me.

"I wanna be your last, first kiss
That you'll ever have
I wanna be your last, first kiss"

My heart dropped.

He continued to sing, and strum, and stare, and Seth played along with him, sometimes singling lowly along. I was too anxious to maintain the gaze but too afraid to break it. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a few people glance at me, even Embry.

Every time Edward sang that part I melted a little more.

I couldn't tell if he was merely performing, and getting a kick out of seeing me squirm, or if he really wanted to kiss me. Either way, it made for a very romantic and very awkward situation.

For me, anyway. Everyone else whooped and hollered when he and Seth finished and then someone else had the guitar and was taking requests. I could feel Embry's eyes on me in my periphery so I turned to him.

"I didn't know Seth played too," I said.

Embry just stared at me, smirking.

"What?" I tucked my hair behind my ears self consciously.

"Cullen?"

I shrugged slowly, not knowing what to say. We'd met what, once officially? And held hands for fifteen minutes?

"Why am I not surprised…" he said, scooting to the edge of the tailgate and hopping off.

"Embry," I hissed. "Wait."

"Bella, it's okay. This happens all the time. Girls love him, I can't hate on him for that."

He was playing it off like it was nothing, but I could see he was annoyed, and probably a little embarrassed. Everyone knew Embry and I had been fooling around – they probably all thought we were sleeping together – and now Edward was sort of singing songs to me.

And I didn't even want to know what look I'd had on my face while the singing was going down. Anyone with eyes could probably see how owned I was.

Getting out of the back of the truck, I followed him to one of the cars, where he was retrieving another beer out from the trunk. He tossed me one. "Here."

"Thanks. Listen… "

"No, Bella, you listen. Do what you gotta do. It was fun." He kissed me on the cheek and walked away. It wasn't a sweet moment by any means; more like he was trying to get away from me now that he realized things weren't progressing. I felt sheepish and lonely as he walked away.

Feeling a little alone, I wandered over to find Leah, but she was cuddling with her boyfriend by the cliff, looking out at the water. I picked a spot further down to give them their privacy and sat, popping open the beer Embry had given me. It was cheap beer with very little flavor, but I supposed it was better than nothing.

I was about half way though it when Edward sat down next to me.

"What are you doing over here?"

'Waiting for you', I wanted to say, but I didn't.

The moon reflected off the water, a silver disc rippling on the surface.

"Edward," I whispered.

He ducked his head closer.

"I think I like you."

Anberlin - Inevitable