Edward

Something is pounding. Something is pounding, and it hurts. Peeking my eyes open, I can just make out the ceiling fan in my room slightly swaying on the lowest setting. I gingerly sit up to find myself fully clothed on top of my bed. I look around, trying to figure out how I ended up here.

Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I try to steady myself before I stand up when I can I see a note on the bedside table.

Edward,

I left some Advil for you and a glass of water. Please take it. You need it.

I had fun. Thanks.

Bella

I don't see any pills, and the glass is empty. I must have taken it at some point in the middle of the night. Staggering to the bathroom, I strip out of my gross clothes and climb directly into the shower. The hot water and steam start to draw out the alcohol, and all I can do is lean my forehead against the cool tile, breathing deeply.

By the time the water starts to cool, I feel slightly more functional. Climbing out, I dry off and find some clean clothes. I need food and a lot of coffee, and I need it now. Grabbing my sunglasses and slipping into some flip-flops, I trudge out of the room.

As I'm walking down to the nearest quick service restaurant, but walking inside, I stop when I see Bella sitting on the patio with my parents, talking and laughing like she didn't drink this island under the table with me last night.

I bypass them and head inside, picking up a black coffee and breakfast sandwich before heading back out to see them. Bella's glowing in the mid-morning sun. She doesn't look like she slept like the dead in her clothes that smelled like tequila and regret. "Hey, what are you guys doing down here?" I approach their table, trying not to retch when I see all three of them are drinking Bloody Mary's.

"Oh, honey." Mom pats the empty chair next to her. "Sit down. How are you feeling?"

Bella is smirking behind her drink but listens as I take a seat and explain to the three of them that I'm certain my brain is trying to escape my skull. I'm halfway through my coffee when I glare at Bella. "Why aren't you dead in your room or something?"

She grins. "I'm obviously made of stronger stuff." She and Mom laugh, and my dad slaps my back, making me grimace.

"Bella tells us that you two danced and drank the night away, and then she dumped you in your room." Dad's teasing me, but I somehow don't think he's too far off from the truth. "Shots, Edward? At your age?"

"Says the man who was doing shots at New Year's last year with James?" I snort, sucking down the last of my coffee and sighing.

"I'll go get you another." Bella stands with a smile. "I'm sure you could use it." She hustles off inside, and my parents turn on me.

"I don't think you should be trying to take this woman out, Edward. She's just broken up with her fiancé. She needs time to recover from that kind of heartbreak!" Mom is hissing at me while Dad shakes his head.

"Who's taking out who?" I sigh, trying to finish my sandwich. "I told Bella about Kate because someone"—I eyeball my mother hard—"couldn't keep her mouth shut. In the end, we decided to go drink our sorrows away, and apparently, I'm weak."

"I'm sorry, Edward. I didn't mean to start something—"

"Mom, it's fine; really." I cut her off with a look as Bella walks back with a cup of coffee and a plate of fruit.

"Here. Sorry about last night." She sits down, reaching for her glass. "Were these two giving you a hard time?" When I stare at her blankly over the rim of my cup, she shrugs. "They gave me a hard time too. But I figure my parents would do the same, so I'm trying not to let it bother me."

"Bella, we just don't want something to happen between you two, and then for things to get awkward down the line. It appears that Jess has found a friend in you, and we'd hate for that to be jeopardized." My dad is sympathetic, but he's not wrong.

I wasn't lying last night; Bella is the first person in a long time to catch my eye and make me wonder. But I love my sister, and she sometimes has a hard time making friends, and I wouldn't want to make things weird between them if something happened between me and Bella. Not to mention that she's not at a point in her life where she's looking or interested in anyone.

Healing from her relationship with Garrett should be number one priority after taking care of herself. I know from experience that if she tries to move forward too soon, she'll deflate and regress and set herself back far too much.

Bella lays a hand on my father's shoulder. "Carlisle, I told you not to worry. Edward can barely hold his liquor; I don't think he's the one for me."

My parents laugh as I eye her across the table. "I'm wounded. You wound me, Bella."

She winks. "You are a pretty good dancer though, so maybe one day, I'll give you a shot." Bella stands, collecting her garbage. "See you later. I'm off to lounge in the sun before I meet up with your grandchildren."

We wave at her as she walks away, and I lean back in my chair, feeling a little more human. "How much grief did you give her?"

Mom laughs lightly. "Just a little. Are you sure you're all right, dear?"

I wave her off. "I'll be fine. I might go back to sleep for a bit."

My parents nod and tell me they're going snorkeling before the kids are meeting up with Bella. We say our goodbyes, and I make my way back to my room to get some rest. But when I get back inside and lie down, I can't get comfortable and can't seem to shut off my brain. I begin scrolling through my phone when I suddenly get a text.

Bella: Are you alive?

Apparently, we exchanged numbers at some point last night. I grin as I text her back.

Edward: Barely hanging on by a thread. I was going to take a nap, but no such luck.

All I can see are three dots floating for several seconds until the message pops up. It makes me question what it is that Bella and I are doing with each other.

Bella: The pool is pretty quiet …

The message hangs between us. It's clearly an invitation, but for what exactly? I've been very upfront about the fact that I'm attracted to Bella, but shouldn't she be putting up a barrier? Or am I reading too much into this?

Edward: I'll be down in 5. Save me a seat.

An hour later, after I've dozed by the pool in the shade and serenity, Bella nudges my shoulder and asks me if I want to get some lunch. "Sure. I feel like I might be getting too much sun though."

Bella thinks for a moment. "We can grab something and go to one of our rooms? I have a bigger terrace than you."

I nod, following her to a deli near our village and waiting while she orders. When it was my turn in line, I just ordered the same thing she did, and once we got our food, I followed her once again to her room.

We settle on her terrace, and Bella immediately digs into her food as I sit there silently, not eating, not moving, just watching her.

"What's wrong?" She covers her mouth as she tries to chew through the massive bite she just took.

What is wrong with me? "Can I be very frank?" I push my food to the side, looking at Bella intently.

"I'd love nothing more. You did twerk last night, so I do feel like we're very close now." She smiles, but it fades quickly. "I can tell by your expression this isn't the time to joke, so please, tell me what's up."

Taking a deep breath, I collect my scattered thoughts. "How are you doing? You feeling all right?"

She looks confused. "What do you mean?"

"Feeling good about not getting married? Not being in a relationship and breaking up with Garrett?" I sit back and eye her curiously.

"Not really. I hate it, but there isn't a whole lot I can do about it. I try calling and texting Garrett every day, but I'm thinking he's blocked my number because he hasn't answered me. I'm trying to enjoy the vacation I paid for. Why do you ask?"

"I don't know you very well, twerking aside, but it seems like you've taken a complete turn. And from someone who has been in a similar situation, can I just say that it feels a lot like you're … uh …" I pause, looking for the right word.

"Spit it out, Edward." Bella looks slightly annoyed.

"It feels like you're flirting with me. I did the same thing right after I left Kate. I felt like I wasted so much time with her and wanted to make up for it, but I eventually realized that I was really hurt and vulnerable. I wasn't ready." I smile gently; I don't want to hurt her feelings, but she needs to hear this, and who better to tell her than someone who's been there?

Bella sits back in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest. "Edward, I mean this with all the respect I can muster right now because I do think you and I are going to be great friends, but get your head out of your ass."

"Bella!" She holds up a hand to cut me off.

"No, do you realize how arrogant you sound right now? I'm not flirting with you; I need a friend, you idiot." She pushes up from her chair and turns to look out over the water. "I don't have my sister here or my girlfriends, and you actually know what this all feels like. I need someone to help me through this right now." She whirls around to face me, the anger and hurt evident on her face. "Not assume I'm trying to get over my ex by getting under you."

"That's … that's not what I was saying. Not at all." Gulping, I search for the right words to apologize. "I'm sorry, but that's not what I—"

"No, I get it. You are attracted to me, and I appreciate that. I'd like for us to be friends, but right now? I think you should go." She doesn't say anything else as she turns her back on me again.

I gather up my lunch, knowing full well I won't eat any of it, and make my way back to my own room, biding my time until it's time to meet up with my brother and sister and all their kids.

Jess gives me a dirty look but doesn't say anything when Bella very obviously doesn't join us.