Hurricane Pixie Was Her Name

"Well, how was it?'

Bella sat on her phone at an intersection, waiting for the light to turn green.

"Alice, I just left. Can't I call you when I get home?"

"No," she scoffed. "'Cause I know you won't call me back. I've got you on the line and that's where you're staying."

"Well, I have to put you on speaker phone 'cause I left my ear piece at home."

"No, you'll be all echo-ee," Alice whined, sounding every bit the spoiled teenage brat.

"Alice, I'm not getting a ticket just so you don't have to wait five minutes."

"Fine!" Alice growled. "But you better call me."

"I will. Talk to you soon."

Moments later, Bella pulled into her drive. Parking the car, she made a quick scan over her surroundings like her father taught her to do before opening her door and heading inside. Her phone vibrated once again, and she struggled with the keys and phone simultaneously.

"Alice, I told you to give me a minute."

"I'm sorry, Bella. Am I disturbing you?"

"Edward?" Bella's face heated. "No, I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else."

"You sound like you're out of breath." His voice sounded curious and a little entertained.

"I'm sorry, I'm trying to find my damn keys." Shit, she hadn't meant to swear. "Crap, I'm sorry."

She heard a deep chuckle through the phone, and Bella felt comforted by the sound.

"That is quite alright. I kind of like those bad words coming from such a beautiful mouth."

"You do?" Bella dropped her belongings in shock. Purse forgotten, her entire attention was riveted on the fact that Edward like her dirty mouth. What else did he like dirty in his women?

"Mmmhmm. Makes you sound more . . . devious."

"Well, I'm glad you think so, 'cause I have a bit of a swearing problem when I get worked up. Jasper always told me that I'd get into trouble one day."

"Hmmm, Jasper may be right," Edward crooned. "But I think you might like my kind of trouble."

Bella froze, her body heating. Did he mean . . .

"I called to make sure you made it home safely," Edward's voice cut in.

"Um, yeah. I was just trying to unlock my door when you called."

"Are you inside?"

"No, not yet. I kind of dropped my purse."

"Kind of?"

"Well, I'm not used to men calling me and making me all flustered," she said in her defense, and then slapped a hand over her mouth when she realized what she'd said. "Oh sugar . . . "

Edward laughed outright.

"You American women, I love it." Edward chuckled a bit more. "Hurry and get your keys, I'll wait for you."

"You know," Bella began, bending to pick up her keys and purse from the floor. "I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself."

"Mmmm, I'm sure you can. But I like making sure you are safe. Are you inside yet?"

"Yes," Bella said, tossing her keys onto the entryway table. "Just got in, thanks."

"Next time, I'd like to pick you up, if that's alright."

"I'd love that," Bella smiled, excitement getting the better of her.

"How's tomorrow night?"

So soon!

"Sure."

"Eight o'clock?"

"Sounds perfect."

"Until then," Edward murmured. "Sleep well, my bella."

That's it for me tonight. Updates tomorrow when I get off work. That is, if they sickies don't keep me working my ass off all day long. We'll see! Thanks for staying up with me ;)