|- 222 -|

"Happy Early Birthday," I say, making conversation with Alice while Bella changes.

"Thanks, Edward. Sorry I'm taking Bella away from you on Thursday, but it's tradition."

"I suppose I can spare her for one night."

Alice snorts. "Like she won't be sexting you the whole time!"

My face heats up but I'm secretly pleased that our passion has not gone unnoticed.

"So what'd you decide for Saturday night, your official celebration?"

"We're going to use our winnings from trivia and go to Grind."

"So what is that, like a coffee place?"

She snorts again, louder. "NO, grandpa! It's a club!"

-o-

"Dancing?" I attempt to tamp down the terror.

"Yes," she answers, amused at my discomfort. Damn Alice.

I pinch my eyes shut with my fingers and try to eradicate mental images of Emmett with his hands on my hips in a brotherly attempt to teach me to dance.

Just then, Bella reappears. "Alice, what have you done to Edward?" she scolds.

"Oh, relax. I was just telling him about Saturday."

I open my eyes in time to see Bella give Alice an extremely dirty look.

"I'm starved," Bella announces abruptly, grabbing my hand and pulling me out of the salon.

-o-

"I take it you've guessed I'm a little anxious about clubbing?"

Bella sighs. "I was going to break it to you gently. Later," she says pointedly, raising a brow.

My fork stops in mid-air. "Oh."

"Don't worry, Edward. We'll have you club-ready and grinding like a pro."

A laugh bursts forth. "A pro WHAT?"

"You have nothing to worry about. Honestly, you could stand in the middle of the dance floor stock still and every girl there would be clawing her way to dance with you. Add the slightest twitch of your hips, and… well, watch out for the stampede."

-o-

"You have quite the vivid imagination, there," I chuckle disbelievingly.

"Oh, I've imagined it plenty, believe me."

"Really? You fantasize about me? On a dance floor?"

"Among other places."

I shake my head and take in a forkful of swordfish.

"Edward? You seriously don't think dancing is the hottest thing two people can do in public? It's basically sex standing up."

"Mmm, speaking of which," I twitch my brows suggestively.

"After we dance."

I narrow my eyes but give in quickly. "Fine. You strike a hard bargain, woman."

She winks. "I promise it will be a very, very hard bargain."

A/N: Chapter 222...just sayin'. Thank you for still being here. XXX ~BOH