Blanket disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot.
1
I knew this was a bad idea
With a dejected sigh, I drain the rest of my cocktail and flag down the bartender to close my tab.
My best friend has been relentless in trying to get us to meet. Kate swears up and down that we're perfect for one another. Apparently, she told you the same, but you weren't convinced because our reservation was forfeited half an hour ago. And like an idiot, I stayed.
I'm slipping into my jacket while I wait for the valet to fetch my car when a cab comes to a sudden stop and a short brunette with no shoes on jumps out, muttering a colorful string of expletives. She throws some money over the seat and turns around, wincing when her eyes fall on me.
"Edward?"
Realization hits me. The barefoot brunette standing in front of me is you.
"Yeah. You must be Bella?"
You nod and hold up a pair of broken heels. "I was two blocks away when I slipped off a curb. Kate wouldn't pick up her phone, and I didn't want you to think I was standing you up, so I just grabbed a cab and hauled ass." You take a gulping breath and push your hair out of your face. "I'm so sorry."
Frustration melts away, and I smile. "It's fine. Are you all right?"
You pull up the hem of your dress, revealing a nasty scrape on your knee.
"Ouch." I hiss.
"Trust me, it looks worse than it is," you assure me and raise a brow. "I make one hell of a first impression, don't I?"
You're beautiful. All short and curvy with long, chestnut brown hair and big, dark chocolate eyes. There are laugh lines etched in the skin around your mouth and eyes for someone so young. You seem like the type of person who is always happy. Always smiling.
Maybe Kate is right and you're exactly what I need.