A/N: Thanks to everyone for following along

Characters belong to S. Meyer

All mistakes are mine

Chapter 5

"Alice, it's been months". I groan as I sit back down with my refill of rosé.

It's movie night. Jasper is at his monthly poker night with his buddies, so Alice and I deemed it movie night years ago.

"Bella, maybe you should make the first move".

"Ugh, I can't with you". I proceed to break in half a crab Rangoon and shove it into my mouth. In the background Baby is juggling watermelons, looking as awkward as I feel when it comes to Edward Cullen.

"Bella, you've been hanging out after work and texting for months".

"Drinks with coworkers and texting funny work-related memes doesn't mean he's into me Alice". I'm being petulant because I'm buzzed and she's knows it.

"It's flirting in its own way, like foreplay".

"I wouldn't know what foreplay was if it slapped me in the face". Alice laughs at me and I throw a couch pillow at her.

"I could get Rosalie to do a little reconnaissance".

"NO", I say quickly. "Nothing screams crazy like your sister-in-law asking questions about her quasi friend like we're in middle school.

Alice just laughs at me, we're both slightly buzzed at this point. "Let's text him now", she says.

XXX

Thankfully, Edward took my drunk texting in stride that night, and I didn't say too much to embarrass myself. I hadn't seen or heard from him all week, so I was surprised to see him sitting at our regular table with a cold beer in hand.

Tonight, it was just Tanya and I, and by the looks of it, I would be on my own soon. Tanya was at the bar talking to her toxic situationship Brady, that worked down in the ER.

I grabbed my beer and headed to the table.

"Just you tonight"?

He shrugged his shoulders and took a deep swallow of his drink.

"What about you, I thought I saw you and Tanya walk in together"?

Right about that time, I look up and see Brady closing his tab and the two of them gathering their things and heading for the door.

"Looks like I'm on my own".

An hour later, I'm on my second beer and Edward and I are sharing an order of hot wings.

"So, you recently got out of the military right"?

"Yeah, the Army. I was a medevac pilot, was there for 10 years. I just felt like it was time. I missed my family while I was living all over the place. Plus, with Emmett and Rose getting married, I know it's just a matter of time before they start a family. I want to be around for that".

I don't know if it was the spicy wings, my second beer, or the fact that we were alone and it felt date like, but I was feeling bold.

"So, what about you? No plans to settle down and start a family of your own"?

"Before I got home, it wasn't even on my radar", he says cryptically.

"And now that you are home"?

"I don't know, there's this beautiful girl that sends me inappropriate memes all the time, I've been wanting to ask out".

"I look down at my sauce covered fingers and I'm pretty sure I blushed.

I put down my wing, wipe my hands and take a sip of my beer. I look at Edward and I'm sure, with the light hanging above our booth, he can see my pink cheeks. He just smiles and takes a drink of his beer.

"May I take you out tomorrow night Bella? Something low key, I know we're both coming off shift and it's technically a recovery day".

"I would love to Edward".

Shortly after, Edward picked up our tab and we decided to call it a night. Outside, there was a slight drizzle and a cool breeze, the summer starting to give way to fall.

I pulled the hood of my jacket to cover my head, Edwards warm hand then engulfs my cold one.

"Is this ok"?

I squeezed his hand in return and smiled. We walked in companionable silence, the wail of ambulances ringing out in the background.

"This is me". I stop beside my grey SUV. I turn and lean against my door, my hand still engulfed in his.

The drizzle dazzled off his bronze hair in the parking lot lighting, his green eyes glittered. He debated a second, then leaned down. I reaching up, meeting him halfway. When our lips touched, I felt giddy. Hidden in my hood in the drizzling rain, his other hand gripped my waist as if to anchor himself there, his other still intertwined with mine.

It was fairly chaste as far as first kisses go. It only lasted a moment, but in that moment, I felt more than I'd ever felt.

We parted and he opened my car door for me. When I was settled in, he said he would text me later and we could decide about tomorrow, and then he was gone.

I waited until he was out of site before I grabbed the steering wheel and squealed, giddiness pouring out of me. I felt on top of the world.