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3

I release an audible 'umph' when I make contact with the person. They must be built like a wall because they don't budge when I collide with them. Their hands come to my shoulders to steady me and I feel my face flame in embarrassment.

I'm opening my mouth to apologize to them when they say: "Still clumsy as ever."

I freeze momentarily because I know that voice.

I don't even stop to think, I just reel around and slug him in the shoulder.

"Hey," Edward rubs where I just hit, trying to act like he's angry, but I can see the amusement in his green eyes. "You know, I think I have a permanent bruise there because of you."

"Maybe if you weren't such an ass, I wouldn't slug you so much." I quipped back, crossing my arms over my chest.

Edward and I had been best friends since we were in diapers. Our parents moved into to houses right next to each other when our mom's were both pregnant. The two of them had become fast friends, which made it kind of inevitable that Edward and I would become friends.

Growing up, we fought like we were brother and sister. Everything he did, I wanted to do, which irritated him to no end when he wanted to play with only his guy friends, because he'd decided at the time that girls had cooties. We'd always been just friends. There had never been a hint of anything more, until we started our freshmen year of college. During that time, it seemed like there was a spark between us that hadn't been there before. Then, I met Jake and anything that I imagined was there, vanished.

I look toward Alice and Rose to see that Edward's not the only one that's crashed our night, Jasper and Emmett are here to, currently making out with my two friends.

I try not to be irritated, but I can't help it. This night was supposed to be the three of us. Not the three of us, plus their boyfriends, making me the third wheel.

"I'm about to loose my wing women to your friends."

"Wing women?" Edward asked, looking at me confused.

"Yeah, we're helping Bella get drunk and laid." Alice answered for me, a smile on her face. She has her arms wrapped around Jasper's neck as they sway to the music.

Edward's still looking at me like he's missing something.

"Jake and I broke up." I filled in for him.

"Bella hunting for some dick, I can get behind that." Emmett commended me. He and Rose are currently wrapped around each other, her lips on his neck. When his hand goes to cup her ass, I avert my eyes.

"I need another drink." I grumbled, making my way through the crowd back to the bar.

"Another sex on the beach?" the guy at the bar asked when he saw me coming.

"Yes. Thank you." I rubbed my hands across my face as he went to fix my drink, trying not to be disappointed in how this night is turning out.

I feel him even before he says anything.

"I'm sorry we crashed your party." Edward's standing next to me, leaning against the bar, his arms crossed on the top.

I sighed. "It's whatever." I pointed my finger at him. "You better tell your mom that you caught me out here trying to find someone's dick to ride. Because if you tell your mom, she'll tell my mom, and that's not a conversation I need."

He looked offended. "I don't tell my mom everything, Bella. I especially wouldn't tell her about you prowling for dick."

The bartender placed my drink in front of me then. "It's on the house." He told me with a wink. He move on to Edward, who ordered a beer. As the guy is walking away, Edward stands us, watching him go, and I swear I see his jaw tick.

"You're really going to go home with someone tonight?" Edward's eyes are back on me, an expression that I can't read on his face.

"That's the plan." I took a sip of my cocktail, unperturbed.

"No criteria?"

I shrugged. "Not really." As long as they weren't creepy and don't look like my ex.

"So you'd go home with just anyone?"

"Pretty much."

He looked toward the end of the bar where the guy that had been serving me all night was now fixing a group of guys drinks. "Even him?"

I'd already taken him off the list, his resemblance to Jake was too much. But Edward was testing me, and I knew it. Which was why I said: "Yes, I would."

Edward looked back at me, his eyes roaming me from head to toe. I must be more drunk than I thought, because I swear I thought I saw spark in the emerald green orbs. I'm seeing things that aren't there.

"What a…" Alice coming up behind me and wrapping her arms around me interrupted his question.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, rocking me back and forth. "I texted Jasper we were coming here. I didn't realize he'd show up with the guys. I should've known better. Forgive me?"

I laughed at her antics, unable to stay angry with her. "I will if you dance with me."

She giggled. "Deal."

I turned to Edward, wrapping my arm around Alice. "I appreciate your concern, but I have a man to find."

We left him standing at the bar, going back to our place on the dance floor where Rose is, sans Emmett. The three of us loose ourselves in the music, singing along to the lyrics when we know them. I'm just tipsy enough to enjoy myself without worrying about what I look like as I move with the music, letting it take me away.

At some point, I turned and am immediately met with a pair of smoldering green eyes.

The guys found a booth in one of the back corners, which where he's sitting with Emmett, another beer in front of him. Emmett's talking to him, but his eyes are on me. There's something in his gaze I never thought I'd see.

Lust.

A/N: Tomorrow's chapter will be posted a little later. Most likely around 7 pm EST.