Twenty-Six

E

"Edward?"

Why does it feel like my heart is going to beat right out of my chest?

"Uh, yeah?"

She pauses for a beat. "I love you too," and then she hangs up.

I don't know how long I stand there, holding the phone in my hand, wondering if I heard her right. There's no way Bella feels the same. Maybe she felt obligated to say it back. Things are going to be awkward when she comes in for her shift—

"Um, excuse me," a woman says apprehensively, bringing me out of my spiraling thoughts.

"I apologize. What can I do for you?" I ask with a big fake smile.

"Can we get a couple espresso martinis?"

"Of course. Coming right up."

Ever since the other bar got shut down by the city, a whole different clientele started showing up. Bachelorette parties, hipsters, and the younger crowd. I've had to up my game and add to the menu. Not that I'm complaining. Any business is good business.

As much as I'd like to spend the next couple hours lost in my head, I need to focus on the one thing I know for sure. It's Saturday, and it starts getting steady around one or two o'clock.

Harry and Waylon have usually cleared out by now but are nursing their beers and watching me as they've done all morning. When their stares get too annoying, I ask them what their problem is, and they both break out in boisterous laughter.

"You and the townie are getting serious," Harry says once he sobers up. "Never would have pegged you as a man interested in the big shot fru-fru people."

Waylon nods in agreement.

"When did the two of you become a couple of gossiping teens?"

A customer comes walking in, so I move to greet them and take their order before joining two of my best customers. Well, they used to be my favorite, but they've been demoted.

"So, you and Bella ..." Waylon starts.

"Are together and very happy. She's been working for me since the day after we met." I grab a tray so I can bus a table. "That's all you're getting."

Harry drains the rest of his beer. "What we're getting at is what are your intentions?"

I stop short. "Who are you? Her father lives in Forks."

"Consider us pseudo-uncles. Answer the question."

"Well, I plan on making her happy for the rest of her life," I answer honestly. "Or at least until she grows tired of dating an old bartender."

"That's all we wanted to hear." Harry smiles. "Treat her well and we won't have a problem. Come on, Waylon, it's getting late and a little too crowded in here."

I bid them goodbye and get back to work.

I didn't lie to them. Now that I have her, I don't plan on letting Bella go without a fight. I can only hope she feels the same.