Eleven

E

I've never had a one-night stand, so I'm not sure what's supposed to happen next. I decide to let Bella take the lead.

She drops a kiss on my lips and jumps down off the bar, reaching for her shirt. She doesn't say anything as she rights her clothes and steps back into her panties.

"Are you ready to take me home now?" she asks, breaking the silence.

I button my jeans and nod. "I'm parked out back."

"Let me grab my stuff real quick."

While she's gone, I wipe the evidence of what happened off the bar. I'll be sure to sanitize everything properly when I come in tomorrow. I can't believe I just had sex in my bar.

"Okay, I'm ready," Bella says, holding up her box. "I left you a stupid faux cactus to brighten up your office."

"Thank you?"

She just shrugs and acts perfectly normal while I'm stuck in my head.

I lead her through the back and set the alarm before holding the door open for her. It's raining again so I unlock my car and tell her to run.

She giggles as she dodges raindrops, sliding into the passenger seat with her box on her lap. I lock the back door and run a bag of trash to the dumpster before joining her.

"So, where do you live?"

"Point Trail apartments on Journey Street."

My eyes widen in surprise. "Really?"

"Yeah, I was a professional townie but my salary didn't pay for the lifestyle." She smiles.

"I live off South Journey."

It's not that big a deal; it's not like we're neighbors or anything. South Journey is a lot different from Point Trail.

"Oh, well, that's cool." Bella yawns. "Sorry."

"It's okay. It's late and you had an exciting day." I start the car and pull onto the road.

Bella hums in agreement. Her scent permeates through the car—citrus and spice. She leans her head against the window, and after a few minutes of silence, I think she fell asleep.

I don't know the appropriate protocol of a hook up. Do I walk her to the door? Do I kiss her good night or would a simple handshake suffice? Do I ask her if she wants to see me again or was this a one-time thing for her?

I pull up in front of the apartment complex, and Bella takes off her seatbelt before turning to me.

"Thanks for the ride."

I nod. "Don't mention it."

She gathers her box and reaches for the door. "See you on the flip side, Edward."

And then she's gone. Rushing to the double doors without looking back. I wait for her to get inside before I drive off, feeling conflicted.

I kind of wish I had kissed her one last time or at least gotten her number.

Oh well, too late now. I doubt I'll ever see her again.

When I get home, I grab a granola bar and climb the stairs of my three-bedroom, two-bath—one of the only things I got in the divorce because I inherited it from my great uncle I'm named after.

I jump in the shower to wash off the day's stresses and unexpected sex before falling into bed.

Bella Swan fills my dreams, and I wake up knowing that I'm screwed.