Chapter One

So You Had a Bad Day

My day has gone horribly. I broke a heel, spilled coffee down my white blouse and I was now running extremely late for a meeting with a new client. I was scrambling around my office, grabbing my portfolio and shoving everything into my giant tote. If I missed this meeting I would definitely lose this account for a complete home remodel. This was a huge deal with a very prominent businessman in New Orleans. Well actually it was a huge deal with his twenty-two year old wife.

I'm a romantic at heart, I really am. So when I see a sixty-three year old man married to a twenty-two year old girl, I want to believe that their eyes met across the room and they knew that this was the person they wanted to spend the rest of their lives with. But the skeptic in me knows that this isn't what happened. While she was seeing dollar signs, he was trying to remember how many Viagra's he had left before his next refill.

But who am I to judge. I'm a single twenty-eight year old interior designer who hasn't had a serious relationship since my junior year of college. This is okay because I have convinced myself that this is what I want, unfortunately I don't think my lady bits got this memo. I pretty sure they're planning to revolt.

As I'm walking down the stairs of my townhouse, I'm seriously trying to remember the last time I had sex. I have been on a few dates here and there, thanks to my best friend Alice. Alice is always setting me up with guys that are "perfect" for me. The truth is I don't have time to devote to someone else. I barely have time to take care of my own basic needs; I can't add anyone else to the mix. The few guys that I did try to get to know were looking for things that I am not ready to even think about. I know marriage and children are in my future, but far enough in the future that Christopher Lloyd wouldn't even be able to see it.

"Shit!" I screamed as I fumbled with my keys to my car. I could feel my phone vibrating in my bag, probably Alice wondering where I was at. I sent her ahead to meet Mr. Mallory and his blushing bride at their downtown home. Looking down at my watch, I was now ten minutes late with a fifteen minute drive ahead of me. I finally was situated in my recently purchased Infinity G37. Last year my business, Fleur Di Lis Designs, had really taken off. I started my firm four years ago and with the help of Alice and her fuck-awesome marketing skills; we were now the most sought after interior design company in New Orleans. My car was a present to myself for a job well done. It was a major upgrade from the old beat up truck I used to drive.

I fished my phone out of my bag and scrolled through the numerous texts from Alice wondering where I was. I had one from my sister Angela asking if I was still coming to dinner on Sunday. I typed out a quick response while stopped at a red light confirming that I would be there on Sunday and that I couldn't wait to see my god-daughter, Morgan. She was three months old and seriously the most beautiful baby I have ever seen.

Just as I sent the message, my phone rang. "Alice, I'm on my way. I had to stop and change my shirt. I will be there as soon as possible. How pissed are they?" I said quickly.

"Not pissed at all, actually, she went ahead and signed the contract without even looking at any of the plans." Alice said proudly.

"What…how…why?" I sputtered back to her.

"Well, I told her you were tied up with a certain Oscar winning actress and you should have seen her face! She started squealing and asking who exactly I was talking about but of course I couldn't disclose that information. But I did say we were Blindsided by her interest in the company. She ate it up."

"Oh Alice, no, you didn't!"

"Bella, its fine. You know how these women are. All about status. Now she can brag to her other silicone enhanced friends about how she's using a designer for the stars. She climbs the social ladder and your business increases with everyone else trying to keep up. Now let's get a drink and celebrate."

"Ugh, you know I hate to lie about the clients we have."

"Well good thing I don't have a problem with it. You know my moral compass doesn't exactly point north." She giggled. "It's home-grown night at Overdraft and I heard the band is really good. I'll meet you there in twenty minutes."

"Al- Hello?" I hate when she does that.

I start making my way towards Jackson Square. I'm already exhausted and really just want to go home and take a bath. I know that I need to at least thank Alice for saving my ass today. One drink, then I'm gone.

I walked into the bar and looked around for Alice. This bar opened about two months ago and quickly became mine and Alice's favorite place. It was a beautiful space in a building that used to be a bank. When the owners remodeled, the teller counter was changed into the bar area and the vault was now a VIP area with oversized couches and chairs. Whoever designed it, really did a great job.

I spotted Alice sitting on a stool at the bar. As I was walking over, I spotted a familiar face behind the bar chatting with Alice. He looked up as I was approaching and smiled at me. I paused and suddenly remembered the last time I had sex. Edward Cullen. Shaking those memories out of my head, I started walking again, only to bump right into a server returning to the bar. Our legs tangled and we both fell. I felt a breeze on my backside and immediately reached down to pull down my skirt to cover my ass. Unfortunately it wasn't before the entire bar caught a glimpse of my lacy pink boyshorts. Alice rushed to my side and helped me up.

"Wow that was quite an entrance Bella." Alice said, desperately trying to hold back her laughter. Everyone was still looking so I gave a little bow and leaned down to whisper in Alice's ear.

"We need to go somewhere else. That was so embarrassing."

"No, it's fine. Now your face matches your panties. You're coordinating." I glared at her and she added "Well the chances of you getting laid tonight just increased significantly."

I pushed her and sat down at the bar. Edward approached and set a pink drink in front of me.

"What is this?" I questioned.

"It's today's special. Pink Panty Dropper. Delicious, try it." He replied, grinning at me.

"You're such an asshole."

"Oh come on, Neve, that isn't what you were saying after your sister's wedding."

"Hold on, I am completely lost." Alice said, looking between the both of us.

"I'm Edward Cullen. The Godfather. After Angela and Ben's wedding, I made Bella and offer she couldn't refuse." He said in a horrible Brando impersonation. Alice still looked confused.

"He is Ben's best friend. He was the best man at his wedding and is Morgan's godfather. As far as the offer I couldn't refuse, well it was an open bar and a huge mistake."

"I'm hurt, Neve, really hurt." Edward said gripping his chest.

"Who is Neve?" Alice asked with a small smile and looked at me. I shrugged my shoulders and took a sip of my drink.

"I call Bella Neve, after Neve Campbell because of the way she screamed my name that night." He chuckled. He began wiping down the bar and silently laughing at his joke.

Alice looked at me and raised her eyebrows. I just shook my head, letting her know that I didn't want to talk about it. I quickly drank the rest of my drink and told Alice I would see her later. I thankfully made it out of the bar without giving anyone else a look at my underwear. I got into my car and released a deep breath. My phone started to ring and I answered it without even looking.

"Alice, I've just had a really shitty day and I don't want to put up with Doucheward Cullen right now." I said tiredly.

"I'm sorry; I'm trying to reach Isabella Swan. Is this Isabella Swan?" an unfamiliar voice asked.

"Oh, yes, I'm sorry. This is Isabella Swan speaking." I fumbled.

"Ms. Swan this is Officer Newton from the N.O.P.D. Ma'am we need you to come down to the Tulane ER. There has been an accident." He said solemnly.

This has been a horrible day I thought to myself after dropping my phone.