For clarity within the story, please note that Edward and Bella are not together (yet!). Bella does know the Cullen secret and is friends with the family.

Bella's POV

"And what can I get you ladies," the bartender stated absentmindedly over the music.

"Can I have a Martini," my best friend Alice said back with a smile. She was always so pleasant; I can never understand how she manages.

"I don't want to remember my name in the morning." Alice gave me a funny look.

"Hard day at work," I responded to her expression. I wasn't lying.

The bartender came back with the drinks.

"Cheers," I said with a sorry tone and chugged the contents of the glass.

"Are you sure that you are alright. You know I love you, and only want the best for you, but heavy drinking doesn't solve anything." Once again, Alice was being typical Alice.

"Really, I just need to forget about today." It wasn't a complete stretch.

"Ok then, I am going to the bathroom. Please retain for any possibly damaging alcoholic drinks while I'm gone."

I rolled my eyes. I didn't need a mother. I needed a friend.

My eyes did a sweep over the club. That's when it happened.

A man and a woman were sitting at a small table in the corner of the club. She wore a simple navy dress with a beaded bodes, while he was in a tie and pants. Everything he said, she giggled at. The passion in her eyes was obvious. The giant ring on her finger screamed "she's mine! Back away now!" They were holding hands across the table. He slowly lifted them up, and kissed her hand. She blushed.

I suddenly found myself in hysterical sobs.

"Hey lady, are you ok?" the bartender asked without much care in his voice.

Then Alice was next to me, her arm around my back for support. She guided me out of the club gently, whispering in a soothing voice in my ear.

She led me into the passenger seat of my car. The crying had not stopped yet. I was thankful for Alice letting me release all of my sobs, never saying anything.

Her face was hard with worry, though. For all she knew, someone died. My crying slowly subsided.

"Are you ready to talk?" she said calmly.

"I-I don't know what happened. I was fine, then I saw the man. And then I was crying-"

"Ok. Just gather your thoughts for a moment. Take a deep breath. Relax. You are safe now."

The rest of the drive was silent.

The pavers under the tires shook me our of my nonresponsive state. I opened the door and walk slowly to the house. Alice took my hand and sat me down on the couch. She took the seat across from me.

"Don't ever scare me like that again," she whispered just loud enough.

"I cant do this anymore-"

"What, Bella. You cant do what anymore? Please explain…"

"In the club. There was this couple. The passion in their eyes was so perfect." I looked down at the ring on my finger. "I want that."

"Don't you have that? You are engaged, too. Are you not happy with Jake?"

"I can't, Alice. I just can't do it. I can't marry Jake."

"But why? You seem so perfect together."

"We don't have it. Well, at least I don't."

"Don't have what? Bella, I need you to talk to me."

"Tonight, that couple radiated love. Never ending love. I just cannot give that to Jake. How is that fair to him? It would be greedy of me to marry someone I know it will never work with.."

"Don't make such rash decisions in minutes. Sleep on it. With a clear head in the morning, I bet you will find your love for Jake again."

With that, she gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and let herself out.

I knew this was not something time could fix.

I always used to joke that when we drink, we can break away barriers to find our raw selves. I never thought that I would actually experience it, though.

However, Alice was right. I needed to think this through.

I did love Jake. There was no denying that. But, did I love him like that? Jake and I obviously had something, or we would not be getting married in two months. But I has to ask, was it enough?

I knew the answer.

Maybe if we got married, the bond would bring something undiscovered up…

No. Whatever we have, that is it.

It was unfair to Jake to get married. If I could not return his love, would it even be considered a marriage?

I would be unfair to myself by getting married. How could I trap myself into this situation willingly?

I knew what I had to do. I had to break Jake's heart.

I picked up the phone and dialed his number.