Disclaimer: All characters are the property of Stephenie Meyer.

Prologue

"Here's to Bella! For finally getting into law school!" Jacob's voice resonated in the bar.

I rolled my eyes and hit him in the arm. My friends laughed around me as they raised their drinks in the air.

"It's not even one I want to go to, just the first one to send me an acceptance letter," I replied smugly, "I still have plenty of time to hear back from the rest of the schools."

"Don't jinx it, Bella. Or who knows, you might have to stay here forever," Jessica giggled next to me before taking a swig of her beer.

"Don't even joke about that!" I smirked back. In reality, I probably was too arrogant for my own good. Who could blame me? Getting my first acceptance letter had certainly made me cocky, but I was excited. Years of studying, exams, and nervous breakdowns were finally paying off, and I hoped that this would be the first of many more celebratory nights, ultimately leading up to my final and greatest achievement. With that accomplishment, I knew everything would change and that in a few months, I would be able to move and start over… again.

"I need another. Anyone else?" I stood up from the table and waved my empty bottle. After getting a thumbs-up from several people, I walked over to the bartender.

"Another Desperado," I smiled at him, leaning over the counter.

The bartender nodded and turned around to open a new bottle for me.

"Thought you didn't like beer," a voice to my left vibrated.

I stiffened, afraid to turn to my head from where the sound came from. I knew that voice. All too well. It was a voice I hadn't heard in years and spent so much time trying to forget. That perfect… southern voice…

The bartender handed me my drink and I took a deep breath, my hand shaking with the bottle in my hand, as I gathered my courage to turn and face him.

And there he stood. A display of human perfection. He was as tall as I remembered with his honey blond hair stopping just above his jaw. His dark gray sweater accentuated his pale skin and I couldn't help but gaze at him.

He smiled— that flawless smile, showing his teeth. "Hey, Bella."

I stared at him in disbelief. He was there, in front of me, as though nothing had ever happened. As though the last 4 years of my life never occurred.

"You— You're not supposed to be here."

"Yet here I am."

"And here I am leaving," I turned around, ready to take a step away when I felt a hand on my waist. I froze and gasped. It had been years… yet a simple touch affected me in way I'd almost forgotten about. Turning back around, my eyes met his.

"What are you doing here, Jasper?"

He chuckled and momentarily looked at the floor before looking at me. "I'm back, darlin'. And I ain't ever leaving you again."

Until next time...