It was Saturday night and I was currently arguing with Alice about my issues with spending a night out on the town. It wasn't that I was a total hermit but I had homework to finish and a book I was dying to read; of course, all of these excuses only angered my dear friend further.

"That's ridiculous, Bella! It's Saturday! You'll have plenty of time to do that crap tomorrow!" she had now taken to stamping her little, ballerina feet.

"FINE!" I yelled, exhausted by this argument, "I'll go out! But I swear to God if you aren't ready to come back here by midnight I'm leaving you wherever we are!"

She agreed to my terms and then set out towards my bedroom to pick out my clothing; this was a ritual of hers. She tended to dismiss my love of all things casual and was insistent that I dress up at least once in a while.

She picked out a pair of dark wash skinny jeans and a sapphire blue tube top. I wasn't even aware I owned either. She pulled out a pair of dangerously tall black, stiletto heels and demanded I wear my hair down and curled. She even placed the proper make-up on my vanity in my bedroom; she was nothing if not thorough.

When I finished getting dressed and applying the make-up that would surely melt off my face in the sweaty club we'd eventually find ourselves in, I pulled on the heels and grabbed my little, black clutch. I threw my cell and some cash inside and grabbed my keys off the kitchen table while I waited for Alice.

She finally emerged wearing a pair of jeans similar to mine and a crimson red halter-top. I was a little peeved that she was allowed to wear something with straps when I wasn't but I decided to pick my battles wisely and ignore it.

We hailed a cab and she gave the driver directions to a popular club called "Trinity".

When we pulled up there was a line outside clearly indicating the place was overcrowded. As Alice pranced towards the bouncer I was praying that he would send us to the end of the line; unfortunately, he did not and we were escorted in despite the angry yells from the patrons stuck outside.

We pushed and weaved our way through the throngs of people and found a couple empty spots at the bar. Alice immediately ordered us two shots of vodka, which we downed, and then ordered us both Jack n' Cokes.

While we sipped our drinks, I began people-watching once again. I was certain I wouldn't have quite as much fun as the last time but it was still something to pass the time. I was so into my little game that I didn't notice the blonde man having a conversation with Alice right next to me. When I finally did notice he was already leading her towards the dance floor as she looked over her shoulder at me and winked.

I knew this would happen.

So, fending for myself, I ordered another shot, downed it, and then ordered a second Jack n' Coke. If I was going to sit by myself all night I decided I'd at least indulge.

As I was working on my fourth (or was it my fifth?) Jack n' Coke I began feeling an oddly familiar stirring of butterflies in my stomach. I knew immediately I was being watched but was too frightened to actually investigate. I continued sipping down my drink until I felt a large hand slam down onto my shoulder.

"Hey princess" purred an obviously drunk voice in my ear, "What's a pretty little thing like you doing sitting here all by yourself?" I turned towards the voice to find a drunken man with long blonde hair and seemingly conniving blue eyes. His hair was pulled into a ponytail and he was currently sporting a black leather jacket, blue jeans, and combat boots; typical bad-boy.

I figured ignoring him would steer him away so I turned and began drinking a little faster.

"Come on sugar. Come dance with me."

He was now grabbing onto my arm and pulling me from my stool. I attempted to nudge him away but this only seemed to fuel his desperation and he grabbed onto my hips to pull me towards him.

"Please, just let me go" I said in a calm voice. I didn't want to anger him but I definitely didn't want to encourage him either. Besides, he was actually starting to frighten me.

"Oh princess, don't be like that" he purred as he placed his hands directly on my ass and squeezed. I was done now. I pushed with my arms but he remained standing solid despite his obvious inebriation.

"I believe the lady asked you to remove yourself James." said a stern and beautiful voice from behind me.

I didn't turn towards it though and instead kept my eyes on Mr. Grabby-Hands in front of me. He looked over my shoulder to whoever had spoken and glared.

"Back off asshole, I found her first"

The beautiful voice from behind chuckled darkly, "She isn't a piece of meat you prick. I'm only going to say this one more time. Let. Her. Go."

Mr. Grabby Hands gave me a firm shove away from him sending me stumbling back and into the chest of the man who had just saved my ass. His arms wrapped firmly around me to keep me upright as the drunken one stumbled away; more than likely preying on the next victim.

I took a few deep breaths before I pulled myself from the stranger's arms and turned around to face him. I know my face registered shock at the man before me; he was the beautiful man from the coffee place just days ago. I hadn't forgotten him. If I was being honest I would say that I had actually been dreaming of him at night and then replaying my dreams all day afterward.

"Thank you." I mumbled as I stared unabashedly at his beautiful face.

The man looked down at me with some unknown emotion in his eyes, "There's no need to thank me. James is a well-known prick; any decent person would have done the same."

I nodded, "Yes, but I'm still grateful…"

I wasn't sure why he was denying my gratitude but I didn't care all that much either. I was perfectly content to stare at the beautiful stranger until he decided to disappear again. Before I could let him go this time I had to know his name.

"I'm Bella Swan." I said reaching my hand out towards him. He may not have known this but my heart was hammering at the thought of touching him.

"Edward" he replied as he wrapped his large hand around mine. There was a spark, I was sure of it, but more than that his hand just felt…right wrapped around mine; like it was meant to be there.

…God, I must be drunk…

I didn't pull my hand away and neither did he. I was certain we looked ridiculous standing there like that but I didn't care; I wouldn't even notice the people around me unless he walked away.

"Would you like another drink?" he asked as he finally pulled his hand from mine. I almost pouted at the loss of contact but I kept a small smile on my face.

"Um, sure." I replied stupidly. I really shouldn't have agreed to drink any more alcohol but I was desperate to be around him; it was as if my very soul was craving his presence…or maybe that was just my ovaries. Regardless, I wasn't about to say no to him.

I re-took my place at the bar as he took Alice's empty barstool. He ordered himself a beer and asked the bartender to refill my drink as well. We sipped quietly for a few moments before he talked again.

"So, are you in college?"

I wanted to sigh sadly when he asked me that. He obviously didn't remember me from the day at the coffee place in the student center; if he had, he would have known I was.

Instead of reminding him of my stalking a couple days ago I answered, "Yes, I'm a senior. You?"

He nodded, "Same, actually. What's your major?"

"I'm double-majoring in English and Teaching…I'm sure you can figure out my career goal."

He laughed at that and I couldn't help but laugh with him. His voice was so melodic though…it sounded like the low tones of a perfectly tuned piano.

"I'm actually biding my time till medical school in the fall. Just finishing up some undergraduate work."

I was impressed; beyond that actually. Not only was the man gorgeous but he had a goal that many people would never have the brains to achieve. He was certainly a catch.

"What kind of doctor?" I asked not realizing how silly and undereducated that question sounded. If he thought the same he never let on me onto it.

"A pediatrician."

Sigh…any guy that wanted to work with kids was like a mate-call to any woman; even me, a woman who wasn't entirely sure she wanted to reproduce.

"That's very honorable of you."

He smiled crookedly and it about had me panting, "Honorable? What about you? You're going to be teaching. That's pretty honorable as well."

I rolled my eyes, "Not quite as honorable as saving lives."

Edward placed his drink down onto the bar and then looked at me seriously, "I think a teacher is just as important as a doctor. Physically, you may not be saving anyone's life, but you never know the kind of impact a few simple words or pieces of advice can have on someone…"

I stared at him for a few moments and was certain I saw his soul; and what I saw was beautiful.

We were quiet for a few beats, just staring at each other, when he wrapped his warm hand around mine and smiled crookedly once again, his green eyes shining, "Dance with me."

I bit my lip and shook my head, "I can't. I'm a terrible dancer. I'd probably hurt you."

He shook his head and stood up without letting go of my hand, "It's all in the leading. Don't worry, I won't let you fall."

And as if his very eyes were controlling me I began to move from my seat and follow him to the dance floor. My brain was screaming to run back and hide, or even go home and explain to Alice later, but my heart was following this man.

When we made it to the floor he placed his hands on my hips and pulled me a little closer; I was close enough to feel his body heat and smell the aroma that was all him…it was entirely intoxicating. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer, feeling very drunk off of his presence and obviously brave. He smiled and wrapped his arms completely around me. The feeling of his muscled arms around my waist was enough to make me knees sag but he kept me upright.

We began swaying to the music which had turned from angry to soft rock in the last few minutes. I pressed my face into his shoulder as his head dropped to the crook of my neck. I could feel his hot breath on my skin and goose bumps were attacking me once again.

We didn't speak during our dance and we didn't speak as we swayed through the next few songs. Before long, the DJ was declaring the night over and people were starting to grab their things and head out of the club. I pulled my face away from his shirt and smiled shyly, "Thank you for the dance"

His eyes stared intently into mine, "No, thank you." He pulled my hand towards his mouth and kissed my knuckles. The act was so intimate I found myself blushing from head to toe.

He rubbed his thumb over my hand a few times before dropping it.

"Would you like me to get you a cab?" he asked graciously, darting his eyes towards the overflowing exits of the bar.

I almost said yes until a small, sprite-like girl invaded my mind, "Uh, no, that's okay. I'm actually here with a friend." I glanced around towards the bustling crowds of people and narrowed my eyes, "I should actually find her. She ran off a little bit ago."

Edward looked slightly disappointed but nodded anyway, "Would you like some help?"

At first, I had no idea what he was talking about until I realized he was probably asking to help me find Alice. I smiled and gave him a slight nod as we began to scour the bar. After finding no trace of my friend or the handsome guy she had run off with, we changed tactics and went outside. Sure enough, Alice and the guy were up against the side of the bar pawing at each other like a couple of teenagers.

I cleared my throat and glanced pointedly towards the couple. Edward followed my gaze and a lazy smile bloomed on his face, "Well then, it looks like you've found your girl."

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah, and it looks like she's found a little something herself"

Edward barked out a laugh and looked down at me, his green eyes absolutely shining, "nice."

I walk closer to Alice and cleared my throat obnoxiously. I got nothing. I went a little closer and cleared my throat again; nothing. I decided enough was enough and stumbled into the two, knocking their heads together. I could hear Edward practically guffawing behind me.

I figured the at most Alice would be angry with me but that isn't what happened. The moment I knocked into them, Alice stumbled towards the ground. The blonde guy and I both made a grab for her and thankfully, we managed to keep her upright. Alice was giggling hysterically.

"Someone is wasted" I sang as I grabbed her purse and threw it over my shoulder, "someone is going to be sick tomorrow."

I looked over at the blonde guy to see worry etched over his face, "Is she going to be okay? Do you need any help?" I smiled unthinkingly at his southern drawl.

"Nah, I got her." I replied, "Thanks anyway…."

"Jasper"

I smiled, "Jasper."

I threw Alice's arm around my shoulder and wrapped my arm around her waist. The girl was so short I was practically carrying her. I got towards the street where Edward was holding the door open to a yellow cab. I sighed in relief knowing that trying to hail one down myself in this situation would be difficult.

"Thank you" I said softly as I lowered Alice into the backseat, "I appreciate the fact that you went against my wishes." Referring to the fact that I told him he didn't need to get me a cab earlier.

Edward smiled, "I'm nothing if not a rule-breaker."

I stared right into his eyes and smiled, "Good to know"

I went to close the door to the cab when Edward's hand shot out and stopped the door from shutting, "Wait." He said anxiously, "Can I….can I have your number?"

I looked up from the backseat of the cab in awe. This beautiful guy wanted my phone number. You would have to be some form of stupid to say no to that. I nodded and he pulled out his blackberry, a phone I had always thought to be so useless to the common person.

I told him my number and he saved it to his phone before shoving it back in his pocket. He kneeled down to the concrete, leaned towards me, and gently kissed my cheek. The warmth of his lips sent a shiver down my spine. He pulled back and looked into my eyes intently, "Goodnight Bella Swan."

"Goodnight Edward" I barely managed to reply, my breath catching every few syllables.

He closed to the door to the cab and tapped the top twice, signaling the driver to go. I gave the driver my address and leaned back against the seat. I couldn't help the smile that lit up my face as I touched a hand to the cheek Edward had just kissed. I could feel the blush forming and my happiness growing.

That is, until Alice yakked in the backseat of the cab. In the midst of listening to an angry cab driver and a wasted Alice, I still managed to keep an Edward-induced smile on my face.

It was Sunday morning and despite my mild drinking the night before I woke feeling quite well. I was up making eggs and bacon when I heard footsteps followed by mumbles and grumbles. I smirked to myself imagining the state Alice was in. I looked at her over my shoulder as she crawled her way into the kitchen.

"Good morning sunshine!" I said loudly.

The death glare that comment earned me actually made me cringe. She was straight-glowering at me. "You're such a bitch!" she exclaimed and then threw her hands over her face letting out another groan.

I laughed softly and grabbed the aspirin off the counter. I brought it out with me this morning knowing Alice would need it…desperately. I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and set both on the counter in front of her. She gave me a smile that looked more like a grimace before shoving the pills in her mouth and throwing back half the bottle of water down her throat.

"So…" I said casually, leaning against the counter, "what do you remember from last night?"

Alice licked her chapped lips and cleared her throat, "Everything"

I narrowed my eyes, "So, you remember the cowboy you shacked up with"

Alice's eyes darted to mine, shock written all over her face, "I didn't "shack" up with him" she mumbled, "I…kissed him"

I laughed, "Yeah, okay. Well, that was some kiss" I said as I walked back to the stove, "If a cop had walked by you would have been ticketed for indecent exposure for sure."

"You would know" She shot back without missing a beat.

"That was ONE time! And the only reason I got that ticket was because Charlie is an overprotective fool!"

She laughed even though I could tell it hurt, and rolled her eyes, "That was seriously classic"

I "hmphed" and went back to scrambling eggs. That incident had happened five years ago, Alice and my senior year of high school. I had been dating this guy, Tyler, for a few weeks. We had gone to the prom and then skipped out early to have some fun of our own. We were making out in the backseat of his car near First Beach in La Push when cop lights became noticeable behind us. Long story short, it had been father. The school had called to warn him that my date and I had left early, the traitors, and when I didn't come home he had grown suspicious. He gave both me and Tyler an indecent exposure ticket for doing…stuff…on public property. The most insane part was that he actually made me pay the damn ticket! It was $75! Thought, the humiliation of the entire debacle was much worse than anything else.

I fed Alice and myself the eggs and bacon and then began cleaning up while she ventured over to the couch to lie down. I wandered in there later on and watched Sunday television with her. It was around noon when her cell phone began ringing from her bedroom. I glanced over at her and noticed she had fallen asleep so I went back to her room and retrieved her phone. The name flashing on the screen read, "Hunky Cowboy".

"Hunky cowboy…" I said, laughing to myself. I opened the phone and answered it.

"Hello?"

"Sweetie?" Came the southern drawl from the night before. I smiled wickedly. It was definitely Jasper.

"Actually no, this is Bella. Her room-mate from last night. Alice is still sleeping off her booze at the moment. Can I take a message?"

Jasper kept silent for a minute before replying, "Uh, yeah. Can you tell her I called?"

"Sure" I said, a smile clear in my voice.

"Thanks Bella."

"No problem Hunky cowboy"

Before he could comment on that, I hung up the phone and began laughing. Hunky Cowboy? Where does she come up with this crap?

When I went back to the living room Alice was sitting up and rubbing her eyes. I sat back down and smiled at her, "Hunky Cowboy just called. I told him you were writing your name with his last name over and over"

It took only a moment for Alice to catch onto what I was saying before she dove at me, "Are you serious?" she yelled as she tried to grab for her phone that was clamped in my fist, "I swear to God Bella! I will cry if you did that!"

She began tickling me, a definite weakness of mine, before I gave in and threw the phone onto the couch, "Okay I didn't!" I yelled as I tried to pull her hands from my sides, "I told him you'd call him back!" I yelled again in between my laughter.

She ceased the tickling and stood up, "You promise?"

I nodded and pointed towards the couch, "Call him back and ask"

She let out a breath of relief before turning away to grab the phone. She began walking down the hallway towards her room when I heard her footsteps stop, "By the way Bella? I do believe you were dancing with a Masen last night."

I laughed at first and then stopped abruptly after I heard her door close. A Masen? As in…Masen…?

No freakin way!