:) Thank you to everyone who reviewed. As a new writer on its nice to get some encouragement.

The next chapter after this may be a little slow coming as I'm off to Fiji for some volunteer work for two weeks :) But I'd like to wish you all a happy December and a Merry Christmas if I don't upload another chapter before then.

Also heads up Bella will have some romantic linkage to other characters. :) But this is a BXE story.

As usual, Stephanie Meyer owns all the characters, content etc.

The bar air was thick with cigarette smoke, like most bars were in this stingy neighbourhood. It was a far cry from the nice apartment I actually lived in; brought with Grandma Swan's money she left upon passing. But I liked the atmosphere here; it was like the bars Charlie used to take me to after a long day on the job, with my mom, Renee always flitting around on her newest hobby I was better off under Charlie's watchful eye.

Open mic nights took up most of my weeknights, kind of a hobby of my own I'd developed, moving from bar to bar singing originals and covers, in the hope a talent agent may give me their card. It hadn't happened yet but I had faith. By day I was a personal assistant for a big shot lawyer downtown, 'Black and Partners' was a huge lawyers first located in the heart of New York. My boss, Jacob Black was a huge russet man with well defined muscles that hinted every time he strode by, his white teeth would glint at me as he smiled warmly and I'd blush. The casual sex wasn't bad either.

Rosalie, my best friend has been telling me not to go there. 'Isabella Swan! If thing's turn sour between you and Jacob not only are you going to break your heart again but your guaranteed to be out of a job!' her cry rattled through my brain.

'Sure, sure' I muttered to myself as I ordered another drink from the bartender. His face stretched into a wide grin as he took in the image of me. It was how most men received me, pretty. I knew I was very good looking, I had nice long legs, a toned stomach, ample breasts to satisfy a man, a pretty face and my signature wavy brown hair but I've never been conceited about my looks as bad as that sounded, although in hindsight maybe good looks were what attracted me to men first. The presumption that ALL pretty people were nice must have some hand in my relationship downfalls. Not every nice looking male specimen possessed a nice personality to match. Those that did were often taken, like Emmett who was Rosalie's boyfriend. I glanced over my shoulder at them; they were my moral support for tonight. Rose's head rested on Emmett's shoulder as they talked loudly making Rose laugh. He reached up and tugged on the end of her pony tail, she returned the gesture with a kiss on the cheek.

I was jealous of everything Rosalie had. Not that I liked Emmett that way, he was like a brother to me, and had quickly become one on my best friends as well. I couldn't count how many times he'd come to pick me up from dates that had ended terribly or how he'd held me after a bad breakup, Rosalie knew the relationship was purely platonic. Emmett really was the brother I had never had I was more envious of her relationship. It was everything I wanted.

'You're up next?' Rosalie asked me smiling. I nodded and watched the performance on stage; the singer wasn't very good and booed off shortly after.

'Err, nice try, next up is Bella Swan singing an original song' The MC announced. I sat down on the little stool in the middle of the stage, the bar was quite full tonight, but people didn't pay attention to me they were too busy talking in amongst each other.

I started to strum my guitar and the lyrics flowed soothingly out of me. I guess it wasn't the type of song usually played at a rundown bar like this and the difference between my melodic voice and the rustic old surrounding clashed and everyone's attention turned to the stage.

I loved this feeling, everyone's attention on me, hips subtly swaying to the beat as my voice filled the room.

All my songs had a familiar tune, a longing for love. Though there words we different the message was the same.

I finished my song, met with a round of applause; I picked up my guitar and exited the stage, placing it at the table Emmett and Rosalie had frequented.

'Way to go Bella, that was awesome' Rosalie clapped.

'I'm glad you liked it, I was unsure of that song. I'm still not happy with my vocals'

'It was perfect, trust me' I smiled at Rose and hugged her. She yawned and took Emmett's hand. He smiled down at her lovingly. Ugh.

'You ready to go home babe?' Em asked Rosalie. 'Do you want a lift home Bella?'

I shook my head. 'No, I think I'm going to stay for a bit longer, I'll grab a taxi home'

'Bella, it's not safe!'

I held up my can of pepper spray from my bag. 'I'm fine'

Emmett sighed and pulled Rosalie from her chair. With a kiss on the cheek and a hug from both they were out the door. Sleeping beauty being pulled along by her charming grizzly bear.

I hauled myself over to the bar and plonked ungracefully down in one of the swivel chairs. I ordered another drink and suddenly a flash of blonde from my right caught my eye.

She was blonde, unnaturally of course but her hair was still shiny and silky, like from the shampoo commercials. Her face was very pretty but looked pinched and older than she was, the result of too much makeup, her fake breasts hung outright from her small willowy frame, if she hadn't had so much make up on she should have easily been a model. She sat down the end of the bar, twirling her hair on her fingers and laughing a little bit too loud to be genuine.

It wasn't her beauty that was holding my attention though! It was his.

His hair was in a messy array, a strange colour, a shade between the colour of copper and a penny. His face was beautiful, a straight nose, chiselled jaw and defined cheek bones. He was lean underneath his clothes, his arm muscles tensing in his black t-shirt.

Except he was frowning at the blonde, her hand tracing up and down his forearm. She leaned into his ear, licking his earlobe before she whispered something, the sexual innuendos clear from her.

He jerked his head back from hers and shook it. She frowned. Standing up from her chair and making a beeline to the exit.

It didn't go unnoticed by the man that I had been watching her exit. He eyed me wearingly, testing to see if I'd approach him?

I took another swig of my drink, raising my eyebrow at him. He raised his glass, smirking at me for a second before drinking down the last of it.

He stood slowly and sauntered over to me.

He sat down next to me, taking my hand and planting a kiss on it.

'Hello there, I'm Edward' his velvety voice cooed, dripping sex.

Men had always been my weakness. I should have realised when I first met him but Edward Cullen would be no exception to this.

I knew you were trouble when you walked in. It didn't stop me though.

There's another chapter :D next one will however not be up for a few weeks as said the top authors not, I'm off to Fiji for two weeks and then with family for Christmas so not to sure when I will have another opportunity to upload but I will as soon as possible.

Merry Christmas if I don't see you until then ^.^

Felicity