Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong to you know who.

2.

I was able to go home and sleep the day away after meeting Claire. I got sleep where I could, which usually didn't come until after I finished a job. I laid in bed a while after waking up, checking emails, sipping more coffee, and watching the nightly news. The weather called for more cold and rain, which depressed me. Couldn't it just be cold without the rain? Or just snow instead?

I grabbed Claire's envelope from the bedside table and opened it, counting cash. Bill after bill, I smiled again. I opened up my bank account on my computer and did some basic math. I nearly squealed with excitement. After years of hard work, I was almost at my goal. A few setbacks along the way put me behind, and had almost discouraged me, but here I was again; almost there. I would own land on a mountain, a cozy house, and any animals I wanted soon enough. This city held nothing of interest for me.

I needed a few more good jobs, then I was free.

My phone rang, and I answered it happily.

"Bella Swan?" A squeaky voice asked.

"Speaking," I replied.

"Oh, good. Hi. This is Tanya Cullen, and I'm interested in your services."

"Ah, yes. Hello, Mrs. Cullen." It didn't take long for Claire's friend to call.

"Can we set a meeting?" she nearly whispered.

"Yes. Tomorrow morning?" I asked.

"Okay, perfect," she gushed. "Where?"

"There's a little coffee shop on Gay St."

**/**

The next time I woke up it wasn't voluntary. Someone was pounding on my apartment door. I groaned loudly getting out of bed and reaching for my robe.

The pounding continued.

"I'm coming!" I shouted groggily. I coughed and stumbled through the hallway.

At the door, I peered through the little hole and saw my best friend. I rolled my eyes and opened the door.

"Jane, what?" I whined. My little blonde friend pushed her way into my apartment. I locked the front door and followed her to my bedroom. Her back was turned to me, and I was still too asleep to care as I walked around her and laid back down.

"He did it," Jane squealed. My eyes fluttered opened lazily.

"Did what?" I asked through a yawn.

"You know what, Bella!" I covered my ears in pain.

"Why so loud?" I asked.

"I'm getting married!" Jane yelled.

My eyelids shot up along with my body. The movement was so fast that my head spinned. I swallowed hard, and cleared my throat, looking straight at Jane. She had her hands over her mouth, her right on top of her left, and there was a faint sparkle beneath.

"What?" I asked is all seriousness. Jane nodded and threw her left hand out. A large square cut diamond stared me in the face.

"Isn't it flawless?" She asked, retracting her hand to stare at her ring for what I guessed was the millionth time already.

"Shiny," I replied deadpanned. "When did this happen?" I glanced at the clock on my bedside table. It was seven in the morning.

"Just a few hours ago," Jane said, sitting beside me on the bed. "He took me up to his cabin last night for our anniversary. We ate, danced, laughed, and talked all night, then bam! He asked me!"

"Assuming by the ring on your hand, you said yes?" I asked carefully.

"Duh! He had to work this morning, and I had to rush here and tell my best friend."

"Janie," I began slowly.

"Oh, Bella, isn't it romantic?" Her eyes were big and hopeful. I swallowed hard again.

"Well, yes, but you've only known him for a few months."

"Feels like forever," she replied dreamily, staring at the diamond.

Her hand was inches away from her face, then she would extend it, then bring it back. In my mind, even forever wasn't long enough before making such a commitment.

"And you know he isn't marrying me for the wrong reasons."

"Do I?" I asked confused.

"Well, for one, he ain't marrying me for money because I don't have anywhere near what he does, and we haven't had sex. I've never waited this long before, and he's such a gentleman about it."

"Yeah, tell me why you're waiting again?" I asked, scratching my head. Half of my shoulder length hair was still up in a messy bun.

"Because Derek is different. I mean, we've done stuff, and slept in the same bed, but no sex."

No sex was a big deal for Jane. She had enough sex for her, and for me to last our lifetimes.

"Oh. Marriage is such a big deal," I told her.

"Just a piece of paper to you," she piped with a laugh.

"Yes, but you're not me. You're legally binding yourself to someone."

"I know! Isn't it great?" She squealed again, and it hurt. I reached for my bottled water, something to distract me and my scratchy throat.

"Will you be my maid of honor?" She asked. I choked, then coughed, and my eyes nearly popped out of my head.

"What?"

"You have to be," Jane said firmly. I frowned.

"When's the wedding?"

"Soon. I'm calling my mother today, and we'll go shop around for a coordinator. We want to get married at his cabin." Her eyes glazed over whenever she spoke. She was like a love struck teenager, only she was twenty-eight, lived with roommates, and was obsessed with elephants. I rubbed my face.

"Is soon good, and not too soon?" I asked softly. "I mean, I haven't even met him." Jane stood up.

"Don't be negative. You know he's thirty four, owns a construction company with his dad, and he adores me."

"I know," I replied quietly. That was exactly all I knew about Derek Blalock. I didn't know what he looked like, if he was funny, or what he thought about me. I had been buried in work since Jane met him, so the opportunity to meet him never presented itself in an easy way. Now I was regretting that. I should've made time.

"You can meet him whenever you want. This is the happiest I've ever been, Bella," Jane said strongly.

I looked at her, then her left hand, and realized she was right. Jane was always a peppy person, but she had never been like this before. She dated a lot of men, but never even mentioned the word marriage to me about any of them. I sighed, and promised myself to let her live her life without my negativity towards marriage.

"Can't wait to meet him," I forced out. Jane squealed once more, the sound going all the way to my eardrum, and threw herself on top of me. I laughed as we hugged, and pushed any doubts I had away.

"Now your turn," she teased as we sat up.

"Ha," I snorted.

"I know you haven't had the best experience in love, but you can change that. Take the plunge."

"I really don't have any desire to. I've got other things I'm focused on."

"Okay, okay, but it'll happen to you one day," she said, looking at her ring.

"What exactly?"

"Love. Star struck, gut wrenching love," she said. "Love so strong it makes you sick."

"You make it sound so appealing."

"You'll see a man, and you'll just know that you want to be with him in every way possible for the rest of your days. Everything else in life fades away."

"Doubtful."

"Oh, it will," she assured. "When you least expect it, you'll get hit in the face with it."

"Okay, Dr. Love."

"If anything, you need to get laid. What's it been, years?" She laughed, teasing me, but it was the truth, too.

"Only a few years," I defended.

"A few? God, Bella. Months is hard enough for me, but years?" She was looking at me with pity eyes. I shrugged.

"Sex isn't everything. In fact, it isn't anything really. I'm proof you can live without it."

"Okay, prude," she mumbled. "You're practically a virgin again."

"Hey!" I said, offended. I tickled her rib cage. Jane laughed and apologized, but I knew she was right. I wasn't sure I would ever be ready for the plunge, and I knew no one in this fucking city was going to make me star struck.

•**/**•

When I was at the coffee shop waiting for my new client, I couldn't get Jane and her words out of my head. It's like they were circling the drain, refusing to go down. Was I some sad sack of a woman on the edge of turning thirty, beginning a new decade all alone? Was I living less of a life because I didn't date, have sex, or even care about either of those things? I liked to appear guarded, because it kept men away, but in truth, I was an emotional weakling that just had no desire or strength for any of the hard work it took to find someone meaningful.

If it happened naturally, it happened. I wasn't opposed to it necessarily, though because of my job I only saw one outcome. People get hurt, so why would I want to do that to myself? Nothing is sacred anymore. Besides, I wasn't easily taken with the opposite sex. They bored me. After a couple long relationships had failed miserably, I lacked the desire to go in search of another. Love wasn't something I wanted, just for it to go away. I thought I felt love for one of my exes, but if it was true love, I would still have it, wouldn't I?

My last sexual encounter was a drunken one night stand after my car got totaled. I was pissed because it set me back from my goal, so I went out for some drinks with Jane. I had no intention of sleeping with our waiter. In fact, I couldn't even remember his name, let alone any of the details.

That frustrated me. Did that mean it was meaningless? And if so, what was the point of doing it at all? I never craved sex, because the feeling it gave never lasted long enough. One night stands, to me, were completely ridiculous. It just meant another guy had seen you naked and vulnerable. I, for one, didn't want a long list of men who had seen me in my most intimate state.

Unfortunately, that waiter did see me like that. I could remember us making it to my couch, and then I remember him leaving the next morning. He left his number, but I didn't save it. He was a nice guy, so why didn't I pursue him? I thought back to Jane, who at this time would make a joke.

She would say something like, "Are you gay?"

I laughed out loud.

"Bella Swan?"

I choked on my own spit and turned to see a tall woman with gold hair. It was up in a tight bun, and she was wearing a black outfit with a white scarf. All Chanel, of course.

"Mrs. Cullen?" I asked. She nodded and took a seat across from me.

"Call me Tanya."

"You startled me," I said, wiping spit from my chin. I took a drink of coffee and cleared my throat.

"You startled me, too," she replied. "I imagined someone older."

"Huh," I said with a frown. I was surprised Claire didn't elaborate in detail about me. She did with everything else.

"You must be younger than me."

"Uh," was all I could say. What an embarrassing situation to put me in. This women was odd. Her eyes were the color of her hair, and her skin was tanned. She looked like a runway model, and I could hear a very faint accent in her voice. She wasn't southern, but northern.

"I'm thirty-five," she said.

"Oh, then yes. I'm almost twenty-nine," I replied with a wave of my hand, obviously uncomfortable. Tanya smiled. She was a very pretty woman who looked much younger than her true age. I had only seen women that looked like her on a movie screen. I didn't know they existed in real life.

"So, what can I do for you?" I asked.

"Well, it's my husband," she started slowly. I waited for her to continue, but her phone beeped beside her. She looked at it, then back at me as if it were my turn to reply. I decided to give her the same opening I gave to all my clients.

"Everything I do stays within the lines of the law," I began. "I don't break and enter, and I don't hide in rooms. It's a flat fee for one weeks time, if you want more, or nothing has happened yet, that's extra. Sometimes it can take a little while to find enough grounds for a divorce. Also-"

"I think my husband would like you," Tanya interrupted.

I was taken aback by her statement, and noticed her eyes going up and down my body very slowly, like she was appraising a new outfit. I shifted in my chair feeling uneasy, like a large spotlight was on me.

"Excuse me?" I asked, my voice cracking at the end. I cleared my throat. Tanya sat up straight, and took a checkbook from her purse.

"Money is no object. I'll pay you five thousand dollars to follow him, and see if he's seeing someone else. If not, then I want you to seek him out and present yourself," she said, writing down numbers. My throat nearly closed.

"Five thousand dollars?" I asked weakly. Tanya nodded.

"I'll make it out to you personally," she said. I could see her writing down my name.

"Wait, wait, wait," I began, putting my hand up defensively. "I think you're confused with what I do. Claire must have misinformed you. I'm only a private investigator, not an added prostitute," I clarified.

Tanya cocked her head to one side as if she was confused by my confusion.

"I'm sorry if I've offended you," she said quietly. "I know you're not."

"Then what exactly are you hiring me for if there is no infidelity on his part?"

"Well I'm not paying you to have sex with him, so we're not doing anything illegal," she offered lightly.

"You just want me to see if he would have sex with me?"

"Basically."

"Why do you want this?" I asked, clearly becoming frustrated. Tanya laid her pen down and folded her hands over her check book.

"We've been married a long time, and I don't want to be anymore. I think he's seeing someone, but I don't know for sure. At least, I'm hoping he is."

"Okay?" I replied, asking for more information.

"If he isn't seeing someone else, and he can fall for you, he'll grant me a divorce. This is the last resort, what he's driven me to do in order for him to let me go. I don't want to hurt him, but he's given me no choice."

"So setting him up with another woman will prevent him from getting hurt?" I retorted.

"Yes, I believe so." I didn't like the way her voice stayed so calm. She was the complete opposite of Claire.

"How do you know I'm not married with kids or something? What made you think to even ask me for this?"

"Are you married with children?"

"No," I said quickly, trying not to make it sound pathetic.

"I'm asking you because I don't know who else to ask, and you're highly recommended not only as a PI, but as a person."

I shook my head, completely flabbergasted. I didn't understand her motives, so I didn't trust her.

"I'm sorry, but this isn't what I do." I stood up, and turned to leave.

"Ten thousand," Tanya said. I stopped from walking forward and turned. Her face was serious. I couldn't see any hidden emotion.

Ten thousand dollars? That could get me what I wanted and much more. I'd been saving money for nearly a decade. I looked for the cheapest, tiniest apartment I could find. I drove an old worn out car, had no pets, no debt, and no luxuries, all for what I wanted more than anything. I took a deep breath. If I did this, I could be out of this city in half the time it would take me to work multiple jobs.

I eased back down in my chair slowly, still very unsure of her. Tanya stayed still, and quiet, watching me contemplate.

The pros were enormous. Money. Getting my land and quitting the business. When I tried to think of any cons, I couldn't really find one.

"So, you want me to follow him, but for how long before I just go up to him, and...present myself?" I asked, unable to think of another way to put it. "Could you be more specific, please? I don't know anything about him, and for all he knows, I am a prostitute."

Tanya chuckled unamused.

"He's thirty five. He likes sports, only drinks liquor and wine unless it's game day, then he switches to beer. He's charming. Very charming. He's average height, dark hair, but with a little grey beginning to come through on the sides. He hates it, but he's quite attractive."

The way she spoke about him, her husband, was almost like hearing her read from a romance novel. I couldn't hear an ounce of hate, or disgust in her tone when she talked about the man she no longer wanted.

"His eyes are dark brown. We're fairly new to the area, moving here almost a year ago, but he doesn't really know anyone yet. Oh, and he's a writer," she finished.

"He doesn't sound like such a bad guy," I noted.

"Bad guy? No, he's not," she agreed. "He's...mysterious, and he's controlling."

"I don't want to get involved with any drama," I stated flatly.

"No, no. There's no drama. There's no," she paused searching for the proper word, and tapped her finger. "Abuse."

"You don't think he'll suspect any of this coming to him?"

"Men don't know anything about women and their motives, Miss Swan."

I bit my lip and looked down to my coffee mug, still very unsure about her proposition. I felt dirty if I accepted it, but stupid if I didn't. And not only that, I had no idea how to pursue a man in such a way. Could I use a stranger for my own gain?

"You're worried," she said quietly. She made me feel vulnerable, and I hated it.

"I'm not very good with men," I admitted honestly. "It's awkward."

"Just be yourself."

I snorted, and glanced at the check across from me. My first name was already in print next to a large sum of money. It looked good that way. It felt good, too. I wanted it. I pictured my new home with a perfect view atop the Smoky Mountains. I grinned, then frowned.

"I don't want to hurt anyone."

"He can't get hurt."

I was concerned by what she said, but not enough to stop me.

"Okay. I'll do it, but what's the catch?"

"Catch?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"What if he is cheating? Am I done after I present you with proof? And if he isn't, what if he doesn't want me?"

"You walk away ten thousand dollars richer." Her eyes glistened. "It's a game. It's a game you can't lose at."

"What if he does want me?" I whispered.

"That's the idea," she said. "I want him to care for someone else, making it easier for him to let me go. You're the one in control, Miss Swan. This is a simple business transaction."

There was a small voice inside my head screaming at me to turn and run, but it was being muffled by visions of me happy and away from this place.

"Okay. Tell me what to do," I said firmly.

And so it begins! What did you all think of Tanya? ;)

Thank you everyone who's in for the ride on this story! Rec it out! So excited about it! Massive thanks to some wonderful women I couldn't do without!

Bethany Tullos for the banner on this story! She's so wonderful! Head over to Stories By Greye Granger on Facebook!

Pamela Stephenson for her encouragement, pre reading and beta skills. That woman is my rock!

And to the awesome people who have recommended this story!

FicSisters, Edward's Eternal, and Sarge's Girls! If I'm forgetting anyone, I love you for it, too!

See you all on Wednesday.

Also...this story WILL have a HEA. Don't doubt me now! HEA, HEA, HEA. ALL E/B. Promise.

xox

Greye