Chapter One: Champagne

"Perfect, ladies, just perfect," Jacob said; the same thing he had been saying for twenty minutes. He adjusted the angle of his large camera — changing his stance slightly — before he tilted his head to look at us. "Perfect," he told us again. Even if I hadn't known he was flamboyantly gay, today would have given it away. I swear he didn't know any other word in his vocabulary.

"And you're done," he told us with one more click of the camera. He flashed us a wicked smile and flourished his hand excitedly.

Alright, Jacob. Calm.

Rose, the beautiful bride and my best friend, smiled up at me from her chair. I was standing beside her, attempting to breathe properly. It was all I could do right now. I was trying not to think about him.

"You okay?" she asked.

I gave her a tiny nod. "I will be. Promise. Today is your day. My shit can wait."

She smiled. "Good. Cause I'll kick him in the jewels before my own wedding, I can do it. These shoes are pointy," she said with a laugh. "And I don't care if I'm marrying his brother, either. I'll still do it. He can hobble down that aisle for all I care."

I laughed back. "I don't doubt that. But save it. I want you to have an awesome wedding. Sans hobbling."

All Rose did was nod, a tiny smirk plastered on her beautiful face.

The rest of the bridal party was talking. We were sipping champagne before the wedding, taking pictures, getting ready for the big day with Rose. As she had said, Rose was marrying Edward's brother, Emmett — one of my favourite people in the world — and I couldn't have been happier for the both of them. Unfortunately, it also meant I had to see him today.

My insides hurt more than ever.

I picked my champagne flute up from the table, took a healthy sip, and put it back down where I found it; I wanted more. Rose's mom sidled up next to me, done up beautifully in a navy blue dress.

"Only a tiny bit more before the wedding, honey," she agreed, "then we'll wait till after, okay?"

I bit the inside of my cheek, nodding. I probably seemed like a hot mess right now.

"Okay," I offered in response. I suddenly didn't want to look at her. I didn't even want to be in the room. "I actually have to use the washroom. I'll be right back."

I flashed her a sad smile, darting toward the door as fast as my high heels would take me. I was walking toward the washrooms, head down, embarrassed as all hell, wishing the ground would swallow me up and keep me there, just for today. As soon as I turned the corner to where I needed to be, the embarrassment left me…everything did. The hallway was empty, save for one person.

I wished I could have moved — could have gone somewhere — but my legs didn't budge. They were as still as stone.

"Bella," he said when he saw me. "Hey."

He looked completely ravishing in a suit, much more handsome than I cared to admit. His unruly hair was cut and styled, and he had shaved since the last time I had seen him. And his eyes —it always killed me when I stared into those gorgeous green eyes — they lit up when they saw me. A pang swept through me when I realized how much I had missed him.

"Edward…h-hi," I stumbled over my words, not anticipating meeting him here, in the hallway. "Sorry, I…I didn't expect to see you here."

He looked at me, watching the nerves that wracked my hands. I wasn't sure what to do, how to act around him. I had always felt so comfortable around Edward, everything was so natural. Lately? I had no clue. I tightened my fingers minutely, clutching the fabric of my dress, then loosened it.

"You look gorgeous," he told me. I sighed, averting my gaze. "Please look at me. This is absolutely killing me. You have no idea."

I shook my head. "I have no idea, really, Edward?"

He took a few steps toward me, careful. "Could we talk? After the wedding, maybe?" With another step or two, he reached for my hand. My heart was pounding in my chest. My body couldn't help it. The mix of champagne and Edward's surprise visit had me overwhelmed. "We need to talk without arguing or being irrational, and I want to honestly explain myself to you, Bella. I need you to listen. Fair?"

I took a second to breathe. "Fair," I agreed. "No fighting on Rose's big day. We can talk after."

He nodded in agreement. "Sounds good. Well…I suppose I'll see you when I'm walking you down the aisle then, I guess."

He sounded sad, in a way. Distanced.

Before I knew what he was doing, he gripped me around the waist, pulled me close, and kissed me. And although I was mad at him, although I wanted to strangle him and throw him across a river, I still loved him deep down inside. I realized as he was kissing me…I missed him more than I'd ever missed anyone in my life.

I love you. I miss you. Don't leave me.

"Don't go," I mumbled into his mouth, "I love you."

I felt his lips curve into a smile. "I love you, too." He wrapped his arms around me in a hug. "And babe, I'm sorry. I might not have a choice. Come with me?" I shook my head. I couldn't leave. "Okay, look, we'll talk about this after. I love you, we'll talk after."

I nodded, glancing up, catching his beautiful eyes once more. He gave me another kiss, whispered, "Bye, gorgeous," into my ear, and he was off down the hall.

I hightailed it into the washroom, bracing myself against the countertop. I stared at my reflection in the mirror; curled hair, elegant makeup, beautiful dress.

Flushed skin.

This was going to be one interesting day.