Happy hump day :) We reached 100 reviews! Whoop whoop. Thanks for all your support. It means a lot.

A couple of common questions have been mentioned in the reviews, that I haven't thought of. Rosalie and Alice won't feature in this story- let's just assume Alice is somewhere up to no good. She is a bad friend to Bella after all. As for Rosalie, she's the nice one. We may see her, we may not. So far she's not made it into the chapters I have prewritten. This is a short story so we're not hearing from everyone. As for what Rosalie told Bella that had her moping - that's in the next chapter, I promise.

Enjoy!

Chapter 4

Drinks are so much fun. Not that I was dreading it. Okay, maybe I was a tiny bit nervous, but it's actually nice to spend time with the people I grew up with. There's no awkward silences or dull small talk, just old friends reconnecting and reminiscing about the past and discussing what we've been up to since we last saw each other.

Jasper is exactly as I remember him: so chilled and easygoing. And Angela is such a sweetheart; she puts me at ease straight away. As for Jess … Well, she's changed the most out of everyone. In school, she was always so stern, almost to the point of being rude, but I realize now that was to cover her own insecurities. She seems much happier now, and nicer too. Then there is Emmett - the life and soul of the party. He's not changed one bit despite growing up, being older, and supposedly wiser.

One thing that doesn't come with age is my ability to handle tequila.

I should know better … I should say no, but when a flashback of the last time I had tequila at Jake's office's summer party a couple of months back springs to mind, I'm downing my first shot like my life depends on it.

That was the night I'd been introduced to Leah, his new assistant. What a fucking cliche that is. And what a fucking bitch she is. She had been oh so sweet … as nice as pie, as she told me how much fun she was having working with my boyfriend … how welcoming he'd been.

I just bet he was.

Bastard.

By then, she was already fucking him, and I was completely clueless.

I feel like such an idiot. Maybe another drink will help me feel less foolish?

...

By the time I'm on to my third shot, I'm really starting to feel the alcohol taking effect.

A couple of drinks is fine. The buzz you feel from the alcohol coursing through your system loosens your inhibitions. What's not nice is the nausea that hits you when you step outside to get some fresh air, and you feel like you're in a hamster's wheel spinning around.

Thankfully I have Edward with me, keeping me upright. He's barely left my side. He's been this way ever since a guy came over trying to ply me with drinks.

Nice try.

James, or whatever the hell he introduced himself as, thought I was easy prey; the emotional drunk girl who was cut up over a breakup. Even though I've had a lot to drink, I'm smart enough to tell this guy where to go.

He should have listened to me. It's not my fault he is an idiot and doesn't know how to take no for an answer or that I have my own personal bodyguard in the form of my Edward. He could have put this guy into the hospital if he so much as touched me. Edward told him as much. I swear I felt my pulse quicken, my body come alive at the threat, the anger, and the passion in his voice when he ground out through gritted teeth. "Back the fuck off."

I've never seen anything hotter and more intimidating than Edward when he's forceful and territorial. And I've definitely not been as turned on from so few words before.

One hour and five drinks later, I've definitely moved from happily buzzing straight into emotional drunk territory as I'm busy putting the world to right, starting with Jake. Edward and I have moved to a table of our own, and while our friends are dancing and having a good time, I'm slagging off my good-for-nothing ex. He patiently listens while I rant and rave, but when I run out of steam, I'm more than ready to head home, and we say our goodbyes to the rest of the group.

We stumbled out of the bar. When I say we, I mean me. Edward is stone-cold sober, and his arm around my waist is the only thing that prevents me from face planting. I need his help getting into his truck, and when he makes a move to his side, I reach out, my hands clutching around his waist, bringing him closer to me.

He's so gorgeous … everything. I've given up fighting my attraction to him.

I really want to kiss him.

"I want to kiss you too," Edward's voice is rough … deep.

Shit, did I say that out loud? I giggle, but it comes out as a shriek judging by Edward's amused expression.

"Yes, you did," he replies, fighting a smile.

Shit!

Then he moves closer, and my nose brushes his, which is the funniest thing in the world, but I soon sober up when I realize he's not smiling back this time. He actually looks in pain.

"What are you waiting for?" I wonder. My eyes drift to his lips, which I swear twitch before our eyes meet. His are bright and alert. But I can see he's holding back.

"When I kiss you, Bella, you will remember it," he says with a touch of teasing, a touch of seriousness.

"I'll remember now." I protest, but he shakes his head sadly before reaching across my seat. For a moment, I think he's going to hug me … maybe even kiss me, but instead, I'm disappointed and let out a deep sigh when he brings my seatbelt across, bucking me in safely.

"Don't tempt me, Bella." He kisses my forehead before walking around to the other side of the car.

"Spoilsport," I call out, trying to look annoyed, but he's smiling, and suddenly I am too…

Author's note; This Edward is a keeper! See you on Friday :)