After speeches have been made (Edward nailed his) and the cake has been cut (Alice smashed her slice into Jasper's face, but like a gentleman he held back, merely kissing her in response), the night feels a little lighter and the alcohol flows.

There have been a few tender moments with Edward when we're dancing or lingering by ourselves and he gets a certain look in his eyes. He never fails to make me feel wanted, loved, and tonight he is going above and beyond. It warms my heart and sends my head spinning.

I'm sitting at the table watching Alice and Jasper on the dance floor, holding onto one another so sweetly. The moment is cut short by the voice of someone to my left.

"Bella, right?"

I turn to look up from my seat, and find myself staring at a tall, leggy blonde with icy blue eyes and cool gaze to go along with them. The forced smile on her face is the only indication that she's attempting to be friendly, I think.

Reaching for my flute of champagne I say, "And you are?"

"Tanya."

Her face is expectant, like I'm supposed to have heard of her.

"It's nice to meet you." I nod, trying not to let on that I don't know who she is. "How do you know Alice and Jasper?"

She sits in Edward's seat, and I glance past her to spot him at the bar. He's wrapped up in conversation with Emmett, and when I see him laugh at whatever he's being told, I smile. He's so infectious, even from across the fucking room.

"As I was saying," Tanya interrupts, vying for my attention again. "I've known the Cullen family for a long time. A very long time."

"That's wonderful." She recalls the tale of how her father has known Carlisle since college, and how she went to school with Alice and Edward for ten years of their lives. I listen, sipping my champagne, slipping in the occasional wonderful and how lovely. She must not be getting the correct response from me, because she decides to add that she and Edward used to date. On and off. Really messy, tragic love. I nearly roll my eyes.

"Must be weird being here today then?" I offer.

She looks behind her to where Edward is standing. He still hasn't noticed Tanya's over here, but I have a feeling that if he did, he'd put an end to this. Then again, I can handle myself. It's one of the things he loves most about me, I think.

"Not weird," she finally coos. "Edward and I are still very close. You don't really lose a connection like that with someone, you know?"

My eyes narrow just a little. "I suppose so."

"So how long have you and Edward been…" She conveniently pauses and sips her champagne. "I guess I don't really know what it is you're doing."

I blink, sighing lightly. "Well. We live together—"

"You do?"

"And we've been dating for six months or so."

"Not too long," she muses.

"Long enough."

"I don't think I've actually heard about you," she says coolly.

"You haven't heard about me?" I echo, slightly amused.

"Not a thing."

"That's not entirely true."

"How do you reckon?"

"Well, you knew my name. So… you must've heard something about me?"

She doesn't like this response. At all. But to give her some credit, she holds her composure. I can't imagine Edward ever being with anyone like her, but I assume it wasn't as tragic or as much of a love story as she led it on to be. I wouldn't be surprised if he let her down easy and she's been harboring a crush all these years.

A slow song begins playing, and her eyes light up, like she's found a new way to try to get under my skin. "Do you mind if I borrow him for a dance? I'm dying to catch up."

I lift my champagne glass in a salute. "By all means."

It's comical, really. As much as I want to stick my leg out and trip her as she stands from the table, I can't help but feel bad. She's obviously unhappy. Fuck, I would be too if Edward didn't want me, either. With that thought, I down the rest of my champagne.

Charlotte, Emmett's date, leans over to me. "That was brutal."

I laugh lightly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Was I rude?"

Charlotte snorts, and I kinda love her. "Not even close. Tanya's been waiting to sink her teeth into Edward ever since he moved back a year ago. She's just pissed he's head over heels for you."

I clear my throat, smoothing my hands down the front of my dress, watching as Tanya crosses the room confidently. She interrupts Edward and Emmett, and I smile a little when I can tell Edward is slightly annoyed. It's in the set of his jaw, the way he doesn't stare at her face. She's talking, talking, talking, and it looks like they're half listening. When she nods toward the dance floor, Edward shakes his head, then claps Emmett on the back, maybe offering him up instead. I avert my gaze after he grabs a glass of champagne for me, and a whiskey for him. Soon enough, he's sliding back into his seat.

"Thank you," I say, grabbing the flute from him. "So I met Tanya."

He raises his eyebrows, taking a lengthy pull of whiskey. "How was that?"

My smile is exaggerated. "She doesn't like me, that much is clear."

Edward doesn't look amused by this. "She doesn't like many people."

"She likes you. In fact, I'd say she's still in love," I say, gauging his reaction. "I've never heard about her."

Resting his forearm on the table, he leans closer to me, holding my gaze. "Not much to tell, honestly. We dated in high school for a few months. It made sense, only in the way that people wanted us together. Expected it even. But I wasn't into it."

"You didn't love her?"

"No. I could never make myself feel that way for her. You, on the other hand..." Pausing, his hand slips under the table, fingers grazing over my exposed thigh, creating goose bumps along my skin. "It's been so easy loving you, Bella."

I can't help but lean in, meeting his mouth with mine. He tastes floral, smoky. I let him deepen our kiss for only a moment because it can turn indecent fast, and we're still around others.

"I love you." I kiss him once more, wiping under his mouth to rid it of my lipstick. "But next time maybe warn me? I'd like a heads up that I'm gonna get cornered like that."

He nods, searching my face. "If she pissed you off, I can have a word with her."

I shake my head. "It's okay. I'd rather you stay far, far away. Besides, feeling possessive of you isn't necessarily the worst feeling," I murmur, pulling the lapel of his jacket so we're kissing again. "In fact, I might be able to translate that feeling into something… more."

He grins, because he knows. "Like what?"

"Passion?" I offer casually. His fingers are there again. They start near my knee, burning a trail until they reach the top of the slit, where dress meets thigh. "Lust?" I add breathlessly. His hand slips under the material of my dress, and I open my legs a little, his fingers inching their way to where I want them most.

"More than lust, I hope," he whispers, eyes darkening with just that. Something behind my head must catch his attention because his hand is suddenly gone, and he nods slightly before looking back at me.

"What's wrong?" I ask, turning behind me to see Emmett walking away.

"Nothing. Dance with me?" he asks, standing and reaching for my hand.

I grin up at him, gladly placing my palm in his. "Always."