Twelve

Tuesday morning, Jacob's assistant contacted me. I was informed that he would like to meet this afternoon at 4:30 to discuss his ideas he had for promoting his upcoming business endeavor. I agreed to meet with him and was told to meet him at The Plaza. After hanging up, I blew out a heavy breath; I didn't want to do this at all. Carlisle was pleased when I told him that I was taking on the opportunity to represent the company and work with Jacob. I also told him that I wanted to work exclusively with Edward on this one. At first he was surprised that I wouldn't be working with Alice, but he agreed that Edward would be great for this opportunity. Now it was time to let Alice know what was going on. I wasn't sure how she would respond, but I had a plan that I needed to follow.

I knocked softly on her door, opening it up to peek inside. She looked up from the papers she was going over. "Yes Bella?"

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked meekly. She waved me in and I stepped inside, closing the door firmly. I sat in one of the comfy chairs in front of her desk, nervously twiddling my thumbs on my lap.

"What is it Bella?" She asked. Alice was staring at me expectantly, waiting for me to begin.

I took a deep breath before rushing out in one breath, "I took a deal working with Jacob Black and Edward is going to work on it with me."

Alice started laughing and I gave her a confused look. "Is that all Bella? I thought you were going to tell me you were pregnant."

"So, you're not mad at me?"

"Oh God no," she giggled, "I already knew about it. I was just waiting for you to tell me yourself."

I sighed in relief, relaxing into the seat. "Carlisle told you, didn't he?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

She nodded in confirmation. "Of course he did. Jacob specifically asked for you, which I found a little weird. Do you know each other?"

I tried swallowing the lump that was built in my throat. "Yes, we do."

"Okay and how? Did you meet at the ball?" She asked curiously.

"Yes, but that's not the first time we've. We actually grew up together."

"You grew up together?" Alice looked perplexed until her face morphed in shock. "Holy fuck. Jacob is your ex fiancé!" She gasped.

"Unfortunately yes," I groaned.

"Now I see why he asked for you, it makes total sense. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I didn't want anyone to know about us. Jacob is a part of my past that I don't want revealed. Edward was the only one I told besides you."

"So where does Edward fit into this? Why did you request for Edward's help on this and not mine?" She sounded a little upset, but it was understandable. I internally cursed myself for not talking to her sooner.

"Edward came to the rescue when Jacob was trying to get on my good side. I was not pleased at all to see him. Edward witnessed the intense exchange between us and intervened. Jacob didn't take a liking to Edward, especially when he said he was my boyfriend."

Alice eyes widened at the mention of boyfriend. "Are you guys dating?"

"No, we're not. I already told you that," I replied.

"But you want to."

"What?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

"You heard me, Bella. I saw the way you two looked at each other at the club the other night. You guys are totally smitten with each other."

"I don't know what you're talking about." My heart raced, thumping wildly in my chest. Was it that obvious?

"You're a terrible liar, Bella Swan," Alice chuckled, amusement plastered upon her face. "You may be able to fool lover boy, but I've known you for almost six years. Besides, I know love when I see it." My eyes widened and my jaw dropped in mortified awe. Alice has always been inquisitive and I shouldn't have been so surprised.

"Is it that obvious?" There was no need to hide it, she already knew.

"To me it is. Jasper also got that vibe from you, but don't worry, your little secret is safe with me. I think you should tell him though."

"I can't Al. I. . . I just can't do that."

"Why the hell not?"

"I don't. . .I'm afraid."

"Afraid of what Bella?" She asked softly. I didn't answer her, looking down at my hands on my lap. They were slightly shaking and I willed for them to stop.

Alice sighed heavily. "Bella, he's not Jacob." I snapped my head up to meet her sympathetic smile. "Edward loves you Bella; I could see it in his eyes. It's the same look Jasper gives me when we're together. I can see the change in you, you're a lot happier ever since he came into the picture. You are in love with him Bella."

"I know," I whispered admittedly. "I didn't expect to, but I am. I fell so hard for him and I don't know what to do."

Alice came around her desk to sit beside me. She took my hand and placed both of her hands over mine, comforting me. "It's going to be fine. I know you're afraid, but don't run away from it. Whenever you think you're ready to proclaim your love, then act on it. Don't turn away from Edward because Jacob fucked you over. You deserve happiness, Bells." I smiled and hugged my best friend, vowing to listen to her words. When it's the right time, I would tell Edward how I really feel.

It was showtime.

I sat alone at a reserved table in The Champagne Bar, waiting to get this show on the road. Edward was due to meet me in twenty minutes, but for now, I was waiting patiently for Jacob Black to show his face. I was notified that he was held up in a prior engagement and would arrive shortly. I sipped daintily on my bellini, careful not to smudge my dark wine colored lipstick. I was dressed to kill, wearing my best dress and heels to entice Jacob. I wanted to mind fuck him, to make him realize that we would never be together again and that this deal would be strictly business. He will never know me, the real me. I was no longer the naive, innocent girl he grew up with; she was long gone, a figment of the past.

Mid sip, Jacob strolled into the room and my stomach rolled. He sat across from me, smiling like we were close friends. It irritated me.

"Thank you for agreeing to this arrangement. I'm very gracious," he said.

"I didn't have much of a choice really," I retorted. His smile grew smug and I wanted to smack it off his face.

"So where is your partner?"

"My partner will be here shortly. They also had other arrangements to negotiate." As if he was summoned, Edward made his presence known. He waltzed in confidently, a cocksure smile on his face. "Speaking of the Devil, here he is."

"He?" Jacob repeated, confusion warping his face. When he followed my line of sight, he visibly stiffened. I smiled as I watched his discomfort, but Edward garnered all of my attention. I felt my pulse quicken and the butterflies fluttering, making me feel warm inside. God, I'm such a girl, I thought subconsciously when he was finally at my side. He leaned over and placed a soft kiss on my lips before taking the unoccupied seat beside me.

"I'm sorry I'm late. I had a conference call with my associates in Chicago amongst other things," he said addressing the table, pointedly staring a Jacob.

"I'm sorry," Jacob said perplexed, "but I was under the impression that you were working with Alice Brandon." My shit eating grin grew infinitesimally when I saw how flustered Jacob was.

"I usually do, but since Edward is new to the company, I thought he would be a great asset to this arrangement."

"So you decided to bring along your boyfriend?" He replied through clenched teeth. He was clearly not pleased.

"This is not personal Jacob. Like you said, this is strictly business. If you can't accept my terms, then you can decline. The choice is yours," I said noncommittally, knowing I was possibly playing with fire. This could definitely backfire but I doubted that Jacob would call my bluff.

Jacob was having an internal dilemma, clearly frustrated with the situation. He sighed and let out a strangled chuckle, "Fine Bella. If that's what it takes to work with you, then I'm game. I'm up for the challenge." His smile was devilish and I realized that I knew that my suspicious were confirmed. I looked at Edward and saw he was clenching his fists, a wild look in his eyes. He was jealous, there was no denying it.

I knew that I had made a huge mistake setting this whole thing up. I inadvertantly started a war and was now caught in the middle.

Fuck me.