Chapter 17

BPOV

Masen had gone to his fitting alone. He could fend off Alice's heckling by himself. Edward was supposed to be coming over to speak with me and I was practically pulling my hair out. Sure, I was still extremely angry, I was embarrassed, and I was upset. There were just so many different emotions coursing through my brain that I didn't even know what to feel anymore. I still couldn't really face Jasper without feeling embarrassed so there was no hiding behind him this time. I was going to have to speak to Edward on my own.

I considered getting my bottle of tequila from my liquor cabinet but decide against it. I would have to do this sober to prevent any further accidents.

I waited calmly for him to knock on the door promising myself that I wouldn't freak out. When that fateful moment came, I jumped to my feet and raced to the door, anxious to be over and done with the situation. Edward would make his choice and I would deal with it. I was pretty sure that Masen wouldn't care either way. I took a deep breath and swung the door open, shocked to see who stood there. I had no idea who she was.

She was extremely pretty with light strawberry blonde hair that fell over her shoulders in waves. They framed an angular face with crystallite blue eyes right in the center leading down to a narrow nose and strong determined lips. I was intimidated by just looking at her, jealousy coursing through me due to her curves in all the right places, easily putting mine to shame. She looked me over quickly and critically before she spoke.

"Hello. My name is Tanya Denali, I've been meaning to talk to you." So this was her, Edward's woman. She was perfect for him, just as beautiful as he was.

"Oh." I couldn't say much more.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?" she gestured lightly to my house.

"Yes, I guess I should." I stood back and, against my better judgment, let her into my house.

"So, this is the home of the famous Isabella. I've heard so much about you from Esme and Rosalie." She looked around at all the pictures of Masen and me.

"None of it good I guess."

"No. None of it good. But you don't seem too bad to me, I always assumed they were just blowing the whole thing out of proportion. You just seem a little confused." She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes.

"Confused?" I asked dumbfounded.

"Yes, you seem to think that Edward is leaving me for you. That is not a fact."

"Tanya-" I tried to interject.

"You seem sensible Bella. So, why don't you keep yourself and your little bastard son out of my life? Edward proposed to me on his own, without any influence from anyone else, we're getting married, you are not getting in the way of that. I've waited for this moment my entire life and you're little family isn't going ton screw it up." She picked up one of the pictures, and threw it on the ground, shattering the glass before spearing the broken frame with her heel. She meant business.

"Um…" I had no idea what to say to that. I'd merely wanted someone sane to talk this whole situation out with. Clearly, she wasn't the one to go to.

"Be smart Bella, Edward could never want you. You aren't his taste Hun." She kicked a few shards of glass away from her red painted toes. "You were right to leave, if Edward had known you were pregnant, he would have gone running and either way, we would have ended up together. He isn't ready for that kind of family commitment yet."

"I think you should leave." I closed my eyes and waited for her response.

"I'm not trying to be mean, I'm just being honest." She smiled her fake smile again.

I didn't respond, I just pointed to the door, praying she would leave me alone.

"Poor thing. I heard that guy down at Emmett's shop might be interested. His name is Jacob or something. You could go see him if you really want a guy friend." she suggested looking through her purse. She laid something on the mantle. "That's his number, Rosalie gave it to me." She gave my house one last one over and then walked to the door. "Goodbye Bella. Remember what I said hun." She waved and then left. I stood there in shock for a few moments. After a few seconds of thinking, my phone rang.

"Hello?" I said still confused once I had answered the phone.

"Hey Bella, I'm sorry I'm late, traffic is a lot worse than I thought it would be. I should be there I a few minutes." It was Edward.

"No, there's no hurry. Maybe you shouldn't come at all. I heard you fiancée's in town." I said, trying to keep my voice calm.

"What? No, Tanya should still be in L.A. I planned to talk to her after I finished talking to you. We were finally going to set things straight, then you and I could be together. Is everything okay Bella?" he asked, his tone suddenly changing from nonchalant to worried.

"Yeah, I just think maybe you should go home to your fiancée." I broke my heart to say it. "Masen and I will get along just fine by ourselves."

"What are you talking about? I thought we discussed this Bella. I'm breaking off my engagement with Tanya tonight. You and I were meant to be, you said it yourself."

"That's not a good idea Edward. She wants to be with you. She loves you." I tried to explain to him.

"Bella, you know she only wants the money. Moreover, I only want you. Why do you keep insisting on fighting me on this?" Edward was getting angrier by the second.

"Because you'll change your mind the second you and Masen get into a fight or he uses the wrong fork at one your things, it'll be on and I don't want to be caught in the middle Edward. I don't think I could take it." Great, now even I was using Masen as an excuse.

"Bella please, I know I haven't been the easiest to work with right now. Things are just so complicated. But I know I want to be with you. I love you Bella. I'm coming over and there's nothing you can do to stop me." the phone line went dead.

What was I going to do. I had officially met the wife to be, I had Esme breathing down my neck and Edward claiming he wanted to be with me. Nothing made sense anymore. I knew that I was in love with Edward. I knew that I couldn't stop those feelings but, god, I had to come up with something to get myself out of this. Heck, I didn't even know how I had gotten myself into the situation.

MPOV

"I don't see why you require me to get the guy you like. That makes you a total user you know." I said to Alice. Jasper had gone to the restroom, not noticing the longing stares that followed him.

"We're practically family aren't we?"

"Ha! That's rich. Nah honey, you want my services, you're rich, you'd better cough up some serious dough. I don't work cheap." I smirked sinisterly at her.

"How'd I know you'd be difficult?" she spoke more to herself than to me.

"I'm a difficult person to work with alright, you're just going to have to deal with me." I tapped my fingers impatiently on the linoleum tabletop. I wished my mom was with us, we might have actually been able to have an intelligent conversation. Alice and I had nothing in common. Other than the fact that we were using each other. I didn't plan to make Jasper like her of course. What good would that do either of us? She wasn't right for him. Even I wasn't so romantically challenged as to see that they weren't compatible in the least bit. It's not like I wanted to damn Jasper for the rest of his life. Alice was just easy cash, you might call me a user, but hey, I'm not denying it. I'm not going to pretend that computers are cheap.

"Hello all." Jasper said as he came back and sat down. He grimaced when he saw Alice looking at him with one of her poorly concealed romantic looks. I rolled my eyes. Jasper had indeed picked up on her feelings for him. I smiled mischievously to myself. this could work in my favor, all it would take was just a little manipulation on my part, something mommy dearest would say I could do with ease.

I knew Jasper would never fall for Alice, but she didn't have to know that. I could just tell her that he was playing hard to get. I was broken from my train of though by Jasper's curios stare. Damn, he wasn't a slow as Alice, and he knew me almost as well as my own mother.

"Can I talk to you in the Masen? In private."

"Sure Jazzy?" I mimicked his southern drawl.

I followed him out of the booth and walked towards the men's restroom. He stopped me there.

"What are you scheming? I can see the little wheels in you head turning round and round." His eyes searched my face.

"Alice likes you, she wants me to get you to show her affection. I'm gonna let her think it'll work for the right price. I could cut you a percentage if that's what-"

"Have you no shame? You're toying with her emotions!" Jasper scolded me.

"Please, she's a total bitch, it's time to level the playing field. She called you white trash Jasper, seems like the pink princess needs to be knocked off her pedestal. She can't have anyone she likes. Once her heart is broken, I get to move on to Esme and break her as well." I hissed her name.

"This is not the way to handle things Mase. I know your upset and this is all some psychological ploy to hide the hurt inside and the therapist in me wants to help you and or refer you to a mental hospital but that won't help anyone right now. What I'm trying to say is, you can't just screw with people Masen. You don't like Esme, I don't like Esme, your mom doesn't like Esme, heck, I'm not sure anyone likes Esme but just because you don't like someone doesn't me that you can mess with them without consequences."

"Are you trying to guilt trip me because mom's tried that, it doesn't work, I don't feel guilt." I tried to tell him.

"No, I am not guilt tripping you, you just need to see the facts Masen." He sighed deeply and stuck his hands in his pockets. "Do what you want Masen, you'll feel bad about it later."

"I'm sure I won't." I shrugged and headed back towards the table. "Do you think Aunty Alice will buy me something sweet if I ask nicely Jasper? This meal is on her of course."

AN: Okay so I've been trying to update more regularly. Hopefully I'm doing a better job. I know my material well but I'm having trouble with my motivation to write. Maybe I just need to stop being lazy. Anyway, summer's coming up and I'm a free woman all except for golf practice (wish me luck with the new season). Also on the update, I have an idea for a new story, fresh inspiration and the first chapter of that will most likely be in the next chapter of this story. Hmm…have I forgotten anything…nope! Much love readers!