A/N Hello again! I would love to thank MissAlex for the wonder and quick beta job. She's amazing and I can't wait to see you in July, babe!

Also big thanks to KlrTwiluver for pre-reading being a wonderful cheerleader. Hopefully you can make our trip too, sweets.

This chapter is for my hubby aka the Beav. It's his birthday today. The old man is thirty-four. LOL. He is my inspiration. ;)

This is a 75% True Romance.

Twilight is not mine.

Everything I Never Knew I Wanted

Chapter 3

Peter Thorne was a very meticulous man: no hair left out of place, his clothes were always pressed crisp, he had a successful career envied by many, his car was expensive, clean and waxed, and he paraded an ideal woman on his arm. Alice. His life fell into order just how he wanted it to, just how he planned it.

I watched him now – undetected – pacing back and forth in the vestibule of St. Francis Borgia's Catholic Church. Originally, the wedding ceremony was to take place outdoors at one of the local wineries, but due to the rainy fall weather, it was moved indoors. I was sure the change of venue royally pissed off Peter's perfect plan for the day. I felt bad for Alice though. This type of wedding was never what she envisioned. She told me she dreamed of a beach wedding faraway from everyone and everything, only her loved ones attending. But that would never satisfy Peter. He had people to impress and an extravagant wedding was an ideal occasion.

I scowled at him as I shook my umbrella and placed it in the umbrella stand by the grand innately, carved wooden doors of the church.

This place was very cold and dreary. Just like Peter.

Ass.

Peter and I had a hate/hate relationship. I hated the way he treated Alice like a possession and he hated that Alice would rather spent time with me than his business associates' wives. He was such a dick. I saw right through him and unfortunately he saw through me as well. I was nothing more than a slut in his eyes, a bad influence for his Alice and definitely a social eyesore to his friends. Too bad I fucked two of those business associates he tried so hard to keep me from. The difference between me and Peter was that I didn't hide that I slept around. Sure, I didn't broadcast it, but I wasn't ashamed. But that's not to say it didn't make me mad he called me a slut. So when I called him a closet flamer, he was appalled.

I mean, come on! The man was clearly gay.

Alice was a little peeved when I did that, but quickly got over it. She knew the man manscaped more than a woman, womanscaped; it was inevitable that someone would think he was gay.

I still had a hunch that he was switch-hitting, at least, if he wasn't straight batting for the opposite team.

Peter still hasn't noticed me. I appraised him as he wore a groove into the marble floor from his pacing. He was, of course, dressed to the nines in his tux - that I was sure he owned – his pretty Italian designer-clad feet clicked on the shiny floor, and I forced myself not to laugh when I noticed that he was walking with a sleek, black cane, no doubt a gift from his Savile Row educated personal shopper. Just throw in a top hat and monocle and Peter would have looked like the millionaire from the Monopoly board game.

The façade didn't fool me. Peter came from the country and tried hard to shed the image of his hillbilly roots. Not that his roots were anything to make fun of. He grew up on a palatial estate outside of Washington, Missouri. Peter was well-educated, attending private Catholic schools his whole life, and having personal tutors during his summers. The Thornes treated their only son like gold, but that never seemed to be enough for Peter as Alice told me. She shared with me that Peter felt trapped, always obligated to carry on his family business after his father retired. Alice's family also owned a successful estate in Washington, making them perfectly suited in his eyes. Whereas Peter was treated like royalty, Alice wasn't. Her family's only ambition for Alice was to marry well and bind the family businesses together.

Peter Thorne was the perfect match.

Having being thrust together at such a young age, Alice and Peter always gravitated toward one another, knowing no other way. Alice was a comrade in the only life he knew, a life of privilege and expectations. It was a life that he never wanted. His family were multi-million dollar horse breeders and trainers. They trained some of the best racing horses in the mid-west. His family's horses won numerous titles and ribbons with a number of thoroughbreds at Churchill Downs, Belmont Park, Saratoga, and Del Mar - just to name a few.

But Peter never loved the horses like his family did. He resented them. I didn't know why. Alice never really talked about that side of Peter, and frankly, I didn't care much to ask.

I sighed. Peter's pacing was starting to grate on me. I guessed I needed to break the silence and say something.

"You look a little worried there, Pete."

Peter stopped mid-stride and glared at me. "Oh, it's you." He sniffed and straightened his coat, ignoring my comment. "Why are you here so early?"

I looked at my watch. "I'm only two hours early, that's late in Alice's mind." I laughed. He rolled his eyes at me, so I narrowed mine at him. "But since I'm here so early, it gives me time to talk some sense into her."

His distaste was apparent. "It's much too early in the morning for your off-kilter humor. I suggest you scurry along and find Alice. I'm sure she needs help or whatever it is she thinks she needs from you."

He motioned with his hands to dismiss me, like he was the fucking Queen of America or something, and started to pace again.

Pompous motherfucker. Jeebus! I was a damn sailor this morning with my mouth.

Be nice, Bella. It is his wedding day. You're a lady whether he thinks it or not.

"You look very nice by the way," I said, trying to hide that my praise was a complete lie.

Peter stopped pacing and gave me the once over. "You look…..presentable."

"Gee, thanks," I replied. Presentable? I looked good. My black wrap dress hugged my curves perfectly and for once I wasn't in sweats – to Alice's request. I even had on heels.

"When you see Alice in the woman's lounge, make sure to tell her to wear my mother's pearls. I would like to see them on her today." With that, Peter strode out of the vestibule and through a door marked men's lounge.

I guessed that was an order and not a request. Why was Alice marrying him again?

With Peter's request of his mother's pearls conveniently forgotten, I made my way down a tangled web of hallways to the woman's lounge. I knocked on the door before letting myself in. What I found was not a blushing bride. Alice was alone and standing in the middle of the room wearing a white silk robe, holding a box of Kleenex like her life depended on them.

Hurrying to her side, I searched her tear-stained face, placing my hands on her shoulders and knowing I had to soothe her any way I could. "Alice, what's wrong? Are you okay? Where is everyone?"

Alice sniffled and dabbed her red nose. "I'm fine; it's just the jitters, right? Rose and my mom are checking on the flowers with Ruby. They'll be back soon."

Jitters, my ass.

Concerned, I took Alice's hand and sat her down at the vanity. "Are you sure, Alice? This doesn't seem like you." Alice let out another small sob, pressing the tissue to her puffy eyes. "Well, I would be crying too if I had to marry Peter, "I joked.

Alice huffed. "Oh stop it, Bella. Peter is a...good man."

Good man? Try possessive, controlling, idealistic, materialistic, snobbish, and, oh yeah, gay.

"He doesn't deserve you."

"I don't deserve a lot of things," she whispered.

I got to my knees and squatted down to look her in the eyes. "Don't say that. You're magnificent, selfless, my best friend, and a perfect mothe –"

"I'm none of those things, B."

"Sure you are." I took a tissue from her hand and blotted her mascara bleeding eyes. "I don't know why you can't see that yourself."

Alice eyes turned hard. "There are a lot of things I haven't told you. "

"You can tell me anything, you know I'm all ears." I smiled, hoping it would be contagious. It wasn't.

"It's too much to get into now."

I chewed my lip, thinking. "You know, I just so happened to have parked my car conveniently next to the side door of the church. We can slip out and skip this whole wedding business."

Alice started to smile but it quickly faded as her eyes trained on something behind me. I didn't have time to turn around to look before I heard a familiar voice.

"I was telling her the same exactly thing about an hour ago."

His voice was smoke, just a whisper to my ear. Utter sex embodied. I closed my eyes and hoped that when I turned around he would be just a figment of my imagination from last night.

Alice stood and I followed, still with my back to the man who wasn't supposed to be here. Frankly, I wasn't supposed to see him ever again. Why was he here?

Alice cleared her throat. "B, this is Peter's best man and friend, Jasper Whitlock. Jasper this is Bella Swan, my co-worker and other best friend."

I slowly turned on my heel with my eyes closed. I cracked one lid once I was fully turned about. Yep, it was him.

Whit.

All of him in the flesh. No figment at all. He stood leaning against the doorframe: hands in his tux pockets, shirt loosely tucked into his pants, no tie, buttons unfastened, blonde hair a wavy disarray, the same dusty-looking cowboy boots he wore last night, and a cocky grin planted across his face.

"People call me Whit." Jasper/Whit stepped toward me with his hand out to take mine. I placed my hand in his and eyed him. "It's nice meeting you for the first time, Bella. Whenever I talked to Alice she had mentioned a friend named B. Now I have a face to the name. B. Bella. Beautiful." He winked and squeezed my hand.

Cocky bastard. He knew I hated when people called me beautiful. Wait. Did he say 'first time?' He didn't want Alice to know that we met before. I would play along for now.

"Yes, it's nice to meet you for the very first time ever, Jasper." I dragged out his name. Whit tilted his head. "Although, Alice has never told me anything about you before. Your reputation must not precede you." I squeezed his hand back and dropped it.

The cocky smiled spread even wider across Whit's face. He was enjoying this.

"Bella, Jasper, here, is an artist," Alice added, making polite conversation, I supposed.

I cocked an eyebrow at him. "Art, huh? You look like you could paint within the numbers well. Let me guess, water colors are your medium. Perhaps you can paint landscapes with little happy trees like the guy with the 'fro on PBS."

"B!" Alice jabbed my arm.

Whit chuckled. "It's all right, Alice." He locked eyes with me. "Actually, I sculpt and weld. It's a very hot and dirty job."

I smirked. "I bet."

"I should show you my work sometime."

"I'm sure you would like that," I played along.

Alice's head was playing ping pong with the back and forth between me and Whit. "Can you please rein it in, both of you?" she demanded.

"Sorry, sorry." Whit placed his hands behind his back.

Alice gave Whit a look then said, "B, Jasper is Peter's best man, like I said before. He's from Chicago, although he grew up with both Peter and I. His family has a large furni-"

Whit clucked his tongue. "Ah, enough about me, where were you before I rudely interrupted?

I went to hold Alice's hand. "Alice was upset. I was trying to make her feel better. She has the jitters."

"Jitters? Is that what you call it?" Whit questioned Alice.

Alice gritted her teeth. "Yes, Jasper, that's all I call it."

I looked at them both, confused.

"I think I walked in on Bella trying to stage a wedding coup if you asked me. Trying to make a getaway?"

"I was just trying to make her laugh, so she wouldn't cry. No wedding coup here," I tried to explain with a nervous chuckle.

Whit tsked me and tapped his chin. "But, Bella, I do believe you were onto something."

Alice placed her hands on her hips. "Jasper, stop it."

Ignoring her, Whit continued in an authoritative tone. "Topic at hand: Wedding Coup, Operation Leave Peter at the Alter." He turned to me. "Bella, you will be my second in command. Your objective is: getaway car. I, being mission leader, will create a diversion, probably something like dangling money in front of Peter's face, which should distract him." Whit turned back to Alice. "Tiny, all you need to do is run when I yell 'the eagle has landed'. Got it?"

I started to laugh but when I saw that Alice shooting daggers at Whit, I held it in.

"You think my life is funny, don't you, Whit?" Alice growled.

"Not at all, Tiny." Whit shook his head. "Just trying to make light of the situation."

"It's a wedding, Whit. Make light of it? It's as bright as the freaking sun!"

"That's my problem with it, Alice," Whit countered back.

Suddenly, I felt like an intruder on a private conversation.

"We both know that's not your only problem."

"What do you want me to do about it? Huh?"

"Nothing. I want you to do nothing. Like always."

"Don't even push that shit on me, Alice."

"I don't have to. Your pile of shit's a mile high and you drowned in it a long time ago without me helping."

"God, you're such a fucking bitch. Marry that limp dick for all I care." Whit dragged a hand through his unruly hair and said, "See you later, Bella."

I stared in shock, nodding numbly at Whit.

"Happy life, happy wife," Whit said to the room as he turned and headed for the door.

"At least I'll be happy, you miserable creep!" Alice squeaked.

"Keeping lying to yourself, Tiny," Whit shouted as he slammed the lounge door.

I stared wide-eyed at the closed door, wondering what in the hell I just witnessed. Alice slumped back down into her vanity chair, defeated.

"I thought you said they were best friends?" I asked referring to what Whit said about Peter's limp dick. It was obvious that there was some resentment there.

"They are or where. It's complicated, I guess. Jasper is his oldest friends outside of me. It was an easy call to make him best man, to Peter, at least. I thought it was a bad idea. His other friend, Garrett is much closer to Peter. "

"How come you never talked about Whit or…Jasper before?"

Alice dapped at a new batch of tears that streamed down her face. "Jasper is…difficult. He hasn't been around for the last couple of years. So, he's….angry…at a lot of things." Alice shook her head, her tears now gone. "Jasper is like a tornado, always stirring up trouble when he decides to come around. "

I looked at the door that Whit slammed. "It seems so."

Alice sighed. "Yeah."

"Is there something going on with you two that I should know about?" I asked as I sat down next to her at the vanity. "Because you two seemed really…intense."

Alice sat up straight and started fiddling with the makeup on the vanity.

"Nope. Jasper is a fucked up asshole that likes to put in his two cents where it's not wanted. "

Alice patted powder to her nose. I place a hand on her arm. "Are you sure about that?"

Without looking at me, she said, "I've known Jasper as long as I've known Peter. So he likes to think that he's allowed to have an opinion on my life. It may have been true if he decided that he cared about my life more than just one and a half hours before my wedding."

Alice aggressively applied blush to her cheeks, her hand holding the brush so tightly that it looked like it would break.

"You know, it's okay if you don't want to go through with the wedding," I told her. "We can leave and take Ruby. You can stay at my house. My parents won't mind. They love you guys."

Alice slammed her brush down the vanity. I jumped.

"You want me to leave my wedding and the man I'm marrying to do what, Bella? Become like you. Live for nothing, love no one, fuck every guy that I see. Such a good example I will set for my daughter. I'll teach her about condoms now that she's three, better safe than sorry, right, Bella? No attachments, means no hurt. What a way to live. Gianna would hate to see how you are living."

I couldn't look her in the face. If I did, I would have punched her lights out.

"I can't believe you just said all that," I seethed. "Gianna has nothing to do with this. You don't know anything."

"And neither do you," Alice spat.

I looked at her, astonished. "Who are you right now? I'm only trying to help you. I care about you and Ruby."

"If you care so much then please respect it's my wish to marry Peter. He's a good father, a good man."

And there it was. He's a good father. I knew in that instant that was why she was marrying Peter. Everything she just said about me didn't matter. I knew she didn't mean it. I just threatened what she cared for most in her life. Her child's security.

Alice settled her hands in her lap as she thought over her words again. "Look, I'm sorry about the Gianna comment. I shouldn't have said that. Or the fucking guys thing, too. I'm really sorry. I'm just stressed out," she waved her hand in the air, "with all this stuff. I didn't want all this."

"Do you love him?" I asked bluntly.

Alice looked at me, tears building in her eyes. I held her hand and leaned over touching our foreheads together. I knew. She didn't have to tell me. Tears started to run down my cheeks as my heart broke for my friend.

"Mommy!" A small steak of white and red clobbered Alice, hugging her at the waist as we both sat at the vanity. "Auntie Bella!"

"Hey, munchkin!" I wiped my cheeks and pinched Ruby's chin. She giggled and pinched me back, smooshing my face with her little hands.

"Bella, you look so pwerty but not as pwerty as my Momma. She's bountiful!"

"You mean beautiful, munchkin."

"Thas what I said."

Alice smiled sadly at her daughter.

Rose and Mrs. Brandon walked in the lounge not far after Ruby made her grand appearance, each of them carrying a bouquet bigger than their own heads. White roses and hydrangea.

"Baby, "Alice said to Ruby. "Can you color for a little bit? You have your coloring books and crayons over there on the sofa. Mommy needs to fix her makeup and get dressed."

"Okay! But I be careful, right, Mommy? No coloring on my dress."

Alice smiled. "Yes, baby, color on the paper only, not your dress."

Ruby bounded over to the sofa and dug into her crayons. She was such a sweet little girl. Alice and Peter had her a little over three years ago. I had only known Alice a short time at the station when we both got jobs and she got pregnant. It was hard to think it had only been four years since I met and became fast friends with Alice. Ruby was like my own niece. Another thing Peter didn't approve of. But screw Peter. I spoiled that girl rotten. I love her like I loved Alice. When Alice said I didn't love anyone, she was wrong. Alice and Ruby were my family. I loved them with my whole heart.

Ruby looked so cute today, too. Her white flower girl dress had a bright red sash around the waist. Her blonde hair set in small curls all over her head. Her complexion still looked sun-kissed from the summer, and she had sprinkles of freckles over her face. She looked nothing like Alice or Peter. Both of them had dark hair and pale skin. Alice always told me that she was blonde as a child and so was Peter, that was where Ruby got her coloring from. If I wasn't at the hospital when Alice delivered, I would have thought she was adopted.

I smiled, watching Ruby dangle her feet off the side of the sofa as she was entranced with coloring. She was so happy about the wedding. I wished her mother was equally so.

"Alice, we need to get you in your dress so the photographer can take some getting ready shots." Rose, looking stunning, sauntered over. Her bridesmaid gown was red and satin and clingy. I was thankful l didn't have to be a bridesmaid; I wouldn't have had enough boobage to hold the dress up.

"All right, I'm almost down with my makeup."

"I thought you did your makeup an hour ago?" Rose observed.

Alice let her eyes drop. "I did, just touching up."

But Rose caught on. She was about to ask, I was sure, about how Alice looked like she was crying, but I interrupted her.

"Complications," I stated simply. Rose "A-ha'ed" to herself and let it go.

"Hey, B. I love that dress!"

"Thanks! Peter told me I was presentable." I laughed, hoping to get any kind of amusement out of Alice. But she had her sad eyes trained on Ruby.

Rose tapped my shoulder behind Alice's back. "What is wrong with her," she mouthed to me.

I shrugged. "Jasper?" I mouthed back in question.

"Fuck," she mouthed again. Obviously, Rose knew what was up between Whit and Alice.

I gave Rose the "what the fuck" eyes and she gave me the "not now" grimace. I was going to have to corner her at the reception.

"Alice, you ready to put on your dress?"

Shaking herself out her stupor, Alice nodded as she got up and took off her robe. I helped hoist the white dress over her head and secure the boning in place around her middle. The back had about a bajillion buttons and it took Rose and me twenty minutes to do them up. After the dress was on, Alice was ready for her head piece. She opted out of the traditional veil, and instead, went with a white feather that was attached and decorated to a hair comb. Peter was livid when she said that didn't want to wear a veil, but it was so far the only thing she was steadfast in having her way about. She looked wonderful. Right out of a bridal magazine. Perfect. Except it didn't show in her eyes.

I wished I could have done something, anything, for her.

"You look beautiful, my dear." Mrs. Brandon approached her daughter and kissed her cheek. "Your father and I are so very proud that you're marrying Peter. He's such a good man."

What was up with all of this good man talk? Did Peter brainwash these people? But then I got my second reason Alice was marrying Peter. Approval.

"Alice, what are you doing?" I whispered so that she couldn't hear me.

"I've asked the same thing." Rose leaned in and whispered back to me.

Before I could respond to Rose, I felt my dress being tugged.

"Bella, Bella! Look what I made you!" Ruby handed me a piece of paper with – for a three year old – a very impressive abstract design colored in oranges and pinks.

I crouched down before her. "Munchkin! This is wonderful. You made this for me?"

Nodding her head, Ruby said, "Yes! I'm a artist! Mommy said so."

I looked up to Alice while I spoke to Ruby. "You sure are, Munchkin. You sure are."

Alice avoided eye contact.

…

It was ten minutes until the wedding when I left Alice, Rose, Ruby, and Mrs. Brandon to find my seat in the church. By the time I made it to the vestibule, the whole church was filled to the brim. There looked to be only standing room left. I'd never seen a wedding so packed before. Usually it was always half-full but it seemed that the whole town was invited. Which figured since Peter and the Brandons were at the helm of the whole deal.

The church was immaculately decorated with large flower topiaries lining the aisle and candelabras lit across the altar. Dainty bows adorned each pew and a string quartet was playing in the corner by the organ, to bring the ambience.

Definitely not a beach wedding, I thought.

I would have liked that more, sipping a Mai Tai on the beach while watching a couple wed, fun times. Especially if I could wear flip flops.

"Bride or groom?" a deep voice rasped beside me.

I glanced over, having not noticed the usher right away. "Bride, please."

The man's brows furrowed. "You don't happen to be Bella Swan?"

I smiled. "Yes, I am. "

The man smiled back. "Good, I'm Garrett, friend of bride and groom. Alice told me to have you sit with the family up front." Garrett offered his arm. "Right this way."

"Oh, I don't have to sit up there. I'm just her friend."

Garrett shook his head and chuckled. "No can do, ma'am. I quote, 'Sit Bella up by my parents and next to Ruby. She's like my sister.'"

I smiled at the sentiment. "Okay then."

Garrett grinned, happy that I acquiesced to Alice's request and sat me in one of the empty pews up front. There was still about five minutes to go before show time, so I people-watched. There were so many people; they all seemed to blend together. Most of them looked upper crust and well-to-do given whom the two families uniting today were. Nice tailored suits, expensive designer dresses and hand bags, four inch heels, handkerchiefs in pockets, bolo ties….

Bolo tie? Did I see this correctly? A man sitting on the groom's side stuck out like a sore thumb. Around his collar was a freakin' bolo tie! You know, the kind of necktie that looked like a thick leather shoe string that went around a man's collar and fastened by a large metal clasp in front; something George Straight would have worn in 1988. That was the kind of tie he wore instead of a nice silk one with a tight knot like most of the gentleman in the church.

I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand. I couldn't believe I was seeing this correctly, but I was. The man had on a tan, old-fashioned country and western button-down shirt and- it appeared to be- jeans with a belt buckle bigger than Texas around his waist. He was sitting at the end of the pew so I could make out most of his attire. His foot was tapping to the music of the string quartet – well, his cowboy boot was tapping. They were polished shiny and black.

Must be his goin' out boots', I told myself in good humor.

I could see from where I was seated five pews up that his hands were huge and rough looking as they rested on top of his red baseball cap on his knee.

He wore a baseball cap to church?

As my eyes traveled upward, I appraised his appearance more. He wasn't bad looking. In fact, he was very handsome in an extremely rugged sort of a way. His reddish hair was plastered down and slick looking, combed into a side part and gelled. His tanned skin was cleanly shaven and unblemished with long side burns.

Mess him up a bit and he might be all right, I thought. Nothing like I would ever go for though. He didn't look edgy enough. He looked straight from the farm. More like he baled hay an hour before he got cleaned up and decided to go see a couple gettin' hitched.

I wondered who he was.

Then I noticed that his foot stopped tapping to the music. My eyes darted to his.

Shit. He caught me staring.

He had really gorgeous green eyes, though, I noticed. Like really green. And really gorgeous.

I quickly averted my eyes and turned around. I felt my cheeks flame and beads of sweat start to form on the back of my neck.

"Jesus Christ," I muttered to myself I was so fucking embarrassed. Maybe he wasn't looking at me...

Oh shit, I just said Jesus Christ in church! I'm going to Hell.

I chanced a look back over my shoulder, just ease my mind that I wasn't the recipient of his attention.

However, he was still clearly looking at me, his foot tapping again to the beat of the strings. But now he had a sly grin on his lips.

Not a cocky smile, like 'I just caught you staring at me and I know I'm hot,' but a nice smile.

A genuine one.

Effortless, almost shy, even.

I smiled back just as shyly and turned to face the altar, just as the organ commenced, announcing that the ceremony was about to begin. My mind was still preoccupied with Mr. Cowboy though. I just wasn't sure why yet.

From the side of the church up front, a tall door opened. Out stepped the priest, Whit, and Peter. They stood in line, waiting for the procession to begin. My mind was so clouded with stir-ups, saddles, cowboy hats, bolo ties, and riding the big-handed cowboy himself that I almost missed the whole wedding procession coming down the aisle.

Rose and Ruby were already standing upfront when the organ starting playing Canon in D. That was our cue to stand and wait for the bride to come down the aisle. I stood and chanced a glance at Whit, who stood next to a very stone-faced Peter. He winked at me. I gave him a small wave and turned to look down the aisle to watch Alice. Mr. Cowboy had a scowl on his face when my eyes landed on him. Was he scowling at me? It sure looked like it. I scowled back and his face softened, but he didn't share with me that nice smile that he shared before. Instead, he turned to watch the bride being escorted down the aisle by her impeccably-dressed father.

Alice looked unbelievable and her father showed such pride as he held her arm. I thought that maybe she had finally warmed up a little and wasn't as jittery as before the wedding. I hoped so, at least. I didn't want my friend thinking she was making a mistake, even though I knew she was. But what was I to do about it? I tried to offer an alternative and Alice didn't want to listen. If this wedding was going to be a mistake, Alice would just have to weather it. I would help her as best as I could if the outcome wasn't good. Since I was in church, I prayed that God would give Alice strength and protect Ruby from sadness.

And have Peter, the backbone, to admit that he was gay.

But I knew every prayer couldn't be answered.

I winked at Alice as she passed me. She winked back and smiled at Ruby, who looked positively radiant with excitement. Seeing her parents getting married was the happiest day of her life.

"Who gives this bride to be wed?" the priest asked Mr. Brandon.

Mr. Brandon puffed up his chest. "Her mother and I do."

He handed off Alice's arm to Peter, who quickly looked at her pearl-less neck and glared at me over his shoulder.

"Oops," I mouthed to him for not relaying his necklace order. …

I would have loved to say that the wedding got interrupted by an act of God or Peter's secret gay lover stopping by to whisk Peter off into the sunset, in a controversial, yet valiant way like at the end of the film, The Graduate, but alas, it didn't.

Alice and Peter were now husband and wife.

Bummer.

At least Ruby was ecstatic. She hadn't stopped jumping up and down with glee since the ceremony ended.

"Munchkin, you gotta settle down. You're never going to make it to the reception," I told her as I held her hand. Alice asked me to keep an eye on her while she Peter and greeted their guests in the receiving line outside the church after the ceremony.

"I can't, Auntie Bella. I'm too hoppy!" Ruby giggled as she hopped. "I wanna dance, Bella. When do we get to dance?"

This girl was going to crash and burn by the middle of the reception. "Later, after we eat cake!" I said excitedly.

That seemed to appease her as she started to shout, "Cake! Cake!" while still tugging on my hand.

Great, wrong thing to say to a three and half year old.

"Ruby, baby, you need to settle down. We're almost done out here." Alice appeared at my side, kneeling down to talk to Ruby.

"Momma, Bella said we get to eat cake!"

Alice smiled. "Yes, we do, baby. But first we need to take pictures with Daddy and Auntie Rose inside the church."

A questioning look appeared on Ruby's cherub face. "You forgot about Jasthper?"

Alice stood and took Ruby's hand from me. "Jasper left, baby. He'll be back later." She looked at me. "Maybe," she whispered.

My crinkled my brow. "He left? Where did he go?"

Alice shook her head. "I don't know."

I hoped that he would be back for the reception. I needed to talk to him, clear some air. I wanted to find out why he didn't want Alice to know we'd met before today, and why he was so nasty to her earlier. I also still felt that crazy pull that I had last night with him, and I needed to see what that was all about. It still confused me. I was set on forgetting Whit last night, but life seemed to want him around. It was clear to me for the first time ever that I wanted to spend time with a man more than just in bed.

Frankly, it scared me.

Alice was right earlier about Gianna not wanting to see me live the way I was living. Maybe Whit was a way around this life of meaninglessness?

Whit told me last night that I could be his inspiration. That had to be something positive. Most men told me I had nice tits, not that I could inspire them.

I was going to ask Alice if Whit was going to come back at all when a soft, deep voice interrupted us.

"Alice, it was a nice wedding." I turned quickly and was face-to-chest with Mr. Cowboy. He was standing that close. He tipped his ball cap. "Congratulations."

I looked up at him. He looked down at me. I blinked. He blinked. He was really tall. And he smelled really good, like soap, but really clean soap. Irish spring, maybe. No cologne. Just clean, fresh from the shower, all naked and….

I shook my head.

Alice turned around so fast, she could have gotten whiplash. A bright smile graced her mouth, the first real one of the day. "Thank you, Edward!" Alice leaned down and told Ruby to find her grandpa and the little girl scampered away.

I looked stunned at Alice and took a step back, creating just a little bit of distance between us. Mr. Cowboy swayed in his boots in my direction but then quickly corrected himself, rooting his feet.

Edward? Mr. Cowboy was the Edward Alice wanted to introduce me to? The Edward that would be "good for me," as she had said. I looked him up and down again. Did she not know me at all? Mr. Cowboy/Edward was not my type whatsoever. Sure, he was very handsome. But he still wasn't anything I would go for. At. All.

He wore a bolo tie for crying out loud. Did his momma dress him?

Edward cleared his throat. "I tried to find Peter but he's nowhere around here. " He looked over the crowd. "I guess I'll see him at the reception." Edward began to turn away.

"Wait!" Alice took my arm. "Edward, this is my friend, Bella." Alice winked at me. "Bella this is one of mine and Peter's friends, Edward. He grew up with us too."

Did everyone grow up here? I was starting to get a Children of the Corn vibe going on.

I stuck out my hand. "Nice to meet you," Mr. Cowboy…naked….smells of Irish soap….bolo tied down to my bed, "uh, Edward. "

Edward wrapped his massive hand around mine and my only thought was warmth.

Very warm, hot hands on me….

"It's nice to meet you, too, Bella," he uttered quietly as he firmly grasped my hand. I was right, his hands were rough, but not in a bad way. They felt strong. He then dropped my hand like a hot potato and started to walk way. "Well, I best be going..."

"Oh Edward, I wondered if you would help me out," Alice added hastily.

I could see where this was going already.

"Alice," I breathed, trying to stop her.

"Sure, if you need anything," Edward replied, postponing his departure.

"Well, I was wondering if you could help, Bella, really. She's not from around these parts and has no family around. Actually, she's here all by herself."

I rolled my eyes.

"Oh," he said, looking at his feet.

"Alice," I gritted through my teeth as Edward looked back up at me. I put on my best fake smile so I didn't seem rude.

Alice was relentless. "Bella could probably use some company until the reception." Alice squeezed my arm, hard. "If you don't have any plans for a couple of hours, would you mind, perhaps, showing Bella around town until six?" Alice pouted at me. "I don't want her getting bored in this small little town of ours."

"You don't have to," I interceded, which earned a harder squeeze from Alice. I had to bite my tongue not to yelp.

Cue the puppy dog eyes from Alice. "I would really appreciate it, Edward. Bella is like a sister to me and I hate to think she would be all by herself."

Edward scratched the back of his neck and then pulled out a pocket watch, checking the time.

How old was this guy anyway? A pocket watch? Really?

Edward looked at me. "If she wants."

Alice clapped her hands. "Oh, she wants, all right." She gave me a little push toward Edward. "Okay, I have to get back to my guests and then run and take pictures in church. Where did Ruby go, anyway?"

I tried to grab her arm, but missed. "Alice," I hissed under my breath.

She ignored me. "Oh there she is. Gotta go. See you to at the reception." She waved her fingers in a conniving manner and disappeared into the throng of people still outside the church.

I was speechless. Dumbfounded. Confunkled.

Actually, I was really fucking pissed off.

How could she just blindside me like that?

The air between Edward and I was awkward at best. He shuffled his feet while I fumed internally. He looked anywhere but at me, and I felt my blood pressure start to rise. My hands were in fists and if I grated my teeth any harder, I was sure I would lose some. I wasn't mad at Edward. I couldn't blame him. He was blinded as much as myself, and obviously too polite to have refused Alice's offer. "I'm sorry," we both said at the same time.

Edward smiled and I mirrored his expression.

"I'm sorry about her," I said. "I had no idea she was going to do that. Please don't feel obligated to show me around. I'm fine on my own."

"It's okay. I'm used to Alice doing that sort of thing. It's not the first time," Edward replied.

"Oh sure, growing up together would make you resilient against her charms." I rolled my eyes.

Edward smiled. "Not so resilient."

I smiled back. He was flirting with me. I might have liked it, maybe.

Edward turned and jutted his chin toward the parking lot. "So…?"

Feeling embarrassed that he felt he needed to keep me company just because of Alice, I shook my head. "Really, you don't waste your time with me. I'm sure I can find a library or coffee shop until the reception."

Edward sighed and squinted at the sun. "You coming?" He turned and started to walk away, completely ignoring me.

I hurried to catch up to him, my heels clicking on the concrete. "W-what-?" I stammered.

Edward stopped and turned around. I nearly bumped into his wide chest. "A library and a coffee, huh?"

"Y-yes." His closeness s was starting to have an effect on me. I could make out his toned muscles under his tacky shirt. My heart rate picked up.

I gulped.

"Good." Edward reached for the door of a beat up maroon Chevy truck. The door opened with a low moan of metal meeting metal. "Get in."

"B-but-"

Edward huffed. "You're from out of town, I'm not. I know where books and lattes are, you don't. Stop stuttering and get in." He pointed toward the truck, looking a little annoyed.

Not expecting him to be so gruff, I shut my mouth and got into the truck without a word, which was so unlike me. He shut the door and tapped the hood as he rounded the vehicle.

Edward slid into the driver's seat and started the truck. The inside of the cab was dirty, dusty, very tattered and used. I guessed the truck was an older model judging by the appearance. Mid-90s probably. A coffee can full of metal chains slumped against my feet, a tool box sat on the bench seat between us, paper receipts and manila folders were scattered on the dash, and take-out bags littered the floor. The diesel rumbled loudly as he revved the engine. I looked out the grimy passenger side window and saw Alice talking with a guest. I threw poisoned darts with my eyes at her and she met my murderous gaze with a proud smile.

I jumped in my seat when Edward turned on the radio. Very loud, twangy whines reverberated throughout the cab. "I hope you like country music," he spoke over the blaring noise, his green eyes soft and kind.

I groaned and sank lower in my seat, hoping that my ears wouldn't start to bleed.

A/N

True facts from chapter three

The first time I met my husband was at my best friend's wedding. But I didn't speak to him until a year later.

I own a fab black wrap dress that makes me look smexy.

There are many multi-million dollar horse farms and breeders around Washington, Mo. Lots of snooty country folk. LOL.

I have posted a pic of a bolo tie in my profile, if no one knows what that is. It's just a fashion NO in my book.

Come tweet with me I'm Larin20 on Twitter.

I like sugar, leave me some!