A/N: Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and wishing you all the best for 2014! Apologies for the delay in updating - Christmas kind of took over! Anyway, new year, new chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 32

Tanya clearly meant war, as she had invited a whole army of friends round to the party to help her in the Battle to Win Edward Cullen. The party was in full swing and Bella now had no doubt in her mind that was Tanya's end goal. "Who's the leech hanging off Cock-blocker?" asked Rosalie, who'd finally surfaced from spending the afternoon in the bedroom with Emmett.

"That's his ex-girlfriend, Tanya," explained Bella, trying to keep her voice steady. She took another swig of her drink, hoping it would douse some of the jealousy burning up inside her. She nearly choked on it as she saw Tanya casually letting her arm slide down Edward's back and brush the top of his butt. "Subtle, isn't she?"

"At least she'll keep him busy and away from you. That Dmitri is pretty cute, you know?" laughed Rose.

Bella took a deep sigh. "Rosalie, I've told you, the game's over. I'm not interested in Dmitri, or James, or…"

"Edward?" It was Alice, appearing from nowhere with Jasper by her side.

"W-what? What are you talking about, Alice?" Bella tried to laugh it off, raising her eyebrows at the 'stupidity' of her friend's comment.

"Come on, Bells. You haven't been able to take your eyes off him all evening. And I've nearly had to call the cops several times about the daggers you've been throwing that blonde girl. You know, I almost wouldn't have noticed myself, but Jasper picked up on it and when he mentioned it to me, it suddenly seemed so obvious." Bella threw a look at Jasper, who shrugged apologetically. "So were you ever going to tell us you like Edward?"

Bella sighed again and covered her face with her hands. She didn't need to see to know Rose was looking at her incredulously. "Honestly guys, I've really only just realised it myself," she confessed. "But, yeah, I do like him. A lot." Bella dropped her hands and looked around at her friends, scared to see their reaction. Rosalie was still looking pretty dumbfounded, Jasper was smiling at her kindly, and Alice was practically bouncing up and down on the spot, a huge grin splitting her elfin face. "Please don't say anything though, I haven't told him how I feel yet!"

"Oh my god, Bella. I'm so happy for you! Edward is such a sweet guy. You two would be great together! You need to tell him. Tonight! It's the perfect opportunity. You could take him for a walk on the beach, under the stars. Oh, it's going to be so romantic!"

"Um, Alice," interrupted Rosalie. "I don't mean to prematurely stop your wedding planning but we have one teensy, tiny problem. Her." Rose nodded in the direction of Tanya, who was leaning in close to show Edward something on her phone. Probably photos of her dumb dog, thought Bella.

"We need something to distract her," said Alice, with a look of concentration on her face. Bella could see Alice was enjoying this – she loved planning stuff, no matter what it was.

"I was thinking maybe Dmitri…" suggested Bella. Alice beamed. "Great idea, Bells! Jazz and I will grab Dmitri and take him over to introduce him to Tanya, then you can cut in with some excuse to talk to Edward. Alone." She widened her eyes, knowingly.

"I don't know, Alice. I'm not sure I'm ready to do this." Rosalie flashed Bella a wicked grin, poured a shot of neat vodka and handed it to her friend. Bella knocked it back in one gulp. "There," said Rose. "Now you are."

oOoOo

The first part of the plan went swimmingly. Alice and Jasper told Dmitri that Tanya had begged to be introduced to him, so he happily went over to meet her, preening like a peacock. Bella, who was watching from across the room, thought she saw Tanya's eyes light up – probably when she found out Dmitri was a professional model. She had loosened her clutches on Edward to shake Dmitri's hand, and Bella had made herself ready to swoop in. But before she could make a move, Edward walked away from the group.

Bella saw her chance and started to follow him, praying he wasn't just going to the bathroom. That would be awkward. Before long, she found herself in the entrance hall, just in time to see Edward closing the front door behind him. Was he leaving the party? No, he didn't have a coat and it was freezing outside. He must just be going out to get some air. Bella didn't blame him – Tanya had been pretty much suffocating him for the past hour.

Bella hesitated before following him out. Was she ready to be alone with him? She felt herself flush as she remembered their encounter that afternoon. Edward didn't know she was aware of him watching her in the shower, but he'd barely been able to look her in the eye since. He'd blushed and stammered when she'd tried to speak to him at the party, and made some excuse to go and get more drinks. If she cornered him now, would he run off again like a frightened rabbit? She had to hope not.

Feeling her heart thumping in her chest, Bella cautiously opened the front door. Edward was leaning against the porch railing, staring out to the ocean, the chiselled features of his face enhanced by the pale moonlight. God, he is beautiful, thought Bella. Hugging herself to keep warm, she walked over to his side, her arm touching his. "Hey. You okay?"

Edward looked down at her and smiled wryly. "It's just a little… suffocating in there."

Bella returned his smile. "Yeah, I could see that. It must be difficult seeing your ex again. Do you… do you still have feelings for her?" Bella cursed herself as soon as the words slipped out. She was supposed to be telling Edward how she felt about him, not asking how he felt about his ex-girlfriend. But she knew he still had some conflicting feelings about Tanya and she had to know how deep they were.

Edward sighed. "I think when you're in a serious relationship with someone, a part of you will always have some kind of strong feelings for them. I mean, you must understand that, right? With Mike?"

"I think the only strong feeling I have for Mike now is hate," said Bella. Edward laughed a little. "But I know what you mean. It's like, if you've loved someone, it's very difficult to just switch that off completely."

"Exactly," agreed Edward, sadly, looking out to the dark sea.

"Edward, I know I've only met Tanya for the first time today, and maybe she's a really nice girl. But do you really think it's a pure coincidence that she just happens to be staying at the beach the same weekend as you? And that suddenly she's interested in you again just as you've landed a job with Eclipse magazine?" Bella could feel Edward shifting uncomfortably next to her. She'd apparently hit a nerve.

"And what, Bella? You don't think I'm good enough for her to like me just for me? Is that it?" He turned round to look her squarely in the eye for the first time all evening.

"No, Edward," said Bella, gripping his arms with both hands. "What I'm saying is, you are an amazing guy. You're kind, you're funny, you're so, so talented. You make people happy. You make me so fucking happy. You deserve better than someone who just wants you because of your job or your current social status." Bella stopped, suddenly embarrassed, surprised at the raw passion in her voice.

A slow, crooked smile spread across Edward's face, as he brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. "Bella Swan, are you drunk?"

"No! Yes. A little." Bella bit her bottom lip. "Aren't you?"

"I must be, because I'm about to do something I'd never have the balls to do sober…" Before Bella had time to question him further, Edward lowered his head and gently kissed her on the lips. Her heart in her throat, Bella slid her hands up Edward's arms and around his neck, pulling him in closer. Reassured by her actions, he deepened the kiss, parting her lips with his tongue. Despite the cold sea air, Bella felt a delicious warmth spread though her body like wild fire. She melted into Edward as he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tightly. She felt delirious, like she would float away without Edward's strong arms to ground her. Gasping for breath, she reluctantly pulled away and opened her eyes. Edward was staring at her searchingly, hungrily, a hint of his crooked smile playing around his lips. "Bella…" She grinned back and moved in to kiss him again.

A/N: FINALLY! This isn't the end though, so stay tuned to find out whether Bella and Edward get their Happily Ever After…