The Book Store.

I have been working and going to school for what seems like forever, It`s funny, I always thought that my college days were going to be fun, invigorating, but instead I tended to stay locked inside myself and keep to myself. I live with my best friend Alice and she always tries to get me out and open me up but things don't really seem to change for me. I'm ok with it though. I can't really see myself any different than I am now.

So today is going along like any other day. It`s summer time here in Seattle and I am out of classes for the next two months so I decided to get as many hours as I could at work . I started working at Barnes and Noble last year when I started school just a few hours after school, but steadily started to work more hours. I really enjoyed working there. I love reading and all things that have to do with books so it's the perfect job for me. Today was another 8 hour day for me. I usually worked a closing shift so tonight was nothing new.

Being it was the summer the store was really slow and I was in the music center straightening up getting the store ready for closing when I heard someone playing what sounded like classical in one of the booths it seemed rather beautiful from what I heard, I walked around the music center and everything looked good so thought it was a good time to head to dinner it was after all 7pm I had been there since 2pm and I was ready to relax for a bit. I went to find Mike the closing manager to get him to cover the floor.

"Hey Mike, I'm going to take my dinner break. Is that ok?" Mike was a nice enough guy, about my age so we usually got along rather well. Closing the store with him was always easy.

"Yea Bella that's fine. Have a good Dinner"

"See ya in an hour"

I walked over to the computer and clocked out. I decided to go to my favorite corner and read through some of the new books we just got in. We got in some really interesting books on Egypt and some on Ireland, Two of the places One day I had to go to; there was something about them that just called to me. I was fascinated with anything that had to do with either of them.

"Excuse me, is anyone sitting here." I heard a man's voice ask from next to me but I didn't lift my head

"No, please go ahead" Again. I never lifted my head. Although I was an employee I couldn't bring my head out of this book on Ireland, the pictures were completely drawing me in. It gave all kinds of information on the landscape and the history of the land. I was completely lost in the pages.

"Have you ever been?" I forgot there was someone sitting next to me and I finally decided to look up. I almost fell out of my seat. I turned my eyes and gazed upon the most brilliant pair of green eyes I have even seen. They matched the color of the landscape of Ireland. It was incredible. I just stared in the eyes of this guy sitting next to me. I don't even think I had any expression on my face, I couldn't do anything. I was completely spellbound by the eyes.

He smiled slightly at me "I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt you, Ill leave you alone." He began to get up.

"NO" Oops Did I just yell. "No please stay I'm sorry, I just lost track for a second. Please stay. "

He sat back down never once taking his eyes away from mine and I knew that I was unable to take mine from his.

"So have you been to Ireland" He slid the right corner or his lips up into a crocked smile all the while keeping a hold of my eyes.

"Uhmm. No. I haven't but I have always dreamt of going. It`s amazing even in the books I read. I hope one day soon to be able to go." I realized that I spit that entire sentence out in one breath and I was now leaving over the arm of my chair towards him. I immediately sat back and I felt a ridiculous about of blush rush across my face, I again pulled up the book and brought it up to cover my face. I swear I heard a light chuckle from the man sitting next to me.

After a few minutes I couldn't tell if he was still sitting there or not so I decided to take a chance and look over. Nope... He was there, Reading a Medical journal book. He was dressed in a tight fitting black long sleeved shirt and a pair of dark washed jeans. His Eyes were not the only AMAZING thing about him. He seemed to have some muscle but not overly done by any means. The shirt clung to him and I could tell that he definitely had a tight stomach and strong arms. As I realized I was sitting there, mouth open, staring at this guy I heard his voice again

"You know if I didn't know any better I'd think you were staring at me" I looked up at him smiling the crooked and realized at that moment he caught me.

"Oh... Well... Uhmm... "Yea smart Bella, really. That's all I could get out. "Uhmm… ok … yea…" At that moment I closed my book stood up and walked away fully blushing again for the second time in just a few minutes. I almost couldn't walk fast enough to the back stock room. I pushed the door open and walked in closed the door just a quickly and leaned up against the wall to try and relax. I had about 15 minutes before I was due to clock back in and go back out to the floor. I decided to check out the door to see if he was still there. How the hell was I going to go out there if he was still sitting there? I opened the door a crack and looked to the chairs we were sitting at. Nothing. Ok good. Maybe I embarrassed myself enough and he took pity on me and left. Okay. I felt a bit better. I went around the back and went into the ladies room to run some water over my face to try to cool down the blush that was still raging in my face. Finally with just a few minutes to spare I was calmed down and ready to go back to work.

I Clocked in and went to find Mike who was up at the register with a customer.

"Hey Bella, Would you mind? There is a customer over near the travel books that was asking for some help."

"Yea mike No prob. I`ll work on straightening the back half of the store when I'm done anyway. Page me if you need me" I gave a slight smile and he nodded in approval, I turned to walk to the back of the store to the travel section. I walked down the travel isle but I didn't see anyone, I went to check the next isle when someone tapped on my shoulder.

"Excuse me Miss, do you think this book is a good representation on Ireland? I've wanted to take a trip and I want to get the most up-to-date information I can" I immediately froze in place and felt the redness creep back to my face. I turned to see those green eyes looking directly at me.

"Now I`ve heard it`s an amazing place and I thought I'd look into some travel guides and some historical information." He gave a full on smile and I tried to grab onto the book shelf trying to keep myself up right but failed Epically, My hand slipped and my knees gave out all at the same time and I began to fall to the floor. As I closed my eyes and braced for the hit, I realized I was being held up by a pair of strong but soft arms. I held my eyes closed tight and was propped upright brought close to what felt like a strong chest.

"You can open your eyes now" I felt warm breath against my face as he spoke, I began to open my eyes realizing who`s voice it was that was directly in front of me.. As soon as I opened my eyes I was dazed. I was within 3inches of his face. He smelt amazing. I couldn't even pinpoint the fragrance; it was sweet but manly at the same time. His eyes were again staring deep into my eyes, "Hi Again. Are you ok?"

"Uhmm Yes. Thank you. I'm sorry I fell.. I seem to do that a lot" I stood up and pulled back, instantly missing the warmth of his arms.

"well it`s a good thing I was standing there then. We don't want you hurting yourself now do we?"he chucked again and opened the book he still had in his hand.

"Yea I guess not…. Thanks again. So yea, what was your question I'm sorry." I began to fidget with my lanyard flipping it back and forth, trying to keep from freaking out. Again.

"Oh well I was just wondering if this was a good book for information on Ireland. I noticed it was the one you were reading and figured it had to be good for you to be so completely enthralled with it." He looked up from the book peering up through his eyelashes.

"Well yea. It`s great. It has amazing information on the location a visitor must visit, complete with pictures, and even has a lot of the history of the country. It`s really amazing. We just got it in today. So you`d be the first to have it from the store. I don't even have a copy. Waiting for payday and all" I laughed and he tilted his head up fully and laughed with me.

" Well then. I have to have it now. I get to be the first. So…" He looked down at my lanyard with my name on it. "Bella, are you planning to go to Ireland anytime soon? It seems like you have done a lot of research"

"Well…" I paused hoping he`d get the hint…

"Oh. Forgive me. Where are my manors I'm Edward." He extended his hand for a hand shake. I reached out to respond, an instant shock ran through my hand and up my arm.

"Well Edward. If only I was made of money I would go in a heartbeat. But sadly, my millions in lotto winnings haven't come in yet. So I'm biding my time here working for cooperate America simply passing the time." I said it with sarcasm and laughter. He laughed and closed the book and put it to his side in his hand.

"Yes well. Once you get your winnings I'm sure you`ll be on the first flight, am I right?"

"Or course, and I tell you what, I'll even spring for a ticket for you. I can't go all the way to Ireland without travel partner now can I." As soon as I said that, although in joking, I immediately blushed. Thinking of going to the country I dreamt of with the gorgeous man before me, who`s eyes would blend into the landscape. I almost lost myself again.

"It`s a date then Bella. I look forward to it. Until then, I bid you good evening." He reached out to what I thought was to shake my hand, I reached for his hand and when we connected I felt that shock again and he lifted my hand to his lips and ever so lightly kissed the top on my hand. "Until our next meeting Bella, have a good evening, I look forward to planning our trip." He winked and let go of my hand turned and walked away to the front of the store. I peered around the isle to watch him walk to the register, pay for the Ireland book and walk out the door in the matter of moments, not once turning around to me again.

I stood there, Dumb-struck. Man how was I going to explain this to Alice.

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I do not own twilight. I simply enjoy playing with the characters.