Disclaimer: I know I write this every time, but I do not own Twilight.

EPOV

I had been in the bookstore for nearly twenty minutes now, waiting for my step-sister and her husband. They were late meeting me for coffee and I was getting extremely annoyed. Newlyweds, I thought with some sarcasm. To be honest, I don't think much of marriage. The divorce rate is way too high. The odds of a marriage working out are very slim.

My parents divorced when I was five and my mother Esme remarried Carlisle, also divorced with two kids, when I was nine years old. Even my step-sister's new husband had been divorced. The people around me don't exactly have a great track record if you ask me. It doesn't really promote confidence.

I'll probably end up getting married some day, but I'm only twenty-five. And I'm not about to rush into anything. I date, but not often. My work is my life right now. I've had a couple serious relationships that have lasted more than a year and both girls wanted marriage, but I refuse to settle for anything less than perfect. I'm waiting for "the one" to come along. And I'm confident that I'll know her when I see her.

Just as that thought crossed my mind the most breathtakingly beautiful woman walked into the bookstore. And I mean that literally. I forgot to breathe there for a second.

She was about 5'5", not too short and not too tall. Her body was slender but with curves in all the right places. Her face was heart shaped and framed by a curtain of wavy mahogany hair that fell over her shoulders and down to the middle of her back. Her skin was pale but luminous against her hair. She had deep eyes the color of dark chocolate. I could get lost in those eyes and I nearly did until I saw her smile.

Talking casually with the sales clerk her luscious lips pulled into a heartwarming smile that reached her eyes. I was mesmerized by her for what seemed like an eternity when her laugh brought me back to reality. It was like music to my ears, a beautifully orchestrated symphony.

The old man behind the counter gave her a quick pinch on the cheek and then pointed her over to my direction. I quickly averted my gaze from the anonymous beauty and back to the shelves before me. I tried to concentrate on the books but it was proving to be quite difficult since my mind was obviously elsewhere.

She was in the next aisle over, so close that I could faintly smell her intoxicating scent. Freesia.

I kept stealing glances at her through the shelves when I was sure she wasn't looking. I took in every inch of her face. Her eyes, her nose, her cheeks, and her lips. I wanted to kiss those lips. I imagined myself pressing her up against the stacks and kissing her passionately until we were both gasping for breath. What the hell was I thinking? What's wrong with me? Maybe I should try talking to her first. Yeah, that sounds like a plan.

After a few minutes and a much needed pep talk, I finally mustered up the courage to go over to her. I was just about to make my way around to her side when some blonde guy came up on her right, obviously eager to talk to her. Damn!

"Hey Bella," he said.

Bella. So that was her name. It fit her perfectly. It was beautiful just like she was. God, I sound corny.

I watched from my side as this all played out before me. Bella rolled her eyes and stifled a groan. I chuckled at her obvious annoyance and her head snapped up instantly at the sound of my laugh. I quickly choked back my laughter. Our eyes met and she just gave me a knowing smile. I eagerly returned it with one of my own and I thought I saw her eyes glaze over.

"Earth to Bella," the guy said, waving a hand in her face.

She slowly broke eye contact with me and very reluctantly turned to the eager man waiting for her to respond.

"Hey Mike. How have you been?" she asked, half heartedly.

"Oh, you know? Same old, same old." He ran a hand nervously through his hair. "So…..is there anything you need help with today?" he asked with a huge smile on his face.

She sighed. "No. Just looking." She turned back to the stacks, throwing me a quick glance and a smile and said, "You know, seeing if anything catches my eye." She then continued perusing the books once again. Hmmm. Well that was interesting, I thought.

I continued to pretend to be looking through my book while secretly or not so secretly listening in to their conversation.

"Alright. Well, anyway, I've got two tickets to the Mariners game this weekend. I remember you being a big baseball fan." He was beginning to look hopeful. Idiot. "Would you like to go with me?"

Since she was facing my direction only I could see her bite her bottom lip--which was extremely sexy by the way--and close her eyes, cringing at the invitation. From her reaction you could tell she did not want to accept but was obviously having a hard time thinking up a reasonable excuse. I bet she was a bad liar. I decided that this was my chance.

I closed the book I was "reading" and made my way around the stacks to her side. Neither of them saw me coming. I walked up to her and proceeded to save her. Placing my hand at the small of her back I said, "Bella, I found the book you've been looking for."

She whipped around to face me and I was once again lost in the depths of the deep brown pools that were her eyes. She looked shocked at first. Naturally. But then her face melted into one of understanding and then gratitude.

"Oh. Thank you sweetie," she breathed, taking the book and placing her delicate hand against my cheek and gently rubbing her thumb across it. I was momentarily dazed as her warm breath fanned across my face. And her touch was so intimate it made me shudder, as I instinctively leaned into it. It felt amazing. Her hand was so soft and gentle against my skin. It felt like sparks were flowing between us and I knew she felt it too. Because she blushed the most beautiful shade of red and then gave me the sweetest smile.

Someone cleared their throat. "Who is this, Bella?" asked the irritating blonde man, Mike.

Damn him and his presence. He was really getting on my nerves. Why couldn't he just take the hint and get out of here?

His voice brought Bella and I out of our moment. For the brief time that our eyes met and our skin touched we were lost in our own little world.

Her eyes began to widen at the realization that she did not know my name. At least, that's what I assumed. I couldn't really get a good read on her. Normally I was good at reading people, but she was proving to be quite the mystery. A mystery I would willingly figure out.

Turning to him I extended my hand and introduced myself. "I'm Edward. And you are…….?" I asked, trailing off.

"I'm Mike," he said through clenched teeth, while squeezing my hand with unnecessary force. I returned the gesture and he flinched in response.

He dropped his hand and returned his attention to Bella. "So do you think you can come this weekend? The game is Saturday."

God, he was such a moron. We may not have actually been together, we may have only just met now, but from the show we just put on he should be thinking that we're a couple. So before she could open her mouth I responded for her. Hoping that my forwardness wouldn't piss her off.

"Sorry Mike, but we already have plans. I'm afraid Bella won't be able to make the game." I said this while putting my arm around Bella's waist and pulling her close.

Mike just glared at me, obviously annoyed that I answered for her. But I heard Bella let out a breath I didn't realize she had been holding. Good. I was afraid I had crossed the line, but thankfully she appreciated the gesture.

Looking back to Bella and nodding in my direction, Mike asked, "Is this your boyfriend or something?"

She just smiled, wrapping her arm around my back and shrugged her shoulders. "Or something," she replied, throwing me a glance. God, she was beautiful. I'll be anything you want me to be, I thought.

Mike's face fell and his shoulders slumped in defeat. "Oh. Well, I gotta get back to work. See you around." He then turned to me. "Nice meeting you, Edward." He said my name like it was acid. I just gave him a huge smile and a nod as he trudged off.

As he left she dropped her arm from my back and I reluctantly did the same. I really didn't want to let her go. It felt right to have her in my arms, to be this close.

"So. We have plans this weekend?' She asked, amusement clear in her voice.

Turning to her I began to apologize. "Sorry about that. I know it wasn't any of my business, but you looked like you could use the help."

I desperately hoped she wouldn't be angry at my little show. I really wanted to get to know her. But as I searched her face it showed no signs of anger or irritation. She was simply smiling at me.

I suddenly realized that I was staring at her lips and that she too was doing the same thing. I broke myself out of my daze, cleared my throat, and decided to look back into her eyes. That wasn't a much better idea seeing as how she seems to enchant me with them every time.

"Don't apologize. I should be thanking you. I'm so glad you stepped in when you did. I had no idea what I was going to say to him."

I let out a huge sigh of relief. She giggled in response to my reaction. She was adorable. I felt the urge to suddenly tickle her just so I could hear that giggle again. But I didn't think that would help my case of trying to get her number. Plus, that was just plain creepy. I mean seriously. Who tickles someone they don't even know?

"I take it you don't lie very often?" I asked. I pegged her to be a terrible liar. She seemed too sweet to be able to do it convincingly.

Laughing she said, "I lie when I have to, but not very well. I'm such a bad liar it's pathetic."

See, I knew it.

"He asks me out every time I come here and every time I say no. But today I just couldn't think up an excuse."

"Why don't you just go to a different bookstore?" I asked.

"Because, I like this store. I've been coming here since I was a kid. It's like a second home to me." She shrugged, "Besides, I try to come here when I know he won't be working."

I chuckled softly at her answer and found myself reaching my hand up to her face to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. A slight blush swept across her cheeks as my fingers first grazed the side of her face, then her ear, and then finally her neck during this process. I just couldn't resist the urge to touch her. She shuddered slightly at the contact and I smiled at her reaction.

I dropped my hand and cleared my throat. "So, then what do you normally do on the days that he happens to be here? You know, when some strange man isn't stepping in to rescue you, that is," I teased.

"Well, I usually have a list of excuses ready just in case something like today should happen. But I couldn't think clearly before. I was distracted," she responded a bit shyly, her eyes not quite meeting mine.

"What had you so distracted?" I was curious as to what could possibly distract her like that. Maybe it was that book she was reading.

Another blush made it's way to her cheeks. "You," she said simply.

A/N: Please review. I'd love to know what you think.