Welcome back! Enjoy, dear readers!

Chapter 11

Bella awoke with one of those stomach-flipping, smile-inducing, happy feelings. She bounced around the hotel room, got ready for the day, and was one of the first people to arrive at the first session of her conference. She was nibbling on a muffin and replaying the events of last night when she felt a chair pull out next to her, and someone join her table. She glanced over, and was looking straight at a guy looking straight back at her. Bella quickly took in his long blonde hair, tied back low, his deep v-neck tshirt revealing various chains around his neck, and his purposely ripped jeans. He smiled, but it didn't necessarily feel like a friendly smile so much as a predatory grin, and reached out a hand.

"I'm James," he said smoothly as he shook Bella's tentatively offered hand. "And you must be…happy, from what I gathered. I couldn't resist sitting down next to someone with such an upbeat attitude."

"Uh, thanks. My name is Bella." Though his words were innocent enough, Bella suddenly felt her happiness dim and was ready to get on with her conference. Today she was supposed to have a small-group session with a few attendees and a professional songwriter where they would work on a song together.

James proceeded to sit right next to Bella the entire morning, attempting to engage her in flirtatious banter, which she politely but firmly returned with professional responses. Today she was dressed in an outfit Alice had left behind on the clothing rack she'd brought—Bella was wearing a pair of flattering skinny jeans, a cute but modest red off the shoulder blouse, and her new favorite cowboy boots—but despite her more trendy appearance, she was still here to learn about a career, not waste time with potentially skeevy men. She thought of how much time and attention she had been giving to Edward, but then shook her thoughts away. He doesn't count…he's a gentleman. And then her smile returned.

The rest of the day continued similarly, with James popping up from time to time, attempting to make a connection with Bella. He was even there in her small song-writing session. Ugh, she rolled her eyes at hic cliché suggestions. She was distracted most of the time, though, because at lunch she had received a phone call from Alice. The entire family had been benefactors to the local downtown art Museum, the Frist, and they were having an exhibit opening that night. Jasper couldn't attend because of a client who needed to produce a track "immediately," so they had an extra ticket. Bella quickly accepted. Alice told her she'd be over at 6 pm with some more clothes, because none of her honky-tonkin' ensembles would be appropriate for this more subdued soiree.

Am I going to see Edward in a suit? She immediately thought, and then proceeded to try to force the attractive image from her mind as she attempted to concentrate and avoid James at the same time.

Edward's day started similarly pleasant, spending the entirety of the day play golf with his dad, brother, and Jasper. The nice thing about having family in the medical, music, and sports industries is that they often had untraditional schedules. Since they didn't work the normal 9 to 5, they were able to make time for him this week.

Of course, they'd barely waited until the 3rd hole to start in about his new friend Bella. "We love her, don't get me wrong, but you looooove her," Emmett sang in his typical immature style. The other men, except Edward, laughed.

"Cut it out!" he exclaimed, though not as much angry as embarrassed. "I don't love her, of course. She's beautiful—"

"Freaking hot." Emmett interrupted.

"She's intelligent—" Edward continued.

"Quite the intellect," His father agreed.

Edward sighed and tried to finish his sentence. "And she's fun."

"Yeah, she's cool." Jasper said in his traditional laidback way.

Edward realized that he'd never have a chance to finish his thoughts, but was glad that his family seemed to have positive opinions about her.

Just then, a golf cart drove up, and they heard a high-pitched "Yooo-hoo" coming from the approaching vehicle. They all turned and noticed Judge Sutherland, an old friend of Carlisle and member of the club they were playing at. He was joined by his daughter, Victoria, who by definition was outstandingly beautiful and yet incredibly annoying. She'd always had her eye on Edward, since they were children in fact, and despite her looks, had always respectfully turned her down. He grimaced imperceptibly at the sight of her.

"Mind if we play though?" Victoria chirped as she jumped out of the cart. All the Cullen men, especially Edward, looked away as if the sky was suddenly intriguing. Her golf skirt was so short, they were afraid to look directly at it!

The way she said it, and the way that Carlisle and Judge Sutherland starting chatting about club activities and mutual friends, he could tell that they were not so much going to play through than play with.

The rest of the 15 holes were a comedy of errors, with Victoria coming on strong, Edward's brothers trying to run interference, and Carlisle and the Judge blissfully unaware, now discussing their putting practices.

On hole 18, Victoria approached Edward as he was refilling his water bottle at a nearby fountain. "I can't believe you didn't tell me you were coming home," she purred as she stroked him on the arm. As teenagers, there had been some harmless fooling around, as most teenagers tended to do, and she'd never let it go. Maybe this trip I need to be a bit more direct. She's gone on too long thinking we were going to be a possibility.

"Yeah, things have been busy back and Seattle, and I didn't really inform a lot of people—just my family and closest friends, really." He didn't intend to be rude, but did intend to make it known she was not on that list. Victoria charged on, undaunted.

"No matter," she responded as they walked back to the group. "You're here now, and that's what is important." She placed an arm through his, and he looked at his brother's for aid.

"Well, we best be moving on and finishing up," Jasper mentioned. "Don't forget, y'all, you've got that opening at the Frist, and you all need to get ready." It should have worked perfectly as an out. It didn't.

"Oh, you guys are attending tonight?" Judge Sutherland inquired. "Vicky, Mrs. Sutherland, and I will be there as well. How fortuitous!"

How fortuitous indeed, Edward thought bitterly. He checked his phone as they walked back to the club house, followed of course by Victoria and her dad. A text from Alice alerted him that Bella would now be taking Jasper's available ticket! Edward was a mix of emotions: happy he'd see her soon, and wary of Victoria inevitably laying it on thick tonight. What a mess…

Right as Bella was leaving her last session, James swooped in next to her. "So, Ms. Bella, what are you up to tonight? Have any plans?"

Ooh, perfect opportunity to turn him down, since I in fact do have plans! "Yes, actually. I am attending the new exhibit opening at the Frist tonight." She said it with a triumphant smile.

James's face fell for a moment, and then perked up. "Well, how funny. So am I! My sister is a member, but she couldn't go she gave me her two tickets. I was going to ask you to join me…but it's okay, because you'll already be there!" He paused for a second. "On a date?" he had the sense to ask.

Bella sighed heavily, both at the fact that he'd be at the same event as her, and also when thinking about this "date" question. No, it is not a date. Edward doesn't even have my phone number. It's more of a date with Alice than anything!

"No, just going with some friends." She smiled tightly. "Well, I better go get ready. Uh, I guess I'll see you there…" and with that she was off, walking quickly toward her hotel. James unabashedly watched her retreating form, licking his lips like a wolf.

Ugh, of couse James and Victoria had to come crash the party... Peace, love, and review!