"What's the matter with you? You've been on another planet since we left Chicago." Rose leans over and whispers to me.
She's right, but I thought I was doing a good job of hiding it. The truth is, I've been on another planet ever since Edward's big revelation yesterday. I've been up all night thinking about it. The doctor in me wants to reach out to him to see if he's all right, but another part of me insists that I let it go and just walk away. But I didn't just walk away; I got on a plane and left Chicago. I need this time to get my head clear, anyway.
"I'm fine, Rose." I lean over and whisper back, somewhat annoyed by her observation.
"I'm going to use the bathroom. I'll be right back," Jake announces. He's obviously unaware of the side conversation between Rosalie and me.
"That's a crock of shit and you know it, Isabella Swan." She waits until Jake is just out of earshot. "You haven't said ten words all morning. It's so unlike you. Are you going to tell me what the problem is? Are you and Jake still having problems?"
I bite my lip and contemplate telling her. I'm not exactly sure how to bring it up, but I know she'll keep hounding me, unless I tell her something.
"All right, fine. Hypothetically speaking…." I obfuscate. "Let's say I have this patient…well ex-patient and he's a nightmare to deal with, to say the least. He's calculating and …and…manipulative… doesn't treat women with any kind of respect whatsoever…"
"Is this about Doctor Masen, Bella?"
Shit.
"Damn it, Rosalie! I said hypothetically speaking." I whisper-shout my irritation.
"Okay, don't bite my head off! Hypothetically speaking…go on." She urges, but now I'm skeptical.
I take a deep breath and start again.
"Ex-patient and a nightmare, as I was saying, but what if there was something so tragic that happened in his life …so deeply tragic, that caused him to be the ass that he is? Hypothetically speaking, that is."
"Well hypothetically. I think you're talking about Masen, and there is no excuse for any sort of abuse of a woman, tragic past or not…hypothetically."
Crap, she's pissed.
"Hypothetically, I think you should dump his ass as a patient."
"Ex-patient."
"Well then, in that case, hypothetically speaking, I think that there is absolutely no reason for you to continue to see this 'ex-patient.' She air-quotes with her fingers. "Does that answer your question?
"Yeah, pretty much."
She ends the conversation by putting her earbuds in, but my obsessing continues.
After their encounter, Edward had left his own impression on Rosalie, but I admit I worsened when she started connecting the dots that he was indeed the difficult patient I'd been referring to. That was a professional slip on my behalf, which I still regret. Since then, she's been pretty scathing about him.
We're parting ways with Rosalie. She's staying with her parents, who only live a few miles away from mine. I'm sure she's staying with them only so she won't feel like a third-wheel.
"We should introduce her to my cousin Paul," Jake says as we wait for her to pick up her rental car.
"Paul and Rosalie?" I cringe. "He's not her type."
"What was that? I saw that cringe. What's wrong with my cousin?" he asks humorously.
"Nothing is wrong with Paul. He just can't handle a woman like Rose."
We turn to watch her chewing out the guy who obviously brought her the wrong car.
That poor guy! I shake my head at the scene.
"Thanks, baby," Jake chuckles as he looks on in awe.
"You're welcome." I won't be held responsible for unleashing Rosalie on a mild-tempered man like Paul. She needs someone who can keep up with her. We're still looking for a guy who is up to the task.
Jake and I are finally on the road and an hour later, we pull up to my parents' house.
My mother is already on the lawn, ecstatically waiting for us to exit the car.
"Sweet Pea!"
I hurry over, silently cursing the nickname she's called me since I was little. We hug for a long while before she turns to Jake.
"Are you taking care of my Sweet Pea, Jacob?"
"I'm doing my best, Mrs. Swan," he chuckles and returns her embrace.
"Call me Renee, you're family, Jake," she rolls her eyes playfully.
"Where's Dad, Mom?"
'He's out back, grilling all your favorites." She wraps her arm around my waist and leads me in.
"I'll grab the luggage," Jake calls from behind us.
"Are you sure? Here, let me help you."
"No, no. I have it, sweetheart; you go and visit with your parents. They miss you. I'll get everything inside," he waves us toward the door.
"He's more handsome than I remember. When are you two getting married and giving me some grandchildren?"
"Mom," I warn.
"Fine. I'll be good. I promise, Sweet Pea."
I know that she won't be able to keep that promise.
I tiptoe up behind my father, but he spins around before I can clasp my hands over his eyes to surprise him. He's always caught me, even when I was a kid.
"Your hair has grown," he says as we hug. He always notices things like that, and I think it's sweet.
"I hear the grass has gotten shorter," I wink at him.
"She hates that thing, drives her crazy," he whispers conspiratorially as he leans down to nuzzle my forehead with his.
"I know," I whisper back.
"Next year, for Father's Day, I want an electric saw."
"You've got it," I giggle and hug him, this time a little longer.
"Where's that hot-shot lawyer boyfriend of yours?"
"He's bringing the luggage in." I dip my finger in his homemade barbecue sauce.
"Perfect, Dad."
He gives me a 'thumbs up' sign and goes back to arranging the food on the grill. "So, when are you two getting married?"
"Dad." I warn for the second time today.
My parents are obsessed with my marital status. They're definitely going to be up to no good during this visit.
When Jake finally joins us, we take the food inside. My dad has made everything, from barbecued porterhouse steaks to homemade apple pie. He's always been an excellent cook. My mother and I have always just sat back and reaped the benefits.
"How's the firm, Jake?" My father refills his glass with iced tea.
"Thank you, Charlie. Uh…things are really good, although I couldn't wait to step away for a while, spend some quality time with Bella." He turns and smiles at me.
"How long are you going to be able to stay?" Mom asks.
"We'll be staying for four days. I'll also be working this weekend."
"Oh, that's right, you have that medical conference to attend."
"Mmhm," I mumble with my mouth full.
"Well, it's wonderful that you two could arrange to have the same time off," she adds.
"That was all Jake. He rearranged his schedule so we could have the time together. I'm so happy and grateful that he did." I lean over and kiss him on the cheek.
"Aw, that's so sweet. Charlie, isn't that wonderful?"
"It sure is. It will be more wonderful if I could get a grandchild soon."
Damn it.
We're up late, catching up until my father can no longer hang and heads off to bed. Mom shows us where we'll be sleeping and then joins Dad. My parents' house is huge, and my mother, assuming that we would want privacy, has insisted that we take the furthest bedroom from theirs. She's nuts if she thinks I'll be having sex in this house, Jake on the other hand, has other ideas.
"Jake, stop it!" I whisper sternly. "I can't do this with my parent's down the hall!"
"Are you kidding me? Their bedroom is literally three-quarters of a mile away," he exaggerates as he strips off his shirt and stands before me all tanned and muscular. "They won't hear a thing."
"Jacob Black, I'm serious." I watch him unzip his jeans and push them, along with his boxers, down his hips. He's naked and very erect. How can I protest?
"I'm serious too, Bella." He grabs my ankle and pulls me down to the end of the bed to meet him. Before I know it, he has me naked and doing what I swore I wouldn't be caught dead doing in my parents' house. I hope they're not listening.
.
.
.
Rosalie shows up the next morning to pick me up for the conference. Jake and my father have gone to a doubleheader baseball game that will keep them occupied all day. My mother is at her book club meeting, then she's going shopping for some extra 'little things', she says I need for the banquet dinner. She enjoys being able to shop for me; it makes her feel like she still has a little girl. Who am I to disillusion her?
"So, how was your first night back home?" Rosalie asks as we get stuck in traffic.
"It was really nice. My dad grilled steaks and then both my parents grilled me about my personal life. It was fun."
"Yeah, sounds like the same thing that went on at my welcome home dinner. Only difference is, you have a personal life. My mother doesn't understand how someone as beautiful, smart and ambitious as me hasn't been able to land a man. Her words exactly."
"What did your father have to say?" I laugh.
"He said, 'Rosalie, darlin', never get married so you can keep the Hale name alive after I'm dead and buried'." She imitates her father's voice to perfection.
"Your dad is hilarious." Rose's parents are a riot because they're like night and day, and no one can fathom how two such different people could stay married for so long; but they have and are still very much in love.
"Yeah, well, maybe you can offer them your expertise. Then maybe they would agree on something."
"Your parents are fine, believe me. They don't need to agree on everything."
"Well, you're the expert. God, traffic is horrendous!" she honks her horn impatiently at the driver in front of us.
We arrive much later than we had planned. The room, thankfully, is too crowded for people to notice. Well, except for Tanya Denali. She noticed and makes it her mission to let us know.
"Bella, Rosalie, what took you guys so long? You do know that the conference started over an hour ago?"
There are hundreds of people, maybe close to a thousand, and she is able seek us out instantly! We show our medical identification at the counter and are granted access.
"It's just like you to clock everyone's time, Tanya. Don't you have anything better to do?" Rosalie spits out venomously.
Tanya scowls, but doesn't retort, and it isn't because she doesn't know what to say. She can give as good as she gets, and they could go at it for hours. For some reason, she chooses not to entertain an argument with Rose today. Tanya and Rosalie share a love-hate relationship, surely more hate and less love.
"It's nice to see you, Bella. I hope we can meet up later, maybe have a drink or two?"
"Sure, Tanya. Let's do that."
She scowls darkly at Rose before turning to walk away.
"Be nice." I warn as sweetly as I possibly can.
"I'm being nice," she holds up her hands in mock surrender.
"Uh huh. Let's go."
We head in to where a video-cinematography presentation is scheduled to start. A speaker steps up to the podium.
"Good morning. I'd like to take this time to thank each and every one of you for attending this year's Annual Conference. Each year, as you know, the summit focuses on a specific area of medicine. I'm proud to announce that this year's focal point is the heart. Heart health is one of the important medical issues facing us today. We are constantly researching and developing ways to prolong life and keep the heart healthy. It's such an important goal, and we still have a long road ahead of us. I'm proud to say that because of your attendance at this summit and tomorrow night's dinner and auction, you will play a vital role in helping to ensure heart health. Now, I feel I've spoken enough and it's time to turn over the microphone to someone who knows a great deal about subject matter. Doctor Masen, will you do us the honor?"
"Thank you, Gianna."
My attention is immediately riveted at the mention of his name, and my eyes widen when he steps up to the podium. I don't know why I'm shocked that he's here. He's a world-renowned cardiothoracic surgeon. Of course, he'd be here. I guess I'm just a little surprised to see him so soon after the altercation back at my office.
"Speak of the devil…hypothetically of course." Rosalie leans over to comment.
"Shut up!" I snap.
"Good morning, everyone. My name is Doctor Edward Masen. I'm a cardiothoracic surgeon at St. Luc's in Chicago, in case anyone here doesn't know that already," he jokes lightly, and the entire room laughs.
"On a more serious note, we're all here with the same goal in mind, and that is to raise awareness and hopefully, a substantial amount of money for the research into heart health, as Gianna has already mentioned. Now, I'm sorry I don't have a more detailed speech prepared as I'm filling in for my father, who was supposed to speak today, but had to cancel as he, unfortunately, was called away to California.
I hope to make up for his absence and my lack of preparation with the remarkable presentation, that a host of brilliant doctors from around the world and I have put together over this past year. I hope that you enjoy it."
He's passionate and sincere; all traces of the flirtatious, pompous Doctor Masen are nowhere to be found. Why would they be? He's the consummate professional and an amazing surgeon, this is about work, and I for one, understand the importance of professionalism.
I continue to watch him carefully as he flips through the stills, detailing each one with great passion, knowledge and precision. The man is a force to be reckoned with, his ability to draw people in and hold attention is awe-inspiring.
"Boy, am I glad I'm not you." Rosalie says.
"Shh!"
"I mean seriously, just to think that you have to counsel someone that insanely hot and not be able to…."
"Don't you dare finish that sentence and be quiet. We're at a medical conference, for God's sake."
"I'm just saying," she murmurs to herself, but loud enough for me to hear.
"I know what you're saying, and it's ridiculous. I mean aren't you the one who said I should dump him as a patient? Wasn't that you?"
We agree to disagree and turn our attention back to the presentation.
Once concluded, refreshments are being served, and everyone mingles. I take the time to read over the itinerary for the rest of the weekend. In my periphery, I see Edward. He's standing alone, seemingly doing the same thing. Fighting my better judgment, I decide to congratulate him on his presentation.
He doesn't notice my approach, so I catch him totally off guard.
"Ahem…"
His head jerks up, and his eyebrows furrow briefly.
"Small world," he finally says.
"Obviously."
The silence is awkward, and I scramble for something to say.
"Anyway, I just wanted to say, that was amazing work you did up there. It was awe-inspiring."
"Thank you."
What? No smirking, smiling or flirting?
He's almost monosyllabic. Has our last encounter changed everything? Whatever this behavior is, it's knocking me off balance. I'm not sure how to deal with this Edward Masen.
"So…are you attending the dinner tomorrow night?"
Smart, Bella!
"Yes, I'll be there. Can't miss the tradition."
I nod and turn to avoid his gaze. I suddenly feel that it was a huge mistake for him to have revealed such a private part of himself to me, which is ridiculous as my entire professional relationship with him was based on me wanting to have him do exactly that.
"Hello, I'm Doctor Rosalie Hale." She appears out of nowhere and extends her hand to him. He takes her hand politely and smiles.
"I remember you. That was you that night at my brother's pub."
Kill me now.
"Yes, that's me," she says haughtily.
"That's funny. I didn't know then that you were a doctor." He frowns slightly.
"That is funny, because at the time I didn't know you were either…. among other things."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that I didn't know anything about you until my friend Bella, here, enlightened me."
Oh God, Rosalie.
"Did she now? What exactly did Bella enlighten you about?" he looks at me accusingly.
"Nothing," I jump in and pull Rosalie away, but she won't budge.
Why is she doing this?
"No, I'm interested in knowing what exactly you told her about me, because I believe doctor-patient confidentiality was definitely still intact back then."
"It was intact, and I simply told her that you were my patient, Edward. That's all."
"Are you sure that's all you said, because I'm getting some really weird vibes from your friend."
"Listen buddy, I don't need Bella to break doctor-patient confidentiality to realize what kind of guy you are. You had your grimy hands all over me at that pub, and you made no secret as to what you were after."
"Rosalie!"
"No, Bella. This guy needs to be put in his place."
Edward's eyebrows shoot up, aside from that, his expression doesn't really change much. I expect sarcasm and arrogance, but this is something different. He looks hurt.
"Is that what you're doing, putting me in my place? If I recall correctly, you didn't mind me having my hands all over you, and while I made no secret of what I was after, you seemed all too ready, willing and able to go along with it."
"You jerk! I cannot…"
"Look," he pinches the bridge of his nose. I've come to learn that this is a precursor to him becoming angry. "I don't know what I did to offend you, or if I offended you, but if I did, I apologize. You're a beautiful woman, who I was attracted to, and you gave all the signs that you were willing, and that's the gist of it. We're here for another reason, so as doctors can we just co-exist and enjoy the weekend?"
Rosalie and I look at each other. She looks back at him and blinks slowly, waiting for him to say more, but he just fixes us with a steady gaze.
"We can co-exist, just as long as you know not to cross any lines." Rosalie practically commands.
"And what lines might they be?"
"The lines you cross when there is a beautiful woman, who you are attracted to, involved; if I'm quoting you correctly, Doctor Masen," she gestures to me.
Jesus! She's really on a roll.
He looks at me and shakes his head in disbelief.
I don't know what to say. Rosalie has said it all, and I don't even know exactly what has her so riled.
"Unbelievable," he scoffs and walks away.
"Edward…" I try calling after him to apologize, but he doesn't answer.
"What the hell was that, Rose?"
"You tell me, Bella?" she snorts. "What's going on between you and that guy?"
"Going on…wha…wait a minute, what?" I stammer.
"Any fool with two eyes can see that there is something going on between the two of you, and knowing what I know, I'm going to save you from making a huge mistake."
What the hell is she talking about?
"Ladies room, now, Rosalie Hale," I snap and pull her toward the restroom. I practically slam the door shut behind us.
"Let go of my arm, Bella." She yanks her arm away and spins around to face me.
"You want to explain what you meant by what you said back there?"
"Bella, before I came over, I could see that you were in an awkward situation with him."
"So what?"
"So what? You don't see it, do you?"
"See what, Rose? What are you talking about?"
"You don't see the way he looks at you? I noticed it right away. It was the same look he gave you that night at the pub. He wants you."
Jesus Christ.
"He wants everybody, Rosalie, not just me."
"All the more reason for me to save you from him."
"I don't need you to save me from anything. I'm a grown woman!"
"Has he ever hit on you?"
My mouth opens and closes repeatedly. How do I respond to that?
Yes. He's expressed thoughts of wanting to fuck me on my desk and up against a window. No, definitely can't respond to that.
"That's what I thought. I'm justified." She turns to walk out of the door, but I pull her back.
"How does he look at me?"
"Oh. My. God!" she gasps.
"Just answer the damned question, Rosalie." I roll my eyes in frustration.
"He looks at you like you're his salvation, like he wants you to see the good in him; like you're the one, Bella!"
"You can tell all of that from just today?" I scrunch my face in confusion.
"Yes, I can, and you better be careful, because he's an opportunist, and men like him will ruin you, and don't think for a second that I forgot about all that 'hypothetical' bullshit. Can we go back to the conference now?"
I release her arm, and she leaves the restroom with me still standing there bewildered.
He thinks I'm his salvation?