Because I edited and uploaded a chapter on another story earlier in the evening, I hadn't planned on updating this one just yet. But as I was looking through my story document, I realized this part was nearly finished. So here it is. Hopefully, it reads okay.

As always, thanks go out to all my readers, with a special shout-out going to those who left reviews on chapter 2: Currently Elsewhere, Goldielover, Ruiniel, magicbustrip, and Annedora. Your reviews brightened an otherwise stressful week and made me smile.

CHAPTER 3

UNFORGETTABLE

They were dancing in a slow-moving circle, the overhead lights casting star-like patterns all around. A gentleman through and through, Carlisle held Bella at a respectable distance. His features open and kind, he broke their silence by saying, "Now that you've graduated, how are you enjoying your time at home?"

Her left hand resting on his right shoulder, Bella gave a light shrug. "It's alright, I suppose. Charlie and Sue have been nothing but welcoming. But if I'm being honest, a part of me can't wait to get out of their hair, to land a job and find a place of my own."

"Alice tells me you applied for a teaching position at a college in Seattle."

"I did. It's for teaching English as a second language. But I applied to a few other places as well. Publishing houses and the like. I just haven't heard anything yet."

Carlisle regarded her with a warm expression. "Give it some time. I'm certain they'll call."

"I'm hoping they will, but since I don't have actual experience, I know it can be a while before I hear anything."

"Don't sell yourself short. You're intelligent, hard-working, responsible." One by one, his words sent a rush of heat to her blushing cheeks. "You have a passion for the English language. They would be fools not to consider you."

Angling her head to the side, Bella studied her dancing partner for a long moment. "Why are you always so kind?"

Carlisle chuckled at that. "I think, in this instance, the word you are looking for is 'truthful'. I mean it, Bella; they'd be crazy not to hire you."

Touched by his unwavering belief in her, Bella relaxed in the structured circle of his arms. With a sweeping glance around the room, she soon spotted her father and Sue. They were still seated at their table, but Alice had joined them. Whatever she was saying, Charlie seemed to find it amusing. His mouth was curved in a smile, his shoulders bobbing up and down as he laughed. He'd always liked Alice.

As she scanned the room for Emmett and Rosalie, Bella soon spotted them on the other side of the dance floor. A stunning couple, the dancing duo received many envious looks but, as always, had eyes only for each other.

"See, I knew you could dance." Carlisle's voice drew Bella out of her thoughts. "You haven't stepped on my toes even once."

"Ah, but this dance isn't over yet. I still might. I'm a klutz, rememb—" As if to prove her point, her ankle turned without warning. Not enough to cause pain or injury, but enough to skew her balance, and make her breath catch.

With lightning-quick reflexes, Carlisle tightened his hold on her. "Are you alright?"

Mortified beyond belief, Bella cringed, but held to his steady frame. "Yeah."

He was frowning now, his gaze lowering as he eased away just enough to peer down at her feet. "Did you hurt your ankle?"

"Only my pride. It was just a misstep." Bella straightened, and put her full weight on her foot. "See?"

Seemingly satisfied with her answer, Carlisle smiled, but narrowed his eyes in question.

"What?"

"Just something I noted earlier. Your shoes… I thought you weren't a fan of heels."

"I'm not. But I didn't exactly have a choice in the matter."

"Oh?"

"Alice. She sort of… stole my shoes."

His answering laughter caressed her eardrums, making her relax even more. Not only did the man know how to dance, Carlisle had a knack for putting her at ease—even with those hazardous stilettos strapped to her feet.

For the third time that evening, her thoughts vaulted back to the first time she had laid eyes on him. As Bella relived the event, she found herself chuckling, and couldn't seem to stop.

"You're laughing." Carlisle's mirthful expression mirrored her own, his voice scarcely above a murmur when he asked, "Where did you go just now?"

"I was just thinking. Remembering."

"Remembering what?" When her answer was slow to form, a look of embarrassment crossed Carlisle's beautiful face. If he had been able to, Bella felt certain he would have been blushing. "Forgive me," he said. "I didn't mean to pry."

"It's alright." It really was. "What you said earlier, about my dancing. I was just thinking about the night we met."

"Ah. The kitchen incident."

"Is that what we're calling it now?"

"Seems like a fitting name for it." His brows rose by a fraction. "Unless you can think of a better one."

"No. The kitchen incident seems appropriate enough."

Even after all these months, the memory was clear as glass in her mind.

After a grueling semester at university, Bella, Alice, and Jasper had returned to Forks for the holidays. Being close friends with Bella, the wedded pair had visited her at Charlie's house a few times. But a night or two before New Years, the pixie had invited her to sleep at the Cullen family home.

Throughout that day, Bella had gotten to spend time with the Cullens. Well all of them except Carlisle, whom she hadn't had the pleasure of meeting yet. Indeed, up until that point, her visits had always coincided with his shifts at the hospital. And that day had been no different. However, later that evening, when Alice, Jasper, Emmet, and Rosalie had left for a brief hunt, Bella had found herself alone in their huge house.

After a heavenly shower, she had donned some pajama shorts and her university sweatshirt. Then, with a towel wrapped around her head, she had gone to the kitchen, where Emmet had stocked the fridge and cupboards with enough food to feed a small army.

In the mood for a late-night omelette, she had cranked up some tunes, fetched a pan, and started cooking. Once she had fixed her omelette, and eaten every last bit of it, Bella had tackled the dirty dishes. Humming and dancing to the music, she had been standing by the sink, her hands and forearms buried beneath a mountain of suds, when she had heard a soft thud behind her.

Assuming her friends had returned from their hunt, she had ceased her semi-stationary dancing and had glanced up at the large kitchen window, catching not only her reflection but that of a man—a stranger—maybe ten paces behind her.

Gasping or screaming in absolute fright, Bella had whirled around at once, her trembling fingers wrapped around the item she had been washing. A fucking spatula of all things. Brandishing the pathetic utensil like a knife, she had yelled, super fast, "Who-the-fuck-are-you?!" Without tearing her eyes from the wide-eyed intruder, she had blindly reached for her cell phone. "You better leave now. I'm calling the cops." And if I scream loud enough, my vampire friends will hear me.

Hands slowly rising in surrender, the blond stranger had backed away a step. It was then that she had noted the briefcase by his feet. Clad in slacks, and a sweater vest worn over a dress shirt and tie, the man hadn't looked like a stereotypical home intruder. "I take it you're Bella Swan."

Her brain had misfired for a second, but then his carefully uttered words had sunk in, and she had realized her mistake.

Mortified.

Like Alice, Jasper, and the rest of the gang, the man had a pale and flawless complexion. A vampire, she had thought, and breathed a sigh of relief when she had noted the golden color of his eyes. A vegetarian vampire, thank God.

This had to be Car—

"I'm Carlisle Cullen," he had said by way of greeting, his palms raised in a placating gesture. "Alice's brother for all intents and purposes."

Her heart in her throat, Bella had lowered her sudsy spatula. "Her brother. Right. Of course." Aware of what he was, Bella had known that the man was not really Alice's brother. Not by blood anyway. Rather, he was the head of his coven. A coven that functioned more like a family than anything else.

"I'm sorry I frightened you," he had added with genuine contrition.

"You didn't. I mean, you did, but…" Her own words had made her cringe. "What I mean to say is, it's fine. No harm done." A glance at the water on the floor and her cheeks had turned fire-engine red. "I'm sorry I made a mess in your kitchen."

Before she could rethink her actions, Bella had removed the towel from her head, using it to wipe the soapy splatter. Realizing how she must look, practically on all fours, in purple pajama shorts and a faded sweatshirt, her wet hair an absolute mess, Bella had prayed for the floor to open up. Smooth, Swan. Very smooth. You look like a fucking tart.

Back in the present, Bella chuckled and addressed her dancing partner. "I swear, that moment will forever be in my top ten most embarrassing moments." Carlisle arched an amused brow, but she went on. "There you were, coming home from work, only to find this dish-washing, spatula-wielding lunatic in your kitchen."

His snort of laughter was contagious. She continued, "Alice had told me about you, and I knew we were bound to meet at some point, but… I don't know… I guess I just wasn't expecting to meet you that night, in that way."

"If you're looking for complete honesty, I must say I found you rather endearing."

"Endearing?" Aw, come on, she wanted to say, but laughed instead.

"Endearing, yes. For there I was, coming home from a long day at work, only to find this vivacious woman, dancing and washing dishes in my kitchen, with a fluffy towel wrapped around her lovely head." His amusement faded a little. "My only regret is that I nearly scared her to death. Had I known, I would have knocked or coughed or…"

Touched by his words, Bella lowered her gaze to his tie. They might have been dancing in a sea of people, but right now, she was blind to all but the man in front of her.

Granted, she hadn't known him nearly as long as she had known Alice or Jasper or Emmett and Rosalie, but she now considered him a friend—though secretly, Bella wished he was more than that.

As the two swayed in tandem, Natalie Cole's voice drifted over the speakers. Unforgettable in every way. And forevermore, that's how you'll stay. Matching her partner's tempo, Bella was drifting on the melody when Carlisle released her hand just long enough to lift her chin, raising her eyes back to his.

"As you know, I've lived a very long life," he said quietly. "But amongst all the memories I have, I must confess that that particular memory will forever be one of my favorites." Carlisle paused for the span of a heartbeat, his mouth tilting in a small boyish smile.

"It's like the song says… you're unforgettable, Isabella."

So here was chapter 3. Sorry it wasn't very long. As always, reviews are appreciated. Favs and follows are awesome, too.

CygnusRift xox