"Bella, there is someone I'd like you to meet," Esme says as she pulled me towards a group of tall suits. I follow her dutifully - who can say no to the Chief of Medicine - as I grip my champagne glass and step carefully to avoid a slip on the silk of my dress. This deep sapphire dress had been the perfect choice for the hospital's annual gala - floor length, soft, and hitting all the right places on my body. Alice had really outdone herself - my hair was in an intricate chignon, light makeup accentuated my natural features, earrings were statement vintage, and my strappy heels finished off the look.
Esme gently touches the arm of her husband, Dr. Carlisle Cullen - only a god among men and the Chief of Orthopedic Surgery here at the hospital.
"Esme," Carlisle exclaims, as he kisses his wife's cheek, "who have you brought with you here?" Two gorgeous men turn to look at me as I feel my throat dry and focus on making eye contact with Dr. Cullen.
"This is Dr. Isabella Swan," Esme introduces me warmly, "my newest hire in the Rheumatology department and," she wiggled her eyebrows, "the future of this department." Carlisle shakes my hand and listens as Esme talks about my research, declaring me as her future prodigy. I turn to the rest of the group and make my introductions.
"Emmett McCarty," says the big burly man whose muscles were threatening to bust through his suit. His large hand envelops mine and he eagerly says, "welcome to UW. I hope you'll love it here."
"So nice to meet you, and thank you," I smile, trying to control my nerves and let his friendly gaze relax me. I turn to the other man and am stunned immediately by his beauty.
Green eyes, bronze hair, jawline. My eyes don't know where to feast. I can hear my breath become uneven. And then his perfect lips open and I force myself to snap out of my ogling.
"Edward Masen," says his smooth voice, followed by his hand in mine - sending sparks across my whole being. I breathe in his scent and am gone, his eyes delivering me to a place I never knew before. My mind starts running through every scenario that could involve his lips and body on mine. My entire body reacts to him and before I knew it, I am leaning in closer involuntarily - everything else fading away.
"So Bella is doing research within the rheumatology department, truly cutting edge," Esme's voice snaps me out of my daze as I dropped Edward's hand from mine like it is on fire. "And Carlisle, I was hoping that she could work closely with some of your staff if need be." Esme proudly smiles at me and Carlisle immediately perks up. I blush furiously and will my body to forget feeling like a live wire.
"Of course, Bella," Carlisle says, "we would love to lend you a hand - and actually Edward and I were just talking on that thread. Let me know personally if you need any help." I thank Carlisle before he excuses himself to dance with Esme. I turned to Emmett and Edward who look at me curiously.
"So Bella, where did you move from?" Emmett asks. As I give Emmett my background story, which I had been repeating endlessly as the newest faculty hire, I feel my eyes drift to Edward. Who is this intoxicating man?
"I would have loved to help out, but I'm actually going on paternity leave soon," Emmett says sheepishly.
"Wow, congratulations!" I exclaim, as Edward slaps Emmett's back jovially. "Your first?"
"Yeah, first for me and Rosie - she's a dermatologist, here. I should introduce you two," Emmett says, excitement coming through his voice, "in fact - you should come to our baby shower this weekend! Come hang with our junior faculty crew"
"I would love that!" I gush, relieved to have found some comrades, as Edward smiles.
"He'll miss the OR though," Edward laughs, "won't you bud?" Emmett frowns and shoves Edward away jokingly. "I'm going to find Rose and remind myself why we're having this kid while you get all my cases." Emmett waves as he lopes off to find his wife.
"Emmett's great, the whole place is," Edward smiles at me, "how have you adjusted so far?"
"I love it, I actually grew up around here too," I smile at him nervously, fighting the insane attraction I already know has built up for me. Professional, Bella Swan, you can be professional. "I'm excited about this research - are you sure you'd be okay working with me? I know Carlisle voluntold you, but I can definitely ask someone else"
"No, no, I'm really interested actually," Edward interjects quickly, his face slightly reddening. Oh my god, that face was perfect. "Um, in the research."
"Yes, the research," I blush.
"Bella?" A heavily pregnant runway model waddles towards me with Emmett in tow and another blonde who immediately sidles up to Edward. "I'm Rosalie McCarty - my oaf of a husband here just told me he invited you to the shower, but didn't even give me your number." I laugh as I shake her hand.
"And this is my colleague, Tanya Denali, also with the dermatology department here," Rosalie acknowledges quickly. I take Tanya's perfectly manicured hand and smile as she side-hugs Edward comfortably for a beat too long. As I exchange information with Rosalie and coo over ultrasound pictures of Baby McCarty, I side-eye Tanya, watching her talk to Edward in the periphery.
"Bella!" The far away but all too familiar voice of my work-mom calls me. I smile and excuse myself from my new group of friends, feeling a piercing green gaze follow me for the rest of the night.