EPOV

I wondered how much longer I had to wait to leave without looking rude. I hated putting myself in social situations, much less social gatherings involving work. But I understood why my new boss had insisted I be here. I was new at the company, and I had to do the obligatory "get to know you" bit with the people I was to work with.

Just when I was rearranging my colorful but strange looking food on my plate for the 1000th time (why did Americans insist on eating such exotic food? I could really go for some of mum's Yorkshire pudding and sausage right about now) I noticed Emmett had arrived, and with the most gorgeous girl I had ever seen in my life, no less.

Suddenly the night was looking up as I examined the girl. I wondered who she could be…Emmett hadn't mentioned a girlfriend, but then again how does one slip that into everyday work conversation?

All possibilities of who the girl was churned through my head. Casual date for the evening? Girl best friend? Sister? Oh dear god, please let that be his sister.

I couldn't stop admiring her. She had the cutest heart shaped face, slightly upturned nose, full lips, doe eyes…

She was the type of girl who was so beautiful she had no need for makeup, but when she put it on it somehow defied the impossible and only served to enhance her beauty.

For the next half an hour or so I occupied myself with stealing glances at the girl and fretting over who she was. After a while she had finished her meal and started to look around her. I quickly lowered my gaze before she could catch me staring at her. When I decided it might be safe to look at her again she was playfully bantering with Emmett.

All of a sudden they rose from the silk cushions they were perched on and started to walk towards me. I tried my best to look calm, but all I could do was keep staring while my heart was beating a mile a minute.

After what seemed like a lifetime had passed, the immaculate couple reached my table. Emmett greeted me warmly and turned to the goddess.

"This is my baby sister I was telling you about…Bella. Bells, meet Edward Cullen."

Of course! How could I forget? Emmett had mentioned a little sister when he was telling me about himself. Relief and hope rushed through me when the answer I was looking for finally reached my ears. Suddenly I felt bad for tuning him out during our aforementioned conversation. What else had I missed about him?

I pulled myself back to the present and hoped I hadn't been awkward and vacant for as long as I thought I was. The moment I shook Bella's hand I knew I never wanted to hold another girl's hand ever again. Her skin was softer than the finest of silks. I tried to steady myself as best I could as we exchanged some uncomfortable small talk. What I really wanted to know were her hobbies, her life experiences, her outlooks on life, what made her happy and sad, what I could do to make her happy.

Time flew by as I talked to Bella. I was extremely pleased that we had cut the bullshit smalltalk down to a minimum, it seemed that she was even less a fan of it than I. I found that we conversed easily which only added to my fantasy of making her my girlfriend. Not only was she the most beautiful girl I had ever laid eyes on, she was smart, funny and shared the same interests as me! I felt like meeting her had made every bad relationship I'd gone through worth it and I had only known her for a couple of hours.

Much too soon the evening had to come to a close, but not before I left her with my number and the promise of coffee tomorrow afternoon. Too many hours from now! Emmett had come back around to our table to take Bella home, and I desperately scrambled for a suave way to say goodbye. I wanted to kiss her badly, but would she think it was too soon? And in front of Emmett! I didn't want my new boss to think I just wanted to get in his little sister's pants.

Oh, fuck it. Before I could stop myself I looked at her meaningfully and placed the softest of kisses on her perfect cheek.

So, so worth it.