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Chapter 5

EM POV

I ran my hands through my hair for the fifth time this morning. It's been a month since I've moved out here; one month since I finally had a shot at my dream girl, and one month since I had to leave her behind. In bed. Shit stop thinking about rumpled a Bella. I've been swamped with meetings since I set foot in New York, between interviews with potential hires and new clients I was starting to feel more than a little burnt out.

A knock sounded at my door, a light pattern I'd grown to crave hearing.

"Come in," I sighed, a smile of relief already forming on my face.

"Mr. Cullen. I've got your mid-morning coffee here from that café down the street. Your lunch is in the fridge and packed with all that good stuff you love" she paused to toss in a wink, "I took the liberty of organizing your meetings in order of least to most competent today to make things a little…less trying in the end."

Charlotte was one of my first hires here and a god damned god send. The short blond was a force to be reckoned with, curls bouncing around as she walked, blue eyes piercing when she was scrutinizing. Which she was doing to me now.

"What? What now?" I sighed, slouching a little.

"Oh, don't pout. Have you talked to Bella recently?" Oh, and she also knew about my not so secret obsession.

My head hung back as I took a long pull of coffee and shook my head as I let the familiar hot beverage burn its way down my throat.

"Ah, I see." She clucked, pursing her lips, "well if you ever manage to convince her to come visit you, know that double date is always on the table. Also give her a call, you have a little time now, and it'll make you less grouchy."

Charlotte and her girlfriend Petra have been together for years, living in a condo not far from the building. Petra's the CEO of some big name hotel, and Charlotte felt that working under her girlfriend was something best saved for time at home…her words not mine. When she came into my office three weeks ago I hired her within five minutes simply based on how fast she put Edward in his place when he walked in on our interview. Granted he didn't know, and she thought he was the next candidate interviewing for her job, but it was still something I'd pay to see again, and something Bella had cackled away about on the phone when I'd relayed the events to her.

I had ten minutes until my next meeting and took out my phone, deciding to give it a shot despite knowing she was probably working right now. I dialed the now familiar number, waiting as it rung a few times before I heard a breathless, "hello?"

"Hey, bad time?" I questioned, unsure about where we stood on midday calls. We weren't a couple yet, so I had no idea what our boundaries were.

"Uhhh…no. No it's not a bad time, hold on just one second." I heard some muffled voices before she came back. "Hey Em, what's up?"

"Nothing, just a long stressful morning that's going to continue on the same way all day. Wanted to hear a familiar voice…you sure you have a few minutes?" I could still hear her puffing a little.

"I'm sure! Still lots of meetings then? Did Char hook you up with the good stuff?" she teased, knowing full well my assistant would never let a big guy like me go malnourished.

I rolled my eyes as I responded, "Way too many meetings, and none with the one person I'd really like to meet with. You know Char got me covered, she'd never let the big boss go hungry or uncaffeinated which is why I pay her the big bucks!" I heard her tinkering laughter filtering through the line like a little shot of adrenaline.

"Well that's good to hear, I'm glad you're well taken care of over there. My company's been doing a lot of rehiring too because of the new office their setting up on the west coast this month. Practically three quarters of our team here jumped ship to the new office to have fun in the sun, which means the rest of us are stuck training the newbies and keeping track of everyone's work." She sounded just about as worn out as I was. I sighed, wishing we could come home to each other, curl up with some takeout food and watch old classic movies together. Corny I know, but when you're running on barely any sleep and doing the as much work as I've been, you wouldn't have much energy once you finally got home. Now that doesn't mean I wouldn't spend the night worshipping—

"Sorry what? I just spaced out…" I scratched the back of my neck, a nervous habit I got from my dad that I'd never been able to kick.

"No worries Em, I was just saying it sounds like we both need a long relaxing trip to the spa" she sighed down the line, as if already picturing the silence, calming scents, and being pampered.

"Honestly I'd give just about anything for a nice, long nap—" I saw my brother walking down the hall "Hey Bell I gotta go, my next meeting starts soon. Talk later, okay?" I hung up with a quick bye once I'd heard her response, putting my phone down as Ed pushed into my office.

"Everything ok man?" he asked, coming up and plopping down into the chair in front of my desk.

I'd been on his ass the first week about pulling his weight because I really didn't have the time or energy to make sure he was doing a good job, or whether he was even working at all. He seemed to have pulled it together by week two, and I'd even sent him a couple potential client files that he'd followed up on without prompting.

"Yeah just grinding, I'd really like to get everything running smoothly out here ASAP. I love NYC but I'm already missing home and my routine. How are things going with the rental company? Any meetings?"

"Actuallyyyyyy, that's why I'm here. Just left a meeting with their head of strategies and he wants to throw together a packet to sign this week. They're in." He grinned at me, knowing he made my morning.

"Aw man that's awesome! Really great job bro. How about the cruise line account? Heard anything from them?" At my question he went from boasting and relaxed to tense and a little shifty.

"I uhhh—" he stammered, "I may have double booked myself…" he trailed off, staring at the carpet.

"You what? Ed man, come on those were your only two clients and you somehow managed to double book their meetings? I mean…what the hell man?" I'd offered to have Char organize his calendar but no Edward big man Cullen needed to do all his sorting on his own.

"Look I'm sorry Em and I swear I'll get them to reschedule, I was just trying to fit my work schedule into a time that didn't conflict with—"

"I swear to god Edward Anthony if you finish that sentence with 'my other business ventures' or some other bullshit along those lines I'm going to absolutely lose it" I was breathing hard by now, glaring over at my brother.

"I knew you wouldn't understand, god why can't you and mom and dad just listen to me for once instead of jumping down my throat about what you think I should be doing!" He yelled back, standing up and pacing by his chair.

I stood up too, facing him down, "Look Ed, you're my brother of course I want you to do what makes you happy. But what you have to understand here is that I'm giving you clients that will effect not only how long I need to stay out here, but also how well my company does at this new location. If you're not up to the task, by all means I will hire someone to take over for you so you can focus on your own dreams. Just please don't forget that this is my dream."

His shoulders dropped, he knew I had him, "You're right. I'm sorry. Really. I'm not going anywhere, Em and I promise I'll do better. Starting with getting the cruise line company back and on track. I won't let you down brother." He patted my shoulder, then turned and strode out of my office.

I sighed, knowing that in a way I was letting him down right now by pursuing his ex…but I couldn't think about that right now, it's not like I could even do anything from miles away.

B POV

"Kay we're out" I called as I waggled the empty bottle of sauvignon blanc around, lounging out on my couch. It'd been six weeks since it all went down on our fateful girls' night where we'd all but signed the fate of my doomed relationship.

"Don't worry BellyBell I got another one coming in chilled!" She called out as my front door opened.

"Food acquired!" Alice roared, darting over with the bag of Chinese we'd ordered to feast on. We'd decided to let her in on our girls' night this time around. I loved Alice and she'd proven a great, dependable friend throughout the whole breakup and Kate and I decided to induct her into our little ritual.

I giggled as I watched our small pixie friend dig around in the large bag, fishing out the cartons of delicious smelling food and paper plates with plastic cutlery so we could share it all.

Kate poured out more wine and we all settled on the floor around my coffee table, sitting on cushions from my couch as we picked at the different dishes, chatting about our week.

Kate and Alice started casting each other little looks, as if trying to decide something. Finally, they caught site of my narrowed eyes and Alice mumbled a "you do it, it was your idea" to Kate who huffed and sniped back with "yeah but you agreed!" throwing her hands up in defeat before turning her gaze to me.

"Well?" I questioned, hesitating as their reluctance, "out with it Katherine". I put down my chopsticks, waiting patiently for my pest friends to man up and find their lady balls.

"Fine, but you can't get mad!" Kate stated, "don't give me that look, Isabella, it was all done in good faith with your best interests at heart." She cleared her throat before continuing, "Ali and I were talking and we decided it was time to set you up on a couple of dates. Don't worry! They're just low key blind dates, no pressure, no expectations and no one close enough with us that you'll have to awkwardly run into them again in the future." Kate said, biting her lip.

I looked at them both in disbelief. They knew I'd been keeping in touch with Emmett and even how I felt about him. I had two and a half months until he'd hopefully be back, and I didn't want to miss my chance because of some sad sap.

"But you guys know who I'm into—"

Alice held her hand up, smothering my reply with her dainty, manicured fingers. "We know Bells, but seriously, do you really want Emmett to be your first rebound after a four year relationship? Don't you want to fish around, meet a couple of duds first? Maybe you'll even find someone, and maybe you won't, but you've been burning the candle at both ends at work and you need to do something other than hanging out with us, taking baths, and binging Netflix.

"Hey—there's some great stuff on there—" I protested.

"Yeah but you still watch the same four shows over and over again, Bell. Come on, you need this. Just try two dates. Two measly little dates and we'll leave you alone, scout's honor." Kate said, gazing earnestly at me.

"Fine. Okay, two dates. Two. Who's up first?" I sighed, knowing they'd already planned everything out as though I'd say yes, because let's face it, these two could get me to agree to cover up a murder if they wanted.

Alice giggled, clapping her hands, and Kate grinned, giving my shoulders a squeeze before taking a large unladylike slurp of her chow mein noodles.

Ali sat up a little more, "Okay Bella, first up is Alec Volturi. He works in finance; he plays pick up basketball with Jasper on Tuesday nights. Jazz says Alec's a stand up guy, newly single and looking for something…he didn't really specify whether he wanted something long term or not just yet but Jazzy showed him your picture and he agreed on the spot." She grinned.

"Jasper has a picture of me on his phone?" I questioned, it sounded kind of odd.

"Oh no! I sent it to him when I knew his game would be finishing up and said if Alec wasn't convinced based on your picture alone, he wouldn't do." She winked at me this time, snagging the carton of dumplings from Kate's hand and piling a couple onto my plate before inhaling one herself. For someone so small, Alice could really pack away the calories, we always joked she needed the extra food to fuel her shopping sprees.

"Alright Kate, and your contestant?" I pointed my saucy chopsticks in her direction.

She took a second to take a swig from her wine glass before turning to me, "Okay so this guy actually owns a gym that Garett goes to all the time. He got me to come with him a few times and I loved it. I ran into the owner a couple times with Gar and he was really nice so I did a little snooping and found out he was single. I may have cornered him in his office the other day, but he's all for it! I also didn't mention any of this to Gar just in case he got all weird about it. Anyways, his name's Jake, he's a really cool guy, very fit. Like definitely the kind of lover a girl needs in her bed after what you've endured the past four years. He's Native American too so he's got gorgeous tanned skin, very much the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome" she said with a knowing grin. I'd once drunkenly dubbed Emmett as 'tall, dark, and deadly' because of his dark hair and killer dimples and abs and… focus Bella. No Emmett.

I spluttered back at her, waving a dumpling around indignantly, "well Kate maybe you should just date him yourself, you sound smitten."

She flicked a piece of sweet and sour pork at me, "oh shut up bitch, you know I like my men tall, dark, and Garrett" She sighed.

"Yeah" Alice joined in, "I'll be riding my cowboy til the sun stops setting or some shit." She snorted around her glass.

I smiled and raised my glass, "alright then girls, cheers to a new romance….or romances" we clinked our glasses together and then started chattering away about the dates, what I would wear, whether I should just sleep with either of them on the first date, and code words to text if the date was going way south.

Sometime between the third and fourth bottles of wine, we all dragged ourselves into my king bed and passed out in a heap. I smiled, resting my head on the pillow besides Kate's, "night sistahs" I slurred, hearing similar grunts before sleep claimed me.

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Two weeks later I found myself dressed up in an old dress Kate made me wear, hair and makeup done by Alice as I waited for Alec to pick me up. The dress wasn't too overstated, a dark gold flowing dress that came to my ankles with spaghetti straps and a square neckline. It made my boobs look great, and would hide any bloating if I ate too much at dinner which was a plus. I had no idea where we were going so I tried to dress somewhere between nice and casual, not wanting to stand out wherever Alec had booked.

At six thirty on the dot, I heard a knock at my door, and walked over to answer it. The man who greeted me was about Edward's height, lean with blond hair and grey eyes. I had to admit, he was very easy on the eyes, so far Alice and Jasper were still in my good books.

"Hi Bella. Alec" he said, holding out a hand which I grasped and smiled up at him, liking his slight formality.

"Hi Alec, I've heard good things from Alice and Jasper. Nothing too murdery or concerning." I knew it was an odd joke, but hey you gotta figure out your audience quickly, and I knew I wouldn't click with someone with a shitty sense of humor.

He grinned slightly, "well I like to keep my information like my victims, silent and six feet under." He winked and held out his elbow, which I took with an answering giggle.

"Equally as corny, I like it" I said, and I meant it, which caught me be surprise, probably more than it did him.

He grinned back as the elevator doors closed and brought us down to the main floor where his car was. I whistled lowly looking at his car, "an Audi owner? Nice."

He snickered a little, rubbing the back of his neck, reminding me of Emmett a little bit no Bella, stop no Emmett.

"Yeah, the first luxury I bought myself. She's my baby, a testament to all my hard work, ya know?" He said, catching me by surprise. In a good way.

"No I get it, my apartment was my first big splurge and I love it" I smiled, thanking him as he opened my door and I got into the car.

We kept up some light conversation in the car, talking about our weeks and the never ending stress of being one of the dependable employees.

When we arrived at the restaurant I turned to Alec with a grin, "Mama Rosa's?" I questioned. It was a new, chic Italian place that offered an all you can eat pasta bar where servers would come around with fresh pasta dishes throughout the night for diners to choose from.

He looked a little sheepish, "I hope you're hungry, I've been dying to try this place but it didn't feel manly enough to invite the guys to."

"No it's great! My friend Kate's going to be so jealous, she's been dying to come here, but we hadn't gotten around to it yet." We got out of the car and Alec offered me his elbow again which I took as we approach the doors.

The hostess looked at us with a smile, "Welcome, do you have a reservation?"

Alec stepped forward, "Yes, it's under Alec for two" he offered.

She looked through her book, then smiled again, "Got it, right this way."

The restaurant was beautiful, lights were strung about the ceiling and there were colourful paintings hanging from the walls.

"Wow, this place really is something" I commented as Alec pulled out my chair for me, then sat in the one across.

"Yeah, I can't wait to see the food, my sister's been a couple times and says it's amazing." He grinned, taking a peek at the drink list.

We ordered drinks and chatted away. The pasta dishes that came around were amazing; mushroom ravioli, penne alla vodka, carbonara, chicken parmesan were all I could try before I was absolutely stuffed, sitting back in my chair with a huff and a lazy smile that my date mirrored as he twirled the last of his wine.

"So, Miss Swan, why is a catch such as yourself still single?" he hedged, looking at me over the rim of his glass.

"Well, Mr. Volturi, I was in a long-term relationship of four years but that came to and end almost two months ago. What about you? Why wasn't anyone snatched you up yet?" I fired back, smirking at his caught-out expression.

"Well played, Swan, I was also in a long term relationship which ended when she moved away for work about six months ago." He said, frowning a little.

"Where'd she move to?"

"Vancouver" he sighed, leaning back, "got a promotion she couldn't turn down and it really was a great opportunity for her. I just didn't expect her to move there permanently and not want to do long distance." I felt bad for the guy, clearly Alec was a catch.

"Well her loss has been my gain tonight because dinner was delicious and the company wasn't so bad either," I finished with a wink to which he chuckled, flagging down our server and asking for one bill despite my protests.

"My pick, my bill. Maybe next time I'll let you pay" he winked as he handed his card over to the server.

The drive back was quiet but comfortable. I really had a great time, but I wasn't so sure there was a romantic spark there between us. He was a perfect gentleman and easy to get along with, but I wanted—no needed some passion in my life.

He pulled up to my place and we both got out, standing by his car.

"Well, Bella Swan, this has been a really nice evening. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect when Jasper of all people offered to set me up on a date. I've never seen that guy talk to or about any girl other than Alice. But I'm very very glad I trusted his judgement." He stepped in a little closer, grey eyes flickering to my mouth. "Would you mind…could I kiss you?" I nodded; one little kiss couldn't hurt.

But the second our lips met, there was no spark. We pulled back and he was smiling lightly, "There it is. I just wanted to check. I think we've both got someone else on our minds whether or not we want to admit it." He smirked knowingly at me, and I smiled back, a light blush covering my cheeks. "I get it, and I'd love to keep in touch, as friends, if you'd like?" I was nodding along as he offered.

"I'd really like that, Alec, you've been a truly great surprise and definitely a big help in my step towards moving on." At his raised brows I continued, "I do like someone but it's not my ex, it's…complicated. He's away with work right now but he's supposed to come back to Chicago in a couple months. Alice and my other friend Kate thought I should 'get back out there' instead of waiting around for him to come back. So here I am" I spread my arms out, smiling at myself.

"Well here's my number," he snagged my phone, punching his in under 'Big Al', "let's get lunch or coffee sometime. Lord knows we both need to take a break from all the shit we deal with at work" he winked, leaning back against his car.

"Sounds like a plan, I can give Kate and Alice a break from having to deal with me" I smiled, waving my phone as I stepped back towards my building.

Alec laughed, "goodnight, Bella, see you soon". I returned his farewell and he waited as until I was steeping into the elevator before he walked around and got into his car.

I smiled all the way up to my place, rolling my eyes when I noticed my door was now unlocked. I pushed it open, "Ally I know it's you!" I called out, hearing an answering squeal and scurrying feet coming to greet me.

"Sooooooo" she said, looking me over, "how'd it go? Where'd you eat? Was it good? Did he pay? Did you guys kiss? More than kiss? Is he coming up too? Should I leave? Should—" I stopped her babbling with a hand over her mouth.

"Slow your roll there Allycat. We went to Mama Rosa's and it was delicious, yes he paid, yes we kissed once, he's not coming up because there was no…spark. We had a really nice time though, and he's still hung up on his ex, so there's really no harm. We're going to stay friends, probably go for lunch or coffee next week." I smiled, flopping down on the couch while she hopped over and curled up beside me.

"Well not the outcome I hope for, but still a good one and good on you for getting back out there! Wasn't so scary, now, was it?" she asked, poking at my side until I swatted her away.

"No, no it wasn't but Alec was also pretty awesome so that definitely helped."

"Well Bells, one date down, one to go," Alice said, leaning her head on my shoulder.

"Yeah" I nodded, "one to go" I sighed, wishing my second date was with a certain someone.

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Looks like Emmett has nothing to worry about…yet. R&R! 3