Disclaimer: Twilight still isn't mine. I just came up with this storyline.

A/N missrebecca is an awesome beta. I hope to meet her in real life someday...

As Destiny Strikes

Chapter 3

Bella

How I made it through brunch without making a spectacle of myself was beyond me.

For some reason, Alice had seated me across from the best man, the only person in the wedding party I had yet to meet. While everyone had been finding their seats, I had questioned her.

'Seriously, Alice?'

'What?' she asked innocently.

I gave her a pointed look in answer. She knew what I was referring to. Not only was I seated across from the only person I didn't know yet, but he was also a most fine specimen of man. I hadn't really noticed him until we were seated, but once I did… boy, did I notice him.

Tall, lean, toned, as far as I could tell; he was wearing these fitted jeans and shirt that hugged his body in all the right places. Apparently he needed a belt, because he spent an indecent amount of time – well, probably just a few seconds – pulling them up before he sat down, which didn't help in taking my eyes off his shapely body. Luckily, he was unaware of my blatant ogling, since he was exchanging pleasantries with the groom's parents at that moment.

'You just had to sit me across from Mr. Salty Goodness?' I hissed.

She just batted her eyes in response to my accusatory Buffy reference.

Yeah, she knew what she had done.

How was I supposed to do my job and be all professional about it, when all this deliciousness was being dangled right in front of my dry-spell-suffering eyes?

'I figured it couldn't hurt to enjoy the wedding vibes for a bit,' she winked at me.

'What's that supposed to mean?'

'Just that you won't be working all week, and you might as well enjoy yourself while you're here. Give you a taste of what's out there, so to speak.'

'You're actually encouraging me to have a fling?' I asked incredulously.

She just smiled and called the room to attention, officially kicking off the week.

o.O.o

At the start of brunch, I caught Edward, as the best man was called, staring at my chest. Had I still been in high school, I would have blushed at that and tried to divert his attention. But that was almost ten years ago. I was a twenty-seven year old woman, and I had outgrown most of my shyness, thankfully. So, when I caught him checking out the girls, I subtly called him out on it and actually managed to make him squirm. He was careful to avert his eyes for the remainder of brunch.

While I appreciated this effort on his part, I didn't want things to be uncomfortable. We would be seeing a lot of each other, as Alice had put it, and it would be better to not let things fester. Especially something as inconsequential as this. So, when the table had been cleared, I decided to clear the air and properly introduce myself.

I approached him just as he was shrugging his leather jacket back on.

'Hi, Edward?' I started.

He locked eyes with me and I temporarily lost my train of thought.

They were just so green… and looking at me quizzically. Again, they drifted to my chest.

Was this guy serious?

I briefly contemplated a snarky remark.

'They don't have a name,' I would smirk. 'But I'm sure if you keep eye fucking them like that I might have to let you think of something.'

That would work if we had been in a bar and I hadn't been on duty, as it were. So instead, I settled for a more diplomatic comment.

'About earlier, don't worry about it. Let's start with a clean slate, shall we?' I extended my hand to him, 'I just wanted to properly introduce myself. I'm Bella Swan, the photographer.'

He took my proffered hand and immediately my heart rate increased.

Focus, Bella. You're not a teenager anymore. You're a strong, independent woman, and you can behave professionally. Even if you want to rip his clothes off.

'Edward Cullen,' he replied.

Again, I found myself mute. His voice was so… soothing, almost. For some reason, his presence, his eyes, his voice pulled me in. They made me forget everything I had accomplished on my own merit and reverted me back to the shy and clumsy teenager I once was.

The sound of him clearing his throat – it sounded almost nervously – pulled me from my temporary stupor.

'So uhm… yeah. I'll be seeing you… later. Bye, Edward.'

I turned to leave. Just when I was about to walk through the door in search of Alice, I heard him sigh and whisper, 'Bye… Bella.'

This week just got infinitely more interesting.