I'm frozen as I watch Edward and Carlisle laugh over the grill. Out of the dress shirt and slacks, Edward is back to the lumberjack look—red flannel shirt, dark jeans, which do wonders for his butt, and boots. How can a man have two incredibly different sides?
Personally, I do particularly like this look more.
"Bells?" Emmett asks, opening the door as I blink myself back into reality. "What's wrong?"
Those two words get everyone's attention—but most importantly Edward's.
"I'm fine!" I basically shout, and then put on a smile to sell it as my cheeks and chest heat up. "Guess I was just daydreaming."
Yeah, daydreaming about Dr. Lumberjack doing … things.
Emmett takes my wrist and looks at his watch, counting my pulse as I roll my eyes and yank my hand away. "Jesus, dude. I am fine. I just put the baked goods in the fridge and started to come outside."
"Calm your tits, Em," Alice says, stepping forward to wrap me in a hug. She whispers in my ear, "You were eye fucking the cutie, weren't you?"
Alice is never one to mince words, and now I know I'm redder than a lobster. Was I that obvious? I was staring at his butt for a while.
"Let's just go outside. I want to sit down."
They clear the way, and I take one of the deck chairs around the lit fire pit, enjoying its warmth in the cool autumn breeze. Seth's sitting next to me, totally engrossed in his phone. He looks nothing like the thirteen-year-old he is. He's going to easily be as tall as his dad, which is good because his mom is shorter than me.
"What's up, bud?"
He keeps his eyes on the screen as he texts. "Not much. How's the heart?"
"Still failing, but I'm hanging in. So, uh … what's Edward doing here?"
He'll give me the details without the comments—unlike his mom.
"Oh, he's friends with Dad, Grandpa, and Emmett. He comes over a lot when we cook out. He goes fishing with Dad and Grandpa too. He's your heart doctor, right? He's supposed to be good."
I nod. "I've heard the same." I pause, watching him continue to text. I look at the name—Iris. "Are you texting a girl?"
He looks up, wide-eyed. "Don't tell Mom and Dad. They'll be weird about it. Besides, she's just a friend."
I cock my brow, tilting my head toward his phone. "I can see the messages, bud. But … I'm not a snitch. Just don't send her money or, you know, pictures."
"Auntie! Jeez."
I laugh loudly, which gets Carlisle's attention—and Edward's.
"What are the mischievous duo up to now?" Carlisle asks with a smirk.
Seth was born not long after my parents died, and we've always had a special bond—just like blood relatives. I used to always help him get into trouble as a kid.
"We're behaving," I say innocently. "I'm just helping Seth with a game he's playing."
Seth nods, playing along. "Yeah, it's a hard level. Edward, did you know my aunt is terrified of doctors?"
My mouth drops, and I elbow him. "You little shi-butthead! Go get your football or something and let's toss it."
He laughs as he runs off inside, and Edward walks over, taking his seat. "You're terrified of me?"
I'm turned on by you actually.
I shake my head. "I knew you as the man who calmed me down when I was certain we'd die first. But I will say you're not like most doctors I know. First of all, you look nothing like one."
I take in his red flannel again, which covers a United States Army shirt.
He chuckles, deep and sultry. "I take that as a compliment actually. I'm not really comfortable in stuffy suits and ties, but I can handle a decent button-down when I need to."
"You also act nothing like a doctor."
He smiles, and it's beautiful. "What do I act like?"
"You're just … like more down to earth. Don't get me wrong; I love my brother and Carlisle, but …" I lower my voice. "They both have a bit of a complex—Emmett more than Carlisle. Maybe it's a surgeon thing."
"I'm a surgeon technically. In fact, I did a lot of my training as a combat surgeon before my cardiothoracic fellowship."
My brow raises. "You were in the Army?"
He nods. "In the reserves still actually. I was coming back from a training weekend when I met you."
"Jesus. So, you're basically Superman, aren't you?"
He shrugs with a smirk playing on his lips. "I wouldn't say that, but you can."
"You're quite the surprise, Edward Masen," I say as Seth comes back out with his football. "Do you want to come toss the ball around with us?"
I thank God when he nods.
Thanks to May, Nole, Fran, Brier, and Meg for prereading and Sally for Beta'ing.
