Chapter 2

I yelled. Involuntarily, my hand covered my racing heart, as I looked down, picking up my book that flew out of my lap when who I assumed was Emmett's brother snuck into my cabana and scared the living shit out of me.

I glanced up again and he was leaning casually against the frame with a sheepish smile on his face.

"So, you weren't by chance, so engrossed in that book of yours that you completely missed the conversation out here between my brother and I were you"?

He seemed adorably embarrassed. I could only imagine the hole he wishes that would open right about now to swallow him whole.

"In your defense, he did come on pretty strong when it was obvious you weren't interested". I said this going for nonchalance and sarcasm as I picked up my drink and took a long pull.

His eyes lit up and head fell back in laughter.

"Oh, if you only knew my brother, coming on strong is his M.O."

"I'm Edward Cullen by the way".

I smile at him and meet his eyes again, "Bella Swan".

"What brings you to the Cayman Islands Bella"?

This man is gorgeous. I feel nervous energy just talking to him, but I remember the conversation with his brother I just overheard and mentally tell myself to reign it in, this man isn't looking for a girlfriend or anything else for that matter.

"I believe the same reason you are. I'm here for the Hale/Cullen wedding".

A spark of surprise lights his features.

"So, you know my brother and Rose"? He asks.

"No, my best friend Alice is Rosalie's cousin, her husband couldn't make it, so I'm filling in as her plus-one".

There is a bit of awkward silence and my brain decides filling the silence with random chatter is a good idea.

"You see, Jasper, that's her husband, he's a psychiatrist, and is the key note speaker for some conference in L.A. I haven't had a vacation in years and Alice says all I do is work and sleep, so I owed it to myself to come on this trip with her. But don't worry, I'm not here to crash on any family time or anything, I'm perfectly fine on my own".

I look up at Edward who seems somewhat amused by my rambling. I, in turn, look sown and blush for the first time since probably high school.

Edward steps into the cabana from the doorway, "you mind if I sit"?

"No, no, please", I say, gesturing toward the second lounger.

"So, what keeps you so busy that you only have time left to just sleep"?

"Oh, I'm a nurse at Harborview in Seattle".

He raises his eyebrows at this.

"Really, what department do you work in"?

"I'm in the trauma ICU".

"Impressive, no wonder you only work and sleep, I know how busy you stay".

Now it's my turn to raise my eyebrows at him. I heard him say something about being a pilot earlier, but I don't want to let on that I was listening that close.

"What about you? What do you do"?

"I am an air medical pilot and paramedic for Airlift Northwest out of UW".

"Wow" I say, truly impressed

"That is amazing Edward. So, we have something in common. Trauma medicine rules our lives", I say with a laugh.

"Yeah" he says.

"I've been with the crew now for 2 months. A month of that was training. I've actually just recently starting taking flights on my own with a team. I'll probably end up seeing you at work at some point, Harborview is the Level I center there in Seattle.

"Right, we see the medic flight crews quite often".

XXX

Edward and I spend the next hour chatting about crazy work stories, worst cases we've been involved in, and just overall hospital shenanigans. The conversation is friendly, easy and full of laughter.

Edward finally looks at his watch and moves to get up.

"Well Bella, it was nice meeting you, and I know I'll see you around with all the festivities, but I should be getting back, I gotta meet my family for dinner".

"Ok, see you around Edward". He turns and walks back down the path toward the main hotel.

My head falls back on the lounger cushion. Ugh, why did he have to be so great. He obviously didn't give off any vibes like he was interested in anything other than friendship, not that I'm surprised. Edward is gorgeous, like kind of out of my league, gorgeous!

Not that I don't try to own confidence. I am comfortable in my own skin, but I've never been the girl that turned heads when I walked through the door.

Never had guys fighting over my affection. I was always just Bella. Growing up in small town, everyone knew everyone, and being the only daughter of the local police chief didn't do my any favors. Not to mention my two best friends in high school, Alice and Angela, were beautiful. I was always just, one of the guys, or somewhere in the background with Alice and Angie.

College was better and worse. I was still the best friend in the background, this time always playing wingman for my two dorm mates, Maggie and Lauren. I learned to deflect with humor and actually made some good friends with guys we all met.

After putting myself out there and encountering a few one-night stands and a few short-lived relationships, I decided to throw myself into my studies and focus on nursing school. If there was someone out there for me, I probably wasn't going to find him in some college bar on a Thursday night.