"Sorry, Miss Swan, I've given you as much as leeway as I can. Unless you can come up with four months back rent in three weeks, I'm afraid you're going to have to move out."

I sighed, knowing he was right. My landlord had been more than understanding, expecting him to continue holding my place for me was unfair. "I understand. You've been more than generous."

"Sorry again."

I shut the door to my apartment and leaned back against it, letting out a deep breath as I tried to figure out what I was going to do. It wasn't like I didn't have a job, because I did. Okay, it was an internship, but they had assured me that it would become a full time position once their hiring freeze let up.

That had been six months ago.

After I'd graduated from college.

The little bit of savings I'd had started running out two months ago.

If I couldn't figure something out I was going to have to return home to Forks and my parents.

Not really wanting to think about it any longer, I grabbed my jacket and left. There was a coffee cart at the corner. Maybe getting some coffee and fresh air would help clear my head. By the time I reached the cart there was a bit of a line, so I came up behind the last person and waited.

At some point someone came up behind me, talking on his cell. His voice was low so I couldn't really hear what he was saying, but I was very much aware of him. His very nearness sent a shiver down my spine and the cologne he was wearing was just the right scent.

I didn't dare turn around, but something told me he was a wealthy business guy. Expensive suit, sunglasses, I bet he even had one of those watches that they only make a certain number of that year. I snorted to myself just picturing it and moved up in line as people got their orders and left.

When it was eventually my turn I stepped up and gave the guy my order, reaching into the pocket of my jacket for my wallet, only to freeze. Oh no. Oh no. I searched the other pocket, only to go back to the one I'd searched first, turning up empty no matter how many times I ran my hands through it. I glanced up at the barista with an apologetic smile.

"Next!"

"Oh, please. I really need this."

"Next!"

The guy behind me stepped up into my space, his chest to my back. "I've got it. And I'll have a macchiato." He handed the guy a twenty dollar bill.

"You didn't have to do that," I started to to say, turning around to finally face him and froze.

My imagination had not done him justice when I was only picturing what he might have looked like. He towered over my 5'3" frame, making me lean back in order to actually see his face. And wow, he was beautiful. Rich green eyes that reminded me of the forests in Forks and messy hair that was a mixture of brown and gold and copper. Stubble covered his cheeks in that way you'd find on actors or models, designer and just enough to look sexy and make you want to run your fingers over it.

"It's not a problem," he told me, his voice low as he looked down at me.

"Thank you." I moved to the side to wait for my drink, feeling awkward as he moved to stand next to me. He was just close enough that I could feel the heat that radiated from his body, but far enough enough away that neither of us could touch.

When our drinks were ready, we both stepped up to get them. He picked up both of the cups and after a quick glance at them handed mine to me, a quirk to his lips. "Here you go, Bella."

How did he know my name?

"It's there." He pointed to the to-go cup and where the barista had written my name.

"Oh, " I blushed, ducking my head down. "Um, thank you again."

"You're quite welcome." He took a sip from his drink, letting out a satisfied rumble.

Sexy.

"Have a good day, Bella." With a nod, he turned to leave.

"Wait, um, I don't even know your name," I called after him, suddenly feeling foolish.

My coppery haired stranger turned back in my direction, a smirk so gorgeous his face that it should have been considered illegal. "Edward. Edward Cullen."

Before I could say anything else he continued back down the street.

I grinned as I repeated his name to myself over and over, until it hit me.

Edward Cullen.

Edward Cullen!

He was the new owner of the company I was interning at. He was the reason there was a hiring freeze and I couldn't get hired on full time.

Of course.

Just my luck.

That evening I met up with my best friend while her husband had to stay late at work. Alice and Jasper were probably one of the cutest couples I knew, their connection so sweet and real that I could overlook how disgustingly affectionate they were whenever I was around them. I loved how happy Jasper made her and watching them together gave me hope that true love was real and out there.

Alice squealed and bounced excitedly in her seat as she sipped at her margarita. "So my boss came into my office about twenty minutes later and told me I could keep the account and stormed right back out again. I wasn't trying to show him up, but I had worked really hard to bring them in and get their business. He didn't know anything about the company or what they would be expecting."

"I'm glad he gave it back to you." I picked up a fry covered in Parmesan cheese and truffle and sighed at how delicious it was. "And that you kept things professional."

"Which wasn't easy, trust me." She shook her head. "Now, tell me how things are going with your internship. Have they lifted the hiring freeze, yet?"

I shook my head with a groan. "No, and you'll never guess what happened today. I ran into the guy that's buying the company at the coffee cart near my place."

"Really? How did you know it was him?" She asked, her eyes wide.

"He told me his name when he was walking away and I remembered hearing it around the office." I sipped my drink, annoyed that even remembering him made my cheeks feel flushed.

"Maybe once things are settled with the sale they'll look into hiring again." Alice lifted her drink to me ad we clinked our glasses. "Oh, my brother finally moved back to town. We've been begging him to come home and he finally did a couple weeks ago."

Her brother? "I thought Emmett already lived here."

"No, no, my other brother. Edward went to college in Chicago and ended up staying there. He hasn't been home in almost seven years," she explained, her eyes darting to the front of the restaurant. "But with our dad slowing down at the company and Edward's business savvy, he finally agreed to step in as CEO."

"Edward?" It had to be a coincidence, right?

"Yeah, and he's joining us for dinner." She waved at someone over my shoulder.

I tensed. It couldn't be. No, no, no. It had to be some sort of crazy dream. That was it. I was caught up in some wild and crazy dream and would wake up in moment.

Alice jumped up from her seat, squeaking in her excitement and running toward her brother. "I can't believe you're finally here, big brother."

His chuckle in response to her enthusiasm was low and when he spoke, I knew. "I've missed you too, squirt."