Description:Bella, a talented home-flipping designer, meets Edward, the charming captain of Seattle's hockey team, while working on his house. Their chemistry is undeniable, but Bella's world is shaken when her cancer returns. As Edward's career surges and their connection deepens, Bella is torn between her growing love for him and the fear of burdening him with her uncertain future. With love, resilience, and support, they must navigate the toughest game of all—fighting for a future together. LEMONS AHEAD!
Characters belong to Steph Meyer.
ONE
The crisp autumn breeze nipped at my cheeks, sending shivers down my spine as I stood outside the abandoned house that Esme Cullen had brought me to see. It was a sight to behold - a stunning mess of peeling paint, sagging eaves, and windows encrusted with layers of grime. But amidst the decay, I sensed the house's untapped potential calling out to me, begging to be revived and restored to its former glory. The worn wooden porch creaked under my feet as I approached the front door, anticipation building in my chest for what lay beyond those weathered walls.
Esme stood beside me, her smile warm and reassuring despite the condition of the place. Her eyes sparkled with that kind of excitement only someone who truly loves old houses can understand. "What do you think, Bella?" she asked, turning to me with a hopeful expression. "I know it doesn't look like much now, but the bones are strong, and I think it has real promise."
I nodded, my eyes roaming over the faded grandeur of the interior. The house was a time capsule—ornate mouldings, high ceilings, and intricate woodwork all hidden beneath layers of dust and neglect. "It's gorgeous," I said, already imagining the transformation that could bring it back to its former glory.
Just then, the front door creaked open again, and I turned to see a man stepping inside. He was tall, with tousled bronze hair that looked like he'd just run his hands through it in frustration. His sharp jawline was softened by a light stubble, and his eyes—green and intense—swept over the room before landing on me. He wore a fitted shirt and dark jeans, casual yet put-together, and he had an air of someone who didn't have to try to look that good but managed it anyway.
I immediately felt self-conscious, acutely aware that my brunette hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail and I had dust on my jeans from an earlier renovation. My sweater, though cozy, was far from flattering, and I wasn't exactly feeling my best. Still, I couldn't help but notice the way his gaze lingered on me, his eyes narrowing slightly like he was trying to figure me out.
Esme's face lit up as she saw him. "Edward, you're just in time," she said, her tone full of affection. "I was showing Bella the property. She's a talented designer I'm thinking of bringing on board to help. You know how time poor I am lately."
Edward gave a nod, his expression remaining neutral, though his eyes were still fixed on me. "I thought I'd come by and make sure everything was in order," he said, his voice smooth and guarded.
Ah, protective of Esme. I could see it in the way he stood close to her, like he'd step in front of a wrecking ball if it got too close to his mother. Kinda sweet to be honest.
Just as I was about to respond, my gaze landed on the fireplace across the room. I gasped and took a few quick steps toward it, my hands almost trembling as I reached out to touch the smooth, cool surface of the stone. "This… this is incredible," I said, my voice breathless with excitement. "Do you have any idea what this is made of?"
Esme's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "No, what is it?"
"It's soapstone," I said, my fingers tracing the intricate carvings on its surface. "This material is rare and incredibly valuable. Most people wouldn't recognise it and might suggest ripping it out, but it's one of the most beautiful features of this house."
I turned back to see Esme's eyes widen in delight, and even Edward's expression softened, his guarded look replaced with something that almost resembled intrigue. Esme clapped her hands together, looking more excited than ever. "Bella, that's exactly the kind of eye I was hoping for! Everyone else wanted to get rid of the fireplace entirely."
She smiled broadly, and I could feel my pulse quicken. "Consider yourself hired," she said, grinning at me. "Anyone who sees what this house has to offer the way you do is exactly who I need. Edward, we're onto a winner here."
I glanced at Edward again, and for a split second, I thought I saw the corner of his mouth twitch, like he was fighting a smile. He was still watching me, those green eyes trained on my every move, and even though I felt a bit like a mess compared to him, I couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, I'd already made an impression.
I couldn't help but let out a happy gasp, clapping my hands together like an overexcited kid on Christmas morning. "I promise, I won't let you down!" I said, my voice bubbling with enthusiasm. "I'll eat, breathe, and sleep this house until it's restored to a glory it's never even known."
Esme's eyes sparkled with joy, but then she glanced at her watch and let out a small gasp. "Oh, I completely lost track of time! I have to dash—I'm meeting my husband for lunch," she said, already moving toward the door. She turned to Edward with a smile. "Edward, would you mind locking up when you're done?"
"Of course," Edward replied, his tone cool but respectful.
I cleared my throat, suddenly feeling all the energy of my commitment rush through me. "Do you mind if I take some measurements before I go? That way, I can start looking at budgets and see what we're working with."
Esme gave a quick nod, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Discuss it all with Edward," she said with a knowing smile. "It is his house, after all."
My eyes widened in surprise as I glanced at Edward. His house? Well, that explained the protective vibe.
As Esme hurried out, I turned back to Edward, still absorbing the fact that he owned this place. "So, why does Esme seem more obsessed with this house than you are?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
A hint of a smirk touched Edward's lips. "She's got this dream that I'll fill it with grandbabies for her," he said dryly, though there was a glint of humour in his eyes.
I laughed, shaking my head. "Oh, my mom does the same kind of thing. She once signed me up for a blind date with her doctor's grandson," I confessed, rolling my eyes.
Edward's smile widened with genuine curiosity. "And how did that go?"
I let out a snort of laughter. "Let's just say I climbed out the bathroom window after he scratched his neck with his fork and then used it to keep eating."
Edward chuckled, a full-on laugh that lit up his whole face, and for a second, I forgot we'd only just met. It felt like we were old friends, trading stories about overbearing parents and awkward dates.
Trying to get back to business, I walked into the lounge area, running my hand along the woodwork. "I was thinking," I said, glancing back at Edward, "what if we restored these original features but added a modern twist? Maybe highlight the wood detailing with a soft, contrasting paint colour."
Edward shook his head slightly, crossing his arms. "I don't know if that's the right move. The original detailing is the character of this house; painting over it might ruin the authenticity."
I narrowed my eyes at him, feeling that familiar spark of competitive energy flare up. "It wouldn't ruin it; it would enhance it," I argued. "The contrast would make the craftsmanship stand out even more."
He raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin tugging at his lips. "Or it could make it look like a wannabe museum piece."
I folded my arms over my chest, unable to suppress a smirk of my own. "I guess we'll see who's right, won't we?"
For the first time, Edward's expression softened into something that wasn't just sceptical or guarded—it was intrigued. "I guess we will," he said, his voice tinged with both challenge and admiration.
And in that moment, I knew this renovation was going to be anything but simple.
With a playful roll of my eyes, I pulled out my trusty tape measure, letting it snap to the floor as I crouched down to get to work. I started taking measurements, jotting down numbers in my notebook while muttering them under my breath. I could feel Edward's eyes on me, watching my every move like I was the most interesting thing in the room.
I shot him a teasing smile over my shoulder. "You know, instead of just standing there staring, you could actually help," I said, arching an eyebrow.
When I glanced up, I caught the flicker of surprise on his face as he realised I'd noticed. And then, just for a split second, I saw where his gaze had been fixed—right on my backside. My lips curved into a small smile that I quickly tried to hide. Oh, he was definitely checking me out.
Edward cleared his throat, looking a little less sure of himself now. "Fine," he said, taking a step closer. "What do you need?"
I held out the notebook and pen, still smiling to myself. "Think you can handle writing down the measurements?"
He took the notebook from me, his fingers brushing mine for a brief second. "I think I can manage that," he said, a hint of that cocky smirk returning to his lips.
As I called out the numbers, Edward scribbled them down in his precise handwriting. When I was done, I glanced over at his notes, genuinely impressed. "Wow," I said, raising my eyebrows. "Your handwriting is surprisingly neat. I might have to hire you as my assistant."
He grinned, and I could see a spark of mischief in his eyes. "Glad to know I'm good for something."
But then I noticed something else at the bottom of the page—an unfamiliar number scrawled there in his neat script. I looked up at him, one eyebrow arched in question. "And what's this for?" I asked, holding up the page.
Edward's grin widened into a full-on, devilish smile. He leaned in just a little, his voice dropping to a low, teasing murmur. "Text it and find out."
My heart did a little flip, and I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. Well, maybe this renovation project was going to be more interesting than I'd expected.
I felt a blush creeping up my neck as I tucked the notebook into my bag, trying to play it cool. "I'll think about it," I said with a wink, even as my fingers itched to grab my phone right then and there.
Edward's smile widened, a mix of satisfaction and challenge in his eyes. "You do that," he replied, his voice low and smooth.
We continued through the house, discussing potential changes and arguing good-naturedly over design choices. As we reached the kitchen, I couldn't help but gasp at the state of it. The appliances were ancient, the cabinets were falling apart, and the linoleum floor was peeling at the edges.
"This," I said, gesturing around the room, "is going to be our biggest challenge."
Edward leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "You think so? I was considering just leaving it as it is."
I shot him an incredulous look, my mouth hanging open in mock horror. "You're joking, right? Please tell me you're joking."
Edward's lips twitched, fighting a smile. "Maybe."
I shook my head, laughing despite myself. "Okay, Mr. Cullen. Let me paint you a picture." I stepped into the center of the kitchen, spreading my arms wide. "Imagine gleaming stainless steel appliances, custom cabinets in a rich, warm wood. We'll tear up this awful linoleum and put in some gorgeous hardwood floors to match the rest of the house."
As I spoke, I could see Edward's expression changing, his eyes following my gestures as if he could see the transformation happening right before him.
"And here," I continued, moving to the far wall, "we'll knock this out to create an open concept. It'll connect to a gorgeous dinning space where you can entertain all the ladies."
Edward's eyebrow quirked up at that last comment. "All the ladies, huh?" he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
I felt my cheeks flush, realizing how that must have sounded. "I mean, you know, for dinner parties and stuff," I stammered, trying to backpedal.
He chuckled, pushing off from the doorframe and stepping closer to me. "And what makes you think I'd want to entertain 'all the ladies'?" he asked, his voice low and teasing.
My heart rate kicked up a notch as he approached. "I just assumed... I mean, you're not... Are you...?" I trailed off, suddenly unsure of myself.
Edward's green eyes sparkled with mischief. "Not what? Interested in entertaining multiple ladies?" He was close enough now that I could smell his cologne, a subtle, woodsy scent that made my head spin a little. "No, I'm not," he said softly, his eyes locked on mine. "I prefer to focus my attention on one woman at a time."
I swallowed hard, acutely aware of how close we were standing. "Oh," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "That's... good to know."
For a moment, we just stood there, the air between us charged with an electricity I couldn't quite explain. Then, Edward took a small step back, breaking the spell.
"So," he said, clearing his throat. "Tell me more about this open concept idea."
I blinked, trying to refocus on the task at hand. "Right, yes. The open concept." I turned back to the wall, grateful for the distraction.
