“Bella? I’m so pleased to meet you; my cousin hasn’t stopped talking about your first interview.”
I lifted my gaze from the floor, startled by the easy smooth voice of the man whose tone instantly relaxed my tense posture. When my eyes met his, they widened on their own accord, my body having no control over the pace of my rapidly beating heart. This man was beautiful.
Blond hair, soft blue eyes, and warmth permeated from his body, wrapping around and comforting me.
I was pretty sure I hated him for it.
“Hi, yes. I’m Bella,” I responded politely, not bothering to ask his name and feeling shitty for not doing so.
“I’m Royce, Esme’s cousin. She’s running a little late, and by late I mean she’s probably fixing her makeup after her nooner with her boyfriend Carlisle.”
The shade his face turned after his obvious word vomit could only be described as scarlet. He raised one hand to cover his eyes as his other tightened into a tight ball at his side. As nervous as I was, and as little as I cared about knowing anything about him, I couldn’t help the slight chuckle that spilled from my lips.
“Oh God,” he groaned, not bothering to uncover his eyes. “The next time Esme asks me to meet the newest employee, I’m telling her to let me finish Carlisle off so she can do it herself.”
All thoughts of professionalism left me as I double over and laughed, the sound foreign but both a welcome friend and a bitter reminder of why it was so uncommon in the first place.
“Shit―I mean damn, no dang.” He let out a harsh breath and squeezed his eyes shut, his face still the crimson side of red. “I’m so awkward.”
“No, it’s fine.” I smiled, my hand lifting to his bicep and squeezing before I realized what I was doing. The fabric of his jacket was soft, his form firm, the heat from his body...all wrong.
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