Early Thursday morning, Bella's phone rings with a new text message. Rubbing at her sleep-blurred eyes, she squints at the screen. I think I have your book. -Edward.
She smiles. What is it? she types in reply.
Come pick it up and you'll find out, comes Edward's text barely a minute later.
Tease. I'll be there in 10.
Bella rolls out of bed and stretches, getting ready to make her way to the library.
Edward is waiting at the desk when Bella arrives. "Morning," he calls.
"Hi," Bella says back. "You have my book?"
"Someone's impatient," Edward remarks with a grin as he pulls a book out from under the desk and slides it over to her.
Bella gazes at the cover curiously. "Have you read it?" Edward asks.
She shakes her head. "I haven't; I've heard of it, though. Have you?"
"Nope. Made my sister Alice bawl like a baby, though."
She runs a hand over the cover. "Thank you," she says, looking at him.
His eyes—a shocking, vivid green—soften in response. "Of course. You'll have to tell me if it makes you cry, though."
"Of course," Bella echoes. Smiling at him one last time, she exits the library, the worn copy of Me Before You tucked safely into the crook of her arm.
The next afternoon, Bella stalks towards the library, the book Edward had suggested loose in her hands. Seeing Edward intensely focused on a desktop at his desk, she makes his way towards him, tossing the book down. She hides a smile as the book hits the desk and he jumps. "That was fast," he exclaims.
"I'm a fast reader."
"Did it make you cry?"
Bella rolls her eyes. "Not even close. I hated it."
"Really? Why?"
"Because not only is it terribly cliché, it implies that a disability would make life not worth living, which is one of the stupidest sentiments I've heard," she rants.
Bella glares at him as he coughs to hide a laugh. "I'll have to tell Alice," he replies.
"Since the first suggestion sucked, you'll have to give me another one. And I want one from you this time," she orders, feigning bossiness.
"Sure. I'll need time, though."
"There's no rush. You have my number, right? Just text me."
"Right."