Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters. They all belong to Stephenie Meyer.
BPOV
Edward and I walked into the diner and sat in the same booth as before. We each ordered a cheeseburger, fries and a shake again. An uncomfortable silence had settled on us and I didn't like it. Friends are supposed to talk. So I began.
"Tell me Edward Cullen, why didn't you tell me that you were a very successful architect?" He looked at me and seemed remorseful. "I'm sorry, Bella," he said, " I just didn't think about it." I immediately interrupted him and said, "It's ok Edward. I understand. Now, why don't you tell me about yourself. What we didn't discuss the other day."
"Ok," he began, " I am an architect for Cullen Construction. Well actually, I am part owner. My father Carlisle is also an architect. He and my brother Emmett, who I think you already know, are co-owners of the company with me. My father is actually the founder of the company. My mother is Esme. She is an interior designer. As a matter of fact, I think she has some ideas for the interior of the shelter, if you don't mind, of course."
"That would be great," I said, smiling. It is true. I hadn't even began to research anything about the interior of the shelter yet. I could use all the help I could get. "Now, why don't you tell me why you really left Chicago." I knew when he was telling me his story the other day that there was more to it. Now that we are getting to know the real us a little better, I was hoping that since he saw me as a friend, that he would open up more.
"What makes you think that I didn't just move here to be closer to my family?" he asked skeptically.
"Come on Edward," I said, " I am around women all day that feel like they need to lie. I have learned to read body language very well. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but I hope that as your friend, that you will one day trust me enough to tell me." I smiled and patted his hand that lay rested on top of the table.
"You are too good Bella," he said smiling. " There was another reason. I had just went through a bad breakup with a girl and I just had to get away from there. Everything around that city just reminded me of her so much and I just had to leave."
"I understand Edward, " I told him. And believe me, I completely understood. I had to leave Forks just to get away. So many things in that little town held very bad memories for me.
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EPOV
I can't believe that she knew I wasn't telling the full truth about myself. But then again, I could say the same thing about her. I could tell that when she was talking about herself the other day at lunch that she wasn't sharing something, and I hoped that as friends, she would open up to me.
"So tell me Bella Swan," I said, " what weren't you telling me about yourself the other day. Just like you, I can read people very well. If you don't want to tell me why you didn't share who you were, I understand but I want to be your friend too and hope that you can open up to me."
"Thank you Edward," she said, smiling, " I didn't tell you who I was because I just didn't want you to think I was some snobby and snooty corporate person." I laughed at her reason. I could never think that about her. " The truth is, yes, I am the owner of the center. I opened it up a few years ago after what happened to my older sister, Tanya. She was abused and tormented by her husband. I knew about it and told no one." Her eyes began to fill with tears and I took her hand on top of the table as she had done mine earlier. " One day he beat her so bad, that she didn't wake up. He killed my sister and I had done nothing to prevent it. That is why I opened up the center and am having the shelter built. I did nothing to help Tanya, but I will not make that mistake again. I will help as many women and children as I can to make it up to her." I was amazed at her strength. To go through something like that and to turn it around and help people, is truly amazing. And I told her so.
"Bella," I said, "that is truly amazing. For you to do something like that for so many women and children is outstanding. I am sure your sister is very proud of you."
She smiled and said Thank you as she dried her tears. The rest of the lunch was spent in comfortable silence. I paid the bill and we walked back to her office building.
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BPOV
I was glad that I could finally open up to Edward. I felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. He shared his story and I had to share mine. Walking back to my office, I looked over at Edward and just admired him. He was very handsome. The sunlight hit his hair just right and you could see tints of red in it. He had put on a pair of Ray-Bans and they made him look very sexy. Wait, you don't call your friends sexy do you? Crap. I mean, he is a very handsome man, but I am just trying to be friends here. I do not need to be getting into a relationship right now. Friends. Friends. Friends, I began my now common chant in my head.
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EPOV
Walking back to the office, I really began to look at Bella. She was very attractive. Not in a super model type way, but a very girl-next-door type of way. Dark brown hair that fell in waves on her back, long sexy legs, plump pink lips that I could almost feel…….wait. You don't talk about your friends sexy legs or their plump lips. You just don't. I don't need to be getting into a relationship right now. Just friends. That is all Bella wanted to be. Friends. I could handle that.