I still own nothing but the plot. Characters still belong to Stephanie Meyer.
She Will Be Loved – Chapter Seven
"Thanks," Edward said as the woman handed him back his phone.
"Let me see," I said as we made our way across the street to the Vietnam War Memorial. This memorial was very busy too and as we neared it I could tell we would be waiting around a while. Milo sat patiently at Edward's side and waited for us to move with the rest of the people waiting.
"How about after this one we make a lunch stop," Edward suggested looking at his phone, which indicated it was close to noon.
"Do you have any preferences?" I asked as we waited in line.
"Just that you'll let me pay."
"Why can't I pay for it? You paid for the cab fare!"
"Because, that would be the ungentlemanly thing to do," he smirked down at me. Milo barked in response.
"I don't care," I huffed throwing my hands up.
"How about we worry about who's paying when we get there," Edward laughed slinging his arm around my waist.
I blushed and did that horrible thing I tend to do; I thought. Was it just a friendly gesture? Or was it more? From the way he rest his hand on my hipbone, it seemed like more. If he were just being friendly, wouldn't he wrap his arm around my shoulder? God, I was just going to make myself more confused.
The statues of the soldiers were just coming up on our right and the wall of names to our left. "You know, this place is much better to see at night just after it's rained," I said locking eyes with Edward.
"I'm sure it is," he said looking around, taking it all in. It was quite spectacular in the daylight too. The sun was shinning down and glaring off the wall so I pulled my Aviators out of my purse. They were cheap though and only helped a little to block out the sun.
Edward was snapping pictures and Milo was panting up a storm when I saw him. Jake. He was a creep that used to live in my apartment building and lets just say I called the cops more than once on him. I pulled on Edward's shirtsleeve and brought his face down to mine.
"See that tall tan guy over there? Black hair? Tattoo on his right shoulder?" He stood up straight and looked around.
When he saw him, he stooped back down to my level. "Yeah, why are you so concerned about him?"
"He used to live in my apartment building and he was my own personal stalker. I called the cops multiple times and they never really did anything that is until he forced his way into my apartment. He was really drunk and he got touchy. I managed to get into my bedroom lock the door and call the cops though. He spent a couple of months in jail for breaking and entering. Last thing I heard he had moved to Alaska."
"Well, he's back now. Do you want to leave?"
"No! I mean um let's just walk through and wait to see if he sees us."
"Ok, but do something for me."
"What?" I said looking at him confused.
"Move your ring to your left hand."
"Why?" I said as I did what he had asked.
"If he sees you and walks over here, just follow my lead," he said as he moved his family crest ring to his own ring finger. I had a feeling I knew where this was going. Edward snaked his arm around me again and we walk through the memorial with Milo leading the way.
We saw Jake leave and we thought we were home free. We slowly made our way out but kept up our charade. And it was a good thing we did, Jake was sitting on a bench just outside the memorial.
Edward pulled me in closer and told me to keep my head down. We turned in the opposite direction but it wasn't good enough.
"Bells? Hey it's me Jake."
We kept walking like we hadn't heard him and it worked until he caught up with us. He tapped me on the shoulder and Edward turned us around.
He looked a little slimmer but that was it, like he ate nothing in last few months His black hair was still greasy and his head was still too big for his body. His tattoo was still gross and he looked like he hadn't taken a bath in weeks.
"Hey, Bella, long time no see," he said sticking out his hand. I declined a handshake and he spoke some more. "So, it this your cousin or something?"
Edward was quick to answer, "No, we're married."
I turned into him and laid my hand on his chest. Edward leaned over too and placed a kiss on my forehead. I knew it was all to get Jake away, but I couldn't help but feel it was right.
"You're shitting me right?" Jake asked looking between us.
"No, we got together about a month after you left, dated for five months, and we were married almost a year ago," I said looking dead in his eyes.
"Well, I'm surprised you could actually find someone," he stated.
Edward dropped his arm from around me and walked up to Jake. Edward was a good four inches taller than him and he looked intimidating. "If you ever say something like that again, I'll rip you apart. Bella is a stunning, wonderful, intelligent, woman that any guy would be lucky to have. You better scram before you really piss me off." Milo growled as if to enforce what Edward had just said.
Jake backed up with his hands in the air and darted away before saying another word. I walked back up to Edward and set my hand on his back leaning against him. "Thank you, you didn't have to do that."
Edward turned around and took my hands in his, "I did though, Bella. I meant every word I said. I've been in love with you since I was ten years old."
Before I could say anything in response, his lips descended upon mine.