Prompt: Celestial

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"How's your salad?" Edward asked, perceptively saving me from my awkwardness.

"Fine." I answered too quickly. I couldn't actually say what it tasted like, but it was a water based vegetable with house dressing. How good could it be?

The left side of his mouth rounded into a coiled smile. "Have you even taken one bite?"

I stabbed some lettuce and shoved it into my mouth, chewing hastily. "Yes. How's the salmon?"

A chortle rumbled from deep in his chest as he answered. "Not bad."

Even through the laugh, he sounded indifferent. "Not bad like better than I expected and maybe I'll come here again or like I'm unconvinced but it's edible."

"I can see myself revisiting this place but it most likely wouldn't be for the fish. It tastes fine but I can't say I'm moved by it."

I didn't understand. "If you aren't impressed why would you come back?"

"Nostalgia." He simpered and took another bite of the mediocre entre.

What did he mean? He said he'd never been here before. How could he feel nostalgic at a place that held no memories?

…Unless he considered this something worth remembering. I could tell he liked me. He'd called me beautiful. But, did this mean something more to him, too? And when did it start meaning something to me?

"Is everything alright?" he interjected, halting my musing.

"It's fine. I'm sorry. It's just been a strange day."

"Would you like to tell me about it?"

Sure, scare the handsome stranger away with all of your woes and puzzling. He's sure to want you, then. That sounds like a fabulous idea.

"Trust me, you don't want to know."

"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to know," he comforted.

"Why do you care?" I didn't say it in a way that was meant to be taken as harsh. I wasn't trying to say it was none of his business – which it wasn't, but that was beside the point. I wanted to know why he would be so concerned about someone he'd just met.

Was he always this way? Was he playing a role? Was it just me?

"I think there are too many reasons to list. You'll bore long before I finish."

I couldn't picture ever boring of hearing him speak. Not with his tone and the eloquent way that he spoke. And especially not with the unexpected but charismatic things he continued to say. Listening to his harmonious voice and gazing at his equally angelic features made sitting in what would otherwise be an ordinary restaurant seem almost celestial.

"Try me."

"Well – and this is in no particular order – you'd become a bit quiet and I can't get to know you if we aren't talking. I don't gather we have much time left, since you already stated that you'll need to return to work soon, and I'd rather not waste this chance. There are a number of expressions passing over you that suggest something multifaceted is being considered. Just watching is fascinating, so I can only imagine what's beneath those thoughts.

"Also, hopefully, sharing what's on your mind will help me to become better at interpreting more accurately, as we've established that I seem to be hit or miss in your regard. And quite frankly, if you've had a rough day, I think I like the idea of being a person that you can confide in, even if we have just met. How was that?"

Again, with only his words, he'd floored me. Any preconceived notions I might have had prior were immediately pushed out of the door. I realized he wouldn't be any easier for me to figure out than I was for him. I'd never done this before and he wasn't exactly playing easy, either. But I decided that it was something I needed to do. I had to know this man.

"Captivating," I nearly whispered, still a tad in shock.

"I'm glad. Now, will you tell me?"