Author's Note: So sorry for the delay lovelies L As usual, life got in the way. For those that reviewed- thank you so much! If you didn't, maybe you will this time? HINT HINT…
When he leaned back in his chair a scowl showed up on his face so suddenly that Bella squinted in confusion. His eyes were trained over her shoulder and Bella quickly craned her neck to see what changed his mood so suddenly.
Bella looked back and forth between Edward and the woman at the door. The woman was statuesque with long flowing brunette hair. The woman looked as though she had seen a ghost and was standing in the doorway with her gaze intent on Edward. Their gaze was suddenly broken when a business man politely asked the woman to move so he could exit the store.
The woman quickly looked away and then back at Edward before turning and exiting the store. Edward abruptly stood up to follow her, barely sparing Bella a glance until she got up to follow.
"Stay here Bella," Edward said with a hand on her shoulder, gently pushing her back into her seat, "I'll be right back."
Bella just stared after him with her jaw agape. Her mind began to race with possibilities of who the gorgeous woman could be. She lifted her coffee cup to her lips with shaking hands and turned to stare out the window. She could see Edward and the woman stopped next to a shiny black BMW.
Edward had a grip on her upper arm and was running his hand through his hair agitatedly. He was gesturing wildly and clearly arguing with whoever this woman was. Bella stared on with bizarre fascination, when suddenly the woman reached up and slapped Edward across the face. Bella gasped in horror and lifted her trembling fingers to her mouth. Edward simply dropped his gaze to the ground and let his hand slip from her arm. He made a pleading gesture to her and gripped his hair in a tight fist.
The woman shook her head sadly and looked away, back to him, and then turned and entered the car and drove away. As she passed the front of the café Bella saw the shimmer of tears on her cheek.
Bella turned her gaze back to Edward to see him staring after the car with a blank look on his face. Finally he shook his head and turned back to the café. He halted abruptly when he saw Bella staring at him from the window. She couldn't tell his thoughts, as he kept his eyes covered with his Ray bans.
He ran his fingers through his hair one more time before entering and strolling to their table. With a deep sigh he fell into his chair. Bella simply rapped her now ice cold fingers around her cup and stared into it. She was willing herself not to speak the questions that were racing through her mind.
Edward cleared his throat before leaning forward and prying her fingers from her cup and lacing them with his own, "I'm sorry about that," he said in a gravelly voice, "you shouldn't have had to see that."
Bella jerked her eyes up to his and searched his, "who was that Edward?"
Edward pushed his sunglasses to the top of his head and looked away from her gaze and then back again, "Just an old friend."
Bella scrunched up her nose and frowned, "I don't usually slap my friends…" she trailed off.
Edward snorted and smiled wryly at the table, "yeah well, Kate always was a little dramatic."
"Kate?"
Edward jerked his gaze up to hers, as though surprised by his own admission. "Uh yeah, Kate, we grew up together I guess." Edward stated rather uncomfortably.
Bella nodded and stared at the one hand that was still entwined with his. His thumb was rubbing against her palm in a constant, hypnotic manner. She was entranced at the way his hand dwarfed hers, pleading with herself to focus on that and not the unanswered questions. When he remained silent it became apparent that they would remain unanswered.
With a tug on her hand Edward pulled her up from her seat and into his side. He tucked her against him and she placed her head against his chest. He led them outside and into the bright sun, tugging his glasses from the top of his head and placing them upon her face in a silly, romantic gesture. Bella smiled and shook her head gazing up at him. His hair looked like it was on fire, and he was so handsome that it made her heart hurt.
Later that night they were in the practice space that the band rented in the form of a bare, fourth floor, walk up, loft. Bella was perched atop one of the drum kit cases with Alice. She was playing with the woven bracelet on Alice's wrist and listening idly to the music in the back ground. Alice squeezed her hand tightly and Bella brought her eyes up to hers. Alice nodded towards the door and Bella sighed and stood with her.
Alice laced her hand with Bella's and swung them childishly, making Bella giggle. Alice led her to the roof, where she propped open the door with her shoe and led Bella to the crates that were up there for seating near the edge. She took out a crushed pack of cloves and lit one handing it to Bella, who took a drag and handed it back. They shared the clove back and forth, engulfing themselves in the spicy scent and staring out at the city lights.
"So, are you gonna tell me what has that line between your eyebrows?" Alice asked without looking towards Bella.
Bella shrugged and stared ahead at the cathedral steeple in the foreground. When Alice remained quiet, clearly waiting her out, Bella heaved a sigh and turned sideways on her crate, arranging herself so she was sitting Indian style and picked at the hem of her jeans.
"Edward and I ran into an old friend of his when we were out for coffee this morning."
Alice had turned to mirror Bella's pose, but remained quiet. Bella reached over and played with the frayed hole at the knee of Alice's jeans, "I think she was his girlfriend. He chased her outside and wouldn't let me follow them."
Alice passed her another lit clove, and this time lit one for herself as well. "What did he say about it?" Alice asked in a soft voice. It was such a change from her usual boisterous voice that Bella looked up. Alice was looking at her with soft eyes, that bordered on pitying.
"He didn't say anything really. Just that they had grown up together. But god Ally, things have been so good for us lately. I really don't want it to change." Bella said sadly.
Alice nodded and looked out across the roof, "Do you think this will change it? Did he seem like it changed anything after?"
"No, he was so sweet after she left, like nothing had even happened. But they were arguing Al, and she slapped him! And he let her. I'm just so confused. I mean she obviously means something to him."
Alice took a deep drag and exhaled in tight smoke rings, "Maybe she really is just in the past, maybe he wants to keep her there."
Bella opened her mouth to continue with her neurotic theories when she heard the roof door groan and squeak on its hinges. Both girls turned to the sound and then exchanged a look when they saw that it was Edward and Jasper.
The boys ambled over each holding two beers. Edward handed both of his to Bella before lifting her up and sitting on her crate and arranging her on his lap. He took them back and opened both before handing one to her. She smiled a silent thanks to him and looked over to see Alice and Jasper sitting much that same way.
Bella smirked when Edward lifted her hand to his lips and took a drag from her clove. The familiar crackle of the lit tobacco and spicy cinnamon and nutmeg scent lulled her and she leaned back against Edward's chest. He kissed her temple and wrapped and arm around her tummy. She continued to stare out across the city and let herself become lost in her thoughts to the sounds of Edward's deep voice and Jasper's slow southern drawl as they discussed chord changes and melodies.
::Author's Note:: Sorry again lovelies! You know I adore you and hate to disappoint with delays. Please review, even if it's just to scold me for taking so long! Xoxo- Jenna
