Chapter Ten

Bella lit a cigarette and rolled down her car window. It was Sunday night, and she was driving to Angela's. Flurries fell and whizzed around her car as she raced along the road. Her speedometer rose beyond the limit posted on signs beside the road, but she was too distracted by her own thoughts to realize it — or care.

Edward needed her. He was wounded. He needed someone in his life, someone who would be there for him, someone who could love him. He needed someone, but Bella wasn't ready to be needed.

After he was discharged from the hospital, she had driven him home. The ride was silent. She knew he wanted to stay with her. She could feel it. She had an extra bedroom, she had room, but she couldn't invite him into her home. If she did that, she would be inviting him into her heart. The door would be wide open. And then he would do something shitty or she would do something shitty, and hearts would rip apart and keys would be returned and tears would flow.

She dropped him off two days ago at Silva's with the engine running. She didn't even put it in park. Confused, Edward leaned down and looked at her as he held the car door open.

"Silva's having a New Year's Eve party here Monday night. You should come."

"Okay. Maybe."

He had bared his soul to her, and she had said maybe and left him in the snow.

Why couldn't she just let him in? It was all too much too fast. She could feel herself falling for him, and she needed to step back. So, instead of opening herself to this wounded man, she was on her way to Angela's, hoping her friend could talk her out of falling in love.

"This is all pretty heavy, Bella," Angela said after Bella had shared Edward's story with her. "Honestly, I can't believe you trust a guy who was basically stalking you."

"I can't believe it, either, but I know that he's genuine. I don't know what it is about him, but I feel like I've always known him, even though we've just met. It's disarming."

"He's clearly in a lot of pain."

"I know. I feel like I want to help him… or try to be his friend…"

"But…"

"But I don't want to let him in. The more people you have in your life, the more chance there is for them to leave. I can't feel things and have people disappear, Angela. I just can't do it. I just can't."

Angela nodded. She understood Bella's baggage better than anyone. "Maybe one day, you won't feel so afraid, Bella. I just hope that when that day comes, Edward will still be there."

Bella sighed. "I don't even know if he's the right guy for me, anyway."

Angela grabbed her shoulders and enunciated every word, "You'll never know that, because you won't give him a chance."

That night, Bella dreamed about the day the tree fell. She was running and running to get to the source of the noise, but her street seemed never-ending and she couldn't get there. She heard Edward's motorcycle coming toward her, and she saw his sunglasses flashing. He was laughing. He was driving right at her and laughing maniacally—

Bella woke just before he crashed into her.

Unsettled by the dream, she spent the day telling herself she would not be going to Silva's party that night. There was no way she was going to get in any deeper with a stalker she barely knew. His whole story could be lies. He could be a murderer. A menace. A criminal.

Bella knew none of the nonsense she was filling her head with was true. She could feel Edward's truth. She could see it in his eyes. He was so transparent. Maybe that's why he always wore his sunglasses. Maybe he was trying to hide his heart from the world.

Her street was empty, and she shivered as she walked in a black dress and heels to the wine shop, but suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her. She didn't need to turn around. She knew who would be there. He was wearing a black wool coat over his suit. He smelled like bourbon, and he was carrying a bundle of unlit sparklers in his hand.

It was Riley.

A/N: Edward's not gonna like that one bit...

I'm sorry this took so long to post, I've been dealing with some deadlines. As some of you know, I'm publishing Righteous and Wicked and there's a great deal of work involved. It will be released next May. If you're interested you can follow my author account on Twitter or Facebook to stay updated.

Thank you for being kind and patient and genuinely the absolute sweetest people on earth. Thanks to mariahajile for betaing as always.