oOo

"I can't believe we met today," he said after a long pause. "It's nice to talk to you. Tell me more about yourself, will you?"

Bella shook her head.

"I'm not very interesting."

"Then you don't see yourself very clearly."

His smile was honest, his eyes crinkling.

"What do you want to know?"

"What are you doing with the rest of your day?"

"I'm going home and study."

"Would…" He swallowed. "Would you be able to fit in a little walk?"

"A walk?" She realized she'd said it like she'd said, "With YOU?" earlier. "I'm sorry. A walk?"

"Regent's Park is beautiful at this time of year. The leaves are turning red and gold, and we're sure to see some squirrels, searching for nuts."

"Squirrels forget where they hide their nuts, did you know that?"

His eyes were shining.

"We might help them search."

.

Twenty minutes later, they were at the park, their feet scrunching on the gravel. The sun was preparing to set in lovely pinks and oranges, and Edward had been right: the colours were spectacular.

They didn't talk much, now and then remarking on something one of them had seen, otherwise walking in comfortable silence.

Bella hadn't noticed before how tall Edward was. His posture was upright, almost proud, even as he had his hands buried deep in the pockets of his jacket. Sometimes the light breeze played with his hair, making it point in various directions.

Once again, Bella wondered what had gotten her here, walking next to this beautiful man she almost didn't know. It was completely surreal. She thought about his paintings, and what kind of person he would be to paint them. Not a carefree, easy spirit. Deep, and warm, and enquiring. An old soul, maybe.

They sat down on a park bench, and Edward took his hands out of his pockets. His fingers were long. She could imagine them holding a paint brush.

"Why did you decide to become a painter?"

"Early on." He ran one hand through his unruly hair. "I was drawing pictures by the time I could hold a crayon. It's… it's the only thing I've ever done. The only thing I've ever known."

"Why do you think that is?"

"I don't know." He did that characteristic, one-sided shrug. "I don't question it."

"Are you the only artist in your family?"

Edward jaw tightened. It was miniscule, but Bella noticed.

"Let's walk some more, shall we?" she said, her voice a little too bright.

He seemed to relax once they were moving. He kicked a chestnut in front of him with expensive-looking shoes on large feet. She remembered how that was the first thing she's noticed about him.

A squirrel crossed their way, and both of them had to smile.

What would they be doing after this, Bella wondered. He was difficult, that much was certain. But she couldn't help it. Some part of her wanted to know him, however stupid that probably was.

Or was it?

oOo