Thank you again – the response to the last chapter is amazing!

Thanks as always to Pattinlethr, SparklyMeg, Iklepixie, Everydaybella, Cruiz Fanfiction, Mariahajile & Marly580.

Chapter 13

I wake up the following morning feeling like a massive weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

I didn't realize how much I missed having a close girlfriend until Alice and I sat down and talked last night. It made things a lot clearer, and I know I have to stop holding onto my past. My heart shattered the night I caught my boyfriend and best friend together, but my new life is my chance to move on.

And Edward seems eager to help me move forward.

Last night, we shared a few flirty texts and arranged to meet up tomorrow to discuss the library daycare project.

I try to tell myself it's not a date, but the butterflies currently flying around my stomach seem set to tell me otherwise.

With a grin on my face, I spend the day studying and watching my phone, waiting for it to ring… or buzz… or anything… and then get annoyed when it doesn't.

xXx

By the time my last class finishes on Monday, I'm a nervous wreck.

The butterflies in my stomach have gone into overdrive, and my palms are sweaty. I make it to the coffee shop we agreed to meet at, and I stop briefly at the front door. I wipe my hands on my jeans, flatten my hair, and take a deep breath.

"Let's do this," I murmur quietly, reaching for the door handle.

"Here, let me."

His smooth voice catches me off guard, and I stumble toward the door. He grasps my hips, stopping me from completely embarrassing myself and holds me upright.

"Sorry," he mumbles, letting me go as if I'm on fire.

I feel the loss immediately, but I step through the door when he opens it for us.

"You always seem to be catching me."

He chuckles, shaking his head. "I always seem to be the one making you fall."

I shrug. "You must be part ninja." I smile as he bursts out laughing. "Shall we?"

He lets me enter first, and I bite back a smile when I feel his hand on my lower back. It's light, barely touching me, yet it feels strangely intimate.

"Why don't I get the drinks while you find us seats? Those sofas look like they're about to become available." He points to the back corner, where two girls are putting their jackets on.

I settle on one of the seats and pick up one of the menus. I'm hungry, yet so nervous that I'm not sure I can even stomach anything.

"They're going to bring our drinks over. Latte, right?" He sits next to me with a huge smile on his face. He shrugs his jacket off, throwing it over the back of the seat, and brings his bag onto the table.

When he sees my answering grin, his falls slightly. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You know what to order for me." I'm bewildered that he remembers. I don't even recall having a conversation about my love for coffee.

He rolls his eyes. "Of course I do. You constantly tell everyone you would have it on a drip if you could."

I blush, remembering my little rant in the staff room during a particularly early shift when I'd been running late and hadn't been able to grab my morning coffee. I think everyone now knows of my addiction to caffeine.

"Right…" An awkward silence falls over us, and I pick up the menu again just to keep myself busy.

"Do you mind…" he murmurs, shuffling next to me, and I freeze as his leg rubs against mine. "There's only one menu on the table."

If all the people in the coffee shop were to fade away, I doubt I would even notice. We become the only two people that matter. His fingers brush against mine, lingering for the sweetest of moments as he takes the menu from me.

I get caught as I try to sneak a glance at him. His face is flushed, and his bright eyes are intense as he focuses solely on me.

"Bella…" he whispers, leaning forward. He focuses on my lips, and I can feel the fire starting deep within my stomach.

I want this.

My body seems to lean forward of its own accord, and I lick my lips instinctively. I'm tired of trying to stay away from him.

He's so close. He wraps his arm around my shoulder, pulling my body flush against his, causing my insides to melt. Being held in his arms like this is the closest I've come to feeling anything in so long. I want to feel again. I crave it.

I crave him.

I tilt my head, waiting for his soft lips to touch mine.

Several things happen as Edward's name falls from my lips in a breathless whisper.

He moans my name, and I vow to do anything to be able to hear that again.

I whimper as he pushes some hair back behind my ears and cups my face.

Someone clears their throat causing us to jump apart.

"Latte?"

I nod, sliding to the far side of the sofa as a waitress places our drinks in front of us. Edward thanks her before taking my hand in his, effectively stopping me from moving any further away.

"Please don't pull away from me again."

xXx

Edward barely lets go of my hand for the rest of the afternoon.

As soon as our lunch is finished and our plates are cleared, he takes my hand back in his and pulls me close to him again. His eyes show his nerves, and I hate that I make him feel so unsure. Not so long ago, I was hoping he'd kiss me. Now I'm sure my face shows how much effort it takes just to hold his hand.

My nerves are back, and I can't help but feel we're rushing into things. I charged into things with Alec and ended up with a broken heart and a hole where my best friend used to be. And it's something I never want to endure again.

But there's something about the way Edward looks at me. Like just now. I've caught him staring at me, and instead of looking away, he continues to look, unashamed and with eyes shining brightly. As his gaze meets mine, his smile widens.

I decide then that I love his smile.

His intense scrutiny becomes too much, and I look away.

"You're holding back from me."

I nod, focusing on the way his fingers are stroking my hands. It feels calming… soothing, and I don't want him to stop.

"I don't mean to." I feel so conflicted, like my heart and my head can't agree on anything. Every time I feel like we've taken a step forward, we take an even bigger one backward.

"So don't." His grip tightens as I try to remove my hand from his grasp. As soothing as his touch is, I want nothing more than to run from him.

"Edward… I…" I try to explain, but the words just won't come out.

The shame.

The hurt.

The total and utter heartbreak.

"Who was he?"

I look up. "Who?"

"The one who broke your heart." He smiles sadly and squeezes my hand. "Who was he?"

xXx

So, should she tell all?

Fic Rec: Copy Room by Edward's Eternal - Sometimes flippant words are really the truth spoken out loud. What happens when someone overhears you and decides to give you what you secretly want but never knew?