25.
"I got your letter. I really wanted to answer you, but I didn't know your address." She played with the rim of her cup.
"I was afraid. I didn't want to put it on there and then never get a response."
Bella nodded. "I guess I didn't really give you a reason to trust me, huh?" She didn't wait for me to talk, but plowed ahead instead. "I tried to email you, too. About two months after I left, but it kept getting sent back to me. Then I tried to call, and your number was out of service." She cleared her throat and wiped away a tear that had slid down her cheek. "You must hate me for what I did. I abandoned you."
I couldn't speak.
She had tried to communicate with me. She wanted to reach out to me. All the notions I'd had of her just casting me aside were shattered, and my chest ached worse than before.
"I don't remember closing my email or phone." I couldn't look at her. "I had a rough time right after. Well, probably the first six months after you…" I trailed off, not wanting to cause her more guilt. "I know that I got a new phone, but it was just because Emmett brought it to me. I mean, he left it outside my apartment because I wouldn't let him in."
I watched as she fidgeted with her cup and nodded.
The silence lasted a few more moments before she asked, "Where did you move to?" Her hand went up to her neck immediately. "I'm sorry; you don't have to tell me that."
In all the times I had anticipated this reunion, I never thought it would be so awkward and tense. I had always imagined that I would see her and we would hug and kiss. We'd apologize to each other and live happily ever after.
Reality was much more complicated than that, though. That was one thing I'd learned repeatedly over the last year.
We were quiet, avoiding each other's eyes, trying to seem very interested in our drinks. I couldn't help but notice that she was still just as gorgeous as before. Her hair was shorter, and she looked thinner, but I was still captivated by her.
I was jolted out of my thoughts as she spoke.
"I should probably go." Bella stood. "I have no right to say this to you after how I left things, but I miss you." Her smile was sad, and I could see her letting go – giving up hope right in front of my eyes. "I'm so happy you're doing well."
I hadn't spoken in several minutes but seeing her turn for the door forced me to snap out of my daze.
"Bella?"
She turned abruptly. Her eyes were hesitant. "Yeah?"
"Can I email you?"
She let out a shuddering breath. "Of course. It's still the same address."
I nodded, tore off the edge of the manuscript I'd been working on and quickly wrote down mine. "Here…" I held it out to her "…so you know it's me."
It was a lame excuse, but her answering smile was well worth it.
"Thanks, Edward."
Against every instinct I had, I didn't stop her this time when she started for the door.