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Chapter Twenty-Eight
Edward sat in the middle of his bed looking rumply and comfortable and just good.
He swigged his fifth beer and I was grateful for the second glass of Shiraz. Not that I needed it to feel comfortable around him. Our conversation usually flowed easily without any help of intoxicants.
The alcohol just increased the electricity that flowed between us. We were buzzing. I felt giddy.
"Your mom is nice," I said decidedly. "Well. Your entire family is nice."
Edward snorted. "Has Alice been around the office lately?"
I eyed him. "No. I haven't seen her since the day at the storage unit."
He nodded once with no other words to accompany his grimace. I situated myself to lie on my stomach.
"That was impressive. I thought you'd spill more wine than that." Edward teased and wiped a finger over his lips. "Tell me. You told my parents you weren't currently attending school."
I pursed my lips. "And what are you wanting me to tell you?"
"You're sassy when you drink. I like it."
"You like a lot of things about me," I hummed and watched his eyes linger on my mouth.
His focus returned. "School wasn't for you?"
"It was okay." I sat up, crossing my legs, our knees touching.
"Where did you attend?"
"Colorado State," I blurted out before I could let myself come up with anything else.
Lying was easy.
The truth, it turns out, was easier.
Edward thought for a moment, rubbing his fingers across the wine I spilled on his white cotton sheets. "Fort Collins?" I nodded, gauging his facial expression. "Colorado is nice," he mumbled. "Portland?"
"Renee likes to...travel. Quite a bit," I said lamely.
Hoping he wouldn't pry.
Hoping he wouldn't care about anything regarding my life.
"What do you want to do?"
With your life. He left that part out.
I could fill in the blanks.
"Anything," I admitted.
Anything sounded better than what I was currently doing. Which was nothing.
Nothing.
Edward narrowed his eyes. "Your mom is different."
I snorted at his choice of words. "Now you're just being kind."
"You're different, too," he said softer this time. His fingers lightly trailed over my knees. "Let me get you something to sleep in." Edward left the bed, disappearing in his closet before returning with a pair of striped boxers and a plain white shirt. "I hope this is okay?"
"It's more than okay."
"I'll let you change."
Edward closed the door behind him as I quickly changed. My clothes stayed in a pile on the wood floor. He returned a few minutes later wearing boxers and the same shirt he was already wearing.
"Are you tired?"
I shrugged. "I could sleep."
Edward turned the lights off, removed his shirt and crawled under the blanket with me.
"I don't want to sleep yet..." Edward's words lingered in the darkness. "Talk to me."
I sighed, trying to ignore the warmth of his body. "About?"
His voice dropped. "Is this weird to you?"
"What?"
"Us."
My smile could not be contained. "No."
He shifted closer to me and I could hear him smiling as well. "Can I admit something?"
"Sure."
"This doesn't make sense, but I was kind of jealous when you mentioned Ben last week."
"You know him?" I watched his jaw tighten and release as he explained to me that everyone knew everyone in this town. "I don't."
Edward's knee touched mine. "Have you ever had a serious boyfriend before?"
"Not really," I admitted. "I've dated but nothing serious. Nothing intoxicating or all consuming."
He seemed to understand what I failed to verbalize.
Not like this.
"I had one serious girlfriend," he started, keeping one hand on my hip; always connected. "She was nice; on the outside, anyway. She had a wandering eye. Never acted upon it, but I knew."
"How could she have a wondering eye while being with you?" I was almost angry. It didn't make sense to me how anyone could not be satisfied with just him.
Edward's laugh was deep and genuine. "I work in the morning."
"I don't," I yawned.
"I know." He squeezed my hip. "Bella?"
"Edward?"
"I'm glad you're staying."
His words shook me to my core as I thought of Renee's restlessness and her need for change when she became bored.
"I'm glad, too." There was fear in my words.
Edward pulled me closer, letting my head rest against his chest and I felt my apprehension disappear, even if only for the night.
A/N: That's it for tonight, folks.
