The quiet buzz around us brought me out of our trance, the restaurant's busy crowd suddenly penetrating through my mind.

Slowly, I released my fingers from the hold they had on Edward, my grip loosening as I covertly moved my hand away. I refrained from meeting his eyes, afraid of what I might see in the green orbs that I could feel roving all over my face.

I looked around nervously, suddenly feeling conscious about the people milling around.

What was I thinking?

Still avoiding Edward's gaze, my eyes bounced all over the place instead as I tried to gather my thoughts.

"What am I doing?" I asked myself lowly, my head hanging on my shoulders.

"Bella?"

Without thinking, I looked up.

Edward's face was a mask of confusion, his brows creating a crease on his forehead. His eyes were searching mine, and whatever he saw must have been something that upsets him since his frown deepened, his mouth straightening into a line.

"What's wrong?" Edward asked, and I watched as his hand moved as if he wanted to grasp mine back.

I subtly shook my head at my own idiocy, my eyes casting down again after I looked at Edward fleetingly.

"I fucked up," I whispered, my eyes tracing the pattern on the table.

"Was it something that I did?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

"I…" trailing off, I found the courage to look back up to Edward, my eyes meeting his head on. "What do you want from me, Edward?"

I watched as he took a deep breath, his features schooling into a mask of indifference.

"I want you back in my life, Bella," he said, "In whatever capacity you can give,"

I swallowed inaudibly at his words, the blood rushing in my ears as they thrummed in my veins.

"What?" I asked incoherently, "Why? Why now?"

"Because," he started, "I've already wasted too much time without you. I don't want to go on with my life without you anymore,"

"I'm-"

"Dating someone, I know," he cut off, "Whatever you can give me, Bella,"

"Even if we could only be friends?" I asked, my brow quirked, teasing him.

"Yes," he grinned at me, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

I nodded at him silently, my mind running through his words repeatedly.

He wants me in his life. Even just as friends.

But what if I don't want to be just friends?

Heaving a sigh, I went back to drinking my now cold coffee, the taste bitter in my mouth.

"But that doesn't mean I'll stop trying, Bella Swan," Edward said, winking at me. I blushed furiously at his words, my mouth probably gaping at him.

Once I've gathered my composure, I watched as Edward took a sip form his own cup almost nonchalantly, a slight grimace appearing on his face as the liquid touched his lips.

Minutes passed by, the both of us in our own worlds.

The silence was occasionally interrupted by mundane questions, either from Edward or me, mostly about how work was going, or any other irrelevant thought.

I reveled at how comfortable we were in each other's presence, even as silent as we were.

I just hope that this would last, with Edward back in my life.

In whatever capacity.

I've been in a daze since I've come back to the office from my coffee run with Edward.

The workload was piling on my desk again, as if I've been gone for weeks instead of just a few minutes.

After quickly discarding my purse, I dived headlong into the manuscripts, determined to finish everything before the week ends.

I got my head buried in work when a knock on the door took me away from my computer's screen.

"Come in," I said, just loud enough for whoever it was on the other end of the door.

I heard the door open after a few seconds, the sound of it closing reverberating in the quiet room.

I didn't look up from the screen, waiting for whoever it was to start speaking.

"So, I guess that guy in your office earlier was the infamous Edward Cullen," she said, her tone not covering nor hiding her annoyance.

"Well, hello to you too, Angela," I greeted, the cheekiness in my tone apparent.

"Don't, Bella," she warned, "what the hell is he doing here?"

"I don't really know, Ange," I shrugged, huffing out a breath.

"You need to stay away from him," she said.

"What the hell?" I exclaimed at her, my eyes going wide at her words.

"He's bad news, Bella," she explained, "I just hate to think of what would happen to you when he leaves again,"

"If," I emphasized, "and I don't think he will,"

"It's what he does," Angela said, "Based on what you told me, anyway."

"Why don't I give him the benefit of the doubt?" I asked, my irritation barely concealed.

"Why? Besides, you're dating James, who's a great guy, by the way," she continued, seemingly oblivious to my somewhat unreasonable chagrin.

"Angela," I started, taking a deep breath as I tried to school my features. "Please let me figure this out on my own,"

"Oh," she whispered, "Oh, okay. I'm sorry, Bella,"

"It's fine," I muttered, smiling slightly at her to show that I'm not that mad.

I expected Angela to leave my office after her little tirade, but no, she walked over to my desk and sat down on the chair in front of me.

I surreptitiously watched her from the corner of my eye, waiting for her to start talking again.

Angela didn't disappoint, as she started talking again after a few moments of silence.

"He's gorgeous, by the way," she started, "Edward, I mean,"

I wanted to laugh, because of course he is.

But I don't think this situation calls for my misguided humor.

"But," she continued, "Please, please be careful, Bella,"

My gaze softened slightly, actually feeling a little tenderness at how Angela's been looking out for me.

"I know how you were when you came back from Forks all those months ago, and I don't want that to happen again."

"I'm sorry," I muttered under my breath.

"No, don't apologize to me," she chuckled, arranging her face into a semblance of seriousness after a few seconds. "I just don't want you to be hurt again,"

I nodded mutely at that, actually thinking of the same thing.

Angela smiled affectionately at me, and despite her overbearing ways, I feel grateful that she's been nice to me all along.

"I promise, Ange," I told her with as much conviction as I can muster. "And besides, I don't plan to just drop everything for him,"

"Good," she smirked, "Make him work for it this time. And besides, you still have James to think about,"

Angela's subtle reminder that I have someone else in my life now puts everything into perspective.

I mean, it's not like I could just drop him like a hot potato.

He's been really good to me, despite my shortcomings, something that I just couldn't discard.

And although I don't feel for him as deep as I feel for Edward, maybe it won't always be that way.

Maybe someday I could love him the way I loved Edward.

But what if I won't be able to do so?

What if for the rest of my life all I'll ever have is this encompassing love for Edward?

These thoughts were confusing the hell out of me, the pounding in my head adding to the burden.

I looked over to where Angela still sat, her eyes watching my face.

I tried to give her a small smile, but I think it came out more like a grimace.

"Well," Angela said, slapping her hands on her thighs as she stood, "I better get going,"

"Yeah, thanks for stopping by," I told her.

"No problem," she said, winking playfully at me.

I laughed out loud at her, the ridiculousness of the situation finally getting to me.

I can't believe Angela came over in the middle of a busy day at work just to reprimand me about Edward.

I have just refocused on my computer screen when Angela called out from the doorway.

"Maybe I'll have to meet this Edward before you take things farther with him,"

I gaped at the closing door, Angela's cackling could be heard from the other side.

Shaking myself out of my stupor, I went back to the workload in front of me.

The rest of my day at the office had been long. There was so much to do in a short span of time. It's actually a miracle that I haven't started taking home manuscripts yet.

My neck was aching again and my back was sore for spending the afternoon holed up in my office, slouching over the desk.

I discarded my purse on the end table as I passed by the living room, intent on taking a bath first before having dinner.

I was headed to my bedroom when a vibration in my pant leg caused me to stop.

Confused, I fished out my phone and looked at the screen.

Hey, u home?

-E

I could feel an involuntary smile creeping up on my face at the message. I feel like a stupid idiot smiling in the middle of an empty hallway.

Without thinking, I typed out a reply.

Yes, why?

-B

I stood there for a few seconds, holding my phone tightly in my hand. My heart was thumping wildly in my chest, quite excited at the prospect of Edward possibly coming over.

Mentally, I checked over the status of my apartment.

Did I leave any stray clothes on the floor?

Would there be enough food for us?

Maybe we could watch a movie, drink some wine-

The ringing of my phone startled me so that I almost dropped it. Clutching my racing heart with my free hand, I checked the screen and see that Edward is calling.

"Hello?" I greeted, the throbbing of my heart reverberating through my ears.

"Hey," he said breathlessly, the tone jovial.

"So," I trailed off, "What do you want?"

"Well," he chuckled, "I was wondering if I could come over,"

"Oh, I don't think I have enough to feed you," I teased, smiling.

"I'll bring some takeout, my treat," Edward said.

"You know I can't resist some takeout," I laughed, the sound almost carefree.

"I'll be there in an hour, is that okay?" he asked. I could hear movements from his end of the line, probably in his apartment.

"Yes," I told him, "I'll see you in an hour,"

"Is Mexican okay?" Edward asked.

"Yes," I chuckled at him, at us, at how mundane this conversation is. As if we've done this a thousand times.

"Okay," he snickered, "I'll see you soon, Bella,"

"Yup, bye," I whispered.

I can't wait to see you.

The call disconnected immediately, the dial tone beeping in my ear. I took the phone away from my face and smiled at it indulgently, feeling utterly ridiculous at how I've reacted.

After a few more moments of smiling like an idiot in love, I've gathered my senses and moved to my bedroom to retrieve my towel.

Once I've retrieved my towel and some comfortable clothes, I went for the bathroom.

I opened the faucet, and filled up the bath. I poured some bath scented oils too, going for lavender this time.

I loved how it made my skin smell.

Without further ado, I took off my clothes and hopped in the bath.

The warm water was relaxing against my muscles, the scent filling the air.

I breathed it in deeply, letting the scent wash over me.

Closing my eyes, I let my mind linger for a while.

The thoughts came naturally to me, about Edward and me, about James. I don't even know what to think of Edward wanting to come over right now, but I've decided to just let things happen.

Let the chips fall where they may.

Soon, the water turned cold, prompting me to get out of the tub.

I ran the towel all over my skin, drying off my thick hair aggressively. I quickly got dressed, noticing how the hour was almost up.

Edward could be here any minute.

I was just reaching for my hairbrush when my doorbell rang.

Speak of the devil, I snickered to myself.

I almost ran to the door in my haste, excited to see Edward again even though we've spent some time together earlier.

The butterflies in my stomach were unavoidable, almost taking over my body.

"Coming!" I shouted when he rang again.

Impatient man.

Finally, the deadlock gave way, and I swung the door open.

The smile that was plastered on my face quickly formed into one of shock.

"Surprise," he said, holding up three bags of Chinese takeout.

"James?"

AN: Thank you for reading!