37.
Our second meeting ended with Bella in tears and me trying to apologize.
"No. Don't you dare so you're sorry, Edward!" Her voice was fierce even though she had tears in her eyes. "I understand your concern, I really do. I don't want to end things today on a bad note, but I really think that we should take a break for a bit and meet later, maybe? I just need to deal with some things first."
She was packing up, wiping away falling tears.
After two tense conversations in our old coffee shop, we had finally gained the attention of the other patrons. They watched closely, probably making up stories in their minds about what was happening between us. We looked like a couple who were fighting, breaking up.
If they only knew just how hard we were trying to work to get back together…
"Okay," I whispered. "Do you want to meet for dinner?"
Bella nodded, grabbed a pen from her bag, and scribbled on the napkin closest to her. "Here's my number. Can you call me in a couple of hours?"
I nodded, grasping the flimsy material like a lifeline, and watched her leave the café.