No copyright infringement intended.


Chapter Ten

I don't know how it happened, I swear!

The movie's been over - long past over - and somehow I've situated myself into a tricky position. Edward's arm is no longer wrapped around my shoulder, but I'm just snug as a bug, nestled into his side.

I'm not even asleep!

But I get all fuzzy hearted and snuggly when he starts talking about his Granny in Louisiana and how he wants to stop and have a visit with her. She's 90 years old, and she has goats, a dog named Popeye, and a tire swing.

"I haven't been on a tire swing since my cousin Felix pushed me so high I flipped right off and almost knocked my teeth out. Okay, I was standing on it, which is kind of a no-no, but still. My lips were busted and I had two black eyes for a good while. School pictures were that week, and mom bought them." I say. "Maybe I should stay away from the swing."

"I'll be gentle with you," he says.

"Oh alright," I say, giving in, because gentle Edward sounds like something I could get on board with - or sit in a tire for.

"My aunt has a chicken farm…"

"A chicken farm?" I ask, lifting my head a bit even if I don't want to. "Like with roosters?"

His head tilts down, and I can see up his nostrils. You'd think it would be gross, but hell no it's not.

"Mostly hens. They sell eggs. I'll take you there."

"I'm not big on roosters."

"Have you had many roosters?" He asks, and all I hear is Baby asking Johnny have you had many women and it makes me want to laugh.

"I never have. My friend's mom got it in her head that she wanted to save money by eating fresh eggs, so she got one rooster and two hens. Her dad built this big pen like with this normal sized human door. They were at work, and I was over hanging out and her dad called and told her that she needed…" I start laughing just remembering this story. "...that she needed to collect the eggs. She was too scared, so I said I would do it - not really sure why, since I'm not really a brave person, but I did it and the rooster attacked me. My friend wouldn't let me out, too scared it would get out and her dad would be pissed, so I'm running around the pen scared for my life, screaming bloody murder. She was laughing so hard she peed her pants - she got what she deserved, I'd say."

"True," Edward chuckles. "You've always got a story, Swanie. If I'm remembering right, you said you haven't even lived."

"As an adult," I say. "I haven't lived as an adult. I'm actually a pretty boring adult."

"You're right. I'm bored to death right now," he shifts and wraps an arm around my shoulder, giving me a hug.

Holy cow.

"Shall we play a game?" I ask

"I think we shall." He chuckles and removes his arm - why!

"I liked your arm there. It was keeping me warm."

"Yeah?" I can't look at him after that declaration, but I love that I can hear the smile in his voice. "I can turn the AC off," he says, reaching for the knob.

"What? No! The arm will do."

He laughs and wraps his arm around me again, giving me a nice snuggle. "If you want hugs, you only have to ask. I'm a good hugger."

I've dated a few guys this past year in college, but none of them - none of them - were men like Edward. Who am I kidding? They weren't even men. They were college frat boys looking to get laid. I'm not going to be able to go back to my regular, boring life without Edward in it.

Don't ever leave me, cowboy!

My phone rings all the way over on the passenger seat, and from here I can see it's mom's name on the screen, and I curse her to hell and back for making me move from Edward's beloved arm.

"Hi, mom," I say.

"Bella, sweetheart, that man is gorgeous," she says, not even a hello.

Edward's deep chuckle tells me he just heard what mom had to say.

"What do I say to that?" I ask, wishing I hadn't even answered. I mean, I agree wholeheartedly, and if Edward wasn't sitting right here, I'd talk him up like a mofo.

"Your father is still having a conniption, and I'm also a little leery even if that face looks like it was carved from the Greek Gods themselves."

Edward's chuckle gets louder, and I take a peek at him, finding myself smiling at his smile because his smile is freaking gorgeous then he gives me a lazy wink, and I melt into his side again.

Who cares if he thinks I'm needy!

"Mom, he can hear you." Now, I feel Edward's chuckle.

"Oops," she says. "Where are you?"

"I'm not sure. Somewhere between boring and more boring."

"Bella!"

"We're in Texas," I say.

"It's taking you forever," she complains, obviously not getting that a road trip with Edward should actually last a lifetime. "You're going to miss the entire vacation."

"I'll be there. I won't miss the entire thing. Edward took me to the zoo yesterday. That was fun."

More fun than I'll ever have in Florida with my parents.

I'm not even sorry to admit that - in my head anyway.

"Disney World is tomorrow," she tries to goad me.

She's not getting it.

"I'll take you to Disney World," Edward whispers.

I smile and nod my head vigorously - excitedly - and he rubs my arm with his hand, pulling me back into his side.

Yeah, mom's really not getting it.

"We'll get there before the vacation's over. I promise."

"Alright," she sighs. "Be safe."

"We will. Love you."

"Love you too, honey."

She hangs up, and I set my phone in my lap.

"Greek Gods, huh?"

I shrug and push my hair behind my ear. "I'm sure you've looked in a couple mirrors. You'd have to be blind not to see it."

"Yeah?" He asks. "I thought I was just lookin' at my face."

"Let me show you," I say, lifting my phone and clicking on the camera. I hold it up and turn selfie mode on, getting us both in the frame. "Act natural."

He keeps his eyes on the road but presses the side of his face into my hair, and when my countdown gets to three, he glances over and smiles - dimple and all - and I snap that baby quickly.

"Yep. Greek God status."

"Shut up," he laughs. "Show me."

I hold it up where he can see it, and he shakes his head, grinning. "What about you, Swanie? Does that make you a Goddess?"

"No," I choke. "I'm a swan."

Yeah because a swan is better than a goddess!

Sometimes I want to slap myself silly.

"Right. Elegant. Swans are pretty."

"Are you calling me cute?"

"No. I'm callin' you pretty."

"That's what I meant."

"Then yep. You're pretty, Swanie. Pretty swan status, right?"

Oh my God.

"If you say so. I was quite the ugly duckling back in the day. One of these days I'll show you the pictures. While you're waiting, want a snack?"

"Sure. I could eat. A few more miles and I'll pull off and we can eat."

"Okay."

"What's this game you wanted to play? I like games. I'm good at winning."

I roll my eyes. "I let you win, you know that."

"Winning is winning, Swanie."

"It's the license plate game, but we'll start after lunch."

"Alright. I'll go easy on you."

"I hope there are no cars for miles."

Edward chuckles, and I watch then he pulls off on an exit and parks for lunch.

After Edward lifts me onto the tailgate - that mystery is solved, I'm not too heavy - I make us sandwiches, and he grabs the baked chips and Capri suns.

When he struggles to put his straw in, I grab it and do it for him.

"You have to angle the straw," I say, giving him a lesson. "Then just shove it in. Got it?"

He smirks and sips the one I readied for him. "Yes ma'am."

Yes ma'am? Why do I want him to say that again?

"What did you say? I didn't hear you."

He shakes his head, like he doesn't believe me. Where's the trust? "Yes ma'am. Should I yell it?"

He hops up next to me, aligning our thighs, and I hand him his sandwich. "No, that's alright. Just don't whisper next time."

The dimple!

If I could marry it, I would.

"Soooo," I say, taking a sip of my Capri sun. "I never asked, but anyone special in your life?"

Just say girlfriend! What if he does have one, though? I'm not sure he would travel the freaking world with me if he had a girlfriend. He's too good for that.

But if he did have one, I'd die. He's already my cowboy - he can't be someone else's. It wouldn't even make sense. The stars have already aligned and all that whatever the crap it is.

He's my plane rider rescuer.

My gentleman.

He can't have a girlfriend.

"Yep," he says, and I jerk my head in his direction. He's chewing and chewing and chewing without a care in the world while I'm having a mini panic attack.

"Is she…" I can't even believe this. "...going to care that you're on a roadtrip with me?"

Edward's crinkled eyes find mine, looking all majestic green in the sunlight. "Chip's a boy, Swanie, but I don't think he minds. He seemed to like you."

"Chip?" I ask.

"Yep, he's real special. You already knew that."

"Yeah," I laugh, nervously, sticking my straw back in my mouth. "He's a good boy."

Edward's shoulder bumps mine. "Was that your way of asking if I have a girlfriend?"

"What? No. Okay, maybe I was subtly asking."

What's the point in lying? He's totally got my number.

"Nope. No girlfriend," he says. "Are you wanting to apply for the job?"

Oh my God!

"Yeah, no way! I loathe interviews," I joke but am actually serious. "In high school I interviewed for a position at this local ice cream shop. I froze up on the first question and all they asked was for me to tell them a little about myself. I had nothing! I didn't even make it to question two. I excused myself and never looked back. I stopped even going in for ice cream, and I love ice cream."

Yeah, all of that literally just came out of my mouth.

"So, no, you're not applying?"

"Shut up," I laugh shoving him with my own shoulder, making him chuckle deeply and sexy.

We finish lunch and share a few Swedish fish before getting back on the road. My skin feels all sun kissed and warm from our little picnic, and maybe a little from the conversation, too.

I'm buckling up - back in my regular passenger seat - when Edward looks over at me, brows all lowered like he's confused. "What're you doing all the way over there? It's cold in here."

I can't help the smile that stretches my lips, and when I meet his eyes, his smile is bigger than mine.

Do I love him?

I think I might.


I've slacked on my posting, but here they are again in all their cuteness.