So much love for Hadley who makes this pretty, and then I tinker the shit out of it, so any mistakes are all mine!

Big thanks for Mich for going back & forth with me on this chapter. The amount of times I said "... yeah I'm gonna change it again" warranted her to slap me, so. There's that! Thanks to May and Lizzie and Kimberly, too! (Damn, I was a needy bitch this week lol)

Thank YOU for reading and sticking it out with these two. It's nearing the end.

See ya sometime Tuesday.

Warm sunlight streams through the curtains. The glow of the room and the man sleeping next to me are both such welcome sights.

I bolt upright after a second, panicking that I overslept. Then I remember Angela needed me to switch shifts with her today, so I don't go in until eleven.

I lie back against my pillow, but there's zero way I can go back to sleep now that I've scared myself awake. And as much as I want to kiss Edward awake, I let him sleep.

While the coffee steeps in the French press, I scroll through my texts with Jess from yesterday. We were going back and forth on ways to tell Edward I know the truth. Her ideas ranged from super low-key and obvious, like just telling him, to insanely extravagant and hiring a plane with a banner that says 'I love you, Edward Masen!'.

Yeah… not happening.

Deep down, I know Edward never intended to mess with me. When I first realized he was Masen, it was easy for me to assume he did this to laugh at me or to be a dick. Now that I know him better, I realize he would never do something like that to hurt me. Or anyone, for that matter.

After our conversation in bed last night, he's proved that he's more tender-hearted than I ever could've imagined. Knowing he doesn't show that side to many people but allows me to see it makes me feel special. Maybe even loved. And so, so lucky.

So, sure. I could straight up tell him. Explain that I just wanted to get to know him a little better, the same way he wanted to get to know me.

And I will tell him that.

But... I don't know.

I don't want all of this time we've spent talking as Swannie and Masenry to be for nothing.

So, I go back to the beginning, to how this all started.

First I get Masen's contact info from his Instagram account, then I create a fake email using my middle name and reach out to him.

To: Masen

From: Marie

Hello! I'd like to book an appointment to get a tattoo of the peonies sketch I saw on your Instagram. Can you give me a quote and your availability? Thanks!

Best,

Marie

I hit send.

And then I panic.

What if he feels blindsided by me? Embarrassed? What if he doesn't handle me bringing this to light as well as I've handled it?

But no. I'm panicking over nothing. Because I know Edward. And I see him for who he is. If anything, he'll be relieved I'm the one to do this—the one to clear the air with us.

If anything, he'll be grateful.

But he still has some explaining to do.

Any lingering worry that I have fades away when he slides up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, pressing a sweet kiss to the side of my neck.

"Morning," he murmurs. "For a minute, I thought you left."

I lean into his touch before turning around to face him. "No. Ange needed me to switch shifts, so I won't go in until eleven." I tilt my chin to kiss him. "I made coffee."

"I see that."

I reach for the French press, plunging the grounds to the bottom.

He picks up the bag of beans and whistles. "And you got the good stuff, from the place down the street."

"I did. I know you're kind of pretentious about your coffee," I say, poking fun.

He looks amused. "I'm not."

"You so are," I laugh and grab two mugs out of the cabinet. "But that's okay. Maybe I'll be pretentious about coffee, too."

He grins. "So, you're doing this for me?"

"Yep. I couldn't pass up an opportunity to try to impress you," I say with a flirtatious smile.

He pulls my waist, so I'm flush with him, and he dips his head to my ear. "You're so fucking cute," he whispers and kisses my temple. My stomach flips and flutters. "And you really don't have to try to impress me."

"No?"

"You already blow me away. You're…" His gaze trails over me before landing on my face. "I think you're amazing."

I grin up at him. "All this over a bag of coffee beans?" I tease, downplaying how his words just made me feel.

"I… yeah. Sorry. Was that weird?"

I realize downplaying might've been the wrong move.

So I tell him how I really feel.

I shake my head. "I loved it. I love hearing you be so… open and honest and flirty with me," I admit. "I like knowing what you think, and how you feel about me. It's fucking sexy. And I think you're amazing, too."

His smile is tender. "So... not weird?"

I kiss him. "Definitely not weird."

He fills our mugs, handing me mine first.

"You're still up for dinner tonight, yeah?"

He asks this nonchalantly, like if I were to say no, it would be okay. Maybe even expected.

"Of course," I tell him, wondering why he wants me to confirm yet again. Nothing has changed over the last eight hours. "I'd love to go with you."

He sips his coffee and follows me into the living room, to the couch.

"There's a chance my dad won't show, so it might just be us."

Oh.

My heart stings a little when I realize why he wants me to confirm. Because maybe he isn't able to rely on anyone.

"That's… shitty." I tread lightly, watching him set his mug on the coffee table, next to mine. "Does that happen a lot?"

"He…" Edward pauses, brows knitting together a little. It makes me anxious for tonight. "He's a busy man. Sometimes he flakes. Sometimes he doesn't. It is what it is."

"Is he hard on you? I remember you telling me he doesn't approve of what you do."

"He has… certain expectations that I don't meet," Edward admits quietly, avoiding my eyes. "And he makes it known."

Anger rises in my chest, and the desire to protect Edward surges throughout me.

"Edward… I'm sorry." I touch his cheek then lean over, wrapping my arms around his shoulders to hug him.

"It's fine," he says into my hair. "Used to it."

I hate the way he's downplaying it, but I let it be, because I can tell he doesn't want to talk about this anymore. He's said enough, and I'm even more grateful he invited me to dinner so he won't have to be alone with his dad.

We pull apart a little, but I keep my face close.

I kiss his jaw.

The corner of his mouth.

His lips.

"Well, even if he doesn't show up, I'll be there," I reassure him.

I can see the softness in his eyes. "Thank you."

"Should I meet you at the restaurant?"

"No." He licks his lips and my eyes are instantly drawn to his mouth. "I wanna pick you up."

"Like a date?" I tease. "Although no. That's weird if your dad is there."

He laughs. "We should do that. Sometime. If you want."

I smirk. "Do what—date?"

"Yeah. Go to dinner. Or something."

He seems nervous and it makes my heart melt.

"Edward, I would love to go on a date with you."

His eyes twinkle, the corners creasing as he smiles. "Yeah?"

"If you haven't noticed, I'm kinda into you."

His smile turns the slightest bit shy, but his kiss is anything but. The way his mouth moves against mine is passionate. Needy. Loving.

And I know without a doubt he's telling me that he's just as crazy about me, too.

xx

It's around noon when Masen replies to my email.

To: Marie

From: Masen

Hi Marie,

Happy to help.

Unfortunately, that specific peonies tattoo isn't up for grabs, but I'd be happy to draw something else up for you. If you have any other examples, feel free to send them my way. In the meantime, why don't we set up a consultation and talk more in person about what you'd like? The price will vary depending on size.

I have availability Friday at noon and Saturday at 3 p.m. Let me know what works for you.

Regards,

Masen

To: Masen

From: Marie

Masen,

Let's do Friday at noon.

To: Marie

From: Masen

Marie,

Great. See you then.

xx

"Did you get a chance to reply to that online inquiry about the funeral next week?" Esme asks as she locks up the shop.

"Shoot. I forgot."

My mind has definitely been elsewhere today. Ever since Masen replied and we settled on an appointment time for tomorrow, I've been distracted, imagining how he's going to react and what I'm going to say.

How I'm going to react.

What he's going to say.

"I'll reply to them now," I tell her.

I open the shop's email account and reach out to the customer while Esme finishes cleaning up.

When I'm done, I turn off the computer and Esme lingers by the counter.

"Everything okay?"

"Yep. It's gonna be a graveside burial on Thursday. The funeral director wants a standing spray with lilies. They also want five dozen long-stemmed white roses for everyone to place on the casket just before the burial."

Esme nods. "Thanks for taking care of that. But I wasn't asking about the customer, Bell. I was asking about you."

"Oh. I'm okay. Why?"

"You've been kinda quiet today."

"I've been thinking."

"About what?"

After a beat of silence I say, "I think I have to end it with Masen."

She laughs. "You remember he's Edward, right?"

"I know. But in an hour I'm going to dinner with him and his dad. And tomorrow I'm gonna tell him that I know the truth. I just… I want Masen out of the picture before all of that."

"You're gonna tell him?"

I bite the inside of my cheek. "Yeah."

She gives me a sympathetic smile. "Don't be worried."

"I'm just a little nervous, I guess. But I'm ready for it to be out there."

"You two are so funny, with your secrets and pining for each other. It's adorable."

I laugh. "It doesn't feel like a secret. It feels like… like… something special between us," I say softly. "I'm glad I held off on telling him because I was able to get to know him a little more this way. He's really opened up to me over the last few days and I just... I selfishly wanted to keep it that way a little longer."

Esme's eyes stay trained on my face, and a gentle, understanding smile appears on her lips.

"You love him." My cheeks burn, and my heart beats out of my chest. She lets me off the hook though. "So… dinner with his pops? What's this all about?"

"Today would've been his mom's birthday."

Esme nods knowingly, understanding what I mean. "That's rough."

"I know. It doesn't sound like he's close with his dad, and needs moral support, I guess."

"As shitty as that all sounds, I kinda love that he's leaning on you."

I smile gently. "Me too."

"Maybe we can go to dinner next weekend or something. I'd like to get to know him a little… make sure he's good enough for ya," she teases.

He's good enough. More than good enough.

He complements me so well, it's not even funny.

And that thing about love?

It's scary. And so soon. But I could see it. I could see it all with him.

"Well, go on with your bad self, and break up with Masen." She puts air quotes around the word break up, and laughs and laughs.

So I flip her off, fighting my own smile.

Which only makes her laugh more.

xx

Swannie: Hey… you busy?

Masenry: A little, but I can talk for a minute. You okay?

Swannie: Sorta. I juuuuuuuust…

Masenry: What's wrong?

It's literally fucking stupid that I'm kinda nervous to do this. Sure, I'm "ending" it with Masen, but I'm still going to be with Edward.

I start typing then backspace every word. What do I even say?

Swannie: I don't think we should talk anymore.

Masenry: Oh.

Swannie: I mean… you're gonna pursue that other girl, right? And things are getting kind of serious with me and that other guy. I just wanted to be up-front with you.

Masenry: I see.

Swannie: Yeah.

I wish I knew what he was thinking right now.

Masenry: I guess I can't say I'm too surprised.

I take the opportunity to up his confidence a little and to let him know just how fucking into him I am.

Swannie: Yeah. This seemed like the right time to stop talking. Especially since I'm meeting the other guy's dad tonight. It might seem kinda fast, but it feels good with us. He's just... I really, really, REALLY like him. Like… asdfghjkl like him.

I watch him type, stop typing, then do it all again over the next minute or so.

Masenry: Wow.

Swannie: Actually, no. It's more than that. Way more. Like ASDFGHJKL.

Masenry: Well, I can't compete with that.

Swannie: No, you really can't. He's perfect for me.

Masenry: He's a lucky guy.

I laugh. Yes. Yes, he is.

But I'm lucky, too.

Swannie: Thanks for understanding. So I guess... bye?

Masenry: Wait.

My heart races.

Swannie: Yeah?

Masenry: I just... wanted to say...

Swannie: To say what?

Masenry: I wanted to say that I really loved talking to you and getting to know you.

Swannie: Me too, Masen. Me too.

For a split second, I thought he was going to come clean.

But I get it.

He probably doesn't think I'd be okay with it. He's probably nervous and stuck in his own head about how this would all go down if I knew the truth. But I do understand.

Swannie: I'm gonna miss this.

It's true. I'm gonna miss this side of him. It was the first part of himself that he allowed me to see. Playful. Flirty. Confident. He was bold and said things to me that I know Edward couldn't have said out loud. Not in the beginning, at least.

But things are different now. I see the way Edward is slowly opening up to me a little more each day. So even if I'm gonna miss this side of him, I trust that one day Edward will feel comfortable enough to be himself with me.

Masenry: I'll miss this, too.

Swannie: Bye, Masen.

Masenry: Later, Bella.

xx

Edward POV:

I stare at my phone, unsure about what the fuck just happened.

Bella... broke up with me?

Not me.

But sort of me?

I don't know what to think.

Part of me thought that maybe, just maybe, she was onto me. That she sort of knew I was Masen. Or at least suspected something was up.

Now, I'm not so sure.

I don't know what to think.

I reread our conversation for a second time. And when I get to the part where she says how much she likes me and how perfect I am for her, I smile. My chest feels funny and I think about her smile and I just... fuck.

Fuck.

She wants me. I'm important enough for her to wanna go all-in.

She's so fucking important to me, too.

She's everything.

She's open, and somehow makes me want to be open with her as well. She's beautiful. Everything about her is. Her eyes, her smile. Her heart. And yes, her tits, too, but she's more than that. She listens and wants to know about me. She's the type of person who accepts a last-minute invite to an inevitably awkward dinner with me and my dad, because she somehow knows that I need her there.

And I love her for it.

I love her.

Maybe it's crazy.

Or too soon.

Maybe I don't deserve her.

But I love her.

She deserves the truth.

Part of me is selfish and doesn't want to tell her before we have dinner with my dad tonight. Because as shitty as it is, I do need her there.

I need her support.

I just need her.

So… tomorrow.

I'll tell her the truth tomorrow.