Now

Think about what you want to share.

She stared at the flower in her hand. There would be some things she would have to omit. The last memory he had of her was when they were in high school. Her last memory was a few years ago, but he just wasn't aware of its existence.

Or...at least she hoped he wasn't because she would have some explaining to do.

Edward returned a moment later with a binder and his measuring tape. She let him get to work while she prepared her iced tea.

Twenty minutes later, she and Edward were going over estimates in her kitchen. She'd poured two glasses of iced tea, one that Edward had already almost finished.

She found his pricing reasonable as Jasper had mentioned, and considering Edward had never been described as shady, she knew he wasn't ripping them off.

"Emmett McCarty and Jacob Black will be assisting. They're my men out here."

She knew them. Emmett was married to Rosalie, one of the women who went into her shop. Jacob was single and a decade younger than her. There wasn't much to choose from in that town. Well, there hadn't been. She shook her head, not allowing her thoughts to wander. This was purely professional, and she was going to kill Alice for not telling her who she and Jasper had hired.

"So, Edward." Bella watched as Edward finished up whatever he was writing before placing the pencil behind his ear. He looked up from his notes. She studied him for a moment before laughing uncomfortably. It had been some time since she had last seen him, so she had forgotten how intense his green eyes could be.

"So Bella," he chuckled.

"What have you been up to this last decade?" She smiled involuntarily.

"What would you like to know specifically?"

Was he seeing anyone? Was he still single? Did he think about her ever?

"Well...what are you doing back here?" she asked. It was the question she really wanted to ask. Why was he back and how long was he back for?

"I…" he broke eye contact. He did that when he was embarrassed, she remembered. "I felt a need to come back here." She could see the tips of his ears turn pink under his hat.

"You did?" she said quietly. He nodded. She prodded. "Do you want to elaborate?"

"No," he laughed. "It was just time to move back here. I stayed away long enough."

She understood that. In fact, she was responsible for him being away for as long as he had. Now, though, he was hiding something in his reasoning for returning, but she couldn't imagine it was anything horrible. It couldn't have anything to do with her. That was not probable.

But not impossible.

"What's going on in your world, Bella?" He stared at her. This time, she looked away.

"Not much, just...running my shop and fixing my house."

"Are you seeing anyone?" He probed.

"No," she responded immediately. She didn't ask him the same question because she shouldn't know the answer. For some reason, though, she felt the need to explain why she was still single despite him not asking her to elaborate. "It was...challenging...after my grandma got sick. I was just so busy with taking care of her and the shop that i didn't have time and then, well...she died and I...had to work through that."

She left out all of the important details.

"Did you?" he asked.

"Did I what?"

"Did you work through it?"

Her eyes met his. His question - again, considerate - but not one she was expecting. She didn't have an answer. Her grandmother's death and her funeral were challenging and painful. What happened following the funeral was even more difficult. She wasn't sure if she'd ever work through it. Fortunately, now she had Alice and Jasper, so she wasn't so lonely.

"Would you like another glass?" she asked, changing the subject and realizing Edward had finished his iced tea.

"Uh - yes, that would be great. It's delicious."

She smiled politely as she took his glass.

"You know," Edward continued speaking. "I think we got pretty close in high school. I know how important your grandmother was to you. If I had known that she passed when she had, I would have come out here to attend the funeral."

Bella pretended that the words didn't affect her as she finished refilling his glass. She handed it to him wordlessly.

"Thank you," he replied, taking the glass from her. She was careful to ensure their fingers didn't touch. She suddenly didn't know what to do with her hands before she went back to the counter and reached for the pitcher of iced tea. "...I mean it, you know."

"You mean what?" she asked as she refilled her own glass.

"That I would have made the trip out here," he explained. "To be there for you."

She glanced up at him, caught off guard by the sincerity of his voice, forgetting momentarily how considerate he could be. It was clear how much he regretted that he wasn't there when she needed him. She already felt herself being sucked back in.

She replied carefully, "I know you mean that. It's very thoughtful of you." She left it at that. She couldn't tell him how she knew he meant it. She could practically hear more snapdragons growing outside at her omission.

He watched her for a moment, misinterpreting her response as a dismissal, before pulling out his phone to check on the time.

"Well, thank you, Bella. You certainly didn't have to go through any trouble for me." He stood. "I have to admit, though, you make the best iced tea."

"Oh, it was no trouble at all," she smiled at his kindness. "You're helping me out. I'm glad that Jasper found you."

He smirked, as though he was the one withholding information. She raised an eyebrow.

"I'm glad he found me, too," he responded.

She blushed.

He laughed.

She walked him through her living room and to the front door. "We should probably block this off as we begin working on it," he gestured to the front door. "Maybe put some caution tape on the inside once we gut the porch. We wouldn't want you opening the door and falling on your face because you're expecting there to be something to land on."

She giggled. It was a good idea. They could use the side door once he and his men got to work. For now, though, she opened the front door for him to her old faulty porch. "I will keep that in mind. Thank you again, Edward."

She held the door open for him and told him to watch his step. He chuckled as he stepped over the splintered wood. When he turned, Bella already knew what he was going to say.

"We should catch up...for real, some time." Edward scratched behind his ear, giving her a nervous smile. He was still so handsome. The setting sun shining behind him made it appear as though he had a halo around him.

She nodded, "Yeah definitely." And then she added an amendment - one she knew he wouldn't appreciate, "...as friends."

Just as she was expecting, his grin faltered momentarily before he stood up straight. He wanted more than friendship.

"Sure, as friends," he lied.

She'd lied, too.

It always started out this way when he returned.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my US readers!

On this Thanksgiving, I'm really reflecting on the things that I'm blessed to have - shelter, food, family. 2020 has really put a lot into perspective. I'm also very grateful for all of you who are sticking by me as I write this story.

Love you all!

-Bravery