I promise I won't blow up your inboxes today lol see you tomorrow :3 thanks for all the reviews, follows, and lurks! ;)
80
Walking into the parking garage across the street, I stay a few feet behind Edward.
"I can drive," he throws over his shoulder.
"Too obvious. I'll follow you."
He stops by his car. "Because that's less conspicuous."
"Where're we going?"
"Copine."
"Too close to work."
He tries again. "Altura. It's Italian."
"No. I've run into colleagues there."
He's irritated. "Canlis. Last offer."
"Sheesh." Canlis is too fancy for a random Thursday night, but we likely won't see anyone we know. "That works."
"Shall I wear a disguise just in case?" he asks dryly.
I smirk. "Stop. I'll see you there."
81
The restaurant is warm and glowing.
A second glass of wine relaxes me. Edward is relaxed too, leaning back, eyes on me, fingers brushing up and down his tumbler.
"Tell me about yourself," he coaxes. "Anything. Everything."
I start with favorites. Little details. Then offer up bigger ones, like why I got into law. After my third glass, I open up more. My father's death when I was sixteen. How it broke my mother. Shattered me.
I almost cry.
"Great first date." I laugh self-consciously.
Edward moves to my side of the booth, nuzzling into my neck. "The fucking best."
82
Dessert. Shared soufflé but Edward doesn't indulge.
"Why do you hate everyone at work?" I ask, spooning airy sugar into my mouth.
"I don't hate everyone."
"You're not exactly… friendly."
"I'm not there to make friends. Besides, everyone has varying opinions about me. Can't change their minds. But I've worked just as hard as anyone. Nothing has been given to me."
Guilt twists. My assumptions about him off base. "Doesn't it bother you?"
"No. I don't really care about what they think. People-pleasing isn't my thing." A finger dipped into the soufflé, he licks it clean. "Pleasing you, however, is."