Chapter 12
EPOV
"My friend is gonna stop by after she's off work and hang out 'til I'm done here. That cool?"
Peter shrugged. "You know my policy. As long as you get your work done, and they don't get in your way with any clients, it's all good."
"Thanks, man."
"Who's the friend, though?" he called as I turned to walk away. When I faced him, the grin that spread across his lips told me he already knew. "Is it that cute little lady?"
I groaned. "Yeah, it's Bella."
"Ooh, so her name is Bel-la." He chuckled.
I could feel the panic rising in my chest. "Peter—"
"Chill, man. I get it. I won't embarrass you too much." He slapped me on the shoulder.
"Thanks," I grumbled as I went back to work.
—SB—
Even though I'd been busy all day, especially with Peter throwing more clients my way lately, the clock still took its time.
I glanced up at it once more as I cleaned up my station. It was just about five-forty. The bell over the door rang, and I heard Peter, who had been up front with a customer, greet whoever had just walked in.
"Hey!" he shouted. "It's the not-Edward's-girl girl."
"Shit," I hissed under my breath, knowing that I needed to finish up before I could go up there and save her.
It took me another ten minutes, but I did everything that needed done and left a spotless station. As much as I wanted to see Bella, I needed to keep the trust between Peter and myself. I wanted him to know I could handle her being here.
When I walked up front, I found them both chatting quietly as she flipped through the pages of his book. I couldn't explain the feeling running through my veins, but if I had to call it anything, it would probably be jealousy. The fact she looked so at ease with him turned my stomach.
"Hey."
They both looked up at the sound of my voice. I didn't know if he could see the emotions on my face, but Peter raised his eyebrows. "Hey, Ed, I was just showing your girl here some of my work while you finished up."
My gaze flicked over to Bella and I felt my heart rate pick up as the most beautiful blush stained her cheeks. There was something different about her today, but I couldn't put my finger on it. She was just as beautiful as always. It just seemed more.
I cleared my throat. "He's a great artist, yeah?"
Her eyes locked onto mine as she nodded, her blush still lighting up her face. "Yeah, really great."
Peter snorted as he slipped out from behind the counter, looking between the two of us. "You know, Ed, I think the guys and I can handle the rest of the night without you. Might do us some good to remember how to use a broom. Why don't you two just head out now? Go get some dinner or something."
I glanced over at him. "You sure?"
"Positive. You two kids have a fun night."
—SB—
As we walked outside, the warm summer evening air hit us. I pulled my pack of cigarettes from my pocket, lighting up and letting it fill my lungs before I spoke. "Anywhere in particular you want to eat?"
"I'm not picky." She shrugged.
"13 Coins isn't too far of a walk. How about there?"
She pulled her lip between her teeth and my fingers twitched, fighting the urge to reach up and pull it out. How badly I wanted to stroke my thumb along that beautiful pouty lip.
She looked up at me sheepishly. "Can I be honest with you?"
"That's all I want, Bella."
"I really want to go to McDonald's."
I barked out a laugh. "Seriously?"
"Seriously. Is that okay?"
I took a couple more drags from my cigarette before putting it out on the sidewalk. Grinning, I said. "It's damn near fucking perfect, daddy's girl."
My eyes widened in shock at the words that had slipped out of my mouth. Apparently, it was easy to fall back into old ways around her. "Sorry—"
Her blush was back in full force, but she wouldn't make eye contact with me. "It's okay."
I really hoped I hadn't fucked up our whole evening with a few stupid words.
—SB—
Our walk to McDonald's was quiet, but thankfully, not uncomfortable. I had hoped that maybe I hadn't messed up, and she was just as anxious as I was.
My stomach clenched at the thought of how sometimes in the past we'd chatter constantly when we'd walk to get something to eat. And how drastically different it felt this time around.
And every time my pinky brushed her thumb, I had the urge to reach out and grab her hand. The thought of how many times in the past I must've had the opportunity to do so raced through my mind, along with how I'd missed each one of them.
I didn't want to push her. I didn't want to scare her off, but I also knew I needed to take some sort of chance. Maybe I couldn't give her all of me yet, but I could give her something.
So, as we sat in McDonald's, surrounded by older couples and parents who looked like they were going to jump out the window, I found my balls.
"I should have told you earlier, but you look really beautiful tonight."
Her eyes snapped to mine, a smile forming on her lips. "Thank you."
"You've always been beautiful. I can't tell what's different about you tonight, though."
She fidgeted in her seat, her gaze flickering around the restaurant before landing back on me. "Um, I don't wear makeup on Fridays," she whispered. "I like to give myself a break, to just feel like me."
Once again, my heart raced. It wasn't some sort of big revelation, but it felt huge, like she had just given me a part of herself. "Well, makeup or not, you're beautiful. But can I be honest?"
She nodded, swallowing the bite she had just taken from her burger. "That's all I want, Edward." She repeated my words from earlier.
"You shine brighter without makeup."
She stared at me for a few moments. "Honesty, right?"
"Right." I was dreading what she was going to say next, afraid I had gone too far.
"Okay, well, I honestly don't know what the fuck to say that." She laughed so hard she snorted, which just sent her into another fit of laughter.
I let out a breath, letting myself laugh with her. I had never seen anything more adorable than her.
And while I knew we still had miles to go, in that moment, right there, was the best friend I had lost two years ago.
"Come on." I nodded to the door. "Let's get out of here."
And as we walked out the door, I felt her fingertips brush mine before lacing our fingers together.
I ran my thumb over her knuckles, stopping short when I noticed something was missing. Her ring finger was empty. What the hell did that mean?