It's later, the sun has set and the lights outside twinkle. I ended up opening the windows, so the background noise of the night helps fill in the silence. It's relaxing me as much as possible.
Edward sits on the couch, and I'm quickly learning he has no idea what personal space is.
He'll lean on me to get another beer or piece of the pizza that sits on the coffee table, mostly finished.
He asked me if I wanted the crust—my favorite part of the pizza—before I could tell him he could have it; he was eating it with a grin.
It's getting harder and harder to deny that maybe I do have a tiny crush on him. Every part of me is aware of him—and how close he is—so maybe I'm not doing too much relaxing.
He told me all about his parents: how Alice's dad, Carlisle, married his mom, Esme, when he was in high school, and that even though he was close with his dad as a child, Carlisle has always felt like a father.
His dad, Edward Sr. passed away when he was eighteen, just out of high school. He doesn't say much about the time, just that he made some decisions and has regrets about them.
I'm curious, but I don't ask too much; he would tell me if he wanted to.
He adores his family so much—that much is clear.
It makes me wonder if I can put the past behind me, maybe find some kind of peace in having a father in both Phil and Charlie.
"New Moon…" I ask him now, trailing off. "How did it become yours?" I take a guess, because I don't really know if he owns it.
It just feels like it belongs to him.
"It was my grandfather's, and after he died, my dad's… and yeah." He trails off, taking a pull from his beer.
"And you like it?" I ask, wondering what sort of life he would have had.
He looks out of the window, staring at the pond we can see between our houses.
After a minute, he says, "I didn't always want to be a bartender in a small town, but no it's not terrible."
I watch him, knowing all too well about plans not working out.
I elbow him playfully, and when he finally looks at me, I say, "I think it worked though. The town… the people—they respect you."
I've noticed his way with people, and for a second, I wonder if his being here is just who he is and if it has nothing to do with me.
"You grow up in a place like this and they all start to seem like family."
He takes another pull from his beer. "Don't get me wrong…everyone here is out of their fuckin' minds sometimes, and they're always coming up with crazy shit to bring in tourists.They make me feel like a grump sometimes."
I laugh out loud, causing him to shrug.
His eyes twinkle and he stares at me for a second too long. "Your laugh...it's the prettiest damn thing in the world."
He says it so softly, I almost wonder if he even said it at all.
I watch his eyes roam my face, and they stop on my lips for a second...maybe he isn't just being friendly?
His hand tucks a few loose strands of hair behind my ears, and his touch lingers.
He leans in and I realize the atmosphere has changed. The air becomes charged, and I start to wonder if this potential crush may not be one-sided.
And it's like she has some kind of radar because my phone's screen lights up.
Mom.
I groan, not ready to talk to her, but Edward excuses himself, carrying empty bottles to the kitchen with a tiny smile.
"Hi, Mom."
"Isabella." One word. I take a deep breath, waiting; I hear her sigh before she says, "I take it you're still in that…place."
"If you mean Forks, yes. I've met Charlie, his wife and their son, too. In case you were wondering."
I can basically see her pinched face.
"Your father is slammed at the hospital," she says, not even acknowledging that I've said anything. "Are you coming home soon? Not that you have a home, according to Liam."
"Not my problem," I say, ignoring her attempt to make me feel guilty about leaving. Even though I am sorry that Phil is busy, he can handle it. "My brother's name is Emmett. He's two years younger than I am."
I'm so used to her tactics of trying to make me feel bad. She's been doing it since I was old enough to think for myself.
That seems to get her attention as she scoffs. "Two years? He said he would wait for as long as I needed."
She realizes she said this out loud, and I can picture her scowl.
"Vanessa is one year younger than I am," I point out. Edward finally makes his way back to the couch, eyebrows raised.
"Yes, but I wasn't the one who made false promises, Isabella."
"Anyway, Mom... Is there something you need? To answer your question, I don't know when I'll be back."
She's quiet for a second and her tone changes. "I know you were hurt. I know this...the situation threw you for a big loop. I also know that you've worked very hard at becoming a doctor. I'd hate for you to throw it away like you threw Liam away."
"What the fuck!" I don't realize I've said it out loud before I hear Edward's deep laugh.
"Language, Isabella. Is there someone there with you?"
"Maybe I've found a lover and I'll leave him here like you left Charlie."
Before she can reply, I end the call and throw my phone on the table. I've somehow leaned into Edward's side, and when I feel his chest shake with silent laughter, I let out a groan.
"Sorry." I say, pulling away, "My mother."
I shake my head but I can't find it in me to move. I like his warmth.
"Soooo, this lover…" His arms suddenly tighten around me, and I scoff.
"Who knows," I say with a shrug.
He smiles, squeezing a little bit harder before he says, "I've heard the name Liam a few times...and I will ask about that, but I should probably go."
"Okay."
"Unless you want to talk about it."
I lean back but take him in for a second.
He has no damn right to be this beautiful.
So I tell him everything.
How Liam and I seemed to grow into different people.
How when he proposed, I realized we weren't the same; that we grew apart instead of growing together.
How I have a sneaking suspicion that he was using me to further his career.
Edward doesn't say much, and it feels good to get it all out, to have someone just listen. I talk, nestled into him, his warmth, and his arms around me keep me calm.
* * *
The last thing I remember him saying is, "For what it's worth, I'm glad you're here."
The sun shines abnormally bright for a place that is described as "rains a lot."
I wake up in the same spot I was in last night. The windows are closed. There's a blanket covering me, and when I sit up, I see a note.
I was wrong, doc. You fast asleep...it's the prettiest damn thing in the world.
Come by the bar later? Lunch is on your new lover you're going to abandon.
-e
