Seventeen

"Bring me back a keyring," Rosalie holds me tightly.

"Don't forget to water Alice's plants," I say, "she is trusting you."

"I know," Rosalie shakes her head, pulling back.

Alice had jet off earlier this morning for Bora Bora with Jasper. A two week honeymoon that they were desperate for. Now it was my turn to try and chase romance via an airport.

"Hopefully I'll be back soon," I say, "make sure you don't clog the dishwasher and don't argue with Bessie downstairs again."

"She's a dumb bitch," Rosalie rolls her eyes.

"Yeah but we don't need another call from your aunt," I say.

Bessie was a 70-year-old nuisance who complained about everything lately. Rosalie's new public enemy number one.

"And call Emmett," I punctuate my last order with my finger pointing at her, "I mean it."

"I will," she nods, "I just want to know what to say first."

"Whatever you say will be perfect," I reassure her.

"Shut up now and go get your man," she lets me go, "text me when you land. Alice asked you to text her too."

"I will," I nod.

We share one last tight hug before she sends me on my way.

I know she stays until the flight leaves. Telling herself she wants to make sure I get off okay in order to lie to herself about avoiding Emmett.


London is chilly. Not just from the wind.

I considered running straight to him. But first I head to my hotel. I refresh, shower, change and plan. What if I show up and he slams the door in my face?

If he does I'll have my answer.

I'll have no choice but to go home and pick up the pieces. I'll get through it. At least I'll try to.

I put a little more effort into my outfit than I usually would. I take time with my makeup, hair and I shave. As if it makes a difference. If he's angry he won't care if I've turned into a literal angel.

When I'm ready I notice the time and consider tomorrow instead.

It's already 8pm.

I didn't realise how late it had gotten.

Before I can chicken out I push myself to get into the back of a black taxi cab. Watching the lights of the London streets glimmer through the window.

When I arrive at their hotel I walk to the reception desk and ask for his room number. Thankfully the clerk doesn't take much convincing.

At his door I shake out my hands. Roll my shoulders. Brace.

For a moment I hover my knuckles over the wood of the door. I reconsider.

Then I force my arm forward. Once. Twice. Knock knock.

It feels like forever. I hear no movement. Perhaps he is at dinner? Perhaps he is working or asleep?

With a disappointed sigh I turn my back on his door. Potentially on him and move toward the elevator again.

But by the turn of the hallway I hear the door click.

"Bella?"

My back stiffens, feet stop.

I turn back to look at him. Fearful.

"What are you doing here?" His face is perfect.

Eyebrows are knit together, he's wearing loose sweatpants that rest low on his hips, he's shirtless. Wanting him this bad can't be a good thing.

"You left," I say sadly, "so I did too."

He hangs his head as he holds open the door.

"Come inside," he says, stepping back into his hotel room.

I follow, feeling the weight of each step as I near. When I'm inside he closes the door behind me and stalks before me into the room. Feeling like a lost puppy I follow.

"Do you need a drink?" He asks.

"No," I shake my head.

"Wine?" He glances back at me as he moves toward the mini bar.

"On second thought, yes," I nod, "that would be great."

Awkwardly I stand by the bed, unsure if I should sit or speak. I should just go. This is dumb.

As I begin to tell him to scratch the wine he turns to face me holding it.

"Alice called this morning," he says as I take it, "chewed my ear off."

"Did she?" I try to act surprised.

She'd texted me saying she'd called him.

"Told me I was being a… and I quote 'piece of fucking asshole' and if I hurt you she'd rip my dick off," he explains, "did I mention she was on loudspeaker during my board meeting with the heads of my London office."

"Fuck," I cover my mouth in shock.

"I like my dick," he begins.

"Me too," I mutter looking down at my wine.

He sniffs back a laugh, watching me closely.

"But that isn't the motivation when I say I reacted incredibly stupidly," he says, "your old boss saw me staring at you in a way she probably didn't like. I couldn't help myself. You looked phenomenal in that dress and all I could picture was you and me one day. You in white, me in a tux. Then she told me…"

I let out a shaky breath and move to place my wine on a small table by the window.

"I didn't know what to think. Then I had a hundred frightened thoughts," he says, "I had no time to think or process. I ran like a fucking loser. I had half the story and an assumption. I thought that you faked a friendship with Alice so you faked…"

"Falling in love with you? I didn't." I finish for him.

"Bella," he sighs.

"Edward. I had no idea she was your sister and even if I did I would have changed nothing. She's kind and beautiful. She deserved whatever she needed on that day to making it her fairytale beginning. She felt as if she had no friends while Jasper had an army. Beside the love of her life she felt unworthy," I explain, "so I stepped in, pulled together a group of friends for her and we did everything we could to make our role in her day feel as if it was real. Then it just was. We all fell in love with your sister and for me… she's everything now. She offered me money, but I refused it."

"I didn't know she was so alone," he admits, "I've spent years protecting her, playing the big brother role, I should have noticed. What you did for her was beautiful. I needed time to sit on it."

"So you fled to London?" I cross my arms.

"I did," he nods, "for that I'm sorry. I used work as an excuse like I do with everything. I act as if my job needs me more than the problem I'm facing."

"That hurt," I bite back emotion, "more than anything being silenced like that hurt."

"I'm sorry," he says again, "I was selfish. I didn't know what I was thinking. I wasn't thinking. I was acting on emotions which is something I've trained myself out of doing. So much so I couldn't recognise myself doing it."

"Edward," I turn my back to him, moving to look out the window, watching the way the Thames reflects the light, "you have to know nothing about the last few weeks was fake. I became Alice's friend, I became her maid of honour and I fell for you. I would have told you the minute I saw you at her house. But it was her secret."

Bumps crawl up the skin of my neck as he approaches me, moving close behind me.

"I was worried I'd opened myself up to someone who didn't exist," his voice hushed, "that I was letting myself love someone who doesn't exist."

Turning I look back at him, my heart heavy.

"You took my sister's hand and you held her safely. You made sure the smile on her face was genuine. As a big brother I want nothing more than to see her happy. Regardless of the cost," he steps closer to me, dwarfing me with his chest, "I'm new to this. I'm sorry. Forgive me and I'll make it up to you with every cell in my body."

He takes my hands, looking me in the eye.

"I'm so fucking in love with you. Everything about you makes me excited. You're my endgame," he insists, "I want to be by your side while you grow and make other women smile like you did my sister. I could waste months pretending I don't so we don't 'rush' but I've watched my parents love and I know what it means. I love you."

Removing my hands from his I shove past him, confusing him for just a heartbeat.

"Say it again. It's hard to focus when you're close to me and shirtless," I huff out in disbelief.

He smiles watching me.

"I'm in love with you," he repeats slower.

I let out a laugh filled with shock more than humour.

"Come here and let me kiss you, baby," he steps toward me, arms extended.

I rush him. Jumping into his hold like a goofball. His laugh is silenced by my lips and I kiss him, my legs wrapped around his waist, my arms around his shoulders.

Our bodies hum in each other's presence.

"I love you," I whisper against his lips, smiling so bright it hurts, "please never run away again."

"Never without you," he promises.


Thanks so much for reading x