"I know. I know. Look, it was never my intention to scare you or make you uncomfortable, it just...got out of hand."
"I understand that. It kind of made me feel like an object? I don't know, but I've thought about it. Edward, you're really intense."
"I know."
Her voice is lighter. "If you didn't then we'd have a real problem."
We both laugh at that. Her in amusement. Me in disbelief.
How did I even get here?
"Isabella - "
"Bella."
I smile, eyes closed. "Bella. I do want to make one thing clear…"
"Okay…"
"I am, truly, in love with you. I know and understand that you're nowhere near where I'm at - "
"Edward - "
"Let me finish. That fact doesn't hurt my feelings or make me depressed like I thought it would. It just makes me nervous. But that's what relationships are sometimes. People fall in love at different rates."
"I - "
"I'm not saying I expect a relationship right off the bat because there are a lot of other factors at play here. However, I do want to pursue you. A courtship if you will."
"You're going to ask my dad to court me?"
…
"Okay, forget the courtship. We can just start with more dates."
She breathes heavily. "Okay. I can work with that."
"Good."
"And Edward?"
"Yes, beautiful?"
"...no more surprise proposals."