Chapter 9:

I've barely offered a hello to our uber driver when you start.

"Care to share, boyfriend?"

You tone is mocking and playful, but the look on your face is not.

My excitement over you reacting to my touch quickly dissipates and the fog lifts. I've known I would have to talk about this since Alice opened her big mouth an hour ago, but pushed it aside in favor of dreaming about you moaning my name. Reality sucks.

I resolve to say as little as possible in the hopes that we can avoid rehashing the past along with this truly minor incident.

"I just ran into her at lunch. It was nothing," I say as we buckle our seatbelts.

You stay silent as we turn off of my grandparents' street and leave their neighborhood. When we're about to get on the interstate and you still haven't uttered a word, I start to doubt my keep-it-simple approach….especially after I glance over and see that your mad face hasn't budged. Maybe my response was a little abrupt?

I sigh deeply. "Bella. I promise you it was nothing. I was at lunch with two VPs and another coworker. One of them knew her. I had to be polite, so when she went in for a hug, I obliged. That's it."

Though your face doesn't look quite so pinched, the silent treatment continues even after my explanation and I'm starting to get frustrated. I reaaalllly don't want to get into a for real fight about Tanya. I will own that I was blinded by her once upon a time, but that was years ago. She is old news, dead and buried, and nothing that should cause problems with us now.

Finally you speak. "So no exchange of numbers or emails? No promises to get together soon?"

Your timid voice is like a kick in the gut. Any irritation I'm feeling vanishes.

"Of course not," I reply, as I glance over at you and reach to squeeze your hand. "I want nothing to do with her ever again. You know that."

I'm taken aback by how…..vulnerable you look. I was expecting belligerent Bella. She's your go to when we fight. And I want her back. Right now.

The car comes to a stop and I reluctantly let go of your hand as we get out and go inside our complex.

The silence between us is awkward as we walk towards our apartment. You feel weird for getting upset. I feel weird because I know I need to fix it. I'm just not sure how.

I'm caught between best friend Edward and wannabe boyfriend Edward.

In light of your recent show of vulnerability, I feel like I should start sweet...but on the other hand, our relationship is kind of defined by how well we banter and make fun of each other.

Shit, here goes...

"Hey," I say, grabbing your hand as we step inside our door. "Come here."

I wrap my arms around you and press our bodies together. I lean down to bury my face in your neck and you run your fingers through my hair as you hug me back. "I'm sorry that I ever doubted you back then. I was stupid, so incredibly-"

"You were manipulated," you cut in.

"Doesn't matter," I argue, my voice muffled against your skin. "I'm still sorry."

I raise my head to lean it against the top of yours, but keep your body tight to mine as I continue. "I didn't tell you about seeing her because I didn't want to bring it all up again. That's the only reason. Alice blew it all out of proportion."

I feel you nodding as I finish. "I believe you."

We stand there in the doorway swaying and hugging for a minute or two.

I love holding you. You're so tiny...it makes me want to protect you. And the perv side of me likes feeling certain parts of your body against mine

As our cuddles are coming to an end, you let out a long, dramatic sigh and sag against me.

"You must be so disappointed in me."

You pause and move back from my hold to look me in the eye. Your faux contrite face is so obvious a hint of a smile starts to play around my lips as I wonder where you're going with this.

"I know better than to go to your family functions without my holy water in tow."

I try to keep a straight face as I look down at yours. "I do count on you to remember these things..."

Thinking the joke is over, you drop the serious face and begin to pull away. I let you get pretty far before I refuse to let go of your hand and pull you back against me. "However, because I'm such a good guy I'm going to give you another chance at my cousin's wedding next month. If you do well, we'll forget this whole thing, girlfriend."

With a parting giggle, you shove me away and make your way towards our kitchen.

I'm pleased that we've made up, but because I'm me I feel like I need to take it a step further.

"You know," I begin as I watch you assemble the ingredients for another round of spritzers, "It's really big of you to admit that this whole thing is all your fault."

You finish what you're doing and slowly turn back to me with one eyebrow cocked into the universal expression of 'excuse me?!'.

God, I love to rile you up.

I keep my face fixed in a serene smile…..like a guy who has just been absolved of all guilt in a sticky situation.

"My fault? Please enlighten me on what this whole thing is and how it's all my fault, " you finally say as you cross your arms.

"Everything that transpired today...our date to Grumps' birthday party, our coming out as a couple, and our little conversation with Alice...it can be traced back to one event and that one event would be you..." I point at you and pause for dramatic effect. "... questioning my manilness."

Before you can jump in and fault my logic or point out that we aren't in fact a real couple, I divert.

"I'll have you know that not one person made a gay joke about me."

"Not to your face," you quip as you hand me my drink and push past me.

You don't see my self-satisfied smirk as you plop on the couch.

But mission accomplished.

My ball busting bestie is back.