I don't see or hear from Edward for almost two weeks. And when I finally do, it's through Facebook.

I'm sitting on the couch with Angela, watching old episodes of Parks and Rec, when I'm alerted that he 'liked' a post I've made, complaining about moving. In the end, Angela and I found a cheaper place—a duplex with all utilities included—and decided it was worth the hassle of packing up and leaving.

Edward's name suddenly pops up in the lower right-hand corner of my screen, and I freeze.

Edward: Hey.

"Dude. Edward just messaged me," I tell Angela.

She pauses the show. "Tell him glad to see you're still alive and why haven't we boned yet?"

"Terrible suggestion."

"What about congrats on breaking up with Rose, you aren't as shallow as we all thought."

"I'm just gonna stick with hi."

"Fine."

Bella: Hiiii.

Edward: How's your thumb? You didn't have to amputate it, did you?

Bella: I'm typing, aren't I?

Edward: You could be jabbing at the keys with one finger for all I know.

Bella: Lol, fair enough. My thumb is good.

Edward: Glad to hear that

I start to reply, then stop when I see he's typing again.

Edward: The real reason I'm messaging you isn't to check on your thumb.

Bella: I had a feeling.

Edward: Do you want to grab coffee sometime this week?

I smile at the screen, and Angela throws a pillow at my face.

Bella: Sure. If you're free on Friday, I can meet you on my lunch break around 1? You'd have to come to me, if that's cool?

Edward: I can make that happen.

Bella: Okaaay. See you Friday. Byeeee.

Edward: Bye, Bella.

Edward: Wait. Where are we meeting?

Bella: Lol oh. You're one of those people who like to know where they're actually going?

Edward: Yeah, I'm lazy. I'd rather not run all over the city, checking every coffee shop for you.

Bella: Fine. Let's go to Milstead?

Edward: Okay. sounds good. I'll see you there.

Bella: Okay. Bye. Again.

Edward: Wait.

Bella: What?

Edward: Just kidding. Bye.

Bella: Lol byeeee.

The next two days pass by quickly, mostly because Ange and I are so busy trying to pack up. Being natural procrastinators, it's our worst nightmare.

When Friday morning arrives, I'm all nerves. I try not to overthink it, reminding myself that it's just coffee. With Edward. But that doesn't help, and my stomach is in knots until half-past noon.

I walk the few blocks to the coffee shop, taking my time because I left a little early and don't want to get there first. I take the long way, even stopping in one of the clothing stores to waste time.

When I round the block, I spot Edward sitting at a table outside, staring at his phone. I watch him for a minute, noting the way his beard is half-grown in, and how he looks so, so good in just a plain T-shirt.

As I get closer to the table, he looks up, smiling as he stands to greet me.

"Long time, no see," I tease, hanging my bag on the back of the chair.

"I know," he agrees, sitting down. "I'm glad you came."

I shift under his gaze and clear my throat, telling him I'm gonna go grab some much-needed coffee. I head inside and a few minutes later I return with an Americano in hand.

"So I'm just gonna come out with it and tell you that I broke up with Rose."

"I know," I say quietly. "She told me."

"She's not taking it too well," he comments. "Which is unfortunate, because I really want to ask her friend out."

My cheeks burn from his forwardness. "Yeah. I think I heard her friend has a thing for you."

He smirks, searching my face. "Yeah?"

"Shut up," I laugh shyly. "Like you didn't already know."

He leans forward, resting his forearms on the table. "I had a feeling, but... it's always nice to hear."

"So what now?" I ask, sipping my coffee, trying to keep my emotions in check.

"Well… now I tell you that I really like hanging out with you," he says softly. "And I don't really want to stop. But I also don't want Rose to give you shit."

"I don't want that, either."

"I'm kind of torn with what to do. Because I'm trying really hard not to overstep my boundaries here. I get that you and Rose are friends, and I don't want to come between that. So you have to tell me what's okay and what isn't."

"I've got zero experience in having feelings for my friend's ex. So I don't really know."

"Okay. Well, maybe we could just keep hanging and not put so much pressure on ourselves to figure things out right away."

"We could do that. We could be friends."

"Yeah." His tone isn't convincing, neither is the way his eyes gleam. "Friends."

"And maybe we just don't mention anything to Rose just yet," I add as an afterthought.

"I agree. So we'll just see what happens."

"Okay. I'm good with that."

"Good."

We smile at each other, and my stomach flips when his shoe bumps against mine under the table. There's a huge part of me that knows this is still wrong, even though he ended it with Rose. That unspoken code about not dating your friend's ex runs through my mind. And I've always abided by that. Always. If it were anyone else, I wouldn't have a problem. But it's not. It's Edward. So when he asks if he can help me move tomorrow, I ignore my guilt and tell him yes.

Thanks for being so lovely, you guys.

Branch read this, but she was the drunk one this time, so...