oOo

They had reached the south entrance of the park.

"Well," Bella said. "I should go home now. I've got a lot of work to do."

"I'd say I'm sorry for keeping you from it." He gave her a half-smile. "But somehow, I'm not."

"Yes, it was nice," Bella said, suddenly feeling insecure, fiddling with her bags.

Edward scratched the back of his neck.

"Um, would you…" He shut his eyes for one second, and when he opened them again, there was so much hope, and sadness, and longing. "Will I see you again?"

"Uh, I don't know." She tried not to show her utter surprise. It had been nice, yes, but they clearly existed in two very different worlds.

"Forget it. Forget I said that," he said quickly. "I'm just a lonely, old fart."

"You're nothing of the kind! I was just… surprised, I guess."

"Yeah." He chuckled a little. "So was I."

"So you take it back?"

"Take it back?"

"Yes. You don't want to see me again?"

"Of course I do. I just didn't want to…"

"Okay. Saturday, three p.m., at the National Gallery?"

"Y-yes." He looked utterly shocked, green eyes wide and stunned.

"I'm looking forward to it," she said, gave him a smile, and turned.

Her heart was beating crazily inside her chest, astounded by her courage. Or maybe it was the adrenaline. Anyway, this was something Bella had never done. She had, basically, just asked Edward on a date. A museum date, but still. She was going to a museum. On Saturday. With Edward Cullen.

.

The rest of the week passed with agonizing slowness.

Bella put all her energy into work, and her professor, Dr. Littlesea, was quite happy with her progress. On Thursday, she helped Jasper set up for a party the next night at a private address in Shoreditch. They equipped the bar and prepared the buffet. They settled an extra-fridge in a spare room, and filled it with wine, champagne and beer.

"We're so lucky to have you, Bella," Jasper said when they were finished, giving her a hug. "Let's just hope no one wants to fall asleep on your lap again, huh?"

He smiled, and she knew it had been a joke, but she couldn't join in.

"I'm sure he didn't mean any harm," she said. "He must have been sad about his dog."

"Yeah," Jasper replied. "Sure. His dog."

"What do you mean?" She followed Jasper out into the dark and climbed into the van's passenger seat.

"That guy's a nutcase, Bella. I'm just sorry he chose you that night to share his brand of crazy with."

"What do you mean?" She hated repeating herself, but it was the only question that seemed correct.

Jasper started the car and went into reverse, leaving the driveway.

He looked at her, blonde curls in his eyes.

"What do you mean, what do I mean?" He frowned. "What's it to you?"

She had known Jasper long enough to see what he was doing. He was far too intuitive.

"Don't play mind games with me, Mr. Whitlock. What do you mean, he's a nutcase?"

"I don't even know him, Bella. It's just what I heard from his brother-in-law."

"Emmett McCarty."

"Yes. Emmett."

"What did he tell you?" Bella was now literally on tenterhooks.

"He… went through some bad stuff a few years ago. Jesus, Bella, why do you want to know this?"

"Just curiousity, I guess."

"I don't believe you."

"Okay, I met him again when we were queuing up at Boots. And we went for a walk, and I'm meeting him again on Saturday!"

She let out a huff, frustrated that Jasper had tricked her into telling.

Jasper was too quiet for a long time before he looked at her.

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea, Bella."

oOo