oOo
Edward had no idea what had inspired him to hail the cab and get Bella inside.
Well, actually, he did. She'd been trembling with cold in front of him as she tried to tell him through chattering teeth that she was planning to take the bus to Fulham.
Fulham! That was about at least forty-five minutes, and it was not like the bus would transport her to her front door. She would certainly have to change and wait in the icy cold.
There was no way he'd let her.
She was staring at him, huge dark eyes enquiring his intentions.
"Um, thanks, but that wasn't necessary."
"I would have taken a cab anyway," he said. "I'll just drop you off, okay?"
"Where do you live?" she asked suspiciously.
"Maida Vale," he mumbled.
"Okay, we're driving to the southwest of London right now," she contorted, "while you live in the northwest. Right?"
"So? We both live in West London."
She just shook her head, but he could see her relax minimally as the temperature in the car rose. He removed his thick muffler.
"I'll give you the money the next time I see you, you know," she said into the dark.
"You don't need to."
"But I will." Her voice was clear and strong.
"Okay," he merely said, understanding that it was important to her.
They were silent for some time, the only sounds coming from the radio. Frank Sinatra was crooning about Chicago.
Edward closed his eyes for a few seconds. Right now, he didn't want to think about Chicago.
"I had a great time with you, Bella." He swallowed. "May… May I give you a call?"
She looked up, lost in her own thoughts. Large, dark eyes looked into his.
"Yes, I'd like that."
"Good." He smiled.
Right now, his heart felt as if it was bathed in molten chocolate and brandy, and warmth.
Bella smiled too.
They smiled at each other, and Edward wanted nothing more than to pull her close, just feel her, her small body, to smell her. There were longings he hadn't experienced in five years.
But he knew that he shouldn't, and that he couldn't
"Where d'you want me to turn in?" the cabbie asked, and Bella sat up.
"Um, if you turn in left after the park, we'll be there."
"I'd love to give you a call," Edward said. "But I actually need your number."
"Oh." She smiled and bit her lip. "Of course." She began to recite her number and he programmed it into his phone. He called her immediately, so she'd have his number as well.
"Oh, I'm sorry, my phone…"
She started searching her bag and retrieved a small, pink phone before Edward could say anything. He closed the call.
Some part of him was celebrating the fact that he had her number now. How easy it might be to snap her picture. To have her pale, heart-shaped face show up whenever – if – she called him.
"Oh, that was you, right?"
"Yep."
"Okay, now we have each other's number." She looked uncertain again.
"We do. May I really give you a call?"
And she smiled, and nodded.
"Yes. Yes, of course."
The car stopped.
"This is me," she said. "Thank you so much for – "
"Thank you," he said. He got out and opened her door for her. Bella looked surprised, clearly not accustomed to such chivalry.
"Thank you, Edward," she said softly.
"It was all my pleasure," he replied.
And then, he surprised himself completely. He kissed her cheek.
It was chaste and sweet, and his heart broke out into a gallop.
oOo