oOo
"Wow, this is nice," Bella murmured as they stepped into The Gate Vegetarian Restaurant.
She'd been a little silent on the car drive, but Edward was still so nervous himself that he just hoped it didn't mean anything.
His mind kept repeating that he was on a date.
A date.
A date.
A date!
It was wonderful and terrifying.
He gave his name to the hostess, and she led them to a table by the window that overlooked St. John Street. It was a nice place. Candles were lit everywhere, and there was a large fireplace in the middle of the room. It felt warm and cosy, and Edward could tell that Bella liked it as well.
A server appeared almost immediately, handing out menus and reciting the specialities of the day.
Edward ordered a small beer, and Bella a glass of sparkling wine.
"This is pretty." She looked up from her menu. "But, Edward, no meat?"
She smiled sweetly, quoting him from the first time they'd cooked together at her flat.
"I have learnt that you can have the most delicious meal without meat," he replied. "The secret is how you prepare it."
They stared at each other for a moment, and then and on a sudden instinct, Edward brushed his knuckles over the back of her hand. Her eyes became even larger, and Edward's heart jumped as it recognized something akin to a welcome.
They had talked on the phone every day since the night of their kiss, but none of them had mentioned what had happened, though there had been flirtatious and sweet words.
"You look so lovely, Bella," he whispered, and gave her hand a little squeeze. Bella's smile was breathtaking as she confirmed his gesture.
"Thank you."
Her thumb brushed a little circle on his palm.
They smiled at each other until their server placed their drinks in front of them and Edward told her that they hadn't yet chosen anything.
"So… what movie are we seeing?" Bella asked.
They had talked a lot about films, and Edward knew that she liked crime stories and mysteries, but also old romantic movies. So he'd decided to find a cinema that would cater to her tastes.
"Um, Gaslight," he said. "Have you seen it?"
She shook her head and took a dainty sip of sparkling wine.
"That was made in the fifties, right?"
"Forties. It's with Ingrid Bergman, and Joseph Cotten."
Bella's smile merged into a thoughtful lip-bite.
"I might have seen it on the telly with my mum, but that was ages ago. That's great, Edward! I like old films."
"Phew," he sighed dramatically, wiping some non-existent sweat off his brow.
"Did you find anything yet?"
Both of them looked up into the blonde girl's face.
"Sorry," Edward mumbled. "One more minute, okay?"
"Certainly," she said with a smile like concrete.
"We need to choose something," Bella said. "When does the movie start, anyway?"
Edward scanned the menu. Surprisingly, all dishes looked good.
"Eight-thirty," he replied, "and I think I will have the beetroot risotto."
Bella chose the artichoke salad and grilled aubergine.
"So," he said once they'd ordered. He stroked her pinkie with his own. "Your sister and Leah, they seem nice."
"Leah certainly is," Bella smiled. "Jackie is a nuisance." But her smile gave her away.
"Of course," Edward said. "All siblings are."
"You and Rosalie… are you close?"
"Well, we don't see a terrible lot of each other, but I guess, yes, we are."
"She's nice. And so beautiful."
"Bella." Once again, Edward took her hand. "You are beautiful."
She lowered her eyes and Edward watched her cheeks become rosy. He gave her fingers another gentle squeeze.
"You are," he whispered. She looked up through her lashes, and smiled shyly.
Edward's heart felt as if it were made of cotton candy.
oOo
I wanted Edward to take her to see Rebecca, but that would have been a bit too much, I guess.
Thank you for reading and for your reviews! I couldn't reply to all of them, but I read them and they make me so happy!
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