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Bella was getting worried. Seriously worried.
She had been chatting harmlessly with Stefan, noticing that Edward's expression had been getting more morose by the minute. Just when she'd been ready to ask the waitress for the bill, he'd surprised her by ordering a large beer.
Now, barely ten minutes later, he was finishing it.
Stefan didn't seem to notice her tension, talking amiably about Edward's work and how Berlin seemed to be a great place for artists. Edward wasn't exactly hostile, but she could sense that he was anything but happy about meeting her ex. Only she couldn't quite discern why. She couldn't really believe he was jealous, she couldn't believe that Edward could ever doubt her complete devotion.
She was the one who was lucky to be with him, after all – he was famous, he was wealthy, he was insanely handsome, and he was a great artist. What did she have to offer?
"So, you think we should try that restaurant you mentioned? What is it called again?"
She was getting antsy, wanting to get Edward out of this situation, to prevent further harm.
"Cookies Cream," Stefan replied. "Yes, definitely go there. They have the best vegetarian dishes in town."
"Cool." She smiled anxiously. "What do you say, darling?" She touched Edward's thigh.
"Hmm? Oh, yeah. Sure. Let's go there."
"Okay, then…"
Stefan was gesticulating for the waitress that they were ready to leave. He and Edward got into a small fight over the bill, manly pride at stake on both sides.
Bella was rolling her eyes at them, not really amused.
After Edward won, they made their way out of the park. Stefan had his bike parked nearby. She didn't understand a lot about these things, but it was obviously a very nice and expensive specimen.
"Wow," Edward said with one raised eyebrow. "That yours?"
"Yep." Stefan grinned, looking like he was more than willing to elaborate further, but Edward merely rubbed his ear and nodded, an odd expression on his face.
Another awkward silence spread between them when it was time to say goodbye. Normally, Bella would have kissed Stefan's cheek, but she was certain it would give Edward the wrong message.
"It was lovely to see you, Bella." Her ex-boyfriend's smile was genuine and open. "You too, Edward. Good luck with the exhibition."
"Thanks."
They shook hands.
Bella gave Stefan a loose hug, and they watched him drive off.
Now, the silence was awkward between the two of them. Bella turned to look at Edward.
"What was that?" she said.
He didn't look at her, staring at her shoulder instead.
"What's going on, Edward?"
"What do you mean, what's going on? It was your meeting with your ex-boyfriend." He was very defensive. "And you both enjoyed it, didn't you?"
The slight spark of anger that had been kindled in Bella's stomach when Edward had ordered his beer was growing into something hotter.
"What exactly is it you're insinuating?"
"I'm not insinuating anything."
"Yes you are. You're jealous, and you know, or you should know, that you haven't the slightest reason to be."
"Do I?"
It was the first time he looked at her during their dialogue, and Bella could see that the moment the words had left his lips, he regretted them.
Still, they felt like a tiny dagger in her heart. Even if he hadn't meant it, he had just said that he didn't trust her.
Bella bit her lip to not start crying.
"Oh God," Edward groaned. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, love. I didn't mean it."
Her eyes and nose were prickling with unshed tears.
"Let's just go back to the hotel, okay?" she said. "I'm not really hungry, anyway."
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Thank you so much for your support, my lovely reviewers! Your comments, however short, make me happy, and they make me want to continue this story, however hard it is at the moment. Life and work get in the way of writing so much right now.
I'm sorry I couldn't thank every one of you for reviewing, ff was having some problems.
I have the best readers in the world. Thank you.