Thanks to Capricorn75, killerlashes, and you. ;)

Blind Ambition – Chapter Fourteen

"Can you play that for me one more time, Jenny? You're doing great." Edward smiled encouragingly, but he could still feel that the little girl beside him was practically oozing nervousness.

"I just keep messing up on the third measure. It's really tough, and my recital is this weekend!" she cried as slammed her little hands down in her lap.

Edward stifled a laugh and held out his hand. Jenny sighed and touched her hand to his, letting him guide her fingers over the keys and play her song perfectly. She gave a little laugh as his hand slipped away. The girl played her song again, while he listened intently, noticing her renewed passion and confidence. He was so wrapped up in her song that he didn't realize there were two women standing behind them in the doorway.

"She's good," Leah said softly to Jenny's mother, who simply smiled.

"She has a good teacher," the woman replied, and Leah didn't argue.

It hadn't been long since she arrived at the store, prepared for her and Edward's first real date, but completely unprepared for what she was feeling seeing him working with Jenny.

"Yeah, I think so," Leah returned with a small smile.

A moment later and the old clock chimed six, and both Edward and Jenny stood from the bench and turned toward the door. Edward wasn't sure how he knew Leah was there, but he suddenly felt calmer. He smiled, just barely seeing the shadows of the two women in the doorway, and felt Jenny's little hand slip into his.

"She's ready for Saturday, I think," Edward told Jenny's mother.

"Will you be there?" the girl asked hopefully.

Edward smiled and squeezed her little hand. "I wouldn't miss it."

"Okay!" She gave him a quick hug around the waist and went to her mother. They said their goodbyes and left, leaving Edward and Leah standing alone in the backroom of the store.

"You were so good with her."

"I have a way with women, you know," he teased. "Of all ages."

"Okay, playboy," Leah laughed quietly and reached for his hand. He laughed with her, and pulled her against him, burying his face in the crook of her neck and pressing a kiss against her skin. For a moment he thought he might be being too forward, but he just wanted to feel her against him and breathe her in to make sure she was real.

She was still for a moment while his hands ran down her sides and settled on her hips. His fingers felt the flowy material of the dress she wore and he smiled.

"No dry-fit or spandex…I'm disappointed."

"I can always go change, you know," she said as she took his face in her hands.

"No, you're perfect just like this," Edward replied just before her lips met his.

It was the first time they'd been together since their night at the bar, just over a week before. Of course, the time they'd spent on the phone with each other made up for not having any actual physical contact. It was strange, really, considering they were used to spending three days a week with each other.

"Hi," Leah whispered as she pulled away.

"Hey," he returned quietly, letting his fingers run through her short hair. "How was your day?"

"I don't know, I was too worried about this hot date I have tonight," she said and he chuckled quietly.

"Oh, yeah? You shouldn't keep him waiting any longer then." Edward let his arms drop from around her and took a step back, but she grabbed his hand and pulled him against her again.

"I don't plan on it," she murmured. "Where are you taking me?"

He grinned and kissed her cheek. "You'll see. Come on, I need to lock up and we can go out the front door."

Leah followed him, noticing his neatly pressed khaki shorts and long-sleeved button-down, rolled up to his elbow. She smiled at how very casual he looked, and how different it was than seeing him in workout clothes every day, too.

Edward grabbed a backpack that was behind the register, not the regular messenger bag he carried, and slipped a thin metal rod out of it.

"Ready?" he asked as he slipped the backpack on and unfolded his cane.

"As I'll ever be," she joked, and he cocked his head to one side, probably giving her a look under his designer glasses. "You need me to do anything?"

"Nope." Edward smiled and led her out the door, then reached into his pocket for his keys.

She watched from his side, appreciating all his little tricks for finding things like the right key and the keyhole to lock the door: she noticed how his keys were covered in different colored and textured rubber, how the sign on the door had a piece of velcro on it that told him what side said closed, how his hands moved over the door and told him exactly what he needed to slipped his keys back into his pocket, took his cane in his right hand, and held his left hand out to Leah. Her fingers shook as she slipped them into his awaiting palm, and she hoped he didn't notice. It wasn't as if she were nervous, really. More like anxious, and maybe a little bit giddy again, too. He made her feel giddy.

"Have you been to Magnuson Park?" he asked as they started down the street.

"No, not in ages."

"It's about four blocks this way. Tonight's their last movie of the summer," Edward explained. "They have food trucks and drinks."

"Is it a good movie?" Leah asked, stepping closer to Edward.

"Oh, sure. Pirates, sword fights, damsels in distress…"

Leah giggled quietly. "Is it a kissing movie?"

"Maybe," he returned, squeezing her fingers tightly. "I think you'll like it."

"I know I will. So, what have you got in your magic bag?"

"Wouldn't you like to know," Edward teased. They stopped at a crosswalk, Leah's grip tightening on his hand as cars sped past. Edward smiled but shook his head. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Just making sure, Edward. I'd hate for all my hard work to be undone."

Edward laughed and let go of Leah's hand so he could wrap his arm around her shoulders.

"I told you I wouldn't let you down," he said before pressing a kiss to her hair.

Edward pulled away after that, still keeping a tight grip on Leah's hand. His heart was pounding in his chest, and he hoped she couldn't tell that his palms were sweating, too. It was strange that after all the time they'd spent together, he suddenly felt like a teenager on a first date. Maybe it was simply because he hadn't been on a first date in so long…or maybe because he really didn't want to screw this up.

"There're so many people here," Leah said when they finally arrived at the park.

Edward could hear the people milling around and smell the different foods wafting through the air. Children laughed around them; he could feel a few of them skirt past him, and he slowed his pace.

"You okay?" Leah asked quietly.

"Yeah," he answered with a reassuring smile. "Let's just find a place in the middle. I have a blanket in my backpack."

Leah took charge and led him to an empty space in the middle of the crowd. Edward grinned as he held the corners of the blanket and she stretched it out, ordering him to drop the edges when she was finished. He let her guide him onto the blanket, and she watched as he stretched his long body out, then patted the space next to him.

"Can't resist that kind of invitation," she whispered.

They were quiet for a moment, before Leah finally spoke about something she'd been thinking about since they left the store.

"You're very good with Jenny. How long has she been your student?" she asked. As she did, Edward leaned back and removed his glasses before resting on his elbows.

"About a year," Edward answered. "I've got six students: five pianists and one guitar player."

"Are they all younger? Like her?"

"Jenny's my youngest. She's ten. The rest are in middle and high school. They're cool kids. Very talented," he explained.

"Were you like that? As a child, I mean?"

"Talented?" Edward shrugged. "You could say that. Emmett played sports, Alice was book-smart, but music kind of spoke to me."

"And now?" she asked, moving closer until she rested against his chest. She focused on his breathing, the steady rise and fall of it, and the pounding of his heart against her.

"Now everything speaks to me," he said with a little laugh. "It's overwhelming sometimes."

"Yeah? What do you hear now?" Her voice was quiet, but he had no problem making out her question.

"Right now? Right this minute?"

"Yes."

"Right now all I hear is us."