XOXO

Blind Ambition – Chapter Fifteen

"Why are you so smiley these days?" Jess asked with an accusatory stare at Leah, who simply shrugged.

"No reason."

"There is a reason. And I'm going to find it-oh! Never mind," she said with a sly smile and then slipped past Leah to the front entrance of the gym.

Leah's gaze followed her, and she groaned quietly at seeing Edward standing at the reception desk. It was obvious he wasn't there for a workout, and also obvious that Jess knew exactly what he was there for.

She watched as Jess greeted him, flipping her hair and laughing too loudly. It was funny, but Leah didn't even care that her co-worker was completely flirting with her, well whatever Edward was to her. Jess was harmless, and no doubt trying to get a reaction out of Leah.

It worked, of course.

"Hi," Edward's greeting was quiet, but he turned away from Jess and smiled in Leah's direction. She smiled back, though her mind was reeling with questions. How did you know it was me? Do I still smell like a cupcake? What do my footsteps sound like?

"Well," Jess began with a smirk at Leah, "I can see I'm not needed here." She slunk away with a wink, and Leah just shook her head and took Edward's hand.

"What are you doing here?" Leah asked while leading him back to her office.

"You want me to lie?" he asked with a chuckle.

"That depends. What would that lie consist of?" She closed her office door and set her hands on his chest.

"Um…the store wasn't busy, Jasper let me go home early, my client cancelled…"

She sighed happily, just being able to feel him under her hands. "And the truth?"

"I just wanted to kiss you," he said, and then he did: soft, slow.

"See? The truth wasn't so hard," she teased and then pulled him closer, catching him off guard and sending them both tumbling into the door. They laughed for a moment, but laughing wasn't what he was there for, and when Edward was that close to her Leah couldn't seem to think about anything else.

All she could think of was the shape of his mouth, the softness of his kiss, the way his tongue slid between her lips. Then there were his hands and how they cupped her face, how his thumbs rubbed circles over her skin while he kissed her. His body was warm against hers: jeans and a t-shirt pressed to her workout clothes.

When he pulled away she sighed again, this time out of annoyance, so he laughed and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"I've got to go. I told Jasper I was going to get us lunch."

"And then you walked six blocks to come and kiss me?" She giggled and opened the door to her office, ready to lead him out.

"No, I took the bus." Edward grinned and took her hand, lifting it to his cheek and then his lips.

They'd reached the door, and Leah had done a good job of ignoring her co-workers' glares as they'd walked through the gym.

"Come over tonight? I'll make you dinner," Edward said quietly.

She nodded and whispered, "Okay," before kissing his cheek and dropping his hand.

"Seven. Be there." He flashed her one last inside-melting grin before taking his cane out of his pocket and practically strutting out of the gym.

Leah watched him until he disappeared around the corner, and when she turned she was face-to-face with Jess again, who was grinning like the Chesire cat.

"You slut," she teased. Leah just shrugged and tried to keep the smile off her face. She didn't mind the derogatory comment, because she knew it was, and would be, more than that.

xXx

"Where did you put the plates?" Edward asked his sister, who sighed behind him.

"I put them on the table, you dumbass. Isn't that where plates go?" she snapped, and he raised his eyebrows at her. He couldn't see it, but felt the change in the room when she recoiled slightly. "Sorry," she muttered.

He frowned and leaned against the counter. "What's going on?"

"I'm always tired," she sighed.

"Well, it's not going to be any different once the kid gets here. You know that, right?" he chuckled.

"Shut up," Alice said, tossing a dishtowel at him. It hit him in the chest and fell to the floor. "I'm just cranky and fat and…tired," she repeated, "I want to meet this kid and ask it why I have such horrible heartburn and stretch marks and smother it with love, okay?"

"Okay," he replied, bending down to pick up the dishtowel. He took a cautious step across his kitchen and Alice touched his arm gently. "Thanks for helping me," Edward told her with a kiss to the top of her head.

"You're welcome," Alice answered softly.

They were quiet for a moment, until she decided to speak again.

"She's nice, right?"

"Yeah, she's nice." Edward smiled.

"I don't want you to get hurt."

"I won't."

"But if you do…"

"I've got a good feeling, Alice," he explained.

Alice snorted quietly, and Edward shook his head.

"It's different. Leah's different. You'll see."

"Okay. But I'm not going to like her just yet," his sister grumbled.

Edward sighed. "She helped me walk again, Al."

"Don't make me feel guilty about being irrational, Edward! I am pregnant and emotional and will do what I want!" she cried, and Edward couldn't contain his laughter.

"Okay, you little tyrant, jeez."

"I just want you to be happy, Edward," she said softly.

"I know. Me too."

"Okay, okay. I'll leave you to get ready, then." Alice gave him a quick hug, but Edward frowned at his sister.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" He rubbed a hand over his t-shirt.

Alice just shook her head and tugged Edward into his bedroom. "Okay, the blind guy doesn't get to dress himself before a date anymore…" she muttered as she handed him a shirt.

He took it, rolling the fabric between his fingertips.

"Is this the sweater you bought me for Christmas?"

"Yes. It's green, it'll make your eyes pop," she said brightly.

Edward sighed. "It's still summer."

"Don't you want to look nice for the doctor lady?"

"Fine," he whined, yanking off his t-shirt and pulling the sweater on.

"Should I brush your hair for you, too?"

"Get out, crazy pregnant lady."

Alice left after that, giggling on her way out the door. Edward ran a hand over his hair even though he knew it would be no use. He took the time after Alice left to calm his nerves and try to wrap his head around the fact that Leah was on her way to his apartment.

He had tried hard not to think about his former relationship in the past couple weeks, but Alice's comments had made him wonder. Edward knew how different Leah and Bella were, but he still found himself comparing them at times, no matter how much he tried not to. Leah was strong and independent, she didn't take any of Edward's shit and he loved that. Bella was always letting him get away with stuff and trying to take care of him...well, until she wasn't worried about him at all anymore.

He shook his head and, luckily, he didn't have much time to think about because Leah was knocking at the door and was in his arms before his thoughts could be fully formed.

His hands settled on her waist and he buried his face in her neck, inhaling deeply. It was his favorite way to greet her. She was wearing jeans this time, a tight-fitting top, and smelled so good that he had to pull away before he did something stupid.

"Quite a welcome you've got there," she laughed breathlessly.

"I'm just happy you showed up," he quipped and closed he door behind her.

She laughed again, quieter this time, and slipped her hand into his.

"Well, there's nowhere else I'd rather be."