Saturday morning I spend at the laundromat and the afternoon I spend on Skype with Angela, filling her in on the impromptu date with Edward. She teases me about the fact that she knew from day one that I had a crush after describing him to her. I can't lie; the more time I've spent getting to know Edward over the past few months the stronger my feelings developed. The boys I dated in the past where ones that I met, started dating right away and then as the relationship grew one of us realized that we weren't a match. This was different. I felt I knew so much about Edward already. He was dedicated to his job, spent Sundays with his family and kept the same group of friends since high school. His sense of loyalty and contentment with life was appealing. Perhaps it is his age, but he knew what he wanted out of life. He was settled in his farm, not searching to figure out who he wanted to be or what he wanted to do.
Getting ready for our date, I ran through ways to bring up some of my concerns about this relationship developing. The first was the relationship I already had with his family. If something went wrong between the two of us, I couldn't imagine losing the relationship I have with the rest of his family. I live on their property; it's not like I could walk away and never have to see them again, not that I would want that either. I also worry about the comment Alice made months ago about Edward only dating someone until he got bored. In all our time together, past relationships were never discussed and I wasn't sure whether it was something to talk about so early on. Is there a right way to go about this?
I'm just finishing up a loose side braid when I hear the crunch of tires coming up the drive. Edward insisted that he pick me up "properly" for our date tonight. I throw my denim jacket on over the maxi dress I'm wearing and head to the front door just in time to see him walking up with a bouquet of flowers in hand.
With a kiss on the cheek, he greets me, handing over the flowers.
"These are beautiful. You didn't need to bring me flowers," I insist.
"I told you I'm taking you on a proper date tonight. I was raised to be a gentleman and gentlemen bring flowers when they're picking up a beautiful girl," Edward says with such honesty that I hold back the urge to roll my eyes at the flattery.
"Thank you," I murmur. "Let me just put these in water and we can head out."
The ride to the restaurant is quiet at first as I watch the passing landscape change from ocean views to rolling hills. We talk about the past couple of days at work until Edward mentions his sister's nosiness.
"So I have to confess, Jasper invited me over tonight to play cards with a few of the guys and I should have known better than to tell him I had a date. Within the hour I had Alice calling and texting trying to figure out who I had a date with."
"What did you tell her?"
"Someone special," he says, throwing another of his infamous winks my way.
I turn back to the window, staring at the setting sun over the water as we wind our way towards the restaurant. As peaceful as the scenery is, my mind races with doubt of whether Edward is keeping our date a secret from his sister for a reason. Edward reaches over and captures my fidgeting hand, intertwining it with his own.
"I'm glad you're here," he smiles. Whether he means here on this date or here on the island, I'm not sure.
"Me too," I reply with a new determination to get the answers I need to settle the crazy in my head.
The restaurant is settled in the middle of a small neighborhood along the coast. It looks like any other house in the area, except for the small sign on the front lawn and the extra parking off to the side. After being welcomed right away, we're seated quickly in the far corner. Looking around I notice only a few other couples are here for dinner, but I imagine the place is much busier in the tourist season with all of the bed and breakfast inns that are nearby.
Conversation is focused around what we should order. I go with the roasted chicken while Edward opts for the steak and seafood platter. Once the waitress leaves to place our order, there's a moment of silence.
"So did Alice leave you alone after you told her that your date was with someone special?" I ask, bringing up his conversation from before.
"Not really, she threatened to tell mom that I had a date," he laughs.
"So what did you say?"
"I told that if she wanted me to introduce her to the someone special I was dating that she needed to give me some space."
I take a sip of water, trying to nonchalant even though this conversation has me on the edge of my chair.
"Do you want to keep this a secret from your family?" I ask pointing between the two of us.
Edward stares at me for a moment before replying.
"I'm going to be honest with you. As you've already seen, my family can be intense. We're close and I love that, but with that comes a lot of interference. You've heard the comments that my mom throws around about wanting me to be settled and having grandkids on the way," he looks at me while I nod my head for him to continue, unsure of where this is going. "It was easy for Alice. She met Jasper and knew that he was the one before they even started dating. I just never had that connection with someone, but felt the pressure to try and find it."
"Pressure from your family?" I interrupt.
"Yes and no. They don't mean any harm but it was clear they wanted me to find someone. I wanted to find someone too. I wanted the type of relationship that I see my parents and Alice have. So I dated a few people even though I didn't feel that initial connection, hoping that maybe it would come with time," he shrugs.
"But it didn't?"
"Not until recently," he smiles and looks down before continuing. "I didn't tell Alice who I was going out with tonight because I wanted to talk it through with you first. I've felt drawn to you since the first night we met and it's only gotten stronger the more time I've spent getting to know you. I feel that connection with you but want to make sure you're on the same page because once my family finds out about this…"
The waitress interrupts, bringing our food to the table. When she walks away, Edward is taking his first bite, looking more uncomfortable than I'd ever seen him before.
"I'm on the same page," I blurt causing him to look up mid-chew.
"I mean…I feel the same way," I continue. If he opened up, I need to do the same. "Of course when I first met you I noticed how attractive you are, but the more time that I got to spend with you the deeper those feelings grew."
"So if I suggested that we go to the family dinner together tomorrow night and not keep anything a secret?" he pauses waiting for my response.
"I'm good with that," I smile, knowing that we'll have our hands full tomorrow.
"You realize what you're getting into?" Edward smirks. "My mother will be beside herself."
"I love your mother and yes, I realize."
"Brave girl," he laughs.