Bella Noche
"You look very beautiful tonight," Edward commented in a warm tone as he pulled out a chair for her to sit. Not used to such chivalry, it took a moment for Bella to realize the meant the seat for her.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Thank you."
Edward smiled, crossing the table to take the seat adjacent from her.
"That's quite alright, although I must say that I am dismayed that you seem so unaccustomed to a man caring for you the way that you should be."
"Yeah, Mike was never the gentlemen."
"And the other men who've courted you?"
Bella smiled at his old time verbage.
"No, no one has courted me. Mike is the only person I've dated. We'd been together since we were both seventeen."
"A beautiful woman such as yourself, trapped in a relationship with a moron who couldn't possible appreciate a flower of such beauty. Such a same . . ."
"No . . . I mean, thank you . . .but, no," Bella blushed, unable to complete a full sentence.
"No that you were trapped or no to Mike being a complete moron?" Edward's expression seemed so serious that Bella couldn't help but let out a small giggle.
"Oh, Mike is a moron. No doubt. I meant no to the beauty. I'm not that attractive to other men."
There was a breadth of silence for several moments, and Bella paused from perusing her menu to look at Edward. He was staring at her with that same intensity in his eyes she'd seen at the club. Blushing, Bella raised an eyebrow in question.
"What fool has led you to believe that you are not only the most beautiful woman, but also a gem in a sea full of sand."