.
"I don't know how to run a newspaper, Mr. Thatcher. I just try everything I can think of."
- Kane
May 27, 2010
Edward
"Do you think they'll sell?" Alec asks as the three of us sit down at our usual picnic table.
"I sure hope so," I answer. "The company has great potential if we buy it."
I take my lunch out of its insulated container, gazing appreciatively at the monstrous sandwich in my hand.
Alec sighs, clearly envious. "I wish my wife packed me lunches like that."
"You wish your wife was as pretty as Isabella, too," Heidi jibes, smoothing out her skirt.
"Isabella is more than just a pretty cook," I defend, completely serious now.
"We know, we know," Heidi placates tiredly. She studies me while munching on her sliced vegetables and dip, titling her head to the side. "Cullen in love. I never thought I'd see it."
I feign hurt, placing a hand over my heart. "What? You think I'm unlovable?"
"No, I think you're plenty lovable." She points a carrot stick at me accusingly. "That's the problem. It makes it impossible to hate you."
"Ha ha," I remark dryly, suddenly uncomfortable with her reasoning. "Now put that carrot down, or I'll have my celery and peanut butter kick its ass." I hold the aforementioned plastic baggy up menacingly.
"Whatever." Heidi rolls her violet-blue eyes, and we move back into our conversation about acquisitions.
July 29, 2010
Edward
Applause bounces off the walls, celebrating the plundering of our latest conquest.
The noise hurts my head, or maybe it's just the high level of happiness. A traitorous thought quickly points out that I was the one who encouraged this excited, back-slapping camaraderie.
Anna smiles shyly yet widely, taking in the scene. She glances at me from across the massive desk, making eye contact as everyone stands.
Anna is new; Anna is different. She looks at me like she hasn't obtained my life story from Google, let alone the news within the last few weeks.
It's understandable, considering the fact that she has been occupied with her last-minute move from the East Coast. Being quiet, she has also somehow escaped warnings from the gossip hounds.
It's really their loss; Anna would make a great friend. She's made up of youth, brown hair and bright eyes, exuding an almost sickening amount of kindness. She's also smart; that's why she's here.
I walk over, trying to polite to my newest employee. Since I selfishly plucked her out of her hometown, I really should be more welcoming.
"Hello, Mr. Cullen," she greets cheerfully. The lack of pity is refreshing.
I return her greeting, drudging up as much charm as possible.
"I hope your first week is going well," I say conversationally, looking over at Demetri. He's near the doorway, talking with Heidi.
"It's going great. Demetri is doing a good job of showing me around," she assures. "I can't wait until I can help with the next sale."
"Do you and your husband like Seattle so far?" I feel a little proud that I remembered that detail about her, even though I don't expect her to offer anything personal about her marriage. Asking just makes me feel more human.
Anna keeps smiling as she tucks some hair behind her ear, humoring my small talk. If she notices how distracted I am, she doesn't mention it.
"I love it so far. Dan isn't happy about finding a new cooking job, but he'll be okay. He knows that the move was for the both of us, and..." she trails off, probably uncomfortable with how much she's shared with her boss. She quickly rearranges her face, creating a more hopeful expression.
"It's days like these that make it all worth it, right?" she asks rhetorically, gesturing to the huddles of successful people around us.
I smile politely, unwilling to taint her mood with the truth. She wants me to say that all the sacrifices are worth it, but... no, they're not.
July 7, 2010
Edward
I study my favorite picture of Isabella on my iPhone, regretting that her peaceful expression is a thing of the past.
I know that I'll have to end it soon, for the sake of both of us. She's miserable, which makes me miserable...
It's an endless cycle because I can't make her happy. I've tried so hard to do everything right, but I still managed to make a mess of things.
Alec's greeting startles me, causing me to drop my phone onto my desk. The clattering noise elevates my nerves, but I'm thankful for the distraction.
"Are you okay?" he asks, frowning slightly as he walks closer. I hurriedly pick up my impromptu photo album, moving it out of sight.
"I'm fine."
He doesn't look convinced, but I can't blame him. My "cool and collected" persona has been lacking for some time now.
"I was just wondering... I have a few tickets that I'm not going to use, for a carnival. Would you be interested?"
"A carnival?" I repeat hopefully. Isabella likes carnivals. They make her smile, even when I can't.
He pulls the tickets out of his pocket and flips through them with his thumb.
"Yeah, for Friday. You can go after work, but my sister said it will probably be less crowded earlier in the day. I won't go because I hate the rides."
I run though Friday in my mind, looking for any potential conflicts. There are a few things scheduled, but I can push them back.
This might actually be the perfect way to show Isabella that she's important to me. And if we can get along and really enjoy ourselves, maybe that means that there is hope for us after all.
"That would be perfect, actually. Thank you."
He stops playing with the tickets, offering them to my outstretched hand instead. I look down at the passes immediately, eager to read the event details.
"Thanks, Alec. Really. This is great."
"You're welcome," he says softly, sounding a little taken aback by my sudden enthusiasm. "I had a feeling you would like them."
We don't say anything else for a long time, but my mind is too busy to assign any awkwardness to the silence.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow," he finally says, announcing his exit as politely as possible.
"Bye, Alec. Thanks again," I reply distractedly, eyes still on the tickets. They just look like insignificant pieces of paper, but they will be my last lifeline, my last thread of hope.
A last effort.
May 22, 2010
Edward
Isabella throws her hair into another quick ponytail, knowing that the next ride will just mess it up again.
I grab her hand not only out of affection, but because I need her to ground me.
"One more?" I ask, taking in the flashing lights.
She smiles and nods. Her upturned lips are stained blue-raspberry from the lollipop I won. I have no idea what a bright blue raspberry would taste like, but on Isabella, the imitation is delicious.
She keeps her hand in mine, leading me to the next choice. Since there aren't many people here, it's easy to pretend that the park is open just for us.
We're dizzy and barely able to stand, but we don't mind.
Being lovesick feels so good.
A/N:
Big thanks to What The Fun for prereading [and putting up with my million versions of one sentence]. And as always, thanks for reading.
The updated timeline is below.
...
Meet at diner - November 22, 2009 (Chapter 2)
First date - December 6, 2009 (Chapter 3)
Edward sleeps at Bella's for the first time - December 18, 2009 (Chapter 13)
Cockblocked by Benny - January 16, 2010 (Chapter 6)
Bella tells Edward that she loves him...when he's asleep - January 30, 2010 (Chapter 8)
Bella cries after burning surprise breakfast - February 14, 2010 (Chapter 10)
Humorous handjob and "Marry me first" thought - March 7, 2010 (Chapter 11)
Pick out house - April 15, 2010 (Chapter 9)
Prenup discussed after a night out - April 17, 2010 (Chapter 4)
Marry - April 30, 2010 (implied in Chapter 15)
Arrive at Nice, France for honeymoon - May 1, 2010 (Chapter 15)
Honeymoon moment in Sospel - May 4, 2010 (Chapter 7)
Honeymoon beach makeout - May 5, 2010 (Chapter 15)
Amusement park (back in Washington) - May 22, 2010 (Chapter 16)
Edward takes a photo of Bella - May 23, 2010 (Chapter 11)
Dandelion wishes - May 23, 2010 (Chapter 12)
Edward's lunch break with Alec and Heidi - May 27, 2010 (Chapter 16)
Bella tells Sue about 365 project - May 28, 2010 (Chapter 8)
Bella's lonely phone call to Jessica - May 28, 2010 (Chapter 12)
Bella stays home instead of going to club - May 29, 2010 (Chapter 14)
Edward misses gallery date - June 11, 2010 (Chapter 10)
Bella pretends to be asleep - June 12, 2010 (Chapter 14)
Edward's birthday party - June 20, 2010 (Chapter 13)
Edward plans carnival date - July 7, 2010 (Chapter 16)
Meet with lawyers - July 17, 2010 (Chapter 1)
Last time Edward saw Bella - July 17, 2010 (Chapter 4)
Edward sees newscast - July 20, 2010 (Chapter 1)
Edward is interviewed by Mike - July 21, 2010 (Chapter 3)
Edward hires Marcus to investigate - July 21, 2010 (Chapter 4)
Edward messes with Mike - July 24, 2010 (Chapter 5)
Edward finds Benny in bedroom and breaks down - July 24, 2010 (Chapter 6 and 7)
Sue tells off Edward - July 26, 2010 (Chapter 9)
Edward finds 365 project - July 27, 2010 (Chapter 11)
Edward meets with Rosalie - July 28, 2010 (Chapter 12 and 14)
Edward's meeting with employees - July 29, 2010 (Chapter 16)