HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KITKAT and MarLea Pie!
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"If it makes you feel better, I realize I'm being a colossal asshole right now," I admit miserably. Sneaking a surreptitious peek, I'm relieved to see that her brow uncrinkles slightly, offering a glimmer of hope.
"This works both ways, you know, Edward. How do I know you're not getting inundated with offers?"
I guffaw. "I have all I can handle right here, thank you."
My complete ineptitude for the situation transforms her anger into amusement and she smiles.
"Apparently, I do, too."
I shrug. "I'm sorry. For some reason, I seem to turn into a caveman where you're concerned."
-o-
"Well, you'd be wise to get a handle on that, Fred Flintstone."
I reach up to my hair again, only to be met with an unfamiliar tangle. "I'm trying, Bella, truly I am." A ragged sigh leaves me. "This has never happened to me before. I guess I'm just finding it hard to believe that someone as great as you is really interested in me."
She sighs dramatically. "Yeah, you are pretty tough to take. Gorgeous from top to bottom, sweet, creative, classy…shall I continue?"
"Yes, please." Shameless, I know.
"Self-made, seemingly stable, you know your way around the Louis …"
-o-
I counter, "Yeah well, you're a knockout and you have a contagious laugh and you inspire me and make me feel like I can do anything! You don't seem to be afraid of anything…"
"I'm afraid of you."
That wipes the smile right off my face.
Softly, she adds, "I'm kind of falling for your whole breakfast-in-bed, ladies-first, earnest-and-ever-ready, treated-like-a-queen vibe."
"Sounds good to me."
"So, if you're gonna turn out to be a jealous, overprotective jerk, I'd really appreciate your telling me now because I'm getting kind of attached to you."
Oh.
"Go right ahead and continue attaching yourself."
-o-
She regards me suspiciously. "Are you sure about that?"
Even though my heart is tearing down the middle, I search my soul for the honest answer. Can I really promise I won't mess things up? I recall the rage I felt as Bella cozied up with Tyler's assistant. I have no reason not to trust her, but emotional responses don't wait for logic.
"I promise I'll try to do better for you."
I rest my palms on my knees and pray for my hands to stop shaking while she sizes up my pledge and decides whether I'm worth the trouble.
A/N: How'd he do? Convincing? XXX ~BOH