Chapter 273
==8 BPOV 8==
Excellent.
It sounded perfect all those times I rehearsed in my head, never sure I'd ever have the chance to say it in person. And now that I do, I can't get the damn words out.
I swipe hair and tears away and open my eyes to the sight of Edward's knees on the floor directly in front of me, his hands clawing anxiously at the material covering his thighs. I ache to reach for his fingers, to calm them and to allow him to soothe me, but they're no longer mine to claim.
"I owe you a massive apology."
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| - EPOV - |
She's talking crazy!
"You owe me? What did you do?"
"I did …sob …nothing! That's just it. I knew you were all …sob … banged up, but once you pushed me away…"
"I was so ashamed, Bella. I couldn't let you see me like that."
"I should've come anyway …sob …later. I just couldn't. My heart just shut down or shifted into emergency mode or something."
I clutch wildly at my khakis, an inadequate substitute for her soft skin. "You did the right thing, Bella. Don't blame yourself. I didn't deserve you. But I do now."
Her head whips up.
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==8 BPOV 8==
"You do?" Could he have really figured it out? Finally, and truly?
I'm expecting backpedaling, but Edward surprises me again. "Yes," he affirms confidently. "And I'd really appreciate the chance to prove it to you."
There's a faint rumbling deep within my chest, and I'm reminded of those bitter cold Midwest winters my family endured when I was younger. Caressing the dashboard with one gloved hand, Dad would send up a fervent prayer, puffs of white steam jumping from his blue lips, before turning the key in the ignition. "Turn over, baby."
I will my heart to do the same.