Here you go. Sorry it got so late.

Spontaneously…

~(~)~

The November air is crisp and unusually dry as it moves through the Seattle streets. She wraps her scarf a little tighter around her neck and tucks it back into her jacket, fighting off the chill as the wind whips around her.

Next to her, her companion makes a similar adjustment, glancing down at her as he does. Her dark hair blows up when they reach the street corner and it hits them both in the face. He laughs as she reaches up to grab hold of it and moves to stand a bit closer to her.

Neither of them can help notice the temperature has dropped again since they met for their lunch an hour or so ago.

Blowing out a breath, another chill rushes over Edward. "This is ridiculous. It's way too cold today."

Bella smiles tightly. "Be glad it's not raining. I told you, yesterday was atrocious."

The pedestrian light signals them, and they cross the avenue quickly.

"I'm honestly thinking a change in plans might be warranted," he says when they reach the other side.

"Like what? Pike Place isn't that much farther."

He stops in front of a pack and ship store and pulls her into the slight shelter of the entrance way. "My car's right over there. Why don't you let me drive us? Or we could hit the mall."

"I thought you wanted to avoid the big retail places."

"If I can, yeah, but it's freezing out here today, Bella. I don't want you to be miserable."

"I'm not miserable, E. Not at all."

Her voice is much more tender than she intended, full of sincerity she didn't know she would show him until it was already out there. She sees him soften before her eyes at the warmth in her voice and realizes what she's done with those few simple, but heart-spoken words.

All of their interactions up until this point have been pleasant, but safe an still somewhat formal. Even after a few months of corresponding and clearing the air between them, they were both holding back. She knew he could sense the boundaries she put in place when they interacted and knew he was letting her set the tone as well.

But now… Now, without and forethought or planning, she's changing it.

She feels the heat rise to her cheeks and has to look away.

She doesn't see how he gazes down on her like a startled animal until she shivers again in front of him. She only sees that he steps closer to her, that he reaches out and touches one of her elbows where it's wrapped around her body.

"Are you sure you're okay with this?" he asks quietly. At first she's not sure what he's asking her, then he adds, "We can go somewhere else… or you can go if it's gotten uncomfortable."

Bella glances back up at him slowly, not before looking hard at the fingers clutched gently to her coat. She shivers again, but shakes her head.

"I don't want to go."

Heart pounding, she takes a deep breath and watches him swallow thickly.

"Okay," he says softly.

He removes his hand from her elbow and shoves it back in his pocket. Turning back towards the windy street, he crooks his arm out to the side a little and waits for her to meet his eyes.

"Come on, then."

She glances from his bent arm to his eyes and back again, staring just long enough to decide whether or not she'll take it.

~(~)~

I may or may not have some more up in the morning. Not sure how much longer I'll be conscious tonight, but I won't leave you hanging long. ;-)