Here we go again. ;)
Honestly…
~(~)~
The Market is crowded today, so it's easy enough to rationalize her arm still hooked through his as they wander through the indoor corridors together.
Navigating through the bodies, they talk of nothing of consequence and see what piques their interest as they go. Occasionally Bella darts off to inspect something closer and leaves Edward to settle on a gift for one of his family members, but other than that, they tend to stay close.
Neither of them wants to admit it feels good to act this way. Neither of them wants it to end.
But end, it must.
They're quiet as they make their way along the darkening city streets to find their cars. They're both thinking about all the things they could have, or should have, said during their time together.
They'd simply had too much fun for heavy conversation.
They smile at each other bashfully when they finally reach Bella's truck. She stands once again in front of the open door. Edward is holding his purchases, including a bouquet of fresh flowers he claimed were for his mother.
"So…" he begins.
"So…" she echoes, laughing at how often they've repeated this awkward exchange.
He holds the mixed blooms out to her. "These were really for you."
Bella shakes her head, an apologetic smile in place. "Edward, you know I can't accept those."
"Why not?"
"They're flowers," she exclaims, like it explains everything.
"Translation, please?"
She blows out a breath. "It's just… too much for now."
He has the good sense to look abashed.
"Look, you bought me coffee today, and candied pecans. That's more than enough between friends."
"If you say so..."
"I do."
He grins. "Well, you can't blame a guy for trying."
She laughs lightly. "Thank you, all the same."
He sniffs at the bouquet. "What am I going to do with these?"
"You could actually give them to your mother, you know."
"Oh, no. She'll wonder what I did wrong."
Bella laughs. "You're not a kid anymore, what could you have done that would warrant you buttering her up with flowers?"
He chuckles and shakes his head. "You don't want to know."
"Oh, brother. You're probably right."
They smile at each other, but their teasing fades as Bella considers his words. She wonders if there's any truth to his words.
"How are you doing, E?"
He knows what she's asking by her tone. "Same old, same old."
She frowns and tugs lightly on the sleeve of his coat. "Don't do that. You can talk to me, you know."
He sighs. "I'm not trying to be obtuse; I just don't want to lean on you. I don't want to damage this… whatever it is."
"I don't think being honest about your feelings will damage anything. You're stronger than that, and so am I."
His eyes search hers. "You really believe that?"
"Of course I do."
She watches as he relaxes, but there's a tiredness that remains in his expression.
"What do you need right now?" she asks.
Her voice is soft, full of equal amounts of affection and concern. It makes him want to answer honestly.
"Umm… a hug?"
At first she thinks he's joking, but then he smiles sheepishly at her, revealing his vulnerability. Gone is the confident, self-assured man from earlier in the day. In his place stands a man who has laid his pride on the sacrificial altar for the second time tonight.
Bella swallows thickly, but it's not a hard decision. Not when it's Edward
Rising up on her tippy-toes, Bella wraps her arms around his shoulders and squeezes.
~(~)~