Bella
I saw him before he saw me.
I had no idea he would be there. To be honest, I just assumed I'd have to wait for him to come back to clean the pool. I'd resigned myself to the tough job of lounging around every day, hoping he'd come back. So, actually seeing him there, all casual and relaxed in a pair of board shorts and t-shirt that stretched across his chest in just the right way, was a big and welcome surprise.
I hadn't even known I was coming to this thing. But after I talked to my mom, I ran down to pick up some groceries at the cute, but overpriced market where Mom and Phil set up an account for me. And while I was standing there, balking at the price of the avocado in my hand, a guy named Tyler literally ran into me with his cart. He never noticed me standing there because he'd been too busy rubbing some girl's ass. Some girl turned out to be his girlfriend, Angela. And small talk turned into an invitation to the bonfire. So, in the spirit of finding fun, I decided to go.
I never really believed much in fate. I mean, that was more my mom's game. But this coincidence was just the kind of opportunity I needed, and I had every intention of taking advantage.
I hung back.
It wasn't hard to blend in. People were already drinking and having a good time. Plus, it was basically dark. He came with another equally hot guy. And after wondering if he was gay for a minute – and allowing myself to imagine what them being gay together might look like – I watched them part ways. Based on the way hot guy number two was hitting on the blonde girl over by the keg, homosexuality was definitely out of the question.
Besides, it wasn't even an option for Edward. Not after the way he'd been looking at me earlier.
I was about to go over, when I saw a different guy sit down next to him. I didn't want to wait, but thankfully, the conversation didn't last long. I didn't really know anything about Edward, but based on his expression, he hadn't particularly enjoyed the conversation. But the minute I saw him walk back over to the cooler. I made my move.
"Nice ass, Tom." I said it to piss him off, and I was hoping for a reaction. And he didn't let me down.
"Not as nice as yours."
Well done.
This, I could do. This was what I'd been hoping for earlier. And I figured I could handle this two ways. I could stay here and banter with him, surrounded by a bunch of people I didn't know, and didn't care about, or I could walk away and see if he'd follow.
It could have backfired.
It almost did.
But when I glanced back and asked him if he was coming, he did.
We walked together for a few minutes, long enough that the glow from the bonfire still illuminated the beach, but far enough that the sounds of everyone else mostly faded into the white nose of the ocean. He seemed nervous, quiet. And so was I, though, I was trying to come across like this was no big deal.
To me, it was a very big deal.
I dropped my shoes in the sand and sat down.
"I guess we're sitting, then," he said.
I smiled up at him. "Well, I am. But we can, if you join me."
"Do you want me to join you?"
"I don't know. Why don't you continue to stand there while we discuss this a little more. Or…"
"Or," he interrupted me, then leaned down until he was looking into my eyes. There were just inches between our faces, and my heart rate spiked. God. He was even more gorgeous close-up. Uncertainty still radiated from him, but this was the boldest he'd ever been with me. Well, the boldest while he knew I was watching. "Or I could just sit down."
"Or you could do that." My voice was so low, I didn't even know if he could hear me over the ocean. I traced slow shapes in the sand, trying to think of something else to say that wouldn't be lame, or break the connection we had going.
"You look really pretty tonight." He just came right out and said it. There was no snark-laced innuendo – just sincerity. And as I met his eyes, I could see exactly how transparent he was being with me in that moment. I must've been staring too long, because he added, "Is it weird for me to say that?"
I shook my head. "No. Not if you mean it."
"I do."
"Thanks, Edward."
He laughed softly. "So, you do know my name isn't Tom."
"What?" I giggled. "You don't like Tom? I mean it's cool, right? It's like we're not really two strangers trying to make small talk on the beach at night like we're in some goddamn Nicholas Sparks movie. Nope. This isn't awkward at all. We have history. I've already given you a nickname."
His smile got wider. "And I've seen you…well, you were…" The stumbling over his words was more than a little endearing.
"Basically naked?" I finished for him.
"Yeah. That."
"If the memory of my tits is gonna embarrass you like this every time you think about it, there's really only one thing we can do."
"What?"
"You're gonna have to take off your pants." I deadpanned. And he gasped. It was so adorable, I almost kissed him right then and there. "Go on. Take 'em off. Whip it out."
His eyes grew wide, as he made a sound that was somewhere between a choke and a laugh. "You're crazy."
"Probably." I nodded. "It's a pretty good guess."
"Are you like this with everyone?" he asked.
"Do you see anyone else here?"
"No."
"Then I guess it must just be you."
Feeling bold, I scooted over closer to him. So close, our arms and legs were touching. He didn't move, which was a spectacular sign, so I took it a little further and put my hand on his leg.
"So we have a history, huh?" he asked, his voice shaking just a little as he turned to look at me.
"Obviously," I said, willing him to make a move. Willing him to do something – anything at all.
Kiss me.
Sweet Jesus, kiss me already.
"I guess if we have a history," he started, "one where you've already given me a nickname, and I know you hate Nicholas Sparks movies…I should probably know your name."
"It's Bella."
And then, Edward made his move. He took my hand in his. It wasn't what I'd been hoping for, but when I look back on it, it was perfect.
For me, Edward was perfect.
.
.
.
A/N
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