Hello from the Minneapolis TFMU! We are all here, loving every moment of getting to see the lovely faces in our community! We've got a busy day ahead, so let's jump in!

Thank you to Pamela for prereading!

-12-

Bella

Lighthouse Cove, Maine

I've always been an early riser. When I was young, I was that kid who got up with the dawn, running outside as soon as I could to hunt for frogs or watch ferns unfurl in the watery sunlight of the Pacific Northwest.

I still love waking up early, but spending the last year of my life in Guatemala has given me a new perspective on nightlife.

The Fourth of July festival is bigger and brighter than I'm used to; it's gaudy in a way Saturday nights in Guatemala hadn't been. But between the drinks we had while getting ready and the excitement on my best friends' faces, it is not long until I'm swept up in the energy of the night.

It's a different kind of alive, and I breathe it in. The night is warm and full of possibilities.

After Rose slips off to get a closer look at the band, it doesn't take long for Ali and I to part ways too. Briefly, I catch sight of her approaching a tall blond man, and I can't help smiling at her back.

I make my way down the street, taking in the sights and activities that are blocking whole boulevards. Brighton Bay has never been a massive city, and I'm surprised by how big the party seems to be. They've pulled out all the stops, and it seems everyone in the city limits and then some are here.

"Bella!"

I turn on instinct, my eyes immediately landing on Edward's tall frame. He's dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and lifts a hand to wave at me when my gaze finds him. He looks like he's in line for food, and I wander toward him, curious.

"Hey," I say, cautious because I'm still not quite sure how to interact with him away from his boat.

"Hungry?" he asks, nodding his head toward the grill in front of us.

I sniff the air, my eyes fluttering shut. "God, that smells good," I groan. My eyes pop open, and I look at him in time to catch a small smirk on his mouth.

"Best ribs in Maine," he tells me.

My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

"Do they have corn too?" I can smell it grilling somewhere nearby, and I turn my head to take a survey of the food vendors.

"Yeah, there is all kinds of food," he says eyeing me.

I lick my lips in anticipation and Edward steps forward to place an order. He orders… a lot, and I watch him curiously, wondering if he plans to have a gluttonous feast on his own. Not that I'm one to judge, I plan to do that myself.

When he's finally done ordering, I step up to the table, when Edward's hand catches my elbow, throwing me off. I look up at him in surprise. "I already ordered," he says, shaking his head. "Do you think I'm eating all that by myself?"

I arch an eyebrow at him. "You don't have to buy food for me," I say, automatically defensive.

Edward shrugs. "So, then pay for half," he says simply.

I'm surprised, but nod, pulling out my phone. "Do you have Venmo?" I ask him, glancing up at him. I catch him watching me, but he doesn't seem embarrassed by it.

"No."

I scowl, then pull open my wallet, hunting for cash. I reach for his receipt to check the price, then fork out some bills and slide them into his palm.

Edward pockets the money with his receipt.

"So," I say after the money has been settled. "What else is there to eat around here?"

Edward looks surprised. "You don't think this will be enough for you?" he asks, motioning to where a couple is preparing a large plate of barbecue for us.

I scoff. "Hardly."

Edward grins, and it catches me so off guard, I have to cross my arms over my chest as I catch my breath.

"We'll start here," he says. "And see where our stomachs take us."

I look up at him, surprised but sort of pleased with this plan.

Our order comes up, and there is so much food, it is served up on two massive plates. Edward grabs the food while I grab our drinks before I move to find utensils and napkins. He leads me over to a picnic table that has a couple sitting on the far end. Edward nods at them as we settle across from one another.

"Where do you want to start?" He asks me. The plates are mounded with food, and I can feel my mouth watering.

"Here," I say, picking up a fork and diving into a pile of brisket.

I let out a truly pornographic moan the moment the meat hits my tongue. "Jesus fuck, I missed American barbecue," I nearly cry.

Edward lets out a chuckle, picking up a rib. "No good barbecue in the jungle?" he asks, taking a bite.

I look at him and frown slightly. "Not like this," I say, shaking my head. "It was good, but it was all different."

Edward nods.

"How did you know I was in the jungle?" I ask after shoving a huge bite of perfectly pulled pork into my mouth. God, I want to bathe in this.

"You told me last summer you were heading there," he says, sucking sauce off a finger. My mind goes blank.

"And you remembered?" I ask after a moment, forcing my gaze down give my brain a chance to remember basic functions, like breathing.

"Don't know many people who run off to Guatemala to save the planet," he says, and I'm not sure what his tone means, so I look up at him.

This time, Edward blinks and looks down at our food.

I'm not sure what to say, but in the next minute, there is a loud ruckus before three kids come barreling toward Edward.

They are all talking over one another so much I have no idea what any of them are trying to say.

"...and that's why we really need some more money. Please?"

I blink. Edward doesn't seem that much older than me, though I've never asked him outright. Are these his kids? The oldest has to be at least fifteen.

I'm a little dizzy doing the math of it.

Edward frowns and looks at the youngest of the kids. She's cute, maybe eight, and her hair has been festively done in red and blue pigtails. "You paced out the money I gave you?" he asks her.

She nods. "Yup! Just like you said!"

"And you really need the unicorn?" he asks.

The girl nods and looks at who I assume are her older brothers. "Yes! And Ben said he swears he can get it!"

Edward looks at the oldest before pulling out his wallet. He hands over some of the cash I gave him. "Jason Hillman isn't giving you a fair deal. His booth is rigged. Try your luck with Louis. He'll have the unicorn too," Edward says when he sees the girl is about to object.

The kids light up and run off, cash in hand, thank-you's thrown over their shoulders.

Edward watches them run off with a smile on his face, and I swallow thickly.

"So… you have kids?" I ask, feeling awkward and uncomfortable. It's not that I don't like kids, but I have a lot of plans that kids sort of slow down. I want to live before I attempt something so… permanent.

Edward looks at me, frowning. "Hm? No, those aren't my kids," he says shaking his head. He picks up his rib again, and I frown, watching him.

"Okay, so you are just some random adult man handing cash to children? Do you have candy in your van too?"

Edward snorts and reaches for one of the cans of soda he got with the order. He cracks it open, taking a sip before shaking his head.

"You're quite relentless," he says after a minute. "Either I was a teen father, or I'm some sort of predator."

I flush when he calls out how absolutely stupid I'm being, but thankfully, he seems amused more than anything.

Finally, Edward takes mercy on me. "They are my sister's kids."

My eyes bug in surprise. "How come I didn't know you have a sister?"

Edward arches a brow. "You've never asked."

My mouth snaps shut and I scowl. Okay sure, up until this summer, I'd never tried to get to know Edward beyond the time on his boat. But I talked to Carlisle all the time. Why hadn't he mentioned anything?

"Your dad didn't say anything either," I point out, shoving a bite of potato salad into my mouth.

"She's not my dad's daughter," Edward says simply. When he sees me frown, he takes pity on me. "Kate is my mom's daughter from her first marriage. Kate was four when her mom married my dad."

"So, she's your half-sister?" I ask, looking for clarification.

"Yeah. But we grew up together, so I don't usually think of it that way."

I nod slowly, absorbing the information.

"What about you?" Edward asks. "Do you have siblings?"

I look at him. "I had a step-sister for one summer, I think," I say, frowning. Edward's eyebrows raise in surprise. "But mostly no. Mom and Dad split when I was a baby, and Mom remarried twice until she found Phil. Dad never remarried."

Edward nods, taking in the information. "Did you travel between parents?"

I shake my head. "Not much except for summers. I lived with Dad since he was the one with a stable job and health insurance. Mom is more of a free spirit. I used to spend summers with her though."

I can't read the look on Edward's face when I look up at him. He looks thoughtful, speculative even.

I clear my throat. "Okay," I say looking down at our cleared plates. "This was a great start. What's next?"

Edward lets out a throaty chuckle that warms me. "How do you feel about some classic Maine blueberry pie and homemade ice cream?"

Fucking marry me.

I have to bite back the sarcastic answer that I would usually say to anyone offering me dessert.

Instead, I wipe my mouth with my napkin and take a swig of my soda before nodding.

"Lead the way."

…

"You know, you kind of wiggle when you eat."

My eyes are closed as I have a near-religious moment with the best fucking blueberry pie I've ever had.

"Bite me," I say in automatic response. Then I realize what I've said, and who I've said it to, and my eyes fly open to look up at Edward.

He looks amused as he slides a bite of pie between his lips.

We decided to go in again, but only because we ended up buying half a pie. If I'm honest, I could eat the whole thing myself, but it's kind of nice sharing it with him.

We're standing by the pie booth at a tall table, and I can't help but wiggle each time I taste the incredibly fresh dessert.

"I've always done it," I say, clearing my throat. "I can't help it. I love food."

Edward grins, and I'm a little bit mesmerized as his tongue slips out to lick at the ice cream on his fork.

"Favorite food?" he asks.

I scoff. "That's like asking a music lover their favorite song," I protest. "No one has an ultimate favorite. Food is situational. Sometimes I'd absolutely kill for sushi, and sometimes I go absolutely ham over street tacos or this amazing spicy Ethiopian goat stew. If I'm missing my girls, nothing in the world can comfort me like popcorn."

Edward's eyebrows quirk. "Popcorn?"

I nod.

"It was basically the only thing we could make in our dorm room freshman year of college, so we sort of ate it a lot. Every time I smell popcorn, I think of them."

Edward smiles when I glance up at him. "I've always admired your friendships," he admits. "It takes so much dedication to come back to the same place every year. I've never had friends I cared about so much who care about me in return." He glances at me and shakes his head. "I mean, I've had friends, of course, great friends even, but it takes a special kind of bond to pull off what you all have."

My heart tugs painfully in my chest. I feel bad for him, because he's right, what I have with my girls is rare.

It's the most precious thing in my life.

"I'd be lost without them," I say, shaking my head. "I'd probably be some insane hermit, stuck in the wilderness somewhere, never to be seen again until I showed up as some sort of headline about Americans being killed in a Central American jungle."

Edward laughs, and I grin, glancing up at him.

"I can't imagine that's true," he argues.

I shake my head. "It's totally true. I'm not still enough to make many connections with people. I'd rather travel all over the world alone than wait for someone to join me."

I realize sort of belatedly, that my speech is probably the ultimate turn-off. Not that I'm trying to get Edward to like me or anything. I am what I am, and I know that.

I risk a glance up at Edward who looks to be considering my words. "Sounds lonely," he says after a moment.

I shake my head. "It's freedom," I correct.

He doesn't say anything, and I drop my eyes to the last bite of our pie. I cut it in half, even though it's small, and nudge half toward him while I eat the rest. Edward doesn't scoop up the pie right away, and I feel like I've totally blown whatever was happening with him tonight when he finally speaks.

"The tide should be good tomorrow night for the bioluminescence," he says, surprising me. I look up at him. "Are you still interested?"

I swallow. "I am," I say slowly. "That is, if you're still up for taking me?"

Edward nods and finishes the last bite of the pie. "Absolutely."

My stomach rocks slightly.

We toss our trash, and Edward lets out a soft sigh. "I have to walk all that off now."

I nod in agreement. I'm stuffed to the brim.

"Me too."

I can feel his eyes on me as I gaze out toward the dark water, so I decide to be a little bit reckless.

"Do you want to walk on the beach?" I ask. Edward looks surprised but nods in agreement. We make our way down, and when we near the water, I'm glad I'm wearing shorts and a loose linen button down over my tank top. All the clothes have been borrowed from the girls since my luggage is still missing. It's warm enough to be cozy while still allowing me to shuck off my sandals and shove my feet into the black water.

To my surprise, Edward rolls up his jeans, kicks off his shoes, and does the same.

The water is cold, but I like the bite.

"What's your favorite food?" I ask, looking up at him, realizing he offered up nothing about himself.

Edward turns to me in the dark, and I see his shoulders move as he thinks about it.

"Maybe my mom's chicken soup," he says after a moment. "She made it for any of us whenever we were sick. It reminds me of her, warm and soothing, consistent and always sort of there for me."

His answer creates a pit in my stomach. Edward is wholesome and grounded, the exact opposite of me.

I turn back to the sea, taking a deep breath of salt-tinted air.

Edward isn't a guy for me. I can't lead him on this summer, because I don't even know what my next move is, so how can I possibly treat him fairly?

But there is a quiet in the calm that surrounds him, a steadiness I don't normally have, and there is something comforting in merely existing next to that.

I won't lead him on, I decide, but I won't drive him away, either. I could do with another friend in life to center me.

Out on a ship, fireworks start going off, decorating the sky in a brilliant display. I glance over at Edward, watching his profile light up in soft reds and greens as the lights spark across the endless sky.

He turns toward me, a crooked smile sitting on his lips. Something about his easy stance reaches me, and I smile back at him.

We both turn back to the explosions of color, our feet in the water, our minds in the sky, our hearts somewhere in the middle, on the horizon.