He aged but his face still looks the same. He's still the same even with wrinkles around his eyes and shorter hair. He's not a 18 year old boy anymore but I would have recognised him amongst a crowd of a million people, even if it's been more than 15 years that I saw him for the last time.
If he recognises me, he doesn't let it know. Extending his hand for me to shake, he smiles.
"Nice to meet you Bella, Mike talks a lot about his amazing wife." The moment my hand touches his skin, shivers run down my spine and I can't do anything else than nodding. I don't trust myself to talk as my throat constricts and my breath shortens.
Mike declares, pressing his hand on the small of my back. "Let's sit and order, I'm starving!" As we sit down at the table, I find myself in front of Edward.
Flashbacks of 15 years ago appear in front of my eyes immediately. The first time I put my eyes on him in that sports hall, when he crossed the basketball field, making the ball spin with dexterity on his fingers, talking with his friends, the gasp in Angela's voice when she noticed me mesmerised by him, her words I would never forget "uh you're gonna be in deep trouble with this one" when he flashed me his largest smile.
He still has the same skills, making a straw spin between two fingers while he looks at the menu. One could think he's nervous, but I know he's not. I know he's fidgety and he always juggles with everything he has in his hands.
"So, Tanya, what are you doing for a living? Ed here is really secretive about it." Mike asks, pouring wine in our glasses.
"Well, I was a teacher back in the day but when we got our second kid, I decided to stay at home to take care of them and the house. I know that Edward likes to come home after work to a clean household and a good meal. It was easier to stop working as I couldn't deal with everything."
Mike laughs. "See Bella, there are actually women who like to stay at home."
"I know, Mike, but that's not for me, you know it. To be honest, I don't see the point of this. If you share fairly chores, everything can be done regularly and on time."
"And what about the kids? It's nice to be present for them, don't you think?" Tanya asks.
Pain immediately goes through my heart. We tried for years but something's clearly wrong with one of us because I could never get pregnant. We decided not to investigate further as we didn't want to spend months enduring medical exams. We kind of made peace with that, I think.
Edward is the first to break the silence, apparently noticing the awkwardness of the situation.
"And what's your job, Bella ?"
"I have been a lawyer for the past 8 years." I wonder if he remembers I was in law school the last time we spoke.
"Let me tell you, when she works on a difficult case, I don't see her for weeks." Mike complains.
I know my job takes a lot of time and dedication, but I love it. Helping people has always been something important in my life and when I had the opportunity to specialise in family law, I didn't hesitate for a second.
"Edward is the same, when he's involved in something difficult, I hardly see him at home. But being a stay at home mother, I'm always there for him!" Tanya simpers, stroking Edward's jaw. I already hate her.
Edward doesn't look away from my face. "I guess we all are passionate about our job. Everyone need passion in their life, whatever it is" he says, his voice low and husky.
Edward and I hold each other's gazes until someone walking next to me catches my eye.
"Are you ready to order?"