||Lynna's P.O.V.||
Thank you for coming to dinner tonight. Things have been weird at home since dad got engaged. Noah signed as he walked me to my front door.
I had gone with Noah to his family dinner per his request. He and his dad have been sort of at odds with each other since announcing the engagement. Noah's little sister, Sadie, was thrilled with the prospect of having a stepmother, but Noah, on the other hand, was anything but.
"You're welcome," I said to him, offering him a smile. "Thank you for inviting me. It's been a while since we've done anything together outside of school."
He nodded, smiling. I'll see you tomorrow.
When I walked into my bedroom, a startled gasp flew through my lips when I saw Edward sitting in the recliner next to the window. His brows flew up his forehead, a frown pulling down his features as I hurried to close the door behind me.
"You're late," he commented, standing up from the chair and slowly approaching me.
"By five minutes," I mumbled as I took off my earrings and placed them in my jewelry box.
I could feel his eyes on me as I slipped off my heels, putting my back towards him. My breath hitched in my throat when I felt his cool body press against me from behind. He wrapped his arms around my waist and molded me against him. My heart immediately responded to the gesture by going haywire. When his lips lightly grazed the side of my neck, I nearly melted.
"I'm relieved that you weren't with Tyler," he murmured huskily, his cool breath fanning against my skin and eliciting a delicious shiver to travel down my spine. "Why you didn't simply tell me you were meeting Noah, I'll never know. If I didn't know any better, I would think you were trying to make me jealous."
He firmly pressed his lips at the hollow below my ear. I had to bite back a moan when I felt his solid erection digging against my backside. My lower stomach tightened as I threw my head back, granting him better access to my neck.
I sighed out of pleasure when he began peppering gentle kisses up and down my neck, leaving me breathless.
"Were you trying to make me jealous, Lynna? Tell me the truth," he spoke in a low, gravelly voice that had me pressing my thighs together desperately.
I pulled my lower lip between my teeth in longing, struggling to get a grip. I couldn't just give in to him so easily. He made it perfectly clear that our 'arrangement' wasn't going to go anywhere.
"Did it work?" I finally asked, surprised when my voice didn't waver.
A growl came from deep within his chest as he gripped my hips, causing my heart to stutter.
"I'll take that as a yes," I mumbled before attempting to untangle myself from him.
I couldn't think straight with his body pressed against mine. It was important for me to have a clear head right now. How easy it would be for me to give in to his touch; to beg for his kiss. My hormones screamed in protest the second I pulled away from him, but I needed to be strong. I deserve better than being some dirty little secret. When I turned around to face him, I was surprised to see the amount of lust he had in his eyes. He looked.. ravenous. Despite myself, heat settled in my core, yearning for him.
I took a step back, putting some much-needed distance between us before I said, "You wanted to talk. So, talk."
He pressed his lips into a thin line, releasing a deep sigh as he ran his hand through his hair. "Lynna, I—I don't know what to do, okay?"
"About what?" I wasted no time in asking.
He sighed once more, his face pulling down in a frown. "I—" He opened and closed his mouth repeatedly, seeming to be at a loss for words. "Lynna, I.. I don't want to lose you."
My heart swelled with hope despite my best efforts. I pressed my lips into a thin line, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand. "Why is that, Edward?"
His brows knitted together. "What?"
I folded my arms across my chest and looked up at him expectantly. "You say you don't want to lose me. I want to know why that is."
His frown deepened. I watched as different emotions swirled in the depths of his pupils. To me, he seemed… ambivalent. "Well.." He trailed off, his gaze dropping to the floor. "I.. I mean.. I care for you. Obviously."
"You 'care' for me?" I repeated, quirking a brow.
That could mean a multitude of things, so I was trying not to let myself get carried away. But my heart had other plans as it picked up its tempo.
He nodded once, pursing his lips. "…Yes."
I pulled my lower lip between my teeth, inhaling a shaky breath before asking, "In.. In what way?"
He exhaled sharply and ran a hand through his hair once more, causing it to stand up on end. "What do you mean, Lynna?"
I stifled an eye-roll. Was I going to have to spell it out for him? Boys are clueless. Whether they're seventeen or a hundred-and-twenty-two.
"I mean exactly what I'm asking. In. What. Way." I threw my hands up in the air, growing frustrated. "As in.. like a friend? Or.." I bit my lower lip nervously before whispering, "..something more?"
His jaw went slack before snapping shut with an audible click. I could have sworn his face paled despite it being physically impossible. He looked.. terrified. My stomach churned anxiously at the realization. This 'talk' wasn't going to go how either one of us envisioned it.
He slowly shook his head, sorrow painting his features like a canvas. My heart sank at the sight.
"Lynna, I—" He continued shaking his head; an apologetic smile flitted his lips as he whispered, "I'm not ready."
A lump formed in my throat at his words. Did I expect anything less? Of course not. But still—A part of me had hoped.
"I'm sorry," he breathed out, his eyes full of sympathy and anguish. His expression was one of pain as he said, "You were right to end things between us.."
My throat burned from fighting back the wave of tears that threatened to spill from my eyes. I was on pins and needles, waiting for him to continue.
"As much as I want you…" He gazed into my eyes from afar, holding mine captive before saying, "And believe me, I do. But as much as I want you, it wouldn't be fair of me to ask you to allow this to continue.." He stared off into the distance, seeming to collect his thoughts. "I can't…be who you want me to be."
My heart clenched in my chest. "And who's that?" I asked in a faint whisper, worried that my voice was going to crack.
His jaw clenched when he looked at me with undiluted sadness. "Someone worthy of you," he spoke with finality.
Now, I was at a loss for words. My heart was in my throat. I closed my eyes, not wanting him to see the heartbreak that they would display.
"I can.. leave town," he spoke in a voice that was barely above a whisper. "If that will make things easier for you."
My eyes flew open, connecting with his immediately. Panic pierced through me at the thought of him leaving. "Don't go," I was quick to say. "I mean.. You don't have to leave."
His features were hardened, his gaze unwavering as he asked, "How can I stay?"
I racked my brain for something, anything, to hold onto. Without a second thought, I blurted out, "We can be friends."
For a moment, his stoic façade faltered, revealing a devastated boy with his heart in his eyes.
My heart was racing as I softly spoke, "Like actual friends."
He quirked a brow. "Friends?"
I blinked rapidly, nodding.
He pressed his lips into a thin line, appearing deep in thought before saying, "You mean.. Like you and Noah."
"That's right," I breathed out, refusing to break eye contact. "Friends. Friends that speak to each other in public and aren't afraid to be seen with each other."
He leaned against the wall, his shoulders slumping forward as he stared down at the floor. His expression was unreadable.
"Edward." His name rolled off my tongue like a soft melody. "I don't want to lose you either," I admitted, fully aware of how true that was.
I didn't want to lose him entirely. My heart was already invested in him. The thought of never seeing him again was too painful to even think about.
He inhaled a shaky breath, his golden eyes glistening as they poured into mine from across the room.
"I would rather have you as a friend…" I trailed off, pulling my lower lip between my teeth to keep it from trembling before I found the strength to continue, "…than not have you at all."
I watched as he closed his eyes, allowing my words to sink in. Somehow, I was able to continue, "Your kind… mate for life. You're unchanging. And I know what that means." I blinked rapidly, studying his solemn face. His eyes remained closed, but his jaw ticked. I took that as my signal to continue, "I know that your heart still belongs to… her."
His eyes flew open, growing to the size of saucers as they met mine. He looked almost panicked.
"You can't help that, and I understand," I assured him, surprised by how strong my voice sounded. "You could never love me like that."
When the words were out, it felt like a weight was lifted off my chest. Sorrow etched itself across his face, his lips parting as though my very words stole his breath.
"But I don't see why friendship would be out of the question," I told him, lifting my chin in defiance.
He pressed his lips into a thin line, furrowing his brows before pushing off the wall and taking a hesitant step towards me. "It's not," he finally spoke.
My heart skipped a beat. "But you can't just be my friend when no one is around. That's not how friendship works."
He nodded in understanding, clenching his jaw. "I know."
My eyes widened in surprise. "So… Friends?" I looked up at him with hope in my eyes, extending my hand towards him for a handshake.
He stared down at my hand, frowning. When he met my gaze, his ember eyes were sparking with emotion. I chose to ignore the passion burning in the depths of his irises as I waited for him to agree.
"Just friends?" He quirked a brow, sounding unsure.
My heart was heavy in my chest, but I still managed to nod. "Just friends."
A long moment passed in silence as I anxiously waited for him to agree. A storm was brewing in his eyes as he finally nodded, wrapping his cool hand around mine.
"Friends," he whispered, a forlorn smile tugging at his lips.
My racing heart somehow managed to slow down, getting back into a normal rhythm. I returned his smile half-heartedly, dropping my hand to my side before folding my arms across my chest and rocking back and forth on my heels.
My racing heart somehow managed to slow down, getting back into a normal rhythm. I returned his smile half-heartedly, dropping my hand to my side before folding my arms across my chest and rocking back and forth on my heels.
"Well, I, uh.." I tucked my hair behind my ear, meeting his intense gaze. "I should probably get ready for bed. It's getting late."
His brows flew up his forehead, a frown staking a claim on his face. "..Right. I'll just.. get going then."
He dropped his gaze to the floor, turning towards the window. Just as he was fixing to jump out, I called out to him, "I'll see you at school tomorrow?"
I watched as he slowly turned to face me, seeming to be studying me intently. I was holding my breath when he said, "I'll see you tomorrow."
And with that, he vanished from sight.
My stomach was churning as I walked into school. I greeted Noah in the hallway before we made our way to our shared class.
You okay? He asked me, frowning.
I nodded. I'm fine.
You look like you have something on your mind. He quirked a brow, challenging me.
I offered him a half-hearted smile in a bid to reassure him. It's nothing. Really.
Paige flitted to his side, pecking him on the cheek and flashing me a grin. "Hi, guys."
She was the distraction I needed when I walked into the classroom and saw Edward sitting in his assigned seat. If Noah was paying close attention, he would have noticed the way my face lit up upon seeing him. I had hoped he would show up, but I had my doubts. The fact that he was here led me to believe that perhaps this whole 'friendship' thing could actually work out.
He glanced up from his notebook, meeting my gaze for a brief second as I sat down beside him. I offered him a soft smile, trying to stop my heart from stuttering when I noticed his eyes darken as they drifted to my chest. I was wearing a blue form-fitting v-neck. It wasn't super revealing or anything, but I supposed it showed enough. Given his clenched jaw and midnight eyes, perhaps it showed more than I thought.
"Good morning, Edward," I spoke around the lump in my throat as I pulled my things from my bag.
"Good morning, Lynna." His low, husky voice washed over me, and my heart skipped a beat despite my best efforts.
I inhaled deeply, trying to collect myself. When my eyes locked with his, there was no denying the static charge surging between us. The air surrounding us felt electrified. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see his hand curling into a tight fist, snapping the pencil in half; the sound pulled me out of the trance, so I was able to tear my eyes from his.
I cleared my throat, avoiding his gaze entirely. "I'm glad you're here. A part of me didn't think you'd show," my voice wavered.
I could feel his eyes burning into the side of my face; they scoured over every inch of my exposed skin, leaving a fiery trail in their wake. "You asked me to," he spoke quietly. "So, of course, I'd show."
I breathed out a nervous laugh, casting him a quick side-eye glance. "Well, thank you for not skipping town."
A genuine smile flitted to his lips, causing my breath to hitch. As if on cue, Alice and Emmett strode in, taking their seats behind us. This was the ultimate test. My stomach twisted into a giant knot as I awaited Edward's reaction. If our friendship was going to work, then he can't shun me the second he sees his siblings. To my surprise and delight, he didn't. His smile remained as his gaze flickered from me to Alice and Emmett.
Alice's mouth fell open, her eyes darting to mine in confusion. Emmett quirked a brow as he studied Edward, not bothering to hide his bewilderment.
"You're in an awfully good mood," Alice hummed, narrowing her eyes at him as though she was waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"Maybe he's finally snapped," Emmett whispered to Alice in faux discretion, grinning from ear to ear.
I pulled my lower lip between my teeth, struggling to hide my nerves.
"Oh, well—Lynna here just told a great joke." Edward chuckled, flashing me an amused smile when he saw my dumbstruck expression.
My jaw went slack as their eyes shifted to me.
"Let's hear it," Emmett was quick to say, grinning expectantly. "It must be one hella joke to make Edward crack a smile."
Alice nodded in agreement, beaming at me. I fought strongly against the urge to shoot Edward a glare. Don't get me wrong—I love telling jokes, but I never fail to panic when I'm put on the spot.
"Welll?" Alice piped up, arching a brow.
I felt my cheeks heating up as I racked my brain for a joke. "Um…" I trailed off, my eyes widening when I finally remembered one. "What do you call a fish with no eyes?"
Emmett was already laughing. "I don't know. What?"
"Fsh," I did my best to imitate the sound.
Alice and Emmett looked at each other in confusion. Edward's shoulders were shaking with silent laughter, no doubt due to their reaction and not the joke. No, definitely not due to the joke.
"Get it? Fish with no eyes? No I's? Like the letter?" I was grasping at straws here.
Emmett laugh snorted. "Yeah, I get it."
Alice pressed her lips into a thin line, tilting her head to the side. After a moment, she too laughed.
"What I don't get… is the fact that you found that funny." Emmett said to Edward, giving him a pointed look.
Edward simply shrugged. "It was funnier the first time she said it."
When he flashed me another smile, my heart felt light as air. Maybe this was the start to a beautiful friendship after all.