TEN

Edward led me through the streets of Seattle with a hint of mystery in his eyes, refusing to tell me where we were going. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the city as we walked. Finally, he stopped in front of an unassuming door in a quiet alley.

I raised an eyebrow at him. "What is this place?" I asked, glancing around at the seemingly empty street.

He just grinned, pushing open the door to reveal a staircase leading down into what looked like an underground space. "Trust me," he said, taking my hand as we descended the stairs.

As we entered the wine cellar, the sound of soft jazz music wafted through the air. Amber-colored lights illuminated rows upon rows of wooden shelves, each one holding bottles of various shapes and sizes. The smell of aged wine and polished wood enveloped us as we made our way through the room, passing by a live jazz band playing in the corner. It was like stepping back in time to a romantic, intimate world filled with delicious scents and smooth melodies.

My jaw practically dropped as I looked around. "Edward, this place is incredible," I said, breathless.

He gave me a proud smile. "I thought you might like it. I remembered how interested you were in the history of my house, so I figured a place like this might be right up your alley. It has a similar vibe, don't you think?"

I was floored by the fact that he'd remembered something like that. The thoughtfulness of it all sent a warm rush through me. "You linked this whole date to the house?" I asked, a little in awe.

He nodded, looking genuinely pleased that I was impressed. "I wanted to make this night special. And I know how much you love uncovering secrets and hidden gems."

I felt my cheeks heat up, and I was suddenly grateful for the dim lighting. "You've outdone yourself," I said, shaking my head in disbelief.

Nestled in a secluded alcove of the dimly lit jazz bar, we sank into plush velvet armchairs. A sultry saxophone solo filled the air, and the amber glow of flickering candles danced across our faces. I savoured every sip of my full-bodied red wine as the cozy ambiance enveloped us like a warm embrace.

"You really went all out," I said, glancing around at the beautifully decorated space. "I can't believe you are this thoughtful."

Edward's eyes sparkled with mischief as he leaned in closer. "Oh, this is just the beginning," he whispered, his cool breath tickling my ear. "I have a few more surprises up my sleeve."

My heart raced at his proximity and the promise of more to come. I took another sip of wine to steady my nerves, savoring the rich flavor on my tongue. "More surprises? I'm not sure I can handle any more excitement," I teased, though my curiosity was piqued.

He chuckled, a low, melodious sound that sent shivers down my spine. "I think you'll manage just fine," he said, his fingers lightly brushing against mine on the table.

I looked down at my glass, swirling the wine as I gathered my thoughts. "You know, this place reminds me of my dad a little," I said, my voice softening. "He's always been a history buff. He'd make me watch documentaries on the history channel."

Edward's smile turned gentle, his attention fully on me. "Sounds like you two are close."

"Yeah, kinda," I said, nodding. "He's pretty great. My parents split when I was little, and I lived with my mom mostly, but my dad and I always had this bond over odd things when I'd visit him. He's not much of a talker."

Edward's eyes softened even more, but before he could say anything, I took a deep breath and continued, feeling the need to share more. "But I suppose there's not much you can really say when you're sick… I mean, really sick. I had cancer a few years back."

He sucked in a breath, his hand reaching instinctively toward mine. "Bella, I—"

"I'm fine now," I said quickly, cutting him off with a small smile. I didn't want to see pity in his eyes. "It's all in the past, and I'm in remission. I'm just grateful to be here, doing what I love. That's why I'm so focused on my career. It's like a second chance, you know?"

His grip tightened on my hand, the concern still etched into his features. "I get it," he said softly, the sincerity in his voice making my chest tighten. "You're tougher than you look, you know."

I smiled, touched by his words, but desperate to lighten the mood. "Enough about me," I said, waving it off. "Tell me more about your bond with Emmett. You two seem pretty close."

Edward's face lit up at the mention of his brother, and I was grateful for the shift in topic. "Emmett's like my best friend and my biggest pain in the ass all rolled into one," he said, chuckling. "He's always been my rock, especially when we were kids. We've been through a lot together, you know, being adopted by Carlisle and Esme."

I nodded, fascinated by the way his eyes softened when he talked about his family. "Is he your only sibling" I asked, curious.

Edward shakes his head.

"I have a sister. Alice is amazing, but she drives me insane. She's like this whirlwind of energy and opinions, always two steps ahead of everyone else. But I love her to death. She's always there when you need her, even when you don't think you do. Her advice is always incredible," He says adoringly.

"Sounds like you've got a pretty tight-knit family," I said, smiling, "I wish I had a sibling."

"When mine piss me off you have have them both," Edward jokes, his voice softer now, filled with warmth. "We're just lucky to have each other. Carlisle and Esme gave us a real home when we needed it most but also gave us each other."

I felt a pang of admiration for him, this man who seemed to have it all together, who valued family above everything else. For a moment, I wished I could be a part of that world he was describing—a world where people had your back no matter what.

"Thank you for sharing with me," I said, feeling like I was seeing a different side of him.

Edward's eyes met mine, and he gave me a small, almost shy smile. "You make it easy to talk, Bella," he said. "You're not like anyone I've ever met."

My heart did a flip at his words, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

After our conversation at the jazz bar, Edward led me up a hidden staircase to the rooftop. I didn't know what to expect, but when we reached the top, my breath caught in my throat.

There, under the canopy of twinkling fairy lights, was the most perfect setup: a picnic blanket spread out with cushions, a basket filled with all my favourite snacks, and a projector screen with Shrek queued up and ready to play. The Seattle skyline sparkled in the distance, and a cool breeze brushed against my skin.

Edward stood back, watching my reaction with that same playful smile that never seemed to leave his face. "I hope you like it," he said, a hint of nervousness in his voice that made him even more charming. "Rosalie might have leaked some information about your favourite movie."

I couldn't help but laugh, a mix of disbelief and joy bubbling up nside me. "Edward, this is... incredible. I can't believe you did all this." I turned to face him, my eyes shining with appreciation. "And Shrek? Really? I can't believe Rosalie told you that."

He shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eye. "What can I say? I have my sources. Though I have to admit, I was a bit surprised. I pegged you more as a Pride and Prejudice kind of girl."

"Oh, don't get me wrong, I love Jane Austen," I said, settling down on the blanket. "But sometimes you just need a good laugh and some fairytale satire, you know?"

A grin spread across my face, and I couldn't contain the excitement bubbling inside me. This moment felt like a dream, too perfect to be real. I plopped down onto the plush blanket, surrounded by soft cushions and the sound of waves crashing in the distance. Edward took a seat beside me, leaving just enough space for our arms to touch as we leaned back against the pillows.

"You know," I said, reaching for some popcorn, "this is honestly the best first date I've ever been on."

"I was going to scratch my neck with a fork, but I remembered that was a deal breaker for you," he reaches for a piece of popcorn himself.

I laughed and threw a piece at him, which he caught effortlessly in his mouth, making a show of chewing it with a triumphant grin. "Okay we get it. You're sporty."

Edward chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I'm a man of many talents," he said, tossing a piece of popcorn in the air and catching it in his mouth again. "Though I have to admit, my popcorn-catching skills are probably my most impressive."

I rolled my eyes playfully, but couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips. "Oh yes, I'm sure that's what all the ladies swoon over."

As the opening credits of Shrek began to roll, I found myself settling more comfortably against the cushions, my body unconsciously leaning towards Edward's. The warmth of his presence beside me was comforting, and I felt a sense of contentment wash over me.

"You know," I said softly, my eyes fixed on the screen, "I've always loved how this movie turns fairytales on their head."

"It's like it's saying that real life isn't always perfect, but that doesn't mean it can't be beautiful in its own way," I continued, glancing at Edward.

He nodded thoughtfully, his eyes meeting mine. "I can see why you'd appreciate that perspective," he said softly. "Life rarely follows the script we expect it to."

As we watched the movie, I found myself laughing more than I had in a long time. Edward's laughter joined mine, a rich, melodious sound that made my heart skip a beat. Every now and then, our hands would brush as we reached for snacks, sending little sparks of electricity through my body.

During a quieter moment in the film, Edward turned to me, his expression suddenly serious. "Bella, I want you to know something," he said, his voice low and earnest. "What you told me earlier, about your past... I want you to know that it doesn't change how I see you. If anything, it makes me admire you even more."

I felt my breath catch in my throat, touched by his words. "Thank you," I whispered, my eyes searching his face. "That means a lot to me."

He reached out, gently tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. His touch was cool against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. "You're incredibly strong. And I'm honoured that you felt comfortable enough to share that with me."

For a moment, we just looked at each other, the movie forgotten in the background. I felt myself getting lost in his golden eyes, drawn in by the intensity of his gaze. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, he began to lean in.

My heart raced as I realised what was about to happen. Then the screen before us blasted with donkey's rendition of "I'm a Believer" pulling us apart with a jump.

We both burst out laughing at the sudden interruption, the tension of the moment broken.

"Well, that was quite the mood killer," Edward chuckled, running a hand through his hair.

I felt my cheeks flush, a mix of embarrassment and disappointment coursing through me. "Leave it to Donkey to ruin a moment," I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Edward's eyes softened as he looked at me, a small smile playing on his lips. "I don't think anything could truly ruin this moment," he said softly.

My heart fluttered at his words. I opened my mouth to respond, but found myself at a loss for words. Instead, I leaned my head against his shoulder, feeling bold.

He tensed for a split second before relaxing, wrapping an arm around me. We sat like that, watching the end credits roll.

I felt it—the shift. The moment where this stopped being just a crush or a flirtation. Where it became something more. Something that had the potential to change everything.