Nine

Once again, Bella found herself ready well before Edward was supposed to pick her up. Carlisle had been giving her a curious look ever since they got back from the market, but he didn't confront her. To be honest, she was thankful for this.

She didn't want to get her hopes up if he decided to stand her up again. It was stupid, she thought, to even agree to go out with him again, but she couldn't say no. There was something different about him, or at least, she hoped he was different.

"You look nice."

Bella shifted her eyes to her bedroom doorway, where her uncle stood with his arms folded. "Thanks."

"Going out?"

"I . . ." Bella swallowed thickly. "Edward . . . Edward wants to take me to the Pavilion."

Carlisle nodded. "Fun place."

"Yeah," she whispered. "Sorry. I should have asked."

"It's fine. He seems like a nice boy."

She nodded because he did seem like a nice boy, but then again, he'd called her a nobody and ended up being a no-show. She nodded because he seemed like a nice boy, but then again, he'd called her a nobody and ended up being a no-show, leaving her hanging.

"You okay, Birdie?"

Bella nodded furiously.

"You sure?"

But before she could assure him, she heard someone knock. Carlisle grinned before he spun around and hurried to the door. Bella followed, holding her breath as he yanked it open. Relief filled her when she saw Edward there. He wore dark jeans and a white dress shirt that he'd left untucked but had rolled the sleeves up to his elbows.

He looked past her uncle and smiled. "Hey."

"Hey," Bella whispered, smoothing out the dark blue sweater she'd picked out to go with the jeans.

"Well, this is awkward," Carlisle snickered, stepping backward. "You have money, Birdie?"

"Yes," she muttered, but Edward was quick to say, "I have plenty."

His grin grew as he nodded. "Well, you two have fun."

Bella rolled her eyes. "We will."

She walked past him, but when she reached for the door handle, Carlisle grabbed her hand, pulling her into a hug and kissing the top of her head. "Be home by midnight, okay?"

Bella nodded.

"And have fun. You deserve it."

"I will."

Though she felt her cheeks warm from embarrassment, she knew her uncle was worried about her. Edward placed his hand on her back and led her down to his Bronco, opening the passenger door for her.

"Thanks," she murmured, climbing inside. He closed the door, and she put her seatbelt on as he hurried around and slipped behind the wheel.

"You look beautiful."

"Oh, well, um, thank you," she said nervously. "You do, too."

"Boys aren't supposed to be beautiful, Bella."

She shrugged. "You are, though."

"If you say so," he laughed, starting the engine. "Before we leave, I want to apologize again for, you know, standing you up. I didn't mean it, I swear."

Bella nodded.

"And thank you for giving me another chance. I don't deserve it."

Again, she nodded.

Edward inhaled a deep breath. "Are you ready?"

"Yes."

Ten minutes later, Edward found a parking space, paid their admission, and led her through the crowd as they took in all the rides. Bella had never been a big fan of amusement parks. There were too many people and too much noise, but being there with Edward felt different, special.

"Okay, anything you want to start with?"

"Um, I don't know," she said quietly.

"How about the Merry Go Round?"

"Sure," she replied.

Edward slipped his hand in with hers as he led her to the ride. They joined the queue, waiting their turn, leaning against the iron fencing. Edward angled his body toward her, his hand still wrapped around hers.

"Which one do you want?" he asked, tilting his head toward the ride. "I kind of like the black stallion."

"Leaning toward the green dragon," she said, laughing. "Who was the girl at the market with you?"

Edward inhaled a deep breath. "Alice."

"And who is Alice?"

"Just a girl in my class."

Bella nodded. "She's a friend?"

"Yes."

"Just a friend?"

Edward grinned. "She has a boyfriend."

"Oh."

"She lives next door. Helps me with my mom sometimes."

"Why do you need help with your mom?"

Edward tensed, but before he could respond, the ride stopped, and as the current riders departed, they were allowed in. Edward hurried over and claimed the white horse next to the green dragon, giving her a cheeky smile.

"Need help getting on?"

"No," she scoffed, grabbing the pole and placing her foot in the stirrup. She hoisted herself up, throwing her leg onto the other side. "See, I'm not helpless, Edward."

"Never said you were," he laughed. "Just wanted to be a gentleman."

"Yeah, yeah," she snickered, watching as he mounted his horse. "I've never ridden a Merry Go Round before."

"Never?"

She shook her head.

"Well, I'm glad to be here for your first time."

—TBHC—

After the Merry Go Round, they rode the Tea Cups, The Scrambler, and The Super Happy Swing. Edward kept his hand wrapped around hers on all of them, laughing every time she squealed. She'd be lying if she said the feel of him holding her didn't make her happy, giddy even, and the sound of his laughter reached her soul.

"Are you hungry?"

"A little," she admitted as they walked through the exit gate.

"Do you like Funnel Cakes?"

Bella grinned as she nodded.

"Funnel Cake it is!"

While he ordered their food, she found a small picnic table off to the side and tried her best to keep from letting her imagination get the best of her. It was difficult, though. He made her feel seen, wanted, almost needed. But at the same time, in the back of her mind, she remembered his past actions. Was she setting herself up for heartbreak again?

Bella was startled when someone sat next to her, seeing as Edward was still standing in the food line. Bringing her hand to her chest, she looked over and found Jasper with a huge grin on his face.

"Hey, Pretty girl, told you I would see you again."

"So you did," she replied. "But you don't have Buster to knock me to the ground this time."

"Hey, he apologized," Jasper laughed. "And for the record, he whined because I left him at home."

"I bet he did," she said.

"Are you ever going to tell me your name? Or should I just keep calling you Pretty Girl?"

She rolled her eyes. "Bella. My name is Bella."

"Bella," he murmured. "That's pretty. Fits you."

"If you say so," she scoffed.

Jasper opened his mouth to offer a retort, but when he looked over, his mouth closed, and his eyes narrowed. Following his gaze, she saw Edward looking at them. "You're here with Masen?"

"Um, yeah. Why?"

"No reason," Jasper muttered before he stood. "Maybe I'll see you around, Pretty Girl."

"Um, okay."

She turned and watched Jasper walk away, but not before he glanced back at her, throwing her a wink.

"Didn't realize you'd met Whit."

Bella inhaled a deep breath as she looked at Edward. "His dog jumped on me a few days ago."

Edward placed their tray of food down before sitting across from her. "I see."

"Are you mad that I was talking to him?"

"No," he said quickly. "Just . . . just . . . He's dangerous, Bella."

Thank you for all the AMAZING reviews! Huge thank you to Sunflower Fran for being an amazing beta!