𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲 , 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 Discontinued!

Chapter Ten

Even though their interactions had only begun two months ago, she was already deeply attached to him.

He might have felt the same way — she had no way of knowing, never really did — but if this... curse of hers decided it was time to go, then... What would happen to the sad, lonely Edward Cullen?

"No," Lucinda replied softly and truthfully, a sad smile curling at her lips. Something flickered in his eyes, and his brow furrowed, his pink lips parting just so. "However, enough about me. Why don't you tell me a little bit about your family? I'm sure it's far more fascinating than my stories."

She teased lightly to divert his attention away from the previous topic. Lucinda found herself grinning as Edward gave her a cautious look. "I won't investigate about your supernatural status; I'll have to figure it out on my own."

Edward relaxed with a chuckle. "What do you want to know?"

Lucinda hummed quietly. "You were adopted by the Cullens," says the narrator. She hesitated for a moment, but the comforting look in his eyes compelled her to continue, "Can I ask what happened to your parents?" Did you know who they were?"

His slender fingers traced absentminded patterns on the steering wheel as he nodded once. "I don't remember them well," Edward murmured over the pitter-patter of rain, "they died many years ago."

Her demeanor softened. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"For a long time, Carlisle and Esme have been my parents." Edward continued, a small smile tugging at his lips as the thought of them lit up his golden eyes.

"You adore them." Lucinda smiled, fiddling with her fingers as her heart skipped a beat at the tender expression on his beautiful face.

"Yes, I do." Edward said, the corners of his eyes crinkling happily, "I couldn't imagine two better people."

"What about your siblings?" Lucinda asked softly before recalling the other members of the Cullen family.

Edward was about to say something, but a glance at the digital clock on the dashboard caused his face to sink in disappointment. "My siblings," he sighed, "will be quite upset if they have to stand in the rain waiting for me..."

"I apologize for keeping you." After looking at the time, Lucinda grimaced. "Please accept my apologies."

"It's fine." Edward said, nearly pouting, "And you probably want your car back before Ander gets home, so you don't have to tell him about the Biology incident." He added as a crooked grin took over his face, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Lucinda snorted, "Oh, he knows by now." There are almost no secrets in small towns." She expressed her dissatisfaction.

Edward laughed at her predicament. "Have fun at the beach," he said before looking out the window, rain still falling from the sky, "Great weather for sunbathing."

Haha. Hilarious.

But something about his words struck her. Her brow furrowed, and she began to frown. "Won't I run into you tomorrow?" Lucinda asked a question.

He noticed her disappointment and pursed his lips, his face softening. "Emmett and I are getting an early start on the weekend. We're going hiking in the Great Rocks Wilderness, which is just south of Mount Rainier." Edward elaborated.

She vaguely remembered Charlie mentioning that the Cullens went camping on a regular basis. Lucinda forced a smile, telling herself not to be greedy, "Hope you have fun, will you take pictures for me?"

He returned her smile and said, "Of course." Edward responded. She'd started to open the door when his arm shot out, his cold fingers delicately curling around her wrist. Lucinda turned to look at him, surprised and discovered him closer than she had anticipated. "Can you make me a promise?" He inquired almost breathlessly, his ochre gaze searching hers.

Lucinda couldn't help but nod, enthralled.

"Please be cautious. I—" Edward swallowed deeply and exhaled a shaky breath, "I don't know what I'd do... if you were hurt." He confessed, his beautiful eyes gaining a glossy sheen as he sounded torn.

She wished she could kiss him.

He looked down at her lips with an almost longing expression, his thumb rubbing slow circles on her inner wrist as if he could hear her thoughts. Lucinda realized she'd been leaning in too close and came to a halt. "I swear." Instead, she spoke in hushed tones.

For a brief moment, Edward looked up at her through his lashes before succumbing and pressing his soft lips against the corner of her mouth in a soft peck.

Lucinda held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest, and her mouth went dry as a result of his actions. In a shy gesture, he drew back and placed his hands on the steering wheel, his bottom lip caught between his teeth.

"I'll see you next week." He murmured, not looking at her directly. Lucinda couldn't help but smile as she said her goodbyes and got out of the car, afraid she'd swoop back in and catch those pink lips with her own.

She wasn't sure she'd be able to restrain herself the next time.