Life as I Know It

Chapter 9

Previously...

"I have the worst taste in friends," I mumbled miserably, but happy from the adorable forehead kiss.

"I think we all do." He chuckled. "Forget about Alice. How about dessert? Ice cream?"

I nodded and we walked to his car outside.

~oOo~

We stopped by Coldstone Creamery to get our ice cream and sat at a small round table near the corner of the store. I'd wanted to pay for my own cup, but Edward was sweet enough to insist.

"I still should have paid for my own." I shook my head, amazed.

"No, it's no problem. I'm the guy, I'm supposed to pay." He smiled.

"So you're just assuming I can't pay for my own stuff, just because you're the guy?" I challenged, half-joking.

"No, I know you can. I just choose to help out."

I frowned. "Help out how?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. I was taught that men should always be chivalrous towards women."

"But if they can provide for themselves, they don't have to be."

"But it's crap guys that treat women like dirt that make them feel that way."

"So you think the only reason a women is independent is because something happened to her?"

"No," he sighed. "I didn't mean it like that."

"What did you mean it like?"

He stopped to think on his feet. "I don't know...I mean, I look at you and you're shy and quiet and keep to yourself. But that doesn't mean you're weak. You have this quiet, beautiful determination within yourself that...that doesn't need protecting. But as a man, and as someone who knows you really well and wants to get to know you on a more personal level, I don't mind doing small stuff for you."

"Are you doing it just because you're a man or—" I rolled my eyes but froze when he took my hand on the table.

"No, I'm not. I have a genuine interest in you."

I hid a smile as he played with my fingers. "I just don't want you to feel like there are any expectations to stand up to. I'm pretty much an open book. Or as open as I can get."

"I can live with that."

~oOo~

We walked to his car, and my sweater didn't feel warm enough. I shivered under it, and Edward took off his jacket, wrapping it around my shoulders.

"Is this another one of your manly duties?" I smirked, soaking in the scent of his jacket.

"Maybe...is that okay?" He grinned.

Snickering, I shook my head. "Yeah, I suppose, this time."

Back in the car, Edward started driving toward home, and I felt my eyes drooping.

"Bella, you can sleep if you want. I'll wake you when we get to your house."

I shook myself awake. "No, I'm fine."

"You sure?"

I mumbled, "Mmhmm..." but felt myself drifting off anyway.

A few minutes later, I felt the car pull to a stop and Edward push my hair back to kiss my temple.

"Wake up." He chuckled, and I hit his shoulder back.

"How long was I out?" I asked, stretching out a bit.