The Manstress [EdwardxJacob]

Something New 👬💞

Edward practically floats home.

He doesn't know how he's going to explain his sudden absence. He doesn't know how he's going to explain not having slept at home last night, or how he's going to excuse being late to work this morning. But right now, none of that seems to matter as much as it might've yesterday.

Yesterday it would have sent him into a panic. But after his time with Jacob, so much of the tension seems to have drained from his body. Today, all of those problems seem surmountable.

The walk home from Jacob's apartment is a bit long. Normally he would take transit, but today there's an eager energy in his veins and it feels nice to stretch his legs.

The morning air is brisk and cool, and Edward finds himself pulling on his jacket after only a few minutes. He allows his thoughts to wander as he makes his way home, conjuring idealistic images of himself and Jacob going on their first date. A fancy restaurant with expensive wine; a scenic drive in a fancy car; a walk along an idealistic pier at sunset. (This is possibly the most ludicrous of them all, as he and Jacob don't live anywhere near a pier.)

Predictably, his brain brings up the memory of Jacob kissing him goodbye at his door, less than an hour earlier. His whole face flushes up to his ears, and he ducks his head, stuffing his hands into his pockets. It wasn't even a real kiss, just a kiss on the cheek. The kind of kiss you might give to your mother or a close friend. Despite this, it makes Edward feel giddy and hopeful and anxious all at once. He has to stop himself from reaching up to touch his cheek, remembering the exact place Jacob kissed him with a loopy fondness.

Edward is so caught up in his own imaginings that when he looks up some time later he's surprised to find himself standing in front of his own house.

He climbs the steps to his front door and fishes out his keys, unlocking the door and stepping inside. The house is dark and still, lit only by the natural light spilling in through the windows.

It's already half past ten, long after he should have been at work. Thankfully, it's also long after Bella should be at work, which means she's already gone. He can easily avoid another unpleasant conversation with his wife. At least for now.

Edward closes the door behind him, the thud loud in the silent house. He wipes his shoes on the mat and slips them off, padding into the house on socked feet.

Edward climbs the stairs, shrugging off his jacket as he goes. The door to his bedroom is open, and he strides through it, peeling off his shirt. He discards the clothing on his bed and moves into his walk in closet.

He rifles through a row of dress shirts, pulling one off the hanger. Next, he grabs a pair of grey slacks, and picks a tie at random. Perhaps he should take more care in dressing himself, but he's never cared much for spending time on appearances.

Once he's dressed, he grabs his briefcase and leaves his dark, empty house behind.

Edward gets through his day at work, going through the motions and trying his best to stay focused on his work. It's rather difficult when his mind would much rather stay focused on Jacob instead.

The day seems to pass more quickly than it had only a few days ago. His mood has certainly improved, far from the desperate, miserable state he'd been in. He's on cloud nine, already excited about seeing Jacob again. (Although that implies he's ever not excited to see Jacob, which, well.)

It's only when Edward is on his way home that he realizes he and Jacob never set a time for their date.

Well, shit.

—

Jacob is reading a mystery novel on his couch when he hears his phone ding.