Chapter 23
After a long night of no sleep and no food, Edward did the best he could to look halfway presentable. A long hot shower and a fresh change of clothes didn’t touch the fact that he looked like the loser in a boxing match that lasted all twelve rounds. He grabbed his jacket and took off out the door, thankful he didn’t have any classes to deal with.
He stopped off at a coffee shop and filled his stomach with coffee and chocolate croissants before making his way toward the university. Eva’s scientology class was about to be let out and he needed to see her as soon as he could. He kept out of sight from other students until it was time for Eva to walk out of the building.
The moment she walked out of the building and saw him she stopped and stared. Gasping, she ran toward him, her eyes wide. “Eddie? Oh my… what happened to you?”
Other students were catching on that something was out of the ordinary and they turned to look, some stopping and murmuring amongst themselves.
Eva fussed over him and made a scene, almost crying when she saw him.
“It’s nothing. Really.”
“Nothing? Are you kidding me? Look at you. Who did this to you?”
“I… I don’t know.” He looked around and whispered, “Can we get out of here? I don’t think we should be seen together like this, but I need to talk to you.”
“Oh,” she whispered back, looking around. “Yes. Come on.” She grabbed his hand and tried to quickly pull him along.
“Ah,” he gasped when the pain shot through him again. He rounded his back and bent toward the ground until it was tolerable again.
Eva let his hand go and shook her arms, cringing. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
“I’ve been better.”
With much more finesse, and when he looked ready for her assistance, she took his arm and let him lead the way. The students disbursed and continued along their way.
“When is your next class?” he asked, knowing it was in less than ten minutes.
“Don’t worry about it. I don’t need to be there. I think you need me more than I need anthropology right now.” She pointed down a narrow path. “Let’s go to the park. There won’t be many there.”
They walked in silence for a ways, until she couldn’t stand the silence any longer.
“So, what happened to you anyway? You look horrible.”
“Thanks.” He felt her eyes on him and for the first time, he didn’t feel so confident. He didn’t know if it was the appearance he gave or the woman he was next to.
“I was jumped last night, just before I came to see you.”
“That’s why you didn’t show,” she said with a chuckle in her voice.
“It’s not really that humorous,” he replied, feeling awkward at her reaction.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to laugh. It’s just that… do you know who did it?”
Edward shook his head. “I didn’t recognize him.”
“But you did see him? Can you give a description to the police?”
“I only heard his voice. He came at me from behind.”
“I’m so sorry.” She rubbed his arm and it felt good to him. He leaned closer to her as they entered the park and made their way to a remote area, unpopulated and quiet. When they sat down on a bench underneath a large oak tree he noticed Eva smiling.
“Why are you smiling?”
“Because you didn’t stand me up last night.”
“I would never do that.”
“I know that now, but.”
“But what?” he pushed.
“I thought you blew me off.”
“I told you, I wouldn’t have done that.”
“Well, I didn’t know what to think. I cried until I finally fell asleep thinking you….”
Caught up in the moment, he leaned toward her, a pain shooting through his side as he twisted his body. He quickly leaned back again, holding his breath until the pain was bearable again.
“Eddie! Are you okay? Did he break your ribs?”
“A few of them.”
“Don’t try to move too much,” she fussed, leaning toward him. “Are you sure you are….”
He grabbed her arms and pulled her into him, kissing her lips. He held her there, deepening his kiss, not caring how much pain surfaced because of it.
“Edward,” she mumbled between kisses.
He let go of her just long enough to listen to her, his eyes penetrating hers.
“Are you going to break my heart?”
She tugged at his heart strings and he wanted to crumble at her feet. He shook his head slowly, his eyes studying every feature of her face.
She swooped in toward him again, kissing him hard and not letting go.
He felt something break within her, almost a freedom. He wrapped his arms around her and let the feel of her body next to his melt the pain away.
“I’m almost afraid to ask, but do you want to go to dinner tonight?”
She leaned back and put her head down, smiling at his humor over the situation. “I do, but should I pick you up this time?”
“I promise I’ll be more careful and I’ll watch out for bullies.”
“Okay then. I’ll be ready by six. Same place?”
“No,” he said, remembering the maître d’s face at the sight of him.
“Oh wait,” she said, putting the palm of her hand on her forehead. “I completely forgot. I have to be in Milton Keynes this afternoon. I probably won’t be back until after seven. I would cancel, but I’ve been signed up for this for weeks.”
“No, no, no. It’s okay. I can meet you out there. The distance will probably be better for us.”
“Are you sure? Milton Keynes is over an hour away. My seminar won’t be over until six.”
“It’s okay. It will do me good to do some driving. Get away from here for a little while.”
Eva smiled wide at the thought he wanted to go out of his way for her. “Okay then. There is a nice Italian place on George Street called Martini Restaurant.” She pulled out a piece of paper and ripped off a corner. She pulled a pen and wrote it down and handed the small piece of paper to him. “I’ve been there a few times. It’s really nice. Great food.”
“If you keep leaving me notes like this I’m going to have to get a special folder just for you.”
“Maybe someday I’ll get a phone. Who knows?” She stood up and waited for him to look at her. “I have to get to my class. Will I see you tonight?”
“Six thirty?”
“Make it seven,” she said, smiling.
“I will make every attempt to be there.” He took her hand and turned it over, kissing her palm. “You can count on that.”