Chapter Text
It had been fifteen years.
Bella ran into him in an airport bar. Her flight was delayed, she was tired and irritated, and she was halfway through a glass of wine she didn’t even like when she glanced up. And there he was.
He turned, drink in hand, and it hit her like a brick to the chest.
She almost didn’t recognize him at first. His hair was longer, his shirt buttoned a little too high, and there was a fine line between his brows that hadn’t been there before. But his smile was still the same, still lit from within.
Even at first. When it was polite, automatic; the kind of smile you gave a stranger after accidental eye contact.
Then he really saw her. He did a double take, and before she could think better of it, she heard herself say his name out loud, like she wasn’t even sure he was real.
“Edward?”
His face split into a wide, genuine grin. “Oh my god.”
The hug was immediate, awkward at first, one arm, half-standing, half-sitting, but warm and sincere.
Conversation flowed easily, as if no time had passed at all. Bella didn’t even realize how long they’d been talking until the final boarding call for her flight buzzed across the speakers. Neither of them moved.
He nodded toward her hand.
“I thought I heard about a ring on that finger a while ago. My sister saw it on Facebook or something.”
She glanced down, almost surprised to see it bare.
“Oh. Yeah. Jacob and I, we broke up. He…” she shrugged. “I don’t know. He got cold feet, or maybe just realized he didn’t want me for a partner in the kind of life we were heading toward.”
Edward’s mouth pulled into a frown.
“What an idiot.”
She laughed softly.
“No, really, I shouldn’t have said yes in the first place.”
He leaned back a little, still studying her.
“No, I mean it. I would know. I let you go, too.”
The words landed heavy in her chest, hot and sharp.
She considered him, trying to pretend her heart wasn’t racing.
“What about you? I heard you got…” she trailed off gently, uncertain.
“Divorced,” he said, with a small, embarrassed chuckle. “Yeah.”
Bella nodded. “I read about that.”
“You and everyone else.” He smiled ruefully and gave a half-shrug, like he knew how ridiculous it all was. “Well, you know what they say about Hollywood marriages.”
She chuckled, then her voice softened.
“I’m sorry, though.”
He took a sip of his drink and winced at the taste.
“Don’t be. It was a bad idea from the start.” He paused. “You seeing anyone new?”
“Definitely not.” She made a face. “Not because I’m hung up on Jake or anything. It’s just…” She gave a theatrical shudder. “Dating these days.”
He laughed. “Tell me about it.”
“What about you?” she asked.
He shook his head.
“Not even casual flings?” she teased, raising an eyebrow. “Isn’t that the whole point of being a rock star?”
He rolled his eyes and chuckled, but when he looked at her again, his expression had softened.
“You know me,” he said quietly. “I’m not really a casual kind of guy.”
Bella’s heart stuttered.
He’d said that same thing when they first started dating. About how he was all in with her. Was he thinking about that night now, the same way she was?
Before she could dwell on it too much, she forced herself to stay casual. She hummed around another sip of wine.
“And they say fame changes a person.”
That got her a real laugh. He tipped his head back and grinned wide before leaning forward again, elbows resting on the little bar table.
“What else, though?” he asked. “What are you doing these days?”
She told him about her job, her city, how she didn’t travel much anymore. How her parents had gotten back together and remarried. (“What?!” “Dude, I know.”) How she’d picked up a new hobby, or given up an old one.
He listened not just nodding politely, but really listening. Asking questions. Laughing when she laughed.
It felt… easy. So unbelievably easy.
He watched her for a moment, eyes warm.
“Can I ask something kind of ridiculous?” he said.
“Sure.”
“Can I get your number again?” His smile went a little crooked. “Talking with you again is… really nice.”
Her heart leapt into her throat.
“Yeah,” she said softly. “Of course.”
He unlocked his phone and slid it across the table, and just like that, something started again.
Eventually, her name was called over the intercom; her rescheduled flight was finally ready to board.
They both stood at the same time. It was awkward for a fraction of a second, then not at all. He stepped in and wrapped his arms around her, warm and solid and real. A real hug. Not a polite one. Not a casual, passing thing.
It was the kind of hug that said ah, there you are.
A thousand memories rushed in; his cologne, the way he always ran a little hot, the way he used to hold her close. She pressed her cheek briefly to his shoulder and murmured, “It was great to see you again. I really enjoyed this.”
“I did, too,” he said quietly. Then he pulled back just enough to kiss her cheek, a soft, lingering thing. “Please don’t let it be another fifteen years before I see you again.”
Bella smiled. “Scout’s honor.”
Then she winked, turned, and walked toward her gate. Dizzy, smitten, and eighteen all over again.